Today we celebrate equality. When I read about the civil rights movement, I have to pause and stretch my imagination to understand what life was like in the 1960's. Separation was accepted, even desired. We've come a long way. Today we learned our new son will be home this week. He puts his hand in… Continue reading
Category: writing workshop
A Fresh Start (In the Middle)
One of the things I love about teaching is the opportunity for a fresh start. No matter how the day goes, we get to start over the next morning. If one year isn't so hot, we get to start over the following school year. Not only that, but the nature of our school year allows… Continue reading A Fresh Start (In the Middle)
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12.12.12
It's a special date today. Never again in our life time will the month, day, and year be identical. My daughter's school had a special 12-12-12 celebration. At home, we celebrated Andy's birthday. So in honor of 12-12-12, I've decided to make a list of 12 reasons I believe in writing workshop. 1. Stories change… Continue reading 12.12.12
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Formal Language Continuum
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
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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.
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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?
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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?
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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?
