Guess what was on my doorstep tonight? Day by Day -- the actual book! It is officially released and is in the warehouse. I have to admit, there is a lot about this whole process that seems a little surreal. I used to say, "When I grow up I want to be a writer." When… Continue reading It’s Here!
Category: writing workshop
Have you celebrated lately?
Celebration is the fuel for writers. Sadly, I used to think celebration meant party and party meant fluff. This was an unfortunate misconception. Celebration is an essential component to a writer's life. Without it we cease to exist. Writing is difficult and unless we take some time to relish in the little accomplishments, we fizzle… Continue reading Have you celebrated lately?
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Showing a Story
Recently, I taught a minilesson about showing a story. In typical intermediate grade fashion, students were writing stories filled with struggles, but slim on creating a picture in the reader’s mind. My minilesson went like this (and, yes, it was less than 15 minutes!): Share this chart – all of which we’ve discussed in previous… Continue reading Showing a Story
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Words that are Speaking to Me
You have to be brave to take out that white sheet of paper and put on it words that could be evidence of your stupidity. --- Sol Saks
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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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Columbus Day
Today we remember Columbus' voyage across the seas. Can you imagine loading up three wooden ships and setting sail into the unknown? Columbus and his crew had no idea what to expect. I think they would have made excellent writing workshop teachers. Part of becoming a proficient teacher is being willing to take a risk into… Continue reading Columbus Day
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Recap: Guest Blog Posts
Tomorrow will be the first Friday in over three months that there will not be a guest blogger posting. Ruth and I are going back to posting on alternating Fridays. However, I wanted to take a moment to recap all of the guest blog posts in case you missed one. They're ALL worth reading, as… Continue reading Recap: Guest Blog Posts
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What is MOST important?
This question has been tumbling around in my mind lately: What is most important when it comes to literacy instruction? It stems from state mandates, district expectations, curriculum guides, and instructional minutes being cut. More importantly, though, I believe it is a question each of us ought to answer. Years ago I read a book… Continue reading What is MOST important?
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We’re Making Books!
Whenever I have the privilege of being in a kindergarten classroom, I'm fairly certain I missed my calling in life. Today was no exception. I am a believer in making stuff in writing workshop. I picked this term up from Katie Ray. It just makes sense. Writers make stuff and writing workshop should be no different. Therefore,… Continue reading We’re Making Books!
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Best Practices and Tests CAN Go Together
This week's guest blog post is written by Lynnelle Snowbarger who is in her tenth year of teaching fifth grade in the Jenks Public Schools. A frequent participant in the Slice of Life Story Challenge, Lynelle also documents her journey with her students at the Bohemian Teacher Blog. Teachers don’t join the profession because of… Continue reading Best Practices and Tests CAN Go Together
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Beginning Procedures
I'm a believer in routine. When writing workshop is predictable everyone is able to work more efficiently. It takes several weeks to build the procedures necessary to create the culture of writing workshop. Over the past two weeks I've collected some footage of routines in primary classrooms. One of the important things about developing routines… Continue reading Beginning Procedures
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Launching Writing Workshop in the Primary Grades: A Guest Blog Post by Mary Brothers
Mary Brothers is starting her tenth year of teaching with Dublin City Schools where she has taught first, second, and fourth grades. Last year she was a Technology Support Teacher for the district and started her blogging journey. She blogs about her learning, as well as that of her students’, at Teaching in the Tech… Continue reading Launching Writing Workshop in the Primary Grades: A Guest Blog Post by Mary Brothers
