My best friend had a baby on March 10th, 2008. The distance between us (she lives in Southern CT), coupled with my busy work schedule, meant that I didn't get down to see her until yesterday. I thought about taking the train since my neck has really been bothering me, but I had a fire… Continue reading Stacey’s Second of Eight Poems
Category: writing workshop
Stacey’s First of Eight Poems
First Draft of A Recipe Poem Written by Me INGREDIENTS: 1 paper cut on the pinky from a Word Study Sheet 2 small cuts on the thumb from carelessness 3 painful paper cuts on the middle finger from who-knows-what 5 too-short fingernails due to semi-recently removed wraps An assortment of ripped-up cuticles and hangnails from… Continue reading Stacey’s First of Eight Poems
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Literary Essay Rubric
I was debating whether or not I should create a Literary Essay Rubric before I got to work this morning or once I was there. I opted for creating it at home and getting into work a little later. This is what I came up with:
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Draft Plans for Literary Essays
My students are going to be drafting while I'm out of the room doing reading assessments this-coming Thursday. Hence, I'm a little bit panicked since I don't like being out of the room on days when kids are selecting a seed idea or when they start drafting. (I have an amazing guest teacher... so it's… Continue reading Draft Plans for Literary Essays
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A Retrospective of Posts
I was on Bethany's Blog this morning and came across a meme. Since I woke up around 4:00 a.m. this morning (couldn't sleep), I decided to give it a whirl. So, here I am! Here's the drill with the meme: Go back through your archives and post the links to five of your favorite blog… Continue reading A Retrospective of Posts
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Amaze Me!
You know the student who always rushes through assignments? You know, that kid... the one who sacrifices quality to finish his/her work? Well, I thought one of my students was rushing through their writing (which was all about elaborating using 'prompts to push our thinking about reading') when I saw that child's hand waving at… Continue reading Amaze Me!
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Immersion Begins Tomorrow
I'll begin immersing my students in the literary essay genre tomorrow. I'm fortunate to have had some wonderful students last year who graciously allowed me to share their essays with future students to-come. Hence, I have quite a few literary essays copied, ready-to-go for my students to possibly use as mentor texts tomorrow. I realized… Continue reading Immersion Begins Tomorrow
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MAKING KIDS FEEL BIG, NOT small.
I had the pleasure of hearing Linda Christensen deliver the keynote address at today's RIWP Spring 2008 Conference. Linda wrote a book entitled Reading, Writing, and Rising Up: Teaching About Social Justice and the Power, so it was natural for her to speak on the subject of the "Politics of Language: Teaching About Language and… Continue reading MAKING KIDS FEEL BIG, NOT small.
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Peek Into My Classroom
Some images that represent the writing-related things going on in my classroom. Enjoy the "tour!" (Many of these photos were taken by my students with my camera.) News & Announcement Chart Originally uploaded by teachergal
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Thinking Critically About Writing Workshop
I wanted to reflect on some questions Stephanie Jones, one of my former T.C. professors and author of Engaged Intellectuals, presents at the end of chapter 11 in her book Girls, Social Class, and Literacy. She asks readers to consider some questions about the Writing Workshop they teach. Here are her questions and my answers:… Continue reading Thinking Critically About Writing Workshop
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Units of Study
polls - Take Our Poll
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Working My Way Backwards
I started a story mountain for my W.W. minilesson demo today. I started with the climax of the story: Then, I started working my way backwards: I'm hoping this will illustrate for my students that you don't start at the beginning of and work your way forward. Sometimes, you have to go backwards and forwards… Continue reading Working My Way Backwards
