The realization of this moment gave me chills and led me to share my writing backstory with Dana. Dana listened and encouraged me to open my presentation with this story. I was hesitant, the experience had halted my inner writer for years. What if sharing it again had the same result?
As you embark on using, student-written mentor texts push yourself beyond the flawless and visually perfect pieces. Look for the gems buried behind the messy and sometimes crumpled papers. Search for opportunities for all students to shine and guide other writers. All writers have value.
Sometimes you just have to start over.
Today, Christi Overman spoke to the teachers in the Beginning Writing Workshop Training. A year ago, Christi occupied a seat in the workshop. At the time she thought she would … Continue Reading Teacher Testimony: Christi Overman.
I’ve had four of my former treasures (I’m borrowing a Jen Barney word here!) get published in New Moon Magazine for Girls and Their Dreams. However, I don’t just teach … Continue Reading Getting Students Published
As I may have mentioned, some of my students (past and present) have begun blogging. Uber cool, but uber risky if they are not monitored closely by me and/or their … Continue Reading Schools & Technology
I was on Bethany’s Blog this morning and came across a meme. Since I woke up around 4:00 a.m. this morning (couldn’t sleep), I decided to give it a whirl. … Continue Reading A Retrospective of Posts
Check out Writers’ Window, which is a website that publishes student work as long as the child follows the submission guidelines. BTW: One of my students began reading New Moon … Continue Reading Writers’ Window: Another place for young writers to get published!
The first issue of Launch Pad: Where Young Authors and Illustrators Take Off will be coming out this January/February (2008), according to Reading Today, which arrived at my apartment yesterday. … Continue Reading New Magazine for Student Writers