"My hope is that as you explore heart mapping with your writers, you will fall in love with the stories and poems, truths and courage that will unfold--both theirs and your own." Georgia Heard in her newest book, Heart Maps.
Category: independent writing
Red Dot Side, Green Dot Side, Revisited
With very good intentions, we teach kids to do their best to really finish a story before they move on to the next one. However, a little bit of flexibility will go a long way in increasing engagement, volume, and independence in young writers.
Share this:
Share this:
Independent Persuasive Writing Projects
A possible plan for a unit on persuasive writing independent projects
Share this:
Share this:
Writing Mantras for the New School Year: Part of #TWTBlog’s Throwback Week
Did you know that talking to yourself can be really helpful? It's true! Researchers have long known that positive self-talk can be an incredibly helpful tool. The power of positive self-talk is something that I hadn't thought about much until recently. My friends' Kristi Mraz's and Christine Hertz's book A Mindset for Learning has helped me… Continue reading Writing Mantras for the New School Year: Part of #TWTBlog’s Throwback Week
Share this:
Share this:
An Eraser-Free Workshop and the Language We Use for Talking About It
When I visit a classroom, one of the first things I often say to kids is, "Today, please don't erase. I want to see ALL the great work you are doing as a writer. When you erase, your work disappears!" Often, this is what kids are accustomed to and they continue working away. But sometimes, kids stare at me as if I've got two heads.
Share this:
Share this:
THROWBACK WEEK: Pens Versus Pencils
What do you think is better for kids to use in writing workshop: pens or pencils?
Share this:
Share this:
Throwback Week: How To Read A Unit of Study
Learn some tricks for reading the Units of Study, whether you're new to the units or have been using them for many years.
Share this:
Share this:
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.
Share this:
Share this:
From Shared to Independent Practice: Drawing Lessons Continued
Last week we looked at a couple of students who were working on the visual plan and the use of drawing lessons. Let's peek in and see how that work is coming along in the shared and independent practice of writing workshop.
Share this:
Share this:
Okay, But What Would You Do?
This week has been full of writing workshop conundrums and dilemmas!
Share this:
Share this:
Minilessons: It’s All About the Link
It's all about the link. Make sure your minilessons link to ongoing work. Link to making choices. Link to all the other minilessons. Link to the charts and resources in the room. Most of all link your minilesson always to problem solving and independence.
Share this:
Share this:
How To Read A Unit of Study
As the school year comes to a close, many of the schools I work with are launching into a week or so of in-service, summer institutes, and other professional development. It's "curriculum season" in many places around the country. For many writing teachers, that means diving into the Units of Study for Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing by Lucy… Continue reading How To Read A Unit of Study
