independent writing · Independent Writing Blog Series · independent writing projects · summer vacation · writing workshop

Independent Writing Blog Series Starts Now!

Today launches our Independent Writing Blog Series! Join us all week long as we write about writing projects, summer writing, getting published in the real world, multi-genre projects, pulling back to let kids write on their own, and much, much more! Also join us for a Twitter chat on Monday, May 12 at 8:30pm EST with the hashtag #TWTBlog.

apps · digital writing · writing workshop

In my writing workshop: it’s finally time for photographs and digital stories.

At last August’s Summer Institute, Cornelius Minor, teacher extraordinaire and staff developer at TC’s Writing and Reading Project, gave an unforgettable presentation on technology in the classroom which I wrote about on my blog “A Teaching Life”.  I left TC full of good intentions about infusing my sixth grade Writing Workshop with technology,  and using… Continue reading In my writing workshop: it’s finally time for photographs and digital stories.

demonstration · engagement · management · minilesson · mistakes · modeling · units of study · writing · writing workshop

Top Ten Ways to Keep Minilessons from Turning into Maxilessons

We've all been there. You've gathered your students into the classroom meeting area, nice and cozy, with the intention of doing just a quick l'il minilesson. Just a quick tip about writing and off they go, right? Maybe just a quick little demonstration? With a tiny bit of practice? Oh, and a chart... you'll need… Continue reading Top Ten Ways to Keep Minilessons from Turning into Maxilessons

writing workshop

A Special Visitor

No need to adjust your glasses, that's Barry Lane and he spread his message throughout my school this week.

slice of life · writing workshop

Write, Share, Give: It’s SOL Time

Share a story from your well.

slice of life · writing workshop

It’s SOL Time!

What's going on in your world today? Share your story here today at TWT!

classroom · education · independent writing · literacy · lucy calkins · noticings · plan · precise language · procedures · prompts · routines · scaffolding charts · scheduling · shared writing · speech · stories · storytelling · Teachers College · vocabulary · writing workshop

A Mini-Crash-Course on Oral Storytelling

It's been several months since I've written for Two Writing Teachers. In December my son was born, and I was on maternity leave until a few weeks ago. Then, in March I pushed aside all excuses and did the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Every day in the month of March I recruited my four year old daughter to tell… Continue reading A Mini-Crash-Course on Oral Storytelling

historical fiction · writing workshop

Historical Fiction: Adding Detail

We know writers of historical fiction pay attention to period detail, but how do they weave that detail into the story? What scaffolds can we provide to support the kids' writing as they work to weave together history and story? What kind of work could they do in their writer's notebooks?

modeling · writing workshop

Our Real Power: Authentic Writing

"Stepping into our authenticity is stepping into our real power."

character development · writing workshop

Be Your Higher Self

Are you being your higher self? It's not always easy. Barry Lane and Colleen Mestdagh gave me a lesson in teaching this idea to my students through song, writing and conversation.

Slice of Life Story Challenge · writing workshop

Challenge for New Slicers

Calling all first-time Slicers!

slice of life · SOLSC Classroom Challenge · writing workshop

Notes from the SOLSC my classroom: how to leave “constructive comments”.

Writing a Slice of Life every day is  challenging for us, and challenging for our students.  And, just as we (may) struggle with getting to everyone and leaving a meaningful comment, so it is for our students, too. For my students, who slice every Friday, all year, as part of our writing workshop routine, commenting was something that had… Continue reading Notes from the SOLSC my classroom: how to leave “constructive comments”.