Although this post isn't what I intended to write today, it is the post that needs to be written today. Nate is a good friend of my husband and mine. He is quite simply amazing. He is 20 years old and every time I'm around him I learn something that makes me a better person. What makes… Continue reading What I Learned about Teaching Writing from Swim Lessons
Category: writing workshop
Guest Blog Post: A Blogging Adventure
Amanda Villagómez is a 6th-8th grade language arts teacher at a dual immersion school in Ontario, Oregon. She blogs about her teaching and learning at Snapshots of Mrs. V. Her current areas of interest include workshops, technology, and biliteracy. I am gearing up to blog with my 8th graders this fall, a venture I am… Continue reading Guest Blog Post: A Blogging Adventure
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Ranting & Writing
My afternoon session, "Writing from the Heart: Finding Your True Voice," at the TCRWP Writing Institute was taught by James Howe (aka: Jim). During the course of the week Jim provided us with a variety of writing exercises, which lasted from 5 - 20 minutes, to help us write from the heart. One of the… Continue reading Ranting & Writing
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Words that are Speaking to Me
Your stuff starts out being just for you . . . but then it goes out. Once you know what the story is and get it right—as right as you can anyway—it belongs to anyone who wants to read it. —Stephen King
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Supporting ELL Students in Writing Workshop
One of the best closing sessions I attended at the Writing Institute was given by Amanda Hartman. "Scaffolds and Supports We Can Put in Place to Support Our ELLs (K-2)" was a 45-minute session that provided teachers with practical ways to support English Language Learners, or ELLs. While the session was targeted to primary grade… Continue reading Supporting ELL Students in Writing Workshop
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The Fun of Hard Work: A Guest Blog Post by Jen Munnerlyn
Jen Munnerlyn is a teacher, literacy coach, and international educator. Her family has been working in international education for 30 years beginning with her parents first overseas teaching assignment in American Samoa in 1980. She is married to a man she met in 8th grade at International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and has her… Continue reading The Fun of Hard Work: A Guest Blog Post by Jen Munnerlyn
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Let Freedom Ring
Here in the States we are coming out of a holiday weekend, so I thought it could inspire today's post. As we've celebrated Independence Day, I've been thinking about how with freedom comes responsibility. This transfers to writing workshop. If you follow along regularly, then you know choice has been on my mind a lot lately.… Continue reading Let Freedom Ring
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Mardi Gras Beads, a Treasure Chest, and Notebooks
One of the best things about attending summer institutes hosted by the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project is meeting people from all over the country and the world. This year, I landed up in a class with Kelly, who participated in the 2009 Slice of Life Story Challenge. We spent the week working together… Continue reading Mardi Gras Beads, a Treasure Chest, and Notebooks
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Choice in Deadlines
Some were asking me to "say more" about giving students choice regarding deadlines. Here are a couple ideas in order to empower students to have more choice in finding what works best for them as writers. First and foremost, I have to say I believe in deadlines. Writers have deadlines. If Stacey and I didn't… Continue reading Choice in Deadlines
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Mentors
One of the common threads running through the All-Write Conference was having mentors. I'm wondering who are your favorite mentors to use in your classroom and to use for your own writing. For me, I enjoy using Jacqueline Woodson and Jane Yolen in classrooms as well as for my own writing. In addition I hope… Continue reading Mentors
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Reflections
I just got back from a dinner with J. Patrick Lewis. After dinner Pat spoke and inspired me to teach and write and live more intentionally, more light-hearted. This comes on the heels of a day with Katie Wood Ray, Sharon Taberski, Franki Sibberson, and Sarah Weeks. Am I a lucky girl or what? Although… Continue reading Reflections
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Keep Going ‘Til the End!
This post is as much for me as anyone. I believe in finishing the school year strong. However, this belief tends to conflict with a natural urge to shut down as the end of the year approaches. I'm vigilant in fighting this urge and ask that you will join me. Here are some ways I… Continue reading Keep Going ‘Til the End!
