There's way more to this story than what I can process and write tonight. So this is a post with a promise. I'll share the more of the thinking soon. I'm working with a group of grade 4 teachers to create some meaningful learning experiences with conventions for Tier 2 intervention. It has been incredible… Continue reading Formal Language Continuum
Category: writing workshop
Your Dreams Matter. Your Teaching Matters.
A couple of weeks ago I was re-reading the chapter about genre studies in The Art of Teaching Writing, New Edition (Heinemann, 1994) by Lucy Calkins. Once I was finished, I flipped to the final chapter of Lucy's book, which is entitled "Do I Dare to Care So Much?" I was looking for inspiration. (In… Continue reading Your Dreams Matter. Your Teaching Matters.
Share this:
Share this:
Where to start?
As many of you know, I love helping people get started with workshop. Here's what I'm wondering tonight... What is the most important thing to know as a writing workshop teacher? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so I hesitate to share mine. Please leave a comment about your first reaction to this question. Even… Continue reading Where to start?
Share this:
Share this:
Does your practice reflect your beliefs?
Lately I've been involved in a lot of professional development where I'm providing space and time for teachers to consider their teaching beliefs. I've been nudging teachers to consider: 1. What makes you stick with tough stuff? 2. What does it look like and sound like when we honor students? 3. How can we empower… Continue reading Does your practice reflect your beliefs?
Share this:
Share this:
An Inspiring Mentor Text, an Interview, and a Giveaway
I love, LOVE, L-O-V-E Ralph Tells A Story (Amazon Children’s Publishing, 2012), which is a story about a boy, Ralph, who has trepidation about writing. (It’s already become a book I suggest to teachers when I speak about mentor texts!) Ralph is that kid in your writing workshop who claims he doesn’t have anything to… Continue reading An Inspiring Mentor Text, an Interview, and a Giveaway
Share this:
Share this:
Nudging Joy: A Student Group
I've been thinking a lot lately about the things I know because I write. I've been keeping a little list of these ideas as a crude plan for an article about the topic. When Christy Rush-Levine invited me to lead a study group at her school, she suggested the topic of being a teacher who… Continue reading Nudging Joy: A Student Group
Share this:
Share this:
Word Play (a writing night for families)
Tomorrow night I've been invited to talk with parents and host a mini-writing workshop for families. You must know, about a week ago, our youngest, Sam (a first grader), gave two slips of paper to each family member, along with a pen, and said, "Write two titles or story ideas on these slips. I'll be… Continue reading Word Play (a writing night for families)
Share this:
Share this:
Honoring Experiences
A long time ago I shifted my language from talking about "low" or "weak" writers to inexperienced writers. The shift in language is significant. It's not about kids being good enough or capable of writing, but rather it is about gaining experience and becoming stronger writers. At the same time, it's about honoring the experiences… Continue reading Honoring Experiences
Share this:
Share this:
Where am I?
Look who I spent the evening listening to... Yes, that is Maggie Stiefvater, YA novelist and one of my personal mentors when it comes to crafting a story. Later I'll share some of the cool things she says. Tonight, though, check out the latest addition to my notebook... I'm going to fall asleep thinking about… Continue reading Where am I?
Share this:
Share this:
The Magic of Workshop
Today I was working with a group of primary teachers (Hello North Webster Elementary School!) and we were talking about the silly things kids share during writing workshop. Sometimes their stories are outrageous and they laugh about the strangest things, like a character turning into a Booger Head, as one teacher shared. I laughed and… Continue reading The Magic of Workshop
Share this:
Share this:
Facing Discouragement
I hesitate to write this blog post. Yet it needs written. Maybe for you or for the teacher next door. Definitely for me. This week I've had too many conversations with teachers who are feeling discouraged. They do not have gender, teaching experience, grade level, or administration in common. They don't even come from the… Continue reading Facing Discouragement
Share this:
Share this:
Structure + Choice
Here's what I've been thinking about lately: How do we provide both structure and choice in writing workshop? Both are essential to empowering young writers. Structure is necessary to lift the level of every writer in the classroom. Choice is crucial for writers to learn to write with energy and strength. Yet they sometimes seem… Continue reading Structure + Choice
