Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Do You Ever Wonder?

How do you respond to the recursive "I'm done," and every other form of the phrase? Maybe it isn't about them.

compliment · growth mindset · key beliefs · language · middle school · Reflective Practice · writer identity

The Power of Language Revisited

When it comes to the teaching of writing in a writing workshop, language is everything.  It is through the words we teachers choose that writers are created, built up, encouraged, and inspired.

growth mindset · plan book · Q & A · reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

The Intentional Educator Planner (Giveaway)

I've always wanted to keep a reflective journal about my teaching but in the hustle and bustle of a busy school day, that seemed to be the first thing to go from list of "to-do's." I'm hopeful that having  a place to reflect right in my plan book will encourage me to take time to write down my thoughts and ideas each week. The 2017-2018 Intentional Educator Planner will be just the place!

Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Learning From Student Reflections

I've been thinking a lot about my year teaching third grade and the writing my students did. I had thoughts, opinions and ideas about what went right and where I still needed to make changes, refine my practice, be more strategic. Then, it dawned on me: I really need to ask my students what they think.

reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Five Questions for Reflection

Thinking back over the year, what do you hope to continue or change before students return in the fall?

collaboration · community · reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

How Do We Help Students Find Their Why?

At first, pride filled my heart, but as I continued to watch, I realized the work ethics I was watching at that moment hadn't been as clear nor intentional throughout the year. The day's show of teamwork could have been the culmination of a year's work, but I knew it was something more.

katie wood ray · personal essay · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Pausing to Reflect: Personal Essays

My third graders are wrapping up their unit on personal essay. While some have grasped the structure and have articulated reasons and examples to support their argument, others have struggled to understand the concept of an essay. I want to take some time to think about what went right when teaching this unit and where the breakdowns occurred.

back to school · gratitude · growth mindset · inspiration · LIWP · plan book · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Writing: A Path to Become an Intentional Educator

What if there was a way to build in opportunities to reflect, in writing, about my teaching right in the place where the lesson plans reside? And what if that place could also offer daily inspiration and opportunities to set positive intentions for the week ahead?

end of year reflection · portfolio · reflections · Reflective Practice

If Your School Year Were a Book: Endings

As the end of this particular school year draws near, you might think about the qualities of your favorite stories to help you plan an ending that is meaningful for your students.

assessment · back to school · punctuation · record keeping · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Where Do We Go Next? Use a Checklist!

Do your on-demand writing samples go into a folder or do they help you plan your next steps?

reflections · Reflective Practice · writers

Reflecting: What kind of writer am I?

Before you plan to ask your students to reflect on the kinds of writers they are (for their end-of-year self-assessments), be sure you ask yourself "What kind of writer am I?"

reflections · Reflective Practice

Beginning a Year of Teaching Writing with Reflection

What goals will you set for your practice this year? Here are a few suggestions.