Choice in Writing Workshop: Is it possible even though it’s necessary?

Saturday January 31, 2009Sunday February 1, 2009 Stacey Shubitz

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?

grammar · writing workshop

Teaching Students to Master Conventions in a Modern Way

Saturday January 31, 2009Saturday January 31, 2009 Stacey Shubitz1 Comment

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

writing workshop

What’s On Your Mind?

Thursday January 29, 2009Sunday February 1, 2009 Ruth Ayres11 Comments

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?

writing workshop

A Blessing in Disguise.

Thursday January 29, 2009Thursday January 29, 2009 Ruth Ayres6 Comments

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.

writing workshop

Notebook Celebration: Reflection Sheet

Friday January 23, 2009Thursday January 22, 2009 Stacey Shubitz

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

writing workshop

Slice of Life: Conferring

Tuesday January 20, 2009Wednesday January 21, 2009 Ruth Ayres2 Comments

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

writing workshop

feedback.

Thursday January 15, 2009 Ruth Ayres3 Comments

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.

katie wood ray · process log · writing workshop

Curriculum of Time

Wednesday January 14, 2009Wednesday January 14, 2009 Stacey Shubitz2 Comments

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

big picture · writing workshop

Big Picture Series: It’s a Wrap . . . Or Is It?

Sunday January 11, 2009Sunday January 11, 2009 Ruth Ayres6 Comments

NOTE: We would really appreciate any feedback on the last Big Pictures Series. Please leave a comment or email us. Does anyone else feel as though there wasn't a holiday break? I, for one, was thankful for the Big Picture Series on reflective practice. It is good to have a reminder from time to time about… Continue reading Big Picture Series: It’s a Wrap . . . Or Is It?

academic choice · big picture · writing workshop

The Big Picture Series: Freedom in Topic Choice

Thursday January 8, 2009Friday January 9, 2009 Ruth Ayres5 Comments

"Write what makes you happy." -- O. Henry What wise words from O. Henry! So often we try to inspire our students to write by giving them topics we think will interest them. I know for me, relinquishing topic choice was one of the harder things to do when I transitioned into teaching according to… Continue reading The Big Picture Series: Freedom in Topic Choice

aimee buckner · Davis and Hill · Katherine Bomer · reluctant writers · writing workshop

Self-Efficacy in Writing Workshop

Tuesday December 30, 2008Tuesday December 30, 2008 Stacey Shubitz

I recently read Michael Putnam's article, "Running the Race to Improve Self-Efficacy," in the Winter 2009 Issue of the Kappa Delta Pi Record. Putnam asserts, "I have complete confidence that you too could run a marathon; but it takes a plan, plenty of hard work and dedication, and a belief in yourself. Running the race… Continue reading Self-Efficacy in Writing Workshop