Author Spotlight Series · inspiration

Inspiration Advice – Tree House Not Included

Natasha Tripplett is often asked where she finds her writing inspiration. She's fortunate to work in an environment that lends itself to oodles of ideas.

Author Spotlight Series · biography · inspiration

You Can Write For Children

Remember what made you say “wow” as a kid? Richard Ho advises to build your story around that sense of magic.

digital tools · end of year reflection · engagement · inspiration · mentor texts

ICYMI: Two-Week Recap

You will be all caught up with this, in-case-you-missed-it post recapping the past two weeks here at TWT!

independent writing projects · inspiration · writing workshop

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.

Authentic Purposes for Writing Blog Series · community · inspiration · purpose · writing workshop

The Importance of Starting Practice with WHY: Nurturing Independence from the Start

How often do we ask ourselves about what leads our thinking on the teaching of writing? Is our purpose curriculum, or something much more significant? Why do we teach the way we do? And… How do we articulate why this, not that?

communication · conferring · inspiration · middle school · minilesson

Trust the Kids

Finding ways to trust kids, it might be said, creates more space for learning. In this post, I offer a few ways trust can be manifested in a writing workshop...

feedback · independent writing · inspiration · Looking Back and Moving Forward Blog Series · student engagement · Student ownership · writing workshop

Our Most Powerful Tool- Our Words: Looking Back And Moving Forward

In Visible Learning For Literacy, Fisher, Frey, and Hattie, explain “When feedback is delivered in such that it is timely, specific, understandable, and actionable students assimilate the language used by their teacher into their self-talk. (2016, 100)” These words stopped me. When our words become the self-talk of our students, they become the most influential tool we have as teachers.

Brooke Geller · inspiration · student engagement

What’s the Keynote of the Unit?

Hurriedly making my way through the front door of the majestic Riverside Chapel on Manhattan's Upper West Side, I glanced at my watch.  Late, I thought to myself.  Oh well, I'm sure I can still find a seat.  To my surprise, I was politely directed not to the actual main body of the chapel, but… Continue reading What’s the Keynote of the Unit?

ideas for the future · inspiration · slice of life · writer's notebook

Teaching Writing, Learning Writing

As I get ready for the March SOLSC, I'm thinking about ways to support writers when ideas, energy and inspiration waver.

back to school · gratitude · growth mindset · inspiration · LIWP · plan book · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Writing: A Path to Become an Intentional Educator

What if there was a way to build in opportunities to reflect, in writing, about my teaching right in the place where the lesson plans reside? And what if that place could also offer daily inspiration and opportunities to set positive intentions for the week ahead?

genre · ideas for the future · inspiration · strategy charts · student engagement · writer's notebook · writing workshop

Got Stuck?

What option can you give your students when they just get stuck?

christopher lehman · growth mindset · inspiration · olw · One Little Word (OLW) · writing workshop

Kathleen’s One Little Word of 2016

My fourth grade self's advice, my grandmother's influence, participating in the Literacy Leaders' Forum, and even a Facebook quiz and a fortune cookie have all pointed me in the direction of my One Little Word for 2016...HAPPY.