details · giveaway · professional books · writing workshop

The Big Book of Details: A Review & Giveaway

Are you always telling your students to add detail? This book is for you. Enter to win a copy!

writing workshop

Success, Struggles and Strategies~ Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge

When @cathymere first asked if I planned to participate in the 30 days writing challenge my answer was, "Yes! My class will love the idea of a challenge, and they write every day in our writing workshop, so why not!" After my rather impulsive "Yes" I reflected on the writers in my class and began wonder what this challenge would look like in our classroom.

assessment · authentic assessment · minilesson · self-assessment · small group · strategy lesson · strategy lessons · writing workshop

Instant Minilesson Follow-Up

A strong active engagement, and a routine for informally assessing student work during the minilesson can give you the tools you need to be sure that no student leaves the meeting area completely confused.

dialgoue · writing workshop

Where’s The Dialogue: Part Two

A few comments last week got me thinking. Hopefully, you will find this resource useful and purposeful within your workshop.

writing workshop

Writing Workshop with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

A joyous celebration of what writing workshop could be with Amy Ludwig VanDerwater.

Slice of Life Story Challenge · Teachers who write · writer's notebook · writing workshop

Educators as Writers: A Follow-Up Conversation

Should educators be writers? The conversation continues! We welcome your voice and ideas on how we can spread the word that when educators write, students grow as writers!

SOLSC · writing workshop

9th Annual SOLSC Prize Reveal

We have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the 9th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge.  Are you participating this year?  Check back on our blog Sunday to sign up! The 9th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC) will run from Tuesday, March 1st through Thursday, March 31st.   Everyone who participates… Continue reading 9th Annual SOLSC Prize Reveal

writing workshop

Helping Parents See Student Writing with a Writer’s Eye

We come together in the interest of supporting and celebrating the student, it's important to help parents see the work of their child on a deeper level.

dialogue · writing workshop

Where is the Dialogue?

Adding dialogue to a piece can a be a great means of adding voice and detail, but I've found it doesn't necessarily come naturally for third-graders. They needed a nudge and some guided direction.

books · celebration · Read Aloud · writing workshop

Waving the White Flag on Valentine’s Day!

There are some days in an elementary school teacher's life where the white flag must be waved. Halloween. The day before holiday break. Pajama Day. Crazy Hat Day. And, of course, Valentine's Day...

charts · scaffolding charts · writing workshop · writing workshop routines

Sometimes we only write in writing workshop

My sixth graders have been busy drafting their feature articles this week, and I had a series of mini lessons planned to begin each writing workshop day. My students, however, had other ideas.

collaboration · LIWP · revision · writing workshop

When Revision Doesn’t Work

I used to think professional workshops were where you would go to get answers, but now I know that the best ones are where you find more questions.