Our instructional minutes count more than ever this year. Read on to discover a new professional book that will help you maximize your teaching in reading and writing while helping your students grow in character and mindset. JoEllen McCarthy's new professional book, Layers of Learning, is a must read! Comment on the post for a chance to win your own copy.
Category: literacy
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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Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}
Recently Deb Gaby and I attended a Choice Literacy Workshop called Coaching the Common Core. It was one of the best conferences I've ever attended (and I've attended a lot of really great conferences!). The workshop was divided into three parts. Jennifer Allen, Heather Rader, and Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan led the three portions.… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}
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The Keys to Effective Instruction
Barbara J. Walker, President of the International Reading Association, wrote an open letter to President Obama in the February/March 2009 Issue of Reading Today, which I received in yesterday's mail. Points four and five, of her letter, specifically deal with what quality writing instruction looks like in classrooms. Walker's letter is well-worth a read by… Continue reading The Keys to Effective Instruction
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Literacy-Related News Stories
Some of the latest literacy-related headlines you might want to peruse: A Hartford Story Tries to Dodge an Abrupt End By Lary Bloom (The New York Times) The economic crisis and drop in corporate and political support have come at a critical moment — just as efforts to address the city's literacy rate are gaining… Continue reading Literacy-Related News Stories
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Anyone going to AERA in April?
I just found out a proposal two of my instructors from Teachers College submitted to the 2009 AERA (American Educational Research Association) Annual Meeting in San Diego got accepted. I will be presenting along with them, and three other former classmates from the Literacy Specialist Program at T.C., at AERA in mid-April 2009. The title… Continue reading Anyone going to AERA in April?
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Reminder Sign
New Sign by the Door Originally uploaded by teachergal I was on Etsy about two weeks ago and came across a customizable sign from K is for Calligraphy that would prevent me from sounding like a broken record to my students day-in and day-out. This sign, which was welcomed by my students and I earlier… Continue reading Reminder Sign
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Combo: 2 questionnaires meshed into one
Literacy Interview Originally uploaded by teachergal My colleague recently gave me a copy of a Reading Profile she uses with her students. Loved it! However, it left me realizing that the Writing Interview I've given my students in the past would be overkill since that would be two interviews they'd have to fill-out for me.… Continue reading Combo: 2 questionnaires meshed into one
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Literacy Gifts
Jen, Sarah, and Ruth gave me some fantastic ideas about ways to make the launch of writer's notebooks and using the classroom library more exciting for children in September. I thought their ideas were brilliant and will be doing both this-coming school year. Classroom Library Semi-organize the books in the classroom library before the start… Continue reading Literacy Gifts
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“New Literacy”
I'm in a political mood today since today is Primary Day in R.I. Therefore, I have been thinking about the way that politicians work with educators to affect change. Hence, I decided to pull-up something I wrote (last year) as a response to reading chapter 12 of Patrick Finn's Literacy with an Attitude: Educating Working-Class… Continue reading “New Literacy”
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 