One of the things I realized about myself when I went to the Choice Literacy writing retreat is how quickly I speed through the day. I like to pay attention to the world around me, but sometimes I'm moving too quickly. For the past few weeks I've been trying to slow down my pace. It's… Continue reading Starting Slowly
Category: routines
Making Writer’s Notebooks Personal
In my last post, there was this comment: Heather on Saturday August 4, 2012 at 1:06 pm said: Thanks for these ideas! But I really can’t wait to read about your ideas on writer’s notebooks on Monday! I need to breathe new life in to them in our classroom…I do not feel that I have found a way… Continue reading Making Writer’s Notebooks Personal
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Writing Supplies
This week we bought school supplies for our kids. Although there was a list and three excited children, I found it difficult to focus. Instead I was envisioning the possibilities for writing centers. I've come to believe when there is access to supplies, there is access to inspiration. When supplies and inspiration are available, stories,… Continue reading Writing Supplies
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Hello August
I'm glad you are here (both August, and you, reader). It's time to transition again. I will reclaim the joy of a schedule, while at the same time mourn the loss of summer pace. It's a slow, but timely transition. I trust you, August, knowing you will once again help me prepare for the start… Continue reading Hello August
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Routines
As summer takes over, I've realized our routines are shifting with the season. Typically I write for 15 minutes in the morning and again at night. During the summer I write first thing in the morning and usually have more than hour, sometimes stretching into almost three. No matter what time of the year, though,… Continue reading Routines
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Procedures
Traditionally we think about writing workshop procedures at the beginning of the school year. We set the routines, organize the procedures, and launch writing workshop. I'm thinking, though, around this time of year, it might be a good idea to evaluate procedures. By this point in the school year, the writers in our classrooms have… Continue reading Procedures
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What fuels writing workshop?
Around my school, we have three more Mondays of school left in 2011. That's not much, and yet, during this season of grey days, holiday excitement, and indoor recess, it can seem so l o n g. It has me thinking about the energy level in writing workshop. Is it high or low? Like other… Continue reading What fuels writing workshop?
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Sometimes It Gets Messy
Sometimes writing workshop gets a little messy. At least it does for me. I think we are trucking along, working our way through a unit of study, learning as writers, preparing for a celebration and then -- all of a sudden -- it crashes. Sometimes it crashes and burns. And sometimes I just want to… Continue reading Sometimes It Gets Messy
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Labor Day
In honor of Labor Day, I'm writing a little post about the kinds of "labor" I expect to see in writing workshop. Early on in the school year, it's important to define student and teacher roles in writing workshop. With the holiday, this may make a perfect minilesson in your workshop this week. The teaching… Continue reading Labor Day
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Are plan boxes worth it?
This past Tuesday I spoke at the 8th Annual Pennsylvania Writing Institute, which is held at Millersville University. Since school begins at the end of August here (in Pennsylvania), I spent a great deal of time talking about routines so my audience could spend some time reflecting on their existing classroom routines and consider implementing… Continue reading Are plan boxes worth it?
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How do you make writers feel welcomed?
This time of year thoughts about creating a safe and inviting classroom fill our minds. This is one of my favorite things to think about. Today I shifted the question slightly and began thinking about writers specifically. How can we make writers feel welcomed? Here are some ideas I'm tossing around. More importantly, I can't… Continue reading How do you make writers feel welcomed?
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“The Mind Flip”
Yesterday, Deb Day wrote a Slice about the way her brain "flips" and is ready for school. It resonated with me. I understood exactly what she was talking about and expect it will happen soon for me. The past few summers I've spent time in the days leading up to starting school saying So Long… Continue reading “The Mind Flip”
