colleen cruz · greenbelt writing · homework · Homework Mini-Series · independent writing · independent writing projects · ralph fletcher · writer's notebook · writing workshop

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.

classroom · independent reading projects · independent writing · independent writing projects · management · portfolio · preparation · publishing · writers · writing · writing folder · writing workshop · writing workshop routines

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.

blogging · DonorsChoose.org · extended day girls · independent writing · Independent Writing Blog Series · independent writing projects · NWP · publishing

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 · Independent Writing Blog Series · independent writing projects · summer vacation · writing workshop

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.

humor · independent writing projects · mentor texts

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 my first master's in secondary education so I could teach high school history.  As you know, I went into elementary education and the rest is,… Continue reading Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 5 of 5)

independent writing projects · informational writing · mentor texts · non-narrative writing · nonfiction

Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 3 of 5)

If you're planning to launch independent writing projects in your class during the final weeks of school, then you'll most likely have several students who might want to write a book about a topic of expertise.  Therefore, it might be nice to have a few new mentor texts on hand that you didn't use when… Continue reading Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 3 of 5)