Don Graves said, "If you want to understand how children write, then observe them closely. Write down everything they do and say. Then make a copy of their writing." This statement was shared at NCTE and it is one that is sticking with me. Since then, I've closely observed 7 primary students. I've studied each… Continue reading A Close Observation
Category: process
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 practice meetings or planning meetings. Therefore, I have SO MUCH I want to record. Which leads me to my current dilemma: what do I not… Continue reading Highlights from the Week
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Twitter Update
After three days of tweeting, my life is changed! A special thanks to those who left a comment and sent out a tweet about us. Wow, what a warm welcome to a new community. I can't say that I have a complete understanding of the genre (exactly what is a hashtag?), but I do know… Continue reading Twitter Update
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Minilessons Plant a Seed
One of the things I'm working on as a writing teacher is keeping minilessons, well, mini. As I've focused on this goal, I've realized sometimes lessons go long because I'm working toward perfection. I try to cover all of the bases so students can write in exactly-the-right-way. It is hard to admit this to myself,… Continue reading Minilessons Plant a Seed
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Purpose, Process, & Craft with Carl Anderson
Carl Anderson (aka: The Conferring Guy) has not only listened to the Beatles' music; he has studied it. He has determined by the Beatles wrote particular songs, how they wrote them, and what they did to write them well. Carl shared what he has learned by studying the Beatles' music with an audience of educators… Continue reading Purpose, Process, & Craft with Carl Anderson
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Guest Blogger: Alan Wright: First We Need to Rehearse
Alan currently works as an education consultant, and is based in Victoria, Australia. He works across public and independent schools in both primary and secondary school settings. From 2001 until 2006 his consultancy work was based in New York. Alan is a co-director of ALVIC Educational Consultancy with his wife, and fellow consultant, Vicki Froomes.… Continue reading Guest Blogger: Alan Wright: First We Need to Rehearse
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Individualize Writing Process + Standardized Tests
Sometimes when I write in this forum it is about topics I have thought through and know exactly where I stand and what I think. Other times I write here in order to figure out what I think. These are the thoughts which make me most nervous to post. However, if I never post my… Continue reading Individualize Writing Process + Standardized Tests
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Writing Behaviors & the Process
With the action research project I'm about to embark on, I'm trying to get a better hold on the writing behaviors my students, who do not write regularly, possess. I reached for M. Colleen Cruz's New Book from the Workshop Help Desk Series entitled A Quick Guide to Reaching Struggling Writers. This book is chock-full… Continue reading Writing Behaviors & the Process
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writer’s block.
Or is it blogger's block? I don't know what to post . . . and this is quite uncharacteristic for me, which means it is also quite frustrating. Since the title of the blog is TWO Writing Teachers, it's time for me to pull my weight. Angela asked me about my blogging process. . .… Continue reading writer’s block.
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TM Makes Poor Writers? IDK.
I've heard a lot of talk lately about texting (or instant messaging or emailing -- although that one's on the way out as far as high school & college kids are concerned) being the root of the problem when it comes to trashy conventions showing up in students' writing. However, this jury is still out on… Continue reading TM Makes Poor Writers? IDK.
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lingering in drafts.
In our hurry-up-and-get-it-done-society, sometimes it's tough to get our students to slow down and realize their unique writing processes. Sometimes it's tough for us, as their teachers, to slow things down and give them time to truly live as writers. However, after notebooks have been launched, our writing prompt genre studies completed, and the (Indiana) state… Continue reading lingering in drafts.
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fantasy writing.
I'm working in a fifth grade classroom this week who studied Chris Van Allsburg and are now working on their own fantasy stories. I must admit I was a bit skeptical about the teacher's decision to begin the year with fantasy writing, but after a few days in the classroom, I think it's a brilliant… Continue reading fantasy writing.
