Right now is the perfect time to begin sharing book reviews. Readers across the globe are making plans as they begin a new school year. Teachers are book talking. Kids are book talking. We begin lists in notebooks of favorite books, books we want to read, books we have read. Common core demands we take… Continue reading Hearing the Sound of Opinion Writing
Category: writing workshop
If I Didn’t Write Myself I Wouldn’t Know…
Here's a little list that is swirling in my mind... If I didn't write myself I wouldn't know how critical positive feedback is to the life of a writer. This weekend I received emails from three different people in response to a couple of different writing projects. One was from an editor who pushed me… Continue reading If I Didn’t Write Myself I Wouldn’t Know…
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Writers use narrative, informative, and opinion modes of writing across genres.
Along with this slide, I said these words in the section of my key note called, "Using narrative, informative, and persuasion to tell your Story." One of the things unsettling to me is the segregation of the text types. Even though the text types appear to be separate, segregated into nice neat boxes, divided… Continue reading Writers use narrative, informative, and opinion modes of writing across genres.
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Starting Slowly
One of the things I realized about myself when I went to the Choice Literacy writing retreat is how quickly I speed through the day. I like to pay attention to the world around me, but sometimes I'm moving too quickly. For the past few weeks I've been trying to slow down my pace. It's… Continue reading Starting Slowly
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Words that are Speaking to Me
Always and forever at the start of a new school year... If you want to teach me to write, first you must love me. ---Avi
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When I’m not here…
Why is it so much harder to blog in the summer than during the school year? It's like when my to-do list decreases to 20 million things instead of 50 million things, I have a harder time remembering to blog. It's insane. Tonight Christy Rush-Levine is partially to blame. She invited my family to visit… Continue reading When I’m not here…
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It’s so much bigger…
Today Sam went to day one of a five day Lego Camp. I went a little early to pick him up, just so I could observe a little bit. I was impressed by the instructor. She used specific language when talking to the group. She said, "Okay engineers, please come to a place to pause… Continue reading It’s so much bigger…
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Master Teacher Gets a Standing Ovation
My favorite English teacher, Frank Dippery, retired after 51 years of teaching last week. Mr. Dippery was a teacher unlike any other. (I blogged a bit about him in 2008. Click here to learn a little bit more about his teaching style.) He was the teacher whose class you looked forward to every day since… Continue reading Master Teacher Gets a Standing Ovation
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End of Year Traditions
Just curious... What are some of your end of year traditions with your classrooms? Please share in the comments. 🙂
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Documenting Our Learning
Sometimes I think about the amazing work happening in writing workshops, and then wonder if anyone else notices. Sometimes the things that are most amazing are small bits that pack big meaning. Sometimes the most amazing work can be easily missed. Often young writers' (or even old writers') talk is ahead of their walk. We… Continue reading Documenting Our Learning
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The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Please link the slice of life story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
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The Book Stack
I have three gems for you. I. LOVE. These. Books. Love them. Micah Player previously worked for Paul Frank Industries. His illustrations and story are whimsical made me fall in love on the spot. Check out Chronicle Books website for more information on CHLOE INSTEAD. I'm looking forward to using this text in writing workshop for these… Continue reading The Book Stack
