writing workshop

An Invitation & SOLS

Write, Share, Give

writing workshop

Transitional Words and Phrases: Little Words, Big Meaning

There is something to be said for emphasizing the kinds of words and phrases that may not deliver a whole lot of meaning on their own, but when used within a piece of writing, are meaning powerhouses.

growth mindset · writing workshop

Three Words for Fostering Adventurous Writers: “Just Try It.”

At our house we have a rule at dinner time: You have to try everything on your plate. Personally, I think it's a great rule, if I do say so myself. It's a useful rule. It covers many situations: The "I'm all done" situation: "Mommy, I'm done!" "You have to try everything. That's the rule.… Continue reading Three Words for Fostering Adventurous Writers: “Just Try It.”

writing workshop

Share your Story

Write, Share, Give

writing workshop

Looking for Prize Donations

We are looking for readers of our blog who are willing to donate a writing-related prize for the 8th Annual SOLSC.

writing workshop

TARA’S ONE LITTLE WORD OF 2015

When I was twelve, my father came home from a long business trip abroad with a magical gift just for me: a Polaroid camera with half a dozen boxes of film.  This was, even among my classmates in our ritzy Bombay school, an item to be marveled at and coveted. One glorious afternoon, I gathered… Continue reading TARA’S ONE LITTLE WORD OF 2015

olw · writing workshop

Beth’s One Little Word for 2015

This morning, as usual, we were running a little behind schedule. "Lily, put on your coat," I said to my daughter, who is five, as I zipped up my son, Jackson's, snowsuit. Lily rolled lazily on the floor, with her coat over her face. A minute later. "Lily, please put on your coat," I said again,… Continue reading Beth’s One Little Word for 2015

writing workshop

SOLS and a New Hashtag

Write, share, give.

balanced literacy · classroom · independent writing · lesson plans · lucy calkins · minilesson · organization · professional development · tcrwp · Throwback Week · units of study · writing workshop

Throwback Week: How To Read A Unit of Study

Learn some tricks for reading the Units of Study, whether you're new to the units or have been using them for many years.

demonstration · mentor texts · minilesson · shared writing · student work · teaching tools · writing workshop

Demonstration Texts, Part Deux

Thinking about your demonstration texts this way can give you some inspiration for multiple ways to teach the same minilesson, to the whole class, or to small groups as follow-up.

writing workshop

Workshop Routines: Sometimes It’s Time For The Reset Button

Sixth graders have short-term memories.  Just when I’d thought  that I’d nailed down efficient routines, and I was sure that my writing workshop was going to run smoothly for the rest of the year… my kids returned from Thanksgiving Break and appeared to have forgotten everything about those routines. Every. Single. Thing. Monday’s writing workshop… Continue reading Workshop Routines: Sometimes It’s Time For The Reset Button

demonstration · mentor texts · writing workshop

Four Types of Demonstration Texts

The way I felt about starting my first garden is probably how a lot of kids feel during writing workshop when we give mysterious directions to "add more detail" or "grab the reader's interest." The language many of us use during writing workshop probably makes perfect sense to adults--but for kids we need to be more explicit. Teaching just by telling is not enough.