mentor texts · Voices from the Community · writing workshop

I Write Therefore I Am: Using Mentor Texts to Study Identity in Writing Workshop

Today is a Voices From the Community post, written by Logan Beth Fisher. She writes, "Writing workshop is the perfect time of the day in which to create opportunities for students to truly do a deep dive into their identities. The more chances a child has to examine the things that make them who they are, the greater the chance that they will broaden their capacity to generate ideas in which to write. Like any other good writing unit, educators can rely on mentor texts to help model not only the craft of writing but will also offer ways in which students can consider their own identities based on the theme or subject of the text."

adolescent literacy · middle school · writing about reading · writing workshop

Writing About Reading: Resource Toolkit Part Two for Middle School

Calling all middle school teachers! Today I’m sharing a ready to use set of lessons, resources, and a digital notebook for adolescent readers and writers featuring some of my favorite books in verse.

Slice of Life Story Challenge · SOLSC

TUESDAY SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE #SOL20

Write a slice of life story. Share your link in the comments section of this post. Give comments to at least three of the other Slice of Life stories. Welcome to Tuesday’s Slice of Life Story Challenge. Below you’ll find a quote by Osho. May it inspire your thinking and writing for today’s story challenge.… Continue reading TUESDAY SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE #SOL20

collecting · COVID-19 · EAL · growth mindset · Literacy for All

A Writer’s Purpose.

I remember the day I ran over to my partner teacher’s classroom. If my memory serves me well, I may have darted over to her classroom, flailing a single sheet in front of her and excitedly showed her the work. It was the work of one of my students. He, a student who could be… Continue reading A Writer’s Purpose.

shared writing · tier 1 · writing process

Predictable Barriers for Writers– and Some Ways Around

Identifying barriers and teaching into ways through, around, or over them will help writers not only with their immediate process, but also with their future endeavors.

authors

Farewell, from Lanny

To my co-authors and readers alike, this has been a great journey . . .

At-Home Learning · handwriting · spelling

Resources Teachers Can Share With Families: Spelling and Handwriting

Here are a few tips for supporting spelling you might share or adapt for families.

writing workshop

It’s Tuesday! Welcome to the Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Write your post. Share it. And then leave your comments for other writers. We are glad you are here.

classroom environment · collecting · community · COVID-19 · engagement · flexible seating · independent writing · motivation

Three Ways to Find Joy & Keep Writing

We are now entering week seven in our school district. At the start of the year, there was much to think about and much to worry about.  There were many questions to be answered and all of them seemed continuously uncertain. “We don’t know that yet” or “I’m not sure” were phrases that often seemed… Continue reading Three Ways to Find Joy & Keep Writing

blogging · COVID-19

Adapting to Our New Reality

The 2020-21 school year is one of those times that we must adapt, adjust, and rearrange our lives to fit with our new reality.

COVID-19 · occupational therapy · remote learning · technology

Easy Ways to Create a Healthy Ergonomic Set Up for Your At-Home Learner

For years, therapists have known that body positioning to increase attention and upper extremity stability is important. But those strategies have focused on children that have been seen by therapists in classrooms and clinics to address decreased attention span, core stability, and handwriting concerns. Today, Karen Reale, an occupational therapist, provides tips and tricks that can be applicable to any child who is learning in a classroom, hybrid setting, or at home this fall. This quick, informative post will help teachers educate caregivers on the importance of healthy positioning at home or wherever their child does their schoolwork.

literacy · professional books · Read Aloud · reading workshop · reading-writing connections · writing workshop

Layers of Learning: A Review and Giveaway

Our instructional minutes count more than ever this year. Read on to discover a new professional book that will help you maximize your teaching in reading and writing while helping your students grow in character and mindset. JoEllen McCarthy's new professional book, Layers of Learning, is a must read! Comment on the post for a chance to win your own copy.