This week -- I was reminded of the lives our students endure outside of our classrooms. They are often very different than the life I lead outside of the classroom. I connected with friends. I believe even more in the power of story. Our experiences matter. When we teach students how to find their stories,… Continue reading Friday Reflections
Category: writing workshop
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A Good Movie for the Vacation
A few months ago I set my DVR to record "Mr. Holland's Opus," the 1995 film with Richard Dreyfuss. The movie remained in the DVR for months. Finally, when my husband and I were coming up empty-handed for movies to watch on cable we decided to watch "Mr. Holland's Opus." The movie begins in 1965… Continue reading A Good Movie for the Vacation
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Writing as Gifts
We have three weeks until winter break in my school district. This is the perfect time for a unit about using writing as gifts. To begin this unit, we are asking students to envision possibilities for using their writing for a gift. For the first week of the study, we will be busy imagining the… Continue reading Writing as Gifts
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Words that are Speaking to Me
If the story is in you, it has got to come out. --- William Faulkner
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Answers to a Variety of Workshop-Related Questions
When Ruth and I present, we always leave time for teachers to turn and talk. Our Monday morning session at KSRA was much smaller than our Sunday afternoon session, which meant we could walk around and listen-in to the teachers who were talking with each other. A variety of workshop-related questions were asked of me… Continue reading Answers to a Variety of Workshop-Related Questions
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It’s Here!
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!
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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
