Launching a writing workshop is hard work. Intentional work. What are those “look fors” that let us know that our workshops are gelling? That community is being built, routines are being established, and writing work is happening?
Category: management
When Management Issues in the Workshop are the Result of Mixed Messaging
The beginning of the school year is perfect timing for the classic cautionary tale, an anecdote shared with the intention of saving others a difficulty I created for myself. My purpose is to both teach and entertain, as I humbly recount the thing I should not have done (and will be mindful not to do again).
Share this:
Share this:
April is the perfect time to try something new: Word Study Stations
Old dogs CAN learn new tricks, and your class CAN learn a new routine in April!
Share this:
Share this:
Three Quick Tips for Maximizing Time at the Beginning of a Virtual Writing Workshop
Students in digitial writing workshops need to be focused and ready from the moment they enter the remote classroom space. Here are three tips you can use with your students to get writing workshop underway so you don't lose time waiting for students to arrive, find pencils, etc.
Share this:
Share this:
Take a Tour of Your Own School with an Eye Toward Writing Workshop
When you have a chance, take a walk through the hallways of your own school. Try to see with fresh eyes. Pretend you are a visitor. Ask yourself: What kind of writing is on display? What kind of writing is not on display?If what we display in the hallways conveys a message about what we… Continue reading Take a Tour of Your Own School with an Eye Toward Writing Workshop
Share this:
Share this:
I Love Watching You Write: Research from the World of Sports Applied in the Classroom
Research on effective sports coaching suggests adults would do well by kids to cut down on criticism and focus more on the joy simply playing.
Share this:
Share this:
Tips for Analyzing and Scoring a Ton of Writing
Time is precious, and your mental energy even more so. Why waste either when others before you have learned through trial and error? Avoid common missteps by reading these simple tips.
Share this:
Share this:
Reinvigorate Your Classroom by Putting Kids First: An Interview with Christine Hertz and Kristi Mraz
Reinvigorate Your Classroom by Putting Kids First: An Interview with Christine Hertz and Kristi Mraz
Learn how Hertz and Mraz's newest book, Kids 1st from Day 1, can impact your writing workshop.
Share this:
Share this:
Crushed It!
Crushed It (defined): To feel positive, get more done, or in general be a better person. How are you crushing it in the classroom?
Share this:
Share this:
Three Tricks for Smoother Classroom Transitions
There are a hundred ways precious minutes can be wasted during those pesky transitions, and a hundred ways a rough transition can make for an uphill battle for the rest of writing workshop. Here are three tricks that you might try.
Share this:
Share this:
Plan Boxes as Management Tools
Do you struggle with students working -- rather than socializing -- during independent writing time? If so, here's a solution to keep your kids engaged as writers so you can maximize the number of students you meet with during independent writing time.
Share this:
Share this:
Fitting It All In: Solving Predictable Problems
For many of us, especially in middle school, trying to fit all the pieces of writing workshop into, say, a 41-minute schedule, can feel daunting. How can we teach a minilesson, get our kids working, confer with individuals and small groups, provide a mid-workshop interruption, and facilitate a teaching share…all in that tight time frame?
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 