Slice of Life Story Challenge · writing workshop

Join the 10th Annual March SOLSC Welcome Wagon Team!

5   My father used to say, "February is the longest month." But really, we know it isn't. Thankfully we can look forward to the Tenth Annual March Slice of Life Story Challenge!  March will be here before we know it. And we would love your help with  our Welcome Wagon. What, you ask, is… Continue reading Join the 10th Annual March SOLSC Welcome Wagon Team!

Jennifer Serravallo · strategies · strategy charts · strategy lessons · writing workshop

The Writing Strategies Book + Giveaway!

Ever wish you could have all the best strategies from your favorite writing teachers in one place? Atwell, Fletcher, Ray, Calkins, Heard and more are among the many hat tips in Jen Serravallo's newest publication, THE WRITING STRATEGIES BOOK. Come take a look at how Jen expertly weaves her own expertise and ideas along with tried and true favorites from the best of the best.

writing workshop

A Perfect Time For Pattern Books

Yesterday, first graders celebrated Halfway day at my school. It it hard to believe we are halfway through the school year. And yet, when I am in writing workshop classrooms, I see much evidence of growth. Our kindergarteners are studying and creating books with pattern and repetition. Halfway through the school year is the perfect… Continue reading A Perfect Time For Pattern Books

writing workshop

Student Ownership and Writing Choices

With so many (and ever changing) options at our fingertips, I want my students to learn how to control the tools. We have a motto in our room, "If the tool is telling you what to do, you aren't in charge of your learning. You tell the tool what to do!"

Slice of Life Story Challenge · writing workshop

Tuesday Slice of Life Challenge #SOL17

Welcome to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!

NCTE · play · vocabulary · writing workshop

Vocabulary Ideas From NCTE

Already, NCTE seems like a long time ago. However, as I reread my notes and think about some of the lasting learning, I have more to share! Vocabulary Matters was a great session!

choice · language · writing workshop

Language to Convey Choice Versus Assignment

There are many things we can't control in the classroom: the amount of time we have, the number of students, the size (and sometimes temperature) of the classroom space. But one thing we can control is the language we use that conveys choice, versus language that conveys assignment.

growth mindset · revision · writing workshop

Mindset Matters

Teaching students to have a growth mindset and truly understand what happens as they learn has been a big goal for me this year. Over the winter break, a book re-sparked my thinking and how I needed to more intentionally equate our mindset to our process as writers.

Slice of Life Story Challenge · SOLSC · writing workshop

Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge #SOL17

It's Tuesday again! Time to share your slice of life.

Slice of Life Story Challenge · writing workshop

Rolling Out the Welcome Wagon!

Will you be willing to roll out the Welcome Wagon for our new Slicers this March?

opinion writing · persuasive writing · writing workshop

The Heart Work of Persuasive Writing

How can we help writers develop solid ideas before delving too far into the work of persuasive writing?

graphic organizer · writing workshop

Rethinking Graphic Organizers for Writing

Are there other, more authentic ways we could scaffold our writers?