I Remember
What is a memory? What makes a moment memorable? Were they moments of utter joy and warmth? Or was there embitterment, stress, and even trauma that made it special? For … Continue Reading I Remember
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 … Continue Reading Take a Tour of Your Own School with an Eye Toward Writing Workshop
Tips for Getting the Most out of a Literacy Conference: Strengthening Professional Learning
Professional conferences are an excellent way to increase your knowledge and can fuel your enthusiasm for teaching. If you’re new to attending conferences — or just want some tips to help you maximize your enjoyment as a conference-goer — then this post is for you!
Feedback That Moves Writers Forward: Review and Giveaway
Feedback That Moves Writers Forward: How to Escape Correcting Mode To Transform Student Writing, written by Patty McGee, is a must-read for educators who know we can do far better for students when it comes to talking with them about their writing.
When Writers Drive The Workshop: Review and Giveaway
When Writers Drive the Workshop is a book with heart. Brian Kissel writes with passion, voice, humility, conviction, and wisdom. The stories he shares from the student writers he worked with are stories that will stay with you, reminding you why doing this work matters so much. Read the rest of the book review and leave a comment for a chance to win your own copy of When Writers Drive the Workshop! (You will want to win!)
A Class Hub To The Rescue!
A class hub can make all the difference for digital writing and learning!
Finding Our Teacher of Writers Superpowers
What teacher of writers superpower would you like to develop this year?
Close Writing: Review and Giveaway
“Mrs. Sokolowski, I’m done!” It’s a refrain I’ve heard often from students, who tell me they are completely finished with a piece of writing. More times than not, as I … Continue Reading Close Writing: Review and Giveaway
Post-its and PD: Crafting a Writer’s Statement
When was the first time you felt like a writer? My earliest memory of being a writer was creating stories that my Grandma used to tell. She invented characters: “Good Gertie,” … Continue Reading Post-its and PD: Crafting a Writer’s Statement
EdCollab Gathering
Four of us will present at The Educator Collaborative Spring Gathering tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
Video Case Studies: P.D. Possibilities
One of my favorite kinds of professional development is having an opportunity to visit other teachers’ classrooms (aka: lab sites). It helps to see how other teachers carry out instruction … Continue Reading Video Case Studies: P.D. Possibilities
Teaching Side-By-Side: Coaching and Classroom Visits
This month, interspersed with the Slice of Life Story Challenge, my colleagues and I are writing about professional development possibilities. Many of our readers are literacy coaches, team leaders, administrators, professors, … Continue Reading Teaching Side-By-Side: Coaching and Classroom Visits
Make Lab Sites Meaningful
General tips for literacy coaches to use when facilitating writing workshop lab sites.
Who’s Up For a TWT Voxer Book Club?
Are you a Voxer skeptic? Read on to find out how Voxer can enrich your teaching life and an opportunity to use Voxer with others in our TWT community.
Throwback Week: How To Read A Unit of Study
Learn some tricks for reading the Units of Study, whether you’re new to the units or have been using them for many years.
Highlights from NCTE
We’re sharing our presentations from NCTE with you, along with quotes I jotted down from a variety of authors and literacy leaders. ALSO, take a peek at some photos from our Slicer Dinner.
Free Professional Development! Tweet All About It.
I admit, when I first heard about Twitter, I thought the concept was ridiculous. Shooting a message of 140 characters or less into the world? Why? Who would care? Since … Continue Reading Free Professional Development! Tweet All About It.
How To Read A Unit of Study
As the school year comes to a close, many of the schools I work with are launching into a week or so of in-service, summer institutes, and other professional development. … Continue Reading How To Read A Unit of Study
Five on Friday + Book Giveaways
Want to obtain some high quality professional development at no cost to you? Need some books to sink your teeth into this summer? Feel like kicking back and just enjoying some time off? If you answered “yes,” to one of these questions, then read on!
Learning & Connecting at NCTE
I returned from three wonderful days at the NCTE Annual Convention in Boston late last night. I learned from authors, poets, classroom teachers, literacy coaches, PhD students, university professors, and other literacy leaders. Here’s a sampling of some the things I gleaned at this year’s convention.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 