book review · social media · technology

Exploring the Impact of Smartphones on Childhood

Jonathan Haidt's book, THE ANXIOUS GENERATION, sheds light on the impact of smartphones on Gen Z. His research reveals concerning mental health trends linked to the rise of smartphones that educators, parents, and caregivers must examine to ensure a healthier childhood in the digital age.

Artificial Intelligence · Leveraging AI for Writing Miniseries · Reflective Practice · technology

Student Agency and AI Tools: Leveraging AI for Writing Mini-series

Leah began a series about AI in writing instruction with a post about how teachers can use AI tools for planning and preparing for units. Sara kept it going last week with a post about creating demonstration pieces and providing feedback. Today, I completed the series thinking about ways to shift agency from teachers to students. 

Artificial Intelligence · teaching tools · technology · Trending Topic

AI Tools for Writing Teachers: Trending Topic

Everywhere you look, new AI tools are emerging for teachers. Here are tools I've found useful for planning and accommodating the differing needs in my classroom.

Artificial Intelligence · English as an Additional Language · technology

Three Ways to Use ChatGPT…Tomorrow

Back in December of 2022, I tried out ChatGPT for the first time. I had to create an account, something that made me a little nervous since I never like making accounts and sharing information. My daughters convinced me it would be fine, and so far, so good.

Stronger Together: Involving Other Professionals in Your Workshop Blog Series · technology

Stronger Together: How Tech Specialists Can Support Writing

Today, Two Writing Teachers brings you a voice from the community. Anna Davis is a Technology Integration Coach for Northbrook / Glenview District 30 where I teach. Anna's pretty humble in her responses, so I'll take it upon myself to tell you: Anna works miracles. It's not just that she comes with a wide range of knowledge about apps, strategies and hardware. Anna helps teachers like me articulate goals for students, choose effective (and exciting!) ways to get there, and she offers hands-on support both in and out of the classroom. I can only hope that every school has an Anna. Here's what she had to say.

content-area writing · COVID-19 · crystal-clear clarity · Multimedia · technology · writing workshop

Lessons and Learning from the 2020-2021 School Year

What to keep, what to stop, and what to change? These are questions that I know I will continue to wonder about and discuss with colleagues. For me, the increased technological savviness, multimedia options, and clarity should continue to impact students' experiences and outcomes in positive ways as I move forward in teaching and learning.

Looking Back and Moving Forward Blog Series · Multimedia · multimodal · technology · writing workshop

Multimodal Writing: Reflections and Shifts As We Move Forward

Universal Design emphasizes the importance of offering students ways to express what they know and are able to do in various ways. Multimodal writing not only provides multiple ways of expression, it inspires creativity and innovation, skills that matter in life.

COVID-19 · occupational therapy · remote learning · technology

Easy Ways to Create a Healthy Ergonomic Set Up for Your At-Home Learner

For years, therapists have known that body positioning to increase attention and upper extremity stability is important. But those strategies have focused on children that have been seen by therapists in classrooms and clinics to address decreased attention span, core stability, and handwriting concerns. Today, Karen Reale, an occupational therapist, provides tips and tricks that can be applicable to any child who is learning in a classroom, hybrid setting, or at home this fall. This quick, informative post will help teachers educate caregivers on the importance of healthy positioning at home or wherever their child does their schoolwork.

COVID-19 · digital tools · EAL · multilingual · sharing · teaching tools · technology · Voices from the Community

Providing Tools for Writing and Sharing Writing Through the Pandemic

Calling all primary writing teachers. Today Janet Ahn shares how she worked with her Kindergarteners to continue thrive in writing workshop through the pandemic. These young scholars continued to draft pieces, engage in conferring, collaborate to mark up mentor texts, and publish their writing through online platforms. Their dedication to continuing the writing workshop virtually was a reflection of how they truly saw themselves as writers.

middle school · remote learning · teaching tools · technology · toolkits · writing about reading · writing prompts · writing workshop

Writing About Reading: Building a Resource Toolkit for Middle School

Calling all middle school teachers! Today I'm sharing a ready to use resource toolkit for adolescent readers and writers featuring the book, Look Both Ways, by Jason Reynolds.