I believe in writing. I believe that the more you write, the more you discover your own thoughts and ideas. Your voice grows stronger. You become more fluent. Writing becomes a part of who you are, how you see the world, how you process your thoughts, how you communicate effectively with others. It is not enough for students to just write during writing workshop. Writing needs to be woven into the fabric of the day, across subject areas, in ways that are meaningful and authentic for students.
Category: writing workshop
Writing Partners: Authentic Purposes for Writing
Someone once told me: You can't write well about something you don't care about. One day, I listened in on two first grade partners, Jennifer and Marco, sharing their pieces of writing. I stood ten steps away, just observing. Jennifer had written a piece about her brother. I watched as Marco and Jennifer scooted their seats… Continue reading Writing Partners: Authentic Purposes for Writing
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Creating Change: Authentic Purposes for Writing
It's often difficult for children to see themselves as change-makers. Writing and processing small or big ideas can help children see that their voices can be powerful guides for change, even if the change is simply making someone's day.
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Exploring Feelings Through Writing: Authentic Purposes for Writing
This week, my TWT colleagues and I are writing about the importance of authentic purpose to writers. We all agree that our students will benefit from having strong voices, clear messages, and wide audiences in our quickly changing world. Sometimes, we sit down to write, and we know exactly what we want to say, and… Continue reading Exploring Feelings Through Writing: Authentic Purposes for Writing
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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!
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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.
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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
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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!"
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Tuesday Slice of Life Challenge #SOL17
Welcome to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge!
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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!
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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.
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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.
