graphic novel · Joy · student engagement · units of study

Graphic Novels: The Perfect Way to End the Year

Graphic Novels: The Perfect Way to End the Year. Learn how you can leverage all the work you've done in writing workshop all year long to ignite joy and engagement.

academic choice · choice · middle school · process · units of study

Designing Writing Units Where Students Choose the Product

Many of today’s students crave choice, freedom, and the excitement of exploring something new. This year, as you prepare to roll out your writing units, you may also want to reconsider the level of constraints within each unit. How and when might you invite students to choose the product that best fits their personal preference and intended audience?

collaborative planning · curriculum planning · month-long planning · units of study

Three Steps to Prioritizing Your Writing Instruction During the Pandemic

Whether you are fortunate enough to have a structure to collaborate with others on your grade-level team, or if you are planning solo here are three steps you can take.

journalism · units of study

A Peek Into A Journalism Unit

Journalism inspires students to write personally without as much vulnerability as personal narratives sometimes require. However, I still learned SO much about what these students cared about and who they are as people!

parent involvement · units of study

Communicating Clear Expectations for Writing Workshop

Words, time, language. All of these factors can be challenges when communicating efficiently and effectively with families. When in doubt, turn to creating a short video to communicate clear and concise expectations.

back to school · choice · classroom environment · community · curriculum planning · feedback · independent writing · minilesson · routines · units of study

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.

plan · units of study · Writing Workshop Fundamentals blog series

Unit Planning: Writing Workshop Fundamentals

Planning a unit of study is like planning for anything in life. You can't predict exactly what will happen, but you can project what you think will mostly likely happen, based on what you know.

curriculum planning · teaching tools · units of study

Write Your Own Teaching Points

Need help writing strategies that are explicit and kid-friendly? Check out this excerpt from DIY Literacy.

reading · tcrwp · units of study

A Virtual Publishing Celebration

It's hard to have a publishing celebration for people who live miles apart from you. Therefore, a virtual publishing party is the best I can do for Anna and Beth today. Please stop by to leave a congratulatory comment for them since their books have been published.

guest blogger · units of study · writing workshop

Third Grade Writing Units of Study – A First Look

Our guest blogger takes a look at the 3rd grade Units Of Study

celebration · change · informational writing · units of study · writing workshop

Give yourself a pat on the back!

Take some time to celebrate what your students have accomplished, thanks to your teaching, in writing workshop. Name something -- big or small -- you're proud of from this school year.

tcrwp · units of study · writing workshop

A Quick Guide Workshop Lingo, Part II

Have you ever wondered what some of the writing workshop lingo means? Here's another look at some commonly used workshop jargon.