Writing Celebrations…But Why?
With all the pressures imposed by a segmented, unforgiving middle school schedule, why make time for writing celebrations? Are they really that important? Yes!
Three “just right” texts to investigate the craft of memoir.
I love our writing workshop shift from personal narrative to memoir. It comes at the perfect time of year: our notebooks have filled up with writing lists and entries, our … Continue Reading Three “just right” texts to investigate the craft of memoir.
Happy New Year! Using Celebration to Restore and Build our Identities as Writers
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 … Continue Reading Happy New Year! Using Celebration to Restore and Build our Identities as Writers
Best Practices and Tests CAN Go Together
This week’s guest blog post is written by Lynnelle Snowbarger who is in her tenth year of teaching fifth grade in the Jenks Public Schools. A frequent participant in the … Continue Reading Best Practices and Tests CAN Go Together
Katherine Bomer Speaks About Her Newest Book
I have admired Katherine Bomer’s work for a long time. Her books are exquisite. Her love of children shines through when she speaks in front of a small group or … Continue Reading Katherine Bomer Speaks About Her Newest Book
What about the kid who ______?
Katherine Bomer never disappoints when she delivers a keynote address or a workshop. I cannot count how many times I’ve been fortunate enough to sit in the audience and soak … Continue Reading What about the kid who ______?
Obstacles to Revision for Little Kids
Katherine Bomer hosted a session on fabulous revision strategies for students in grades K-3 at the TCRWP Saturday Reunion yesterday. I haven’t synthesized my notes from that part of her … Continue Reading Obstacles to Revision for Little Kids
Back to Basics: Sharing (Part of TWT’s Big Picture Series)
Katherine Bomer said, “Writing celebration is the most important part of the writing process” (TCRWP Key Note Address, 7/8/08). Bomer suggests that this is because every writer writes for the … Continue Reading Back to Basics: Sharing (Part of TWT’s Big Picture Series)
Self-Efficacy in Writing Workshop
I recently read Michael Putnam’s article, “Running the Race to Improve Self-Efficacy,” in the Winter 2009 Issue of the Kappa Delta Pi Record. Putnam asserts, “I have complete confidence that … Continue Reading Self-Efficacy in Writing Workshop
Hard Work Should Be Celebrated
Katherine Bomer talked about celebrations this past summer at the TCRWP July Writing Institute. As I was planning my News & Announcements Charts for the upcoming week today, I found … Continue Reading Hard Work Should Be Celebrated
Remember to Celebrate!
Publishing Party – October 2004, originally uploaded by teachergal. Katherine Bomer spoke about the celebrating the work our young writers do when she delivered the Keynote Address at the TCRWP … Continue Reading Remember to Celebrate!
All-Write Summer Institute: Day Two.
What a whirlwind! And coming home to three young children didn’t slow life down any! True to form, I’m going to write another list of good stuff from day two. … Continue Reading All-Write Summer Institute: Day Two.
Reading [Student Writing] Like an Artist.
This was the title of Katherine Bomer’s keynote speech which she gave at 9 am this morning. Katherine was inspiring and uplifting and simply amazing. Anyone who has read this … Continue Reading Reading [Student Writing] Like an Artist.
All-Write Summer Institute 2008: Day One
Today I’ve been able to soak up thinking and ideas and general good stuff from: Penny Kittle. Lester Laminack. Katherine Bomer. My, oh my! To say my brain is swirling … Continue Reading All-Write Summer Institute 2008: Day One
Pin-Drop Quiet in W.W.
My room was pin-drop quiet during Writing Workshop today. Why? I did that great Katherine Bomer Activity I blogged about earlier this week entitled “Inside Me/Outside Me.” The kids not … Continue Reading Pin-Drop Quiet in W.W.
Process Log Gets My Mind In-Motion Again
When Lucy had us keep Process Logs for each piece we wrote for one of her classes, I (at first) thought it was a waste of time. I wondered how … Continue Reading Process Log Gets My Mind In-Motion Again
Slight Tweaking
I did some slight tweaking to our memoir unit of study. This is this year’s “final” version. Session 1: Writers read and listen to student memoirs and then write in … Continue Reading Slight Tweaking
Gearing-Up for Memoir
We’re starting a new unit of study on Monday: MEMOIR! I’ve taught it twice using Calkins and Chiarella’s Book. However, this year is going to be different. Kate and I … Continue Reading Gearing-Up for Memoir
How do Notebooks Fit into the Writing Process
A Time for Meaning – Notebooks in the Writing Process, originally uploaded by teachergal. This graphic is from Katherine Bomer’s Key Note Address at the 2006 TCRWP Summer Institute on … Continue Reading How do Notebooks Fit into the Writing Process
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 