charts · independence · scaffolding charts · strategy charts · teaching tools

The Power of Silent Teachers: Helping Writers Increase Productivity and Build Independence Through Interdependence with Tools in the Classroom

We give our writers a lot of stuff. Their folders are full of charts, worksheets and examples meant to be helpful for independent writing, but are students using these tools to their fullest capacity? Are writers waiting for us to say “get out ___” or “look at ____”? This post will give you some practical ideas for how to help students achieve interdependence and utilize the silent teachers in the classroom to their fullest capacity.

Beyond the Fundamentals Blog Series · scaffolding charts · small group · student engagement · Writing Workshop Fundamentals blog series

Student-Led Small Groups: Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop

Small group instruction allows for efficiency and strategy sessions with more than one student. Allowing students to lead these groups and sessions gives purpose and opportunity to not only further the understandings of the leader but impacts your community of writers as they grow.

charts · scaffolding charts · writing workshop · writing workshop routines

Sometimes we only write in writing workshop

My sixth graders have been busy drafting their feature articles this week, and I had a series of mini lessons planned to begin each writing workshop day. My students, however, had other ideas.

classroom · education · independent writing · literacy · lucy calkins · noticings · plan · precise language · procedures · prompts · routines · scaffolding charts · scheduling · shared writing · speech · stories · storytelling · Teachers College · vocabulary · writing workshop

A Mini-Crash-Course on Oral Storytelling

It's been several months since I've written for Two Writing Teachers. In December my son was born, and I was on maternity leave until a few weeks ago. Then, in March I pushed aside all excuses and did the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Every day in the month of March I recruited my four year old daughter to tell… Continue reading A Mini-Crash-Course on Oral Storytelling

morning meeting share · scaffolding charts · sharing · writing workshop

Sharing in Writing Workshop

I just received a mailing from my school over the weekend with our summer professional reading. There's an excerpt from The Art of Teaching Reading, as well as a copy of Leah Mermelstein's book Don't Forget to Share: The Crucial Last Step in the Writing Workshop. I'll probably start the book later this week, but,… Continue reading Sharing in Writing Workshop