don graves · education · katie wood ray · NWP · teacher of writing · teacher writing · Teachers who write · the persona of a writer · writing workshop

Should Educators Be Writers?

Is it important that teachers who teach writing actually write?

charts · dialgoue · primary grades · writing workshop

Dialogue in First Grade

See how these first graders added dialogue to their narrative writing.

writing workshop

Student Writing Reflection

Young learners are fascinating. One minute they're focused and willing workers, seconds later they're playful and silly, but watch them with their parents and they become entirely different little people, and I am reminded of how young they are. It's for this exact reason I love working with our youngest learners. Their playful, innocent nature alongside the desire to be a "big kid" suits our job perfectly.

writing workshop

Three Quick Tips for Small Group Strategy Lessons

Have you been super busy the past few weeks? I know I sure have been! So, I won't take up any extra of your time. Here are three quick tips for small group strategy lessons: Use your conferring notes, observations of kids, your on-demand assessment results, or latest samples of student writing to find 3-4… Continue reading Three Quick Tips for Small Group Strategy Lessons

assessment · writing workshop

What Does it All Mean? Really?

Sometimes the place we land isn't where we belong, it is merely a place to pause before the real destination.

writing workshop

Write, Share, Give – SOLS Tuesday

It's Tuesday which means it is time to write your Slice, share your link, and give at least three comments to other Slicers. I know so many of us have formed friendships through this community.  We faithfully read each other's Slice of Life Stories each week.  Don't forget to read some new Slices this week… Continue reading Write, Share, Give – SOLS Tuesday

nonfiction · ralph fletcher · writing workshop

Putting the Exploratory Notebook into practice…with thanks to Ralph Fletcher

Putting the Exploratory Notebook into practice...

blogging · commenting · community · writing workshop

Comments Make Community!

Comments are at the heart of blogging!

informational writing · mentor texts · picture book · writing workshop

I’m Trying to Love Spiders: A Review & Giveaway

When my principal handed me a copy of Bethany Barton's I'm Trying to Love Spiders, I was intrigued.  She had chosen this book as our Everybody Reads title for the month and I was wondering why.  I mean, who would try to love spiders?  Ew. I was immediately impressed with both the colorful illustrations and the… Continue reading I’m Trying to Love Spiders: A Review & Giveaway

academic choice · challenges · classroom environment · teaching tools · technology · writing workshop

Daring To Lift Student Learning- Choice in Writing Tools

Teaching well demands we stay current and try new ideas. There isn't any insurance policy that the newest strategy, book, program, or app will work for all or anyone, but we trust our education and experience, and we do what we know to be best for kids. Brené Brown in Daring Greatly says, Risk aversion kills innovation~ Berné Brown Daring Greatly So embrace the mess, the awkwardness, and all the uncertainties rattling in your mind and do what you trust to be best for the students in your classroom.

writing workshop

Tuesday Slice of Life

"Although it's true that those who regularly publish are writers, they don't own writing.  Writing is for all of us." - Tom Romano in Write What Matters Please write your Slice, share your link, and give at least three comments to other bloggers. Remember to use our new hashtag for 2016 #sol16.  

SOLSC · writing workshop

Looking for March Slice of Life Story Challenge Prize Donations

In a few weeks, we will begin our 9th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC). The rewards for writing for 31 consecutive days are numerous: you will develop a writing habit, sharpen your writing skills, find your voice as a writer, belong to a writing community, receive peer feedback, and learn to savor the struggle of writing.