I've had a daily word count for awhile. I'm not sure exactly when it started, but I think it was while writing Day by Day. However, it was while becoming serious about writing fiction that my word count became as much a part of my day as brushing my teeth. I think this is true… Continue reading Word Count
Category: writing process
Drafting
If you are a regular reader, you know a lot of my thinking lately has been about writing process, and specifically nudging third grade writers into more traditional drafts. Today's post is a collection of my thoughts about drafting. I hope it is applicable to a range of writers -- not a specific grade level.… Continue reading Drafting
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Writing Process in Action
A few posts ago I shared my evolving thoughts about the writing process. Last week I was able to put my thinking to the test. In third grade, kids were getting ready to move from notebooks to drafts. It was a little bit of a painful process because I was breaking the news to them… Continue reading Writing Process in Action
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Sometimes It Gets Messy
Sometimes writing workshop gets a little messy. At least it does for me. I think we are trucking along, working our way through a unit of study, learning as writers, preparing for a celebration and then -- all of a sudden -- it crashes. Sometimes it crashes and burns. And sometimes I just want to… Continue reading Sometimes It Gets Messy
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Taking Time to Reflect Leads to More Accurate Teaching Decisions
Today I found myself understanding the writing process more deeply. Primary writers work through the writing process by layering each phase on a single copy of their writing. They plan a story across pages, first touching each page and telling the story, then sketching. They draft by adding words to the pictures. They revise by going… Continue reading Taking Time to Reflect Leads to More Accurate Teaching Decisions
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Highlights from the Week
I have been in a lot of different writing workshops lately. Just this week I've been in 13 writing workshops and have met with 13 different teachers in either reflective practice meetings or planning meetings. Therefore, I have SO MUCH I want to record. Which leads me to my current dilemma: what do I not… Continue reading Highlights from the Week
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Draft More Than You Publish
You know how athletes practice more than they play in games? The same is true for writers, especially our student writers. They must write more than they publish. When I first started following the writing workshop philosophy, I had a misunderstanding about the writing process. I imagined that once kids "got on the tracks" they… Continue reading Draft More Than You Publish
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(Writing) Center Time for Older Students
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
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Reflection after Returning the Manuscript
According to Merriam-Webster Online: Main Entry: copy editor Function: noun Date: 1899 1 : an editor who prepares copy for the typesetter According to me: Main Entry: copy editor Function: to prevent me from being embarrassed when my words are published Date: 19 July 2010 1 : a person who knows when to use "that" and when… Continue reading Reflection after Returning the Manuscript
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The Final Unit of Study
My students are embarking on their final unit of study of the school year. We're doing research-based essays, which I'm attempting to tie-into the "This I Believe" Style. I have my teaching points and some of my charts (well, the ones for this week at least!) ready-to-go, but I'm still trying to write my own… Continue reading The Final Unit of Study
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From the Notebook to a Final Copy
Yesterday, Katie left the following comment: Stacey is there a post or can you post your process for students' writing. What I mean is where do they draft, what do you collect and look at etc. I see them drafting a lot in their notebooks, do they draft there and then move to final draft… Continue reading From the Notebook to a Final Copy
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Writerly Things That Happened at Lunchtime
Six of my students opted to stay up with me during lunch today. Two were under the weather and wanted to chill with me; two wanted to finish their reminder posters; the final two wanted to peruse New Moon for Girls to get ideas about writing their own article. Two of the five kids from… Continue reading Writerly Things That Happened at Lunchtime
