Examining the evidence around what young children do when they write will lead us to better understand their conscious and unconscious purpose. We can also look at how teachers and caregivers nurture a social environment, giving purpose to children as they do this work.
Category: purpose
Getting Centered
As I reflect upon my teaching practice, I always have more questions than answers. Here are some of the things that I'm wondering about as a teacher of writing.
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Celebrating Growth When(ever) it Happens
It’s dramatic when the light comes on, when a writer suddenly takes a step they had only recently not yet been ready to take. As a teacher of writers, I can’t wait to pounce on those moments, to facilitate the avalanche of growth on the horizon.
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Why We Should Help Children Lean On Writing in Hard Times
Seven reasons why we should help children lean on writing in hard times (with examples from a first grade classroom).
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Finding Purpose Before We Write: Making the Most of Planning & Rehearsal
Writers need a purpose. A foundation. Yet sometimes we rush kids through the planning and rehearsal phase of writing. What are some ways to support kids in heading into writing grounded in purpose? Read on to learn a few strategies...
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The Importance of Starting Practice with WHY: Nurturing Independence from the Start
How often do we ask ourselves about what leads our thinking on the teaching of writing? Is our purpose curriculum, or something much more significant? Why do we teach the way we do? And… How do we articulate why this, not that?
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Six REAL Purposes For Kids to Write This Summer and Beyond
We do all we can to keep kids writing over summer. But are we assigning tasks and busywork, or actually enriching their writerly lives?
I've created a tool to share with families and students of all ages to inspire writing for REAL purposes this summer and beyond.
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Narrative Writing Makes a Beautiful Gift
The students wrapped their writing in an array of wrapping paper, and they left my classroom eager to share their gifts – the gift of words.
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Watch. Look. Listen: AUTHENTIC PURPOSES FOR WRITING
Writing is a stalwart act. Through writing, we express ourselves, uncover feelings, tell our stories, organize our schedules, share our beliefs, and change our world. To some students (and even adults) writing can seem like a monumental task and writing may feel cumbersome. But when you think of the necessity of writing in our lives, writing is unavoidable.
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What is Your Mantra?
Do you have a mantra?
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So What?!?
I've noticed many of my conferences this week have centered around purpose. I've found myself asking again and again and agian, "So why are you writing this? Why is it important?" Nancie Atwell in her lesson set, Lessons That Change Writers, teaches students to ask: "So what?" when they are writing. I think this sticks with… Continue reading So What?!?
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Minilesson Part II
The other day I posted about minilessons being one way to plant a seed of learning. I firmly believe this is a purpose of a minilesson and then through independent practice, conferring, and sharing, the learning "seed" grows and becomes personal and solidified in each writer. After I posted, I was reading a friend's thoughts… Continue reading Minilesson Part II
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 