audience · celebration · informational writing · Katherine Bomer · motivation · nurturing · publishing · writer identity

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!

Katherine Bomer · memoir · mentor texts

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 weekly slice of life writing has opened us to new writing possibilities, and we have grown into a writing community ready, willing, and able to… Continue reading Three “just right” texts to investigate the craft of memoir.

first day · guest blogger · jacqueline woodson · Katherine Bomer

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 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 Happy New Year! Using Celebration to Restore and Build our Identities as Writers

don graves · guest blogger · Katherine Bomer · lucy calkins · ralph fletcher · standardized tests · writing workshop

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 Slice of Life Story Challenge, Lynelle also documents her journey with her students at the Bohemian Teacher Blog. Teachers don’t join the profession because of… Continue reading Best Practices and Tests CAN Go Together

Katherine Bomer · professional books · writing

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 delivers a keynote address to a huge audience.  Her warmth is genuine from the moment you meet her. Hidden Gems: Naming and Teaching from the… Continue reading Katherine Bomer Speaks About Her Newest Book

Katherine Bomer · tcrwp · writers · writing

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 up the wonderful things she has to say about working with children, honoring them for who they are, and nurturing them as writers. The keynote… Continue reading What about the kid who ______?

Katherine Bomer · revision

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 presentation yet, but did type-up my notes from the part of her presentation where she talked about the obstacles that get in the way of… Continue reading Obstacles to Revision for Little Kids

Katherine Bomer · responsive classroom · sharing

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 purpose of having someone listen to what they’ve written. Therefore, when students share their writing with their peers at the end of a writing Workshop,… Continue reading Back to Basics: Sharing (Part of TWT’s Big Picture Series)

aimee buckner · Davis and Hill · Katherine Bomer · reluctant writers · writing workshop

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 you too could run a marathon; but it takes a plan, plenty of hard work and dedication, and a belief in yourself. Running the race… Continue reading Self-Efficacy in Writing Workshop

Katherine Bomer · news and announcements · publishing · responsive classroom · student work · 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 myself wanting to write about writing on four out of five of them. You see, I want my students to realize that their hard work… Continue reading Hard Work Should Be Celebrated

Katherine Bomer · publishing · sharing · tcrwp · writing workshop

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 July Writing Institute. She made me reflect on the way I celebrate my students' work, which I do at the end of each unit of… Continue reading Remember to Celebrate!

Katherine Bomer · penny kittle · professional development · Write: It's good for you!

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. Storyboards ROCK -- for all grade levels.  Penny spent time discussing her use of storyboards.  Basically it is pictures + few words.  At the younger… Continue reading All-Write Summer Institute: Day Two.