How do teachers know when it’s the right time to transition from routines to content? The answer lies in the readiness of both the students and the teacher.
Category: routines
How do we Know When our Workshops are Working?
Launching a writing workshop is hard work. Intentional work. What are those “look fors” that let us know that our workshops are gelling? That community is being built, routines are being established, and writing work is happening?
Chants for Writing: Support Routines, Conventions, and Craft
Chants are a highly engaging teaching strategy that support multilingual and monolingual learners alike. Try them out for teaching routines, conventions, and craft in writing workshop.
April is the perfect time to try something new: Word Study Stations
Old dogs CAN learn new tricks, and your class CAN learn a new routine in April!
Ways to Warm Up for Writing (At All Ages and Stages)
Athletes warm up before practice, musicians warm up before a rehearsal--so why wouldn't writers warm up before writing?
A Letter to Families as we Launch Remote Writing Workshop
As I considered what to write this week, I decided to share a piece I was crafting for back to school, as an instructional coach/remote kindergarten teacher this year. The process helped me to focus on what families might need, as they experience writing workshop in new ways (i.e. at their kitchen tables).
Writing Together in Remote Spaces
One of the many changes brought about by the pandemic, whether we are returning to school in-person or remotely, is the ability to gather together in close proximity to learn and write together. I have been thinking a lot about this: How might we as teachers replicate or create the emotionally safe space normally held by a warm, close classroom in a digital space?
Rethinking Materials, Routines, and Collaboration: What Does Independence and Interdependence Look Like From Home?
Our teaching worlds have been turned upside down. For many of us, every system and structure we’ve had in place for planning, teaching and learning has changed over the past few days. As you find our groove in the new reality, here are some practical suggestions that will help bring the many comforts of your classroom home.
Something Do-Able to Try: The Editing Minute
Most of us probably do it without even thinking much about it, but our young writers might not have developed this important habit.
The Importance of Establishing Routines: Nurturing Independence from the Start
There are some routines that are more important to teach than others during the first six weeks of school. In the midst of building classroom community and starting to teach curriculum, there are a dozen routines one can model with students so writing workshop runs efficiently.
I Love Watching You Write: Research from the World of Sports Applied in the Classroom
Research on effective sports coaching suggests adults would do well by kids to cut down on criticism and focus more on the joy simply playing.
Our Favorite “Back-to-School” Posts
Whether you're already back in school or returning in the next two weeks, I've rounded up some of our team's best blog posts that will help you launch & sustain writing workshop in 2018-19.