writing workshop

Remembering Newtown

There are no words.

writing workshop

The Importance of Sharing

How does sharing fit into your writing workshop routine? Find tools and ideas to put sharing on your priority list of daily rituals.

writing · writing workshop

In my writing workshop: a student takes ownership

Tucked away among  the many books I bought at NCTE is this treasure: a collection of Donald Graves’ essays on writing workshop.  An added bonus is a DVD that captures footage of  Don and his team of teacher/researchers in action during the Atkinson study.  I’m making slow but sure progress through the book, mostly because… Continue reading In my writing workshop: a student takes ownership

minilesson · reluctant writers · writing workshop

Our Inner Writing Critic

Now I know different. I know that all writers hear that voice. All of us. Here was my message to the 6th graders: All writers have an inner critic. Acknowledge yours. And KEEP WRITING.

early childhood · writing workshop

A Writing Routine with Primary Writers

What is your writing routine? Find some advice and tools to assist you in developing a routine that works for you and your students.

writing workshop

Video Writing Prompts: Keeping kids engaged in those “between units and right before vacation days.”

It’s that time of year in many of our classrooms: that restless  time between Thanksgiving break and winter recess.  I mark my kids “present” every day, but I know that most of them are, in fact, many miles away - dreaming of festivities, skiing, vacations, and lazy days in pajamas.  Every day seems to be… Continue reading Video Writing Prompts: Keeping kids engaged in those “between units and right before vacation days.”

digital writing · ELL · primary grades · technology · writing workshop

Digital Tools Invite Writers to Compose – #NCTE13

Two of the sessions I attended at NCTE in Boston helped me think about ways two digital tools could be meaningfully integrated into early childhood and elementary school classrooms to engage young writers. The "Exploring Collaboration of Multimodal Literacies in Early Childhood: Digital Filmmaking, Designing, and Co-Authoring" panel discussed the way digital video cameras could enhance learning, while two of the presenters in "Writing Workshop Is for All Students: Using Visuals, Oral Language, and Digital Tools to Maximize Success and Independence for English Language Learners" suggested the incorporation of digital cameras.

writing · writing workshop

Reflections on writing workshop: Sometimes when they say they’re “done” they’re really done

  copyright: Bill Watterson - Calvin and Hobbes This is pretty much how Josh felt when I pulled my conferring stool up next to his desk yesterday and asked, "So, how's it going?"  He had been working on his memoir for the past week, and making very slow progress.  Most of our writing workshop class… Continue reading Reflections on writing workshop: Sometimes when they say they’re “done” they’re really done

authors · charts · classroom · Kristi Mraz · Marjorie Martinelli · strategy charts · tcrwp · writing workshop

Happy Charting: ‘Smarter Charts’ Authors Marjorie Martinelli and Kristi Mraz Share Some Tips for Your Classroom

It's always a joy to learn with Majorie Martinelli and Kristi Mraz. In this interview, they share some excellent advice on using charts to support independence in the classroom.

writing workshop

Sneak Attack!

A project inspired by radio but inspiring to the heart.

writing · writing workshop

Nourishing the writer in the writing teacher.

All week long, Heinemann Publishing has been celebrating  Don Graves on their Facebook page, featuring his groundbreaking  work, and asking educators this question: To honor Don Graves, help us keep his legacy alive. Tell us your story. What inspires your teaching?   And, all week long, educators like Nancie Atwell and Mary Ellen Giacobbe have… Continue reading Nourishing the writer in the writing teacher.

writing workshop

Close reading leads to close writing: “Falling in Love With Close Reading” in writing workshop

 I have truly fallen in love with Falling in Love With Close Reading, the just-released book by Christopher Lehman and Kate Roberts.      As with Kylene Beers and Robert Probst’s Notice and Note, this is a book that pushes my thinking about reading - my own, as well as that of my plot-crazy students… Continue reading Close reading leads to close writing: “Falling in Love With Close Reading” in writing workshop