Gathering Inspiration from Mentors
Here’s an idea for using art to inspire students who are reluctant to use mentor texts. After all, creating something beautiful — inspired by someone else’s work — is something artists, and writers, often do.
Growing Writers, One Challenge at a Time
This year, our class motto has been “Push through the struggle.” Originally a mantra of one student, but quickly became the motto of the community. These are the words used to encourage each other to persevere in all learning tasks. The Slice Of Life Story Challenge was no exception!
Giving Thanks + a Giveaway
Looking for a pre-Thanksgiving lesson to do with your students? Consider having them write gratitude poems or songs of thanks. Katherine Paterson and Pamela Dalton’s new book, Giving Thanks: Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs, can be used to inspire their writing. Leave a comment on this post if you’d like to be entered in a drawing for a copy of this book.
Author & Illustrators as Mentors
It is important to say the name of the author and the illustrator when you read a picture book.
Wow. Just Wow.
Awhile ago I was a 7th grade language arts teacher. My last year in the classroom I had one of the coolest classes that may have ever been compiled. It … Continue Reading Wow. Just Wow.
Who are your mentors?
I’ve been preparing for the graduate course, “Children’s Literature in Teaching Writing,” I’m teaching in June every time my daughter goes down for a nap, heads to sleep, etc. I … Continue Reading Who are your mentors?
The Book Stack
I have three gems for you. I. LOVE. These. Books. Love them. Micah Player previously worked for Paul Frank Industries. His illustrations and story are whimsical made me fall in love on … Continue Reading The Book Stack
Opinion Writing in Kindergarten
In one of the kindergarten classrooms I’ve been working in, we’ve been learning: Writers share their opinions. This has been a unit of study inspired by the Common Core State … Continue Reading Opinion Writing in Kindergarten
Let Their Writing Take Your Breath Away
Last week I was selecting some student writing to share with participants of the Conferring in Writing Seminar I’m leading at Penn State Harrisburg tomorrow. I didn’t want to go … Continue Reading Let Their Writing Take Your Breath Away
Showing a Story
Recently, I taught a minilesson about showing a story. In typical intermediate grade fashion, students were writing stories filled with struggles, but slim on creating a picture in the reader’s … Continue Reading Showing a Story
Highlights from the Week
I have been in a lot of different writing workshops lately. Just this week I’ve been in 13 writing workshops and have met with 13 different teachers in either reflective … Continue Reading Highlights from the Week
Mentors
One of the common threads running through the All-Write Conference was having mentors. I’m wondering who are your favorite mentors to use in your classroom and to use for your … Continue Reading Mentors
Digital Storytelling: Technology & Mentors
The latest copy of NCTE’s School Talk arrived in my mailbox yesterday. The present issue is entitled “21st Century Literacies: Young Children Reading and Writing in a Digital World.” Ceil … Continue Reading Digital Storytelling: Technology & Mentors
Gradually Releasing Responsibility to Students
Last year Karren Colbert wrote a blog post about using the Gradual Release Model with students when it comes to using mentor texts. Instead of reviewing a book in this … Continue Reading Gradually Releasing Responsibility to Students
Planned & Unplanned Mentor Text Conferences
I have been a bit of a mentor text aficionada for the past three and a half years. It all started when I asked an incoming class of fifth graders … Continue Reading Planned & Unplanned Mentor Text Conferences
Author Studies Help Children Write Better
Last month I was consulting in a school with some primary grade teachers. They expressed concerns about infusing mentor texts into their classrooms. I provided them with some language for … Continue Reading Author Studies Help Children Write Better
Using Asterisks
During the demonstration of today’s minilesson I added asterisks to my WN Entry to show a flashback in time. I said something like, “I’m going to put some stars here, … Continue Reading Using Asterisks
Teaching Craft to Kids
I was perusing the Heinemann and Stenhouse Websites today looking for new books about the teaching of writing. I came across a text by Elizabeth Hale entitled Crafting Writers K-6. … Continue Reading Teaching Craft to Kids
Making Mentor Poems Accessible At Any Time
Mentor Poems Bulletin Board, originally uploaded by teachergal. I realized the other day that it was unfair to only provide extra mentor poems, from my mentor poems binder, to kids … Continue Reading Making Mentor Poems Accessible At Any Time
What do you notice about this poem?
Brainstorming About "Pencils" by Barbara Esbensen Originally uploaded by teachergal Since I came back today, my kids only had one day’s worth of formal poetry instruction. Hence, I wanted to … Continue Reading What do you notice about this poem?
