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!
Finding Our Teacher of Writers Superpowers
What teacher of writers superpower would you like to develop this year?
Gardens of Young Writers
Teaching writing is a lot like gardening. It requires constant attention.
Christy Is…
Last week I had the privileged of observing Christy Rush-Levine with her eighth grade language arts classes. Deb Gaby, the reading coach in my district, along with two middle school teachers went … Continue Reading Christy Is…
Here’s what’s happening in my room this week.
This-Coming Week’s Teaching Points Turned Into “I Can” Statements Originally uploaded by teachergal By the end of the week, these are the things my students will know they CAN do … Continue Reading Here’s what’s happening in my room this week.
Boxes & Bullets: Framing Personal Essays
News & Announcements Chart for Monday, 11/10/08 Originally uploaded by teachergal In order to keep my demonstrations fresh, I’ve come to believe that I have to craft a NEW piece … Continue Reading Boxes & Bullets: Framing Personal Essays
Considering what one’s piece is REALLY about
Nurturing Originally uploaded by teachergal I put together a mini-chart for my students to tape into their writer’s notebooks after tomorrow’s minilesson so that they’ll have a permanent record of … Continue Reading Considering what one’s piece is REALLY about
“So What?”
Ruth and I spoke at-length this summer about the benefits and detriments of starting off the school year with memoir, as opposed to beginning with personal narrative. While my colleagues … Continue Reading “So What?”
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
Walking the Walk
As I was conferring with my students today, I realized that many of their fictional characters were just them, but with different names. (They were choosing seed ideas today and … Continue Reading Walking the Walk
