Whenever I used to hear the words "Center Time" I immediately thought about early childhood classrooms. However, that notion changed in 2008 when I created a Poetry Station for my fourth graders. The Poetry Station was created for students to use during the "morning work" period of the school day. It was a choice, not… Continue reading (Writing) Center Time for Older Students
Category: writers
Purpose, Process, & Craft with Carl Anderson
Carl Anderson (aka: The Conferring Guy) has not only listened to the Beatles' music; he has studied it. He has determined by the Beatles wrote particular songs, how they wrote them, and what they did to write them well. Carl shared what he has learned by studying the Beatles' music with an audience of educators… Continue reading Purpose, Process, & Craft with Carl Anderson
Share this:
Share this:
The Power of the Parts
I'm slowly making my way through the keynote addresses from last week's Writing Institute. Today I bring to you my notes and some highlights from Roy Peter Clark's speech, "The Power of the Parts: How Writers Learn and How Teachers Teach." Clark wrote a book I've been reading for awhile now, Writing Tools: 50 Essential… Continue reading The Power of the Parts
Share this:
Share this:
What about the kid who ______?
Katherine Bomer never disappoints when she delivers a keynote address or a workshop. I cannot count how many times I've been fortunate enough to sit in the audience and soak up the wonderful things she has to say about working with children, honoring them for who they are, and nurturing them as writers. The keynote… Continue reading What about the kid who ______?
Share this:
Share this:
An Interview with the Author of The Cupcake Queen
Heather Hepler, author of The Cupcake Queen, was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about her new young adult novel, which I enjoyed reading not only for its storyline, but for the incredible writing craft it contains. This is the kind of book that should be placed in students' (ages 10-15) hands… Continue reading An Interview with the Author of The Cupcake Queen
Share this:
Share this:
Gimmicks Versus Authentic Experiences
Have you read the comments from this post? They were a luxury for me this weekend and so very good for my soul. A special public thank you to all those who left a comment. You will never know how much it blessed me. Lately I've been struggling with the vast amount of stuff-- activities,… Continue reading Gimmicks Versus Authentic Experiences
Share this:
Share this:
It’s Saturday.
I think Saturday is reason enough to celebrate here at Two Writing Teachers. On Wednesday, Ashley left this comment: I have had a lot of false starts getting the writing workshop started. My students have never been in a workshop format so we are not doing well with independence. Now Ashley's frustrations are not the reason… Continue reading It’s Saturday.
Share this:
Share this:
Believing In Them…
I've been going back-and-forth over e-mail with one of my former fourth graders for the past week. She started sixth grade last week -- middle school. I can hardly believe she has a locker & a free period! After all, it feels like just yesterday that she was sitting in the front row of the… Continue reading Believing In Them…
Share this:
Share this:
What Should A Child Write About Over the Summer?
Annie tackled a question many parents ask teachers at the end of the school year yesterday on her blog. Here's an excerpt of her post, which she has authorized me to reprint in this forum: Parents often ask me what they can do to make sure their children continue writing over the summer. Some children… Continue reading What Should A Child Write About Over the Summer?
Share this:
Share this:
Feedback in Writing Circle
During today's Writing Circle Luncheon, I had two of my students share a piece of writing they did this week that they were pleased with and on which they wanted feedback. I wanted to see how they were with providing each other feedback (e.g., peer conferring) by paying each other a compliment and by giving… Continue reading Feedback in Writing Circle
Share this:
Share this:
Tools for Writers
I just created a new Treasury called "Writers and Poets" at Etsy. It contains a variety of writerly things in blues and creams. Click here to view the Treasury before it expires on Wednesday, 5/13, at 8:24 a.m.
Share this:
Share this:
SOLSC Inspiration
Looking for ways to get your class inspired about the upcoming Slice of Life Story Challenge? Here are a few ideas: 1. Send a letter home like I posted on Sunday. Be sure to have it translated so your students' parents are fully aware of what's going on. (You may encourage them to participate too!)… Continue reading SOLSC Inspiration
