Words Matter: Using Affirmations in Writing Workshop
Our words to our students matter. What our students say to themselves matters. We can inspire and uplift the conversation by using affirmations throughout our teaching and in writing workshop.
A Mini-Series for Families: Writing is for Everyone, Everywhere, All the Time
Rasha Hamid and Kelsey Sorum present three videos to guide families with writing anywhere, anytime, with anything they have.
When Writers Choose the Genre: Nurturing Independence from the Start
We don’t just want writers to be independent writers in our classrooms, we want them to be independent writers in the world! To do that, we need to offer frequent opportunities for them to begin with ideas, then choose genre — instead of the other way around.
Ten Possible Minutes: Sacred Writing
Every year brings with it new surprises. I was delightfully surprised by just ten minutes this year. Ten minutes made a big difference.
From the Classroom to the World: How a Young Writer is Making Her Voice Heard
Find out how Amelia Poor, age 12, learned “at a really young age how powerful writing can be.”
Amelia’s journey will surely inspire you and your young writers!
A Soft Start To Writing Workshop
When thinking about the year ahead, you may be considering soft starts to the day. In this post, I share the why’s and how’s for having soft start to writing workshop.
Six REAL Purposes For Kids to Write This Summer and Beyond
We do all we can to keep kids writing over summer. But are we assigning tasks and busywork, or actually enriching their writerly lives?
I’ve created a tool to share with families and students of all ages to inspire writing for REAL purposes this summer and beyond.
How to Reinvigorate Writing Workshop With Joy Through Independent Writing Projects
Don’t let kids (or teachers) lose momentum for writing as summer approaches! There is no better time than now to implement independent writing projects, as we help kids prepare to lead writerly lives long after the school year ends.
Branding Student Blogs
As an instructional technology coach, I have the privilege of working alongside teachers as they bring their students into the world of blogging. Many of the teachers I work with are new to blogging. They rely on me to steer them into an experience that will engage the student, lift student writing, and fit within the already packed school day. I guide these teachers to create branded blogs.
Nightly Writing: Homework and the Writing Workshop
Four ways to encourage students to write after the school day is finished WITHOUT assigning writing as homework.
The Freedom To Create
More and more, I’ve been recognizing the need to give students some freedom in their writing lives. Can independent writing time be the answer?
Heartfelt Gifts: Writing Presents
My favorite gifts to give are the ones that have come from my heart and my pen!
Work Smarter: How To Wrap Up A Unit of Study
This week my colleagues and I are writing posts that we hope will make your life a little easier. We’re sharing some ways to work smarter, not harder.
Summer Writing for You, the Teacher
You’ve got to practice writing to teach writing!
Independent Writing: 10 Ways to Get Students Published in the Real World
Some students want to write more than what is required of them in writing workshop. Enter independent writing projects! But how do you go from being another set of eyes on some additional writing a student does to helping him/her go public with their work?
Independent Writing: Back-Up Work
Encouraging students to have back-up work honors who they are as writers.
Summer Writing Projects in the Upper Grades
Channeling students to write over the summer can generate loads of independence and engagement. Read on for tips on how to get started.
Independent Writing Blog Series Starts Now!
Today launches our Independent Writing Blog Series! Join us all week long as we write about writing projects, summer writing, getting published in the real world, multi-genre projects, pulling back to let kids write on their own, and much, much more! Also join us for a Twitter chat on Monday, May 12 at 8:30pm EST with the hashtag #TWTBlog.
Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 5 of 5)
My students were always shocked to learn that my favorite subject to teach wasn’t writing… it was social studies! I was a history minor in college and almost considered getting … Continue Reading Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 5 of 5)
Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 4 of 5)
An interview with Author Germano Zullo + a giveaway of his new book, Line 135.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 