mentor texts · picture book · Read Aloud

Picture Books in Secondary Classrooms

Picture books are short, visual, and engaging, which makes them perfect for using as mentor texts with elementary AND secondary students.

picture book · Read Aloud · September 11th · september 11th tribute

Remembrance Ideas for the September 11th Anniversary

Educators from around the country share the ways in which they teach about September 11th to their students. This post includes programming and writing ideas, as well as links to videos and picture books you can read aloud.

argument writing · immersion · informational writing · narrative · persuasive writing · picture book · poetry · primary grades · Read Aloud

Teaching the Four Types of Writing Through Texts

Janiel Wagstaff's books will help you teach primary writers about the four types of writing in an engaging way. Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win her series of Stella books.

mentor texts · nonfiction · picture book · Read Aloud

Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10

Today is the annual Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10, hosted by Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning, and Julie Balen of Write at the Edge. This is my fourth year participating in this event, which provides me with a chance to share ten nonfiction picture books I have been using as mentor texts with elementary school writers.

books · celebration · Read Aloud · writing workshop

Waving the White Flag on Valentine’s Day!

There are some days in an elementary school teacher's life where the white flag must be waved. Halloween. The day before holiday break. Pajama Day. Crazy Hat Day. And, of course, Valentine's Day...

Discovering the Writer’s Life Blog Series · mentor texts · Read Aloud · writing workshop

Lessons from Characters Who Are Writers: Discovering the Writer’s Life

Kids often feel as though that they are the only ones who have ever been stuck for ideas, or been laughed at, or had a story rejected (by a teacher, or friend). No matter where you live, no matter what you write, there is no need to discover every writing problem all on your own. That's where characters in books come in. Why not learn from them?

informational writing · Jennifer Serravallo · nonfiction writing · reading · reading-writing connections

Quality Reading Instruction Leads to Better Writing: A Review of Jennifer Serravallo’s Independent Reading Assessment 

When I tested Jennifer Serravallo’s Independent Reading Assessment (Scholastic), I was an immediate believer. Finally, here is a reading assessment that gives rich, clear information about upper grade readers, using an authentic reading task (It is the only reading assessment system to date in which readers read a whole book. This assessment system is directly correlated… Continue reading Quality Reading Instruction Leads to Better Writing: A Review of Jennifer Serravallo’s Independent Reading Assessment 

collaboration · community · LIWP · NWP · opinion writing · reading · writing workshop

A Tale of Teachers: Collaboration, Community, Connection

Once upon a time, there was a teacher who became a better teacher by connecting with other passionate educators...

reading · tcrwp · units of study

A Virtual Publishing Celebration

It's hard to have a publishing celebration for people who live miles apart from you. Therefore, a virtual publishing party is the best I can do for Anna and Beth today. Please stop by to leave a congratulatory comment for them since their books have been published.

biography · mentor texts · nonfiction · picture book · poetry · Read Aloud · social justice · solar system

Black History Month & Beyond – My #NF10for10 + 10 Book Giveaways

Today is the annual Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10, hosted by Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning, and Julie Balen of Write at the Edge. This is my third year participating in this event, which provides me with a chance to expand my nonfiction TBR list.  Last… Continue reading Black History Month & Beyond – My #NF10for10 + 10 Book Giveaways

Read Aloud · writing about reading

Tuck Everlasting: 40th Anniversary Blog Tour #Tuck40th

I miss many things about being a classroom teacher. I miss the camaraderie with the students, the collegiality with the staff, and the sense that what I'm doing really matters. I miss the heartwarming and hilarious things that kids say, and the poignant and eye-opening things that they write. The times of day I miss… Continue reading Tuck Everlasting: 40th Anniversary Blog Tour #Tuck40th

mentor texts · reading · writing

Reading Fuels Writing

Need some inspiration to write? Fall into a great book and read like a writer!