You've got to practice writing to teach writing!
Category: independent writing
A Quick Little Conference About Choices
I pulled a child-sized chair over to Zach and sat down next to him. "How's it going?" I asked. "Not good," was his reply. "What seems to be the trouble?" Zach explained that he was trying to add dialogue to his story, but his story was about falling asleep on the couch with his puppy,… Continue reading A Quick Little Conference About Choices
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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?
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Independent Writing: Back-Up Work
Encouraging students to have back-up work honors who they are as writers.
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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.
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A Mini-Crash-Course on Oral Storytelling
It's been several months since I've written for Two Writing Teachers. In December my son was born, and I was on maternity leave until a few weeks ago. Then, in March I pushed aside all excuses and did the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Every day in the month of March I recruited my four year old daughter to tell… Continue reading A Mini-Crash-Course on Oral Storytelling
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Pens Versus Pencils: Which One is Better for Writing Workshop?
In my line of work as a staff developer, I often get the question, “Which do you think is better? Pens or pencils?” I have to start by saying that I don’t think that pens versus pencils is a make-it-or-break-it issue. If you feel strongly one way or the other—go for it. It’s probably not… Continue reading Pens Versus Pencils: Which One is Better for Writing Workshop?
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Tailoring Our Teaching: Using a Writing Engagement Tool
During a 40-minute block of independent writing time, we sat back and observed the students. We recorded their independent writing behaviors at eight separate time intervals.
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Ten Suggestions for Encouraging Kids to Write at Home
Dear Parents and Caregivers, You might not realize it, but there are a zillion things you can do right at home to foster a love of writing. Even if you, yourself, are not all that comfortable as a writer, you can still do a lot to raise a kid who does love to write. Here… Continue reading Ten Suggestions for Encouraging Kids to Write at Home
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Inspiring Independent Writing in a Jam-Packed Curriculum
Kristen Robbins Warren honors her middle school students' independent writing lives by incorporating three literary rhythms (Monday Morning's Muse, Wednesday's Writing Window, and Friday Favorites) into the school week.
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GUEST BLOG POST: Ending with Independence
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 GUEST BLOG POST: Ending with Independence
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Voices Matter
It's been striking me recently how self-confidence and independence as a writer hinges on knowing your voice matters. When young writers know their words make a difference, then they are more confident, are willing to take risks, and are motivated to write. I also believe this is a difference in classrooms where students are encouraged… Continue reading Voices Matter
