I've had a daily word count for awhile. I'm not sure exactly when it started, but I think it was while writing Day by Day. However, it was while becoming serious about writing fiction that my word count became as much a part of my day as brushing my teeth. I think this is true… Continue reading Word Count
Category: Reflective Practice
Filling Needs.
I have this job that I'm incredibly thankful for. It gives me a chance to focus -- really focus -- on the teaching of writing. Naturally I'm interested in all areas of literacy, as well as other content areas (for those of you who don't know I'm a licensed biology and chemistry teacher), but my… Continue reading Filling Needs.
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Forty Years.
Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! Forty years ago today they were married. It's kinda a big deal, you know, to be married for forty years. It gives me pause and makes me think about what it takes to have that level of commitment. Like usual, my thoughts swirl around to teaching writing. What does my… Continue reading Forty Years.
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Storytelling
One of the ways Martha Horn suggests launching workshop is to spend a significant amount of time steeping the workshop in storytelling. In fact, she suggests every child tell a story aloud to the entire class. She shares this approach along with Mary Ellen Giacobbe in their book Talking, Drawing, Writing (Stenhouse, 2007). She also… Continue reading Storytelling
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It Feels Good…
It was one of those days where writing workshop just felt good. Here's a little recap of the highlights. First thing this morning, I implemented the things I'm learning from Martha Horn from listening to her speak and from reading her book, Talking, Drawing, Writing, which she wrote with Mary Ellen Giacobbe. Writing workshop was… Continue reading It Feels Good…
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Drafting
If you are a regular reader, you know a lot of my thinking lately has been about writing process, and specifically nudging third grade writers into more traditional drafts. Today's post is a collection of my thoughts about drafting. I hope it is applicable to a range of writers -- not a specific grade level.… Continue reading Drafting
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Writing Process in Action
A few posts ago I shared my evolving thoughts about the writing process. Last week I was able to put my thinking to the test. In third grade, kids were getting ready to move from notebooks to drafts. It was a little bit of a painful process because I was breaking the news to them… Continue reading Writing Process in Action
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Teach the Writer
I wish we could change the world by creating powerful writers forever instead of indifferent writers for school. ---Mem Fox I just want to take a deep breath and read those words again. Exactly. "Powerful writers forever instead of indifferent writers for school." Sigh. This is why I'm thankful for writing workshop. It helps us… Continue reading Teach the Writer
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What do you think?
I often write to figure out things. This is typically scrawled in a notebook that no one but me sees. I follow winding trails of thoughts, capture snippets, and try to come to deeper understandings. I tell you this as part of a disclaimer. Usually I go to those notebooks before blogging about something that… Continue reading What do you think?
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Facebook Event Wrap-Up
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's Stenhouse/Two Writing Teachers Facebook Event. It was great to receive so much positive feedback on our Facebook Page from all of you. In case you missed last week's event, you can still check out all five of the downloadable, printable writing tips, which will continue to… Continue reading Facebook Event Wrap-Up
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GUEST BLOG POST: Patrick Allen
Patrick A. Allen is a literacy consultant and a 4th grade teacher from Denver, Colorado. He is the author of two Stenhouse books: Conferring: The Keystone of Reader’s Workshop and Put Thinking to the Test (coauthor). You can contact him at patrickallen6@msn.com. Randi Allison recently retired from Douglas County School District in Parker, Colorado. She… Continue reading GUEST BLOG POST: Patrick Allen
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More All-Write Reflections
I know I've spent several posts talking about the All-Write Summer Institute. This is because it was BIG! Here are more thoughts and reflections from the 2011 Summer Institute. Unfortunately I'm afraid I've missed some. If so, please forgive me and leave the link to your reflection in the comments. Perhaps you aren't a blogger,… Continue reading More All-Write Reflections
