Last weekend I took a major step forward towards my dream of publishing children's books. I attended the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Conference in New York. This post includes highlights from the keynotes and breakout sessions.
Category: writing
Laying a strong foundation for writing nonfiction through mentor texts
We are moving from our researching phase into our first draft phase in writing workshop - and my sixth graders are beginning to experience the inevitable struggle of transforming their notes into interesting, well-written feature articles. “Inevitable” I say, because I go through this every year, at exactly this same time. Turning research into writing… Continue reading Laying a strong foundation for writing nonfiction through mentor texts
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Giving Students Choice in Note Taking
Tomorrow marks the last of our research days in writing workshop. When we return to school next week, my sixth graders will begin the process of sifting through their research and drafting their feature articles. As I helped my students gather their notes together and put them away in their writing folders, I could not… Continue reading Giving Students Choice in Note Taking
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Making space for writing (lots of it) in Social Studies
I love teaching writing and reading workshop, but there’s a special place in my heart for the third subject I teach: social studies. Part of the reason for this is just a love of history, and part of the reason is because it allows me to reach into my reading/writing bag of tricks in order… Continue reading Making space for writing (lots of it) in Social Studies
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Creating writing museums
Last July, Bonnie Kaplan invited me to join the Hudson Valley Writing Project's Summer Institute for a day. I had been hearing so much about the work these teachers had been doing, that I didn't hesitate even for a moment to say, "Yes!"...even though I knew it would mean getting up extra early in order… Continue reading Creating writing museums
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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
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In Your Own Words
First drafts usually contain the words anybody can write. Revision is the key to crafting writing that sounds just like you.
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Write, share, give: SOLS time
“A writer is a person who cares what words mean, what they say, how they say it. Writers know words are their way towards truth and freedom, and so they use them with care, with thought, with fear, with delight. By using words well they strengthen their souls. Story-tellers and poets spend their lives learning… Continue reading Write, share, give: SOLS time
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Gifts to Inspire Young Writers + Giveaways
Nurture a child's interest and talent for writing this holiday season with one of these items. Look for a chance to win one of these five items by reading the giveaway information at the bottom of this blog post.
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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
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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.
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Climbing out of a Writing Rut
I’ve been writing daily for years, but lately I feel as if I haven’t written anything worthwhile. Sure – I’ve written blog posts about family and the teaching of writing. Sure – I’ve jotted ideas down in my Noteshelf App. Sure – I’ve worked on a nonfiction writing project I’ve been trying to move forward… Continue reading Climbing out of a Writing Rut
