After having several emails in regards to our decision to give away "prizes" to our well-loved Slicers, I feel the need to make a public post about our rationale. The long and the short of the matter: We thought it would be fun. In no way did we imagine it would be at odds to… Continue reading A Word About Giveaways.
Category: writing workshop
Back to Basics: Minilesson Parts (Part of TWT’s Big Picture Series)
So what are the basic parts of a minilesson? Here's a short list according to the Teachers College Reading & Writing Project at Columbia University: Connection -- The reason for teaching today's lesson. A great way to start out is with these words, "Yesterday I noticed . . . " Our teaching should be in… Continue reading Back to Basics: Minilesson Parts (Part of TWT’s Big Picture Series)
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Getting Back to Basics: Structures & Routines (Part of TWT’s Big Pictures Series)
Structures and routines need to be clear in your head so they can be implemented when you start Writing Workshop. You can shift to a new routine or modify one that's not working mid-year, but explaining WHY you're doing it to your students is important. If you're unsure of whose model you wish to adapt,… Continue reading Getting Back to Basics: Structures & Routines (Part of TWT’s Big Pictures Series)
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THIS WEEK: Another Big Picture Series
Ruth and I talked last week about some of the comments and e-mails we've been getting this week. Many of the comments are from teachers who are feeling torn about test prep, while many more of the e-mails are from teachers who are implementing Writing Workshop for the first time and are looking for assistance.… Continue reading THIS WEEK: Another Big Picture Series
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Choice in Writing Workshop: Is it possible even though it’s necessary?
Another thing people's comments on Ruth's Post got me thinking about was the idea of CHOICE in Writing Workshop. I wrote about it on this blog in 2007 after attending a session at NCTE with Fletcher, Johnston, and Ray. However, I never posted my raw notes from the session. However, in light of what's on… Continue reading Choice in Writing Workshop: Is it possible even though it’s necessary?
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Teaching Students to Master Conventions in a Modern Way
I read through the comments on Ruth's latest post this morning. It seems like many folks are feeling a little angst when it comes to grammar instruction. You're pulled between teaching kids grammar authentically and preparing them traditionally for tests, aren't you? I feel your pain. We know that mastering conventions is crucial if we… Continue reading Teaching Students to Master Conventions in a Modern Way
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What’s On Your Mind?
Just wondering what some of the issues are in our blog readers' Writing Workshops. Would you leave a comment and let us know what's on your mind about Writing Workshop? Don't feel like commenting? Then just take a second and click on the poll. Wanna comment, but don't know how? Just click on the comments… Continue reading What’s On Your Mind?
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A Blessing in Disguise.
Funny how sometimes when I post something, I'm tested on it the next day. Following my post Why Memoir Monday?, fourteen out of fifteen students didn't complete their homework on Tuesday. The homework was to prepare for literature circle discussions and with the completed notes, discussion circles couldn't happen. Fourteen out of fifteen! I usually… Continue reading A Blessing in Disguise.
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Notebook Celebration: Reflection Sheet
I volunteered to create a reflection sheet for our grade's Notebook Celebration next week. I inserted quite a few "critical literacy" questions, which will hopefully help the kids to reflect as deeply as possible when they fill this sheet out at the end of the Celebration. You can download the Notebook Celebration Reflection Sheet by… Continue reading Notebook Celebration: Reflection Sheet
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Slice of Life: Conferring
There's a kid in my class that I'm continually impressed by. His answers are straight-out honest and typically thoughtful. He participates, even though at first glance I didn't think he would. And yesterday he asked me to help him with the dialogue in his writing. "I took your advice and worked in some dialogue in… Continue reading Slice of Life: Conferring
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feedback.
Writers need feedback. Frequently. My high school students are working on writing narratives. After storyboarding, I asked them to find the heart of the story and to write that single scene to the best of their ability. Then they gave it to me. I spent one evening reading and responding to what they had written. … Continue reading feedback.
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Curriculum of Time
I just finished reading the January 2009 Issue of School Talk, which is focused on nurturing young writers. Katie Wood Ray's Article "Understanding the Curriculum of Time in the Teaching of Writing" may have focused on early elementary school classrooms, but it certainly resonated with me as an upper elementary school teacher. These are the… Continue reading Curriculum of Time
