I recently had the good fortune of watching the wonderful Natalie Louis deliver a word study lesson at a school in Harlem. It was so cool. For a mostly upper grade person like me, word study has always been a bit shrouded in mystery. What exactly is the difference between phonemic and phonological awareness? What… Continue reading What I’ve Learned about Word Study
Category: writing workshop
Let’s Talk About Methods for Conferring
When I was a new teacher, I learned from Lucy Calkins that there are basically four overall methods to choose from when planning instruction: 1) demonstration, 2) coaching, 3) inquiry, and 4) telling/explaining. This four-method framework is useful for thinking about conferring.
Share this:
Share this:
ICYMI: Solving Predictable Problems
In case you missed any pieces from our series about predictable problems, here's a quick review of the week of posts with the links, as well.
Share this:
Share this:
Units of Study That Go On Forever: Solving Predictable Problems
It's happened to ever teacher. We start out strong, with enthusiasm. We think: This unit is going to be GREAT! This is is exactly what my kids need! This unit is our favorite! But then, five weeks, six weeks, seven weeks (!!) later you and the kids are completely sick of the writing you've been doing--just like a favorite recipe that you've become burnt out on.
Share this:
Share this:
STUDENT AGENCY: SOLVING PREDICTABLE PROBLEMS BLOG SERIES
I stepped back and put my kids in front of their learning about six years ago. It has changed how I teach and deepened my respect for students and who they are as individuals.
Share this:
Share this:
Engaging Writers: Solving Predictable Problems
If we want engaged writers, and not simply compliant students going through the motions and counting the minutes until writing time is over, we need to find ways to capture their attention and their hearts.
Share this:
Share this:
Transferring skills from unit to unit: Solving Predictable Problems Blog Series
When one of my daughters was switching from playing soccer to playing field hockey, we had several conversations about the similar skills each sport required. It didn't take us long to figure out that her understanding of passing, moving to space, and cutting off pathways would be helpful as she transitioned, not to mention her physical… Continue reading Transferring skills from unit to unit: Solving Predictable Problems Blog Series
Share this:
Share this:
Overview: Solving Predictable Problems Blog Series
Once fall arrives, most writing workshops are well underway. Depending on when your school year started, you're likely teaching your second or third unit of study. Most of you are probably prepping for parent-teacher conferences, which will take place in the next couple of weeks. This is a predictable time of year. As a result,… Continue reading Overview: Solving Predictable Problems Blog Series
Share this:
Share this:
Narrative Writing Makes a Beautiful Gift
The students wrapped their writing in an array of wrapping paper, and they left my classroom eager to share their gifts – the gift of words.
Share this:
Share this:
Teaching Digital Tools in Writing Workshop: Plan, Purpose, Model
By blending the choice of digital tools into our lessons, we are showing students how they can purposefully use devices and keep the thinking where it belongs, on the writing, not the tool.
Share this:
Share this:
Keeping Narrative Alive
By the middle of October, many students in our district are nearing the end of their first writing unit, and in almost all grades, that first writing unit has a narrative focus. Students are gearing up for information writing, and then later in the year, opinion writing. Sometimes, when we leave a genre, we forget… Continue reading Keeping Narrative Alive
Share this:
Share this:
National Day on Writing: Last Minute Ideas!
It's not too late to plan a celebration of National Day on Writing. NCTE celebrates on this day each year the importance and most of all the delight that writing can bring to our lives using #WhyIWrite as a common theme. Take a look at some quick ideas to get your celebration rolling if you didn't set a plan in motion for this special day.
