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
Category: writing workshop
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?
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!
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
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
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
Evolution of Anchor Charts
There are many ways to go about creating an anchor chart to use in your classroom. One way is to create the chart ahead of time and use it as part of your instruction. I find myself using this approach when I think my teaching point is brand new for students. An example of this… Continue reading Evolution of Anchor Charts
The Power of Thanks
Today was the first day back for the new school year. Students will come tomorrow. I spent my morning in a series of meetings and the afternoon helping teachers prepare for the first few days of the new year. At the end of the day I returned to my office, reminded of the stamina it… Continue reading The Power of Thanks
Getting Ready to Go “Back to School”
Some teachers are enjoying August without a care in the world, while others are at the bitter end of their summer vacation. Therefore, I thought I'd take a few minutes to point you to some "back to school" posts we've written through the years in order to help you get ready for the school year.… Continue reading Getting Ready to Go “Back to School”
Guest Post: Threaded Adventures
Kevin Hodgson. Kevin teaches sixth grade in Southampton, Massachusetts at the William E. Norris Elementary School, where his students use technology for publishing and creation throughout the year. He is also the technology liaison with the Western Massachusetts Writing Project and a co-editor of the book collection Teaching the New Writing: Technology, Change and Assessment… Continue reading Guest Post: Threaded Adventures
Now This is Kinda Fun
Check out these top ten lists on Merriam-Webster Online. There's things like: Top Ten Phrases from Shakespeare Top Ten Words for Things You Didn't Know Have Names Top Ten Unusual Phobias Top Ten New Words for Old Things There is a clear explanation for each word, along with the history of the orgin. However, what… Continue reading Now This is Kinda Fun

