Category: first day

Starting Fresh, Not Starting Over: 3 Ways to Activate Prior Knowledge in Writing Workshop
back to school · classroom environment · engagement · first day · motivation · writing workshop

Starting Fresh, Not Starting Over: 3 Ways to Activate Prior Knowledge in Writing Workshop

Jessica MazzoneLeave a comment

Jordan was a confident third-grade writer—until he opened a blank notebook on day one of fourth grade and froze. A new school year feels like a fresh start, but it doesn't mean starting over. Here are three simple ways to activate prior knowledge and remind students who they still are.

An image of a girl at a desk, holding a pencil, with a notebook in front of her. Her notebook page says, "Dear Future Me" “Dear Future Me…”: An End-of-Year Activity That Builds Confidence for Next Year’s Writing Workshop
back to school · celebration · community · end of year reflection · engagement · first day · ideas for the future · independence · inspiration · motivation · notebooks · reflections · Reflective Practice · reluctant writers · struggling writers · student engagement · Student ownership · writer identity · writing life · writing workshop

“Dear Future Me…”: An End-of-Year Activity That Builds Confidence for Next Year’s Writing Workshop

Jessica Mazzone

Your students filled notebooks, found their voices, and grew as writers this year—don't make them start from scratch in September. Try “Dear Future Me…”, a simple end-of-year writing tradition that helps students reflect, celebrate progress, and walk into next year’s workshop already confident, capable, and ready to write from day one.

Revising the Classroom: Adventures in Flexible Seating
classroom environment · first day · flexible seating · writing workshop

Revising the Classroom: Adventures in Flexible Seating

Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski10 Comments

This year I had the opportunity to try out flexible seating with brand new furniture. It's been an adventure and I've learned many lessons along the way. What are your experiences with flexible seating?

Getting to Know Writers
charts · first day · writing workshop

Getting to Know Writers

Melanie Meehan10 Comments

You can learn a lot about students when you give them a chance to tell you want they know!

A Game Plan for Writing Workshop Transitions
classroom environment · environment · first day · materials · organization · partnerships · procedures · routines · writing workshop routines

A Game Plan for Writing Workshop Transitions

BethMooreSchool9 Comments

Have you ever visited a colleague's classroom or watched a video of a lesson and wondered, "How are those kids so perfect? How do they seem to know exactly what to do, the moment the teacher suggests it?" Just like in sports, practice makes perfect. A sports coach puts time and effort into devising game… Continue reading A Game Plan for Writing Workshop Transitions

Back to School Posts on TWT
back to school · community · first day · writing workshop

Back to School Posts on TWT

Dana Murphy1 Comment

We've curated some of our top 'Back to School' posts to help you plan and launch your writing workshop.

Begin the writing workshop year by writing on “Day One”
first day · writing · writing workshop

Begin the writing workshop year by writing on “Day One”

Tara Smith17 Comments

This year, I’m reaching back into habits of old and carving out time to write during that first day. Here are some things I will keep in mind...

Back to School
back to school · community · first day · writing workshop

Back to School

Stacey Shubitz4 Comments

I've culled the TWT archives for posts you might want to read during the first month of the school year.

back to school · community · first day · writing workshop

Going “Back to School”

Stacey Shubitz5 Comments

Some teachers have been back to school since August 1st, while others head back after Labor Day.  By looking through our site stats I've noticed a lot of people are searching for terms that relate to the beginning of the school year.  Therefore, I thought I'd take a few minutes to point you to some… Continue reading Going “Back to School”

first day · guest blogger · jacqueline woodson · Katherine Bomer

Happy New Year! Using Celebration to Restore and Build our Identities as Writers

guestteacher5 Comments

Lindsay Reyes began her teaching career seven years ago in South Carolina where she taught 4th and 5th graders. Following her heart for urban education and literacy reform, she moved to New York City where she taught middle school in the South Bronx. She has experience teaching General Ed and Special Ed (as a Collaborative… Continue reading Happy New Year! Using Celebration to Restore and Build our Identities as Writers

first day · technology · Web 2.0

Glogster

Stacey Shubitz5 Comments

I recently read a post on Raising Reading and Writers that talked about Glogster.  I hadn't heard of Glogster, which is a tool for creating virtual posters, and therefore checked it out immediately.  This is a site that allows you to create a poster through text, images, video, and music.  Once you create your own… Continue reading Glogster

challenges · first day

Celebrate What You CAN Do!

Stacey Shubitz3 Comments

If I were still a classroom teacher, then tomorrow would be my first day back to school (unless I were still teaching in Manhattan, and then I'd be heading back the day after Labor Day).  Even though I no longer have a classroom of my own, I can still recall how overwhelmed I felt in… Continue reading Celebrate What You CAN Do!