I was doing some thinking this morning about the routines I'll need to rehearse with my students this-coming September. My mind went from general (e.g., walking in the hallways, fire drills) to the specific (i.e., Writing Workshop). Therefore, I figured I'd post my working list of structures I want to teach my fourth graders so… Continue reading Routines and Structures: Things to Teach Kids in September So Your Year Is a Breeze!
Category: writing workshop
Those Shoes: The Mentor Text Teaching Document
I worked on the Reading-Writing Connections Document for Those Shoes until 12:30 a.m. Here are two examples of the way I set it up: Craft MovePage Number(s)Why the Author Might Be Doing This…Varied Sentence LengthsPgs. 2, 15 & 30One thing writers do is vary the lengths of their sentences when they write. If an author… Continue reading Those Shoes: The Mentor Text Teaching Document
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The Makings of a TRUE Mentor Text
I realize I'm a bit late to the "Those Shoes Party," which is a touching text written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. Those Shoes was published in 2007 and is the story of a little boy who desperately wants the shoes that nearly everyone else in school has. The catch? His… Continue reading The Makings of a TRUE Mentor Text
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Thank You!
Just a little post to say THANKS for all of the positive, kind, and encouraging comments with regards to our blog and new website. We appreciate the "fuel" your comments give. -- Ruth & Stacey (with big smiles!)
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Link your post here!
It's that time of the week again! Please link your post here using Mr. Linky. NOTE: We've been having trouble with Mr. Linky, so if you want others to read your post, then please leave a comment with your URL in case Mr. Linky doesn't fix itself today! Sorry for the inconvenience.
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Meeting Area Supplies
Penny Pencil Cases Originally uploaded by teachergal I found pencil cases on sale for $.01 at Staples today. I decided to buy them so that the kids could have everything they need for minilessons with them at the meeting area. (In the past, kids always had to search for pencils or pens prior to the… Continue reading Meeting Area Supplies
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The Essence of Workshop Teaching
I woke up early this morning and decided to get started on the PPT for my presentation at the 2008 Fall NEATE Conference in Nashua, NH. The title is, "INSPIRING CHILDREN TO WRITE: Teaching Writing Workshop with Our Notebooks Wide-Open," which is very similar to the title I used when I presented at the RIWP's… Continue reading The Essence of Workshop Teaching
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Some photos
In case you're interested to see some photos from our little reunion in Indiana, they're in the digital scrapbook below. Make a Smilebox scrapbook
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Literacy Gifts
Jen, Sarah, and Ruth gave me some fantastic ideas about ways to make the launch of writer's notebooks and using the classroom library more exciting for children in September. I thought their ideas were brilliant and will be doing both this-coming school year. Classroom Library Semi-organize the books in the classroom library before the start… Continue reading Literacy Gifts
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For Art’s Sake!!!
Whenever I think of an art-related activity to do with my students that isn't an actual craft project, I always ask myself, "Will they get something out of this or am I doing art work art's sake?" In case you're wondering what I mean by art for art's sake, that means doing an art activity… Continue reading For Art’s Sake!!!
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Photo Fridays: An Opportunity to Write About Photographs
Late Sunset over Lake Winona Originally uploaded by teachergal I marveled, twice, about the fact that the sun sets later in Indiana than it does in Rhode Island (i.e. because it's on the western part of the Eastern Time Zone). Therefore, after Ruth, Christi, and I parted from Jen, Cathy, and Sarah, I detoured to… Continue reading Photo Fridays: An Opportunity to Write About Photographs
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Dinner with the Indiana Blogging Teachers
L-R: Christi, Ruth, Me, Jen, Sarah, & Cathy Originally uploaded by teachergal I just returned home after spending the past thee days in Indiana, with Ruth, preparing for our presentation at NCTE this-coming November. [The presentation's title has changed to “'I HATE WRITING!!!': A Discussion About Inspiring Reluctant Writers By Writing Alongside Them," since we… Continue reading Dinner with the Indiana Blogging Teachers
