authors · big picture · character development · collecting · narrative · writing process

Flailing and Feedback In Writing Process As Critical: KidLit Authors Share Why

Slowing down the brainstorming part of the writing process and recognizing the emotionality of feedback has big rewards for two published authors, in addition to our young classroom writers.

agency · authentic assessment · choice · formative assessment · Joy · student engagement · writing process · writing workshop

(Re-)Launching our Writing Workshops With Joy in January

As I think about returning to school, I want to be excited about the week to come. I want students to feel happy to be back together. Writing workshop is my favorite part of the day, and it’s the perfect place to infuse some intentional joy for all of us. I have a two part plan to do just that.

assessment · process · reflections · writing process · writing workshop

Three Ways to Exalt Process for Young Writers

My litmus test for the work we do in the classroom pivots on an understanding that collecting one's own ideas and practicing ways to communicate them will serve students outside classroom walls. And it is with that framing in mind - with children reflecting on their journeys, in carefully selecting the language I use, and in sharing feedback on growth as opposed to the final alone- that I hope to continually communicate the importance of process over product. 

agency · process · student engagement · writer identity · writing process · writing workshop · writing workshop routines

Mining the Moments Between Minilesson and Work Time

In those quick moments between minilesson and work time, as writers are settling in (or not), I pay attention to what is—the current reality. I seek leverage points to both know writers better and to support writers in continuing to grow. Over time, I notice as more and more writers find the processes and strategies that work for them.

English as an Additional Language · writer identity · writing process · writing workshop

Getting to Know the Writers in Your Classroom- Part 1: Academic and Linguistic Domains

Who students are and what their past experiences have been impact them as writers, and those impacts should have implications on instruction. Therefore, it's worth the time and energy to have systems and structures for learning about students as writers in your classroom.

EAL · multilingual · revision · translanguaging · writing process · writing workshop

Recording, Revision and Repetition: Empowering Multilingual Writers

Recording for revision, encouraging translanguaging, and repetition are useful strategies to exalt and empower multilingual writers. As teachers of multilingual students, encouraging translanguaging and recording as revision is akin to telling students: every aspect of you is valued. Every aspect of you is important. 

agency · Google Forms · writing process

Considering Processes With Students

If I can teach students not only to recognize their learning styles and resources that benefit them, but also how to ask for or find those resources, then I increase the potential of having an impact on their learning long after I'm physically or digitally present in their lives.

month-long planning · plan · process · process log · writing process · writing workshop

Personal Writing Calendars for Each Student

With a personal writing calendar, each kid can see what is going to happen in the unit of study, and has the power to adjust it.

shared writing · tier 1 · writing process

Predictable Barriers for Writers– and Some Ways Around

Identifying barriers and teaching into ways through, around, or over them will help writers not only with their immediate process, but also with their future endeavors.

challenges · middle school · writing process

Supporting Writers Across the Writing Process

For every writer, the writing process is a little bit different. As teacher writers, we all struggle at different points and our students are no different. Today I offer a few tools for supporting writers at different points of the writing process . . .