Category: first day

first day · focus lesson · minilesson · slice of life

Ruth’s SOLS: First Day Minilesson — What is Writing Workshop?

Ruth Ayres10 Comments

Here's a little Slice of Life from the first student day. As a coach, the first day is one of the days I miss the most about being a classroom teacher. Thankfully,  Christi Overman (she blogs during the school year only, so you'll want to check back regularly on Chocolate for Teachers) invited me to… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: First Day Minilesson — What is Writing Workshop?

back to school · community · first day · writing workshop

Getting Ready to Go “Back to School”

Stacey Shubitz35 Comments

Some teachers are enjoying August without a care in the world, while others are at the bitter end of their summer vacation.  Therefore, I thought I'd take a few minutes to point you to some "back to school" posts we've written through the years in order to help you get ready for the school year.… Continue reading Getting Ready to Go “Back to School”

early childhood · first day · reading

Book Suggestions for Kids Who Are New to School

Stacey Shubitz

My neighbor's son is starting Kindergarten this month.  Even though I've only known him for a little over a year, I'm delighted for him since this is an exciting time in a young child's life.  Two books recently crossed my desk that I've thought worthy of sharing with him before he starts Kindergarten.  If you… Continue reading Book Suggestions for Kids Who Are New to School

first day · mentor texts · Read Aloud · writing workshop

What book will you read aloud on the first day of school?

Ruth Ayres10 Comments

When I was a middle school teacher, and now in most workshops that I lead, my favorite first read aloud is Hooray for Diffendoofer Day by Dr. Seuss (with some help from Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith). This book is not only perfect in its message, but a rich source for a  mentor text. It… Continue reading What book will you read aloud on the first day of school?

classroom signage · first day · resource · responsive classroom · work space

Professional Talk: The Walls of Your Classroom

Stacey Shubitz5 Comments

Each week I receive, The Big Fresh, an e-newsletter from Choice Literacy.  This week's feature is entitled "There's Room for Me Here." As I began reading through the article, it resonated with the Responsive Classroom Training I received three summers ago.  Essentially, the bottom line is to make your classroom feel welcoming for your students,… Continue reading Professional Talk: The Walls of Your Classroom

back to school · first day · routines

Routines I Teach So Things Run Smoothly

Stacey Shubitz2 Comments

Ruth, and many other TWT Readers, have been back-to-school with the kids for weeks. My students, on the other hand, start classes this Tuesday. I was cleaning out my closet the other day when I came across this paper, which I created before the start of the last school year. I found it fascinating to… Continue reading Routines I Teach So Things Run Smoothly

first day

Trying to Banish the Back-to-School Jitters

Stacey Shubitz3 Comments

Postcards to Help with the Eradication of First Day of School Jitters Originally uploaded by teachergal I created some postcards to send to my students later today. I'm sending them with the hope that this can help alleviate some of the jitters kids feel when they're about to head back to school. (Hence the reason… Continue reading Trying to Banish the Back-to-School Jitters

first day · writing workshop

the big picture.

Ruth Ayres4 Comments

The first day of school is tomorrow and I can hardly wait. Bags are loaded, clothes are pressed, lunch is packed and since this is my 9th first day of school (as a teacher), I know that I will sleep lightly and wake up well before the alarm clock. Going into the new year, I… Continue reading the big picture.

first day · friday poetry · poetry · repetition · Write: It's good for you!

Poetry Friday: An Original Poem About the First Day of School (for a teacher)

Stacey Shubitz2 Comments

When It's the First Day of School When it's the first day of school, I'll wake up before my alarm clock buzzes. When it's the first day of school, I'll bounce out of bed instead of slamming-down on the snooze bar. When it's the first day of school, I'll remove the tags from the new… Continue reading Poetry Friday: An Original Poem About the First Day of School (for a teacher)

first day · inspiration · poetry

A Lot of Slow to Grow.

Ruth Ayres2 Comments

I love Eve Merriam's work. Here is one of my favorites, which I will be sharing with the teachers attending the Beginning Workshop Training that starts Monday. A Lazy Thought By Eve Merriam There go the grownups To the office, To the store. Subway rush, Traffic crush; Hurry, scurry, Worry, flurry. No wonder Grown ups… Continue reading A Lot of Slow to Grow.

first day · organization · relaxation · scheduling

Scheduling Time for Yourself As the New School Year Approaches

Stacey Shubitz4 Comments

I just finished reading the July 2008 Issue of Real Simple, which I've been subscribing to for years. Since I didn't start it until AUGUST, I realized that the cover story "More free time: realistic ways to tame your schedule," was one I should read. If you're the kind of teacher that I am (i.e.,… Continue reading Scheduling Time for Yourself As the New School Year Approaches

first day · poetry · reluctant writers · writer's notebook

Inspiring Words for the Inside of Students’ Writer’s Notebooks

Stacey Shubitz1 Comment

For the past two years I've included "My Writer's Notebook/Diamond Search" by Brod Bagert inside of every student's writer's notebook. However, in addition to Barert's Poem this year, I'm also going to be putting some writerly advice inside of the kids' notebooks. These pieces of "advice," combined with the gift-wrapping of the notebooks, should make… Continue reading Inspiring Words for the Inside of Students’ Writer’s Notebooks