early childhood · kindergarten · social justice

From Skin Study to Writing Workshop

After finishing each swirl of her curly hair, Camila circled her paintbrush around and around, forming eyes. For many children, the self-portrait stops here, at the outline.  I kneeled next to the young artist, holding a mirror in my hand, and said, “Camila, look at how the colors you are choosing match your hair, your… Continue reading From Skin Study to Writing Workshop

Slice of Life Story Challenge

IT’S TUESDAY! JOIN US FOR THE SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE!

Welcome! Join today's Slice of Life story challenge by... writing a post, sharing the permalink in the comments section, and visiting at least three other slicers to leave a comment for them.

partnerships · sharing · student engagement · Talking · work space · writers · writing space · writing workshop · writing workshop routines

Three Keys to Writing Partnership Success

There can be many moving parts in the writing workshop. Partnerships can be a driving force in the growth and goal setting of writers within your classroom. In my experience, there are three areas I work to strengthen within my writers to ensure partnerships foster this growth and development across the year.

National Day on Writing

National Day On Writing is Almost Here!

It's almost time for the National Day On Writing! Read on for some ideas on ways to celebrate with students. How will you celebrate this day?

writer identity · writing workshop

Living the Writerly Life in School

We say to kids, "Here's your notebook! Now you are writer!" We want kids to write in school and beyond. Maybe there are things we can do in school to keep their writerly lives going--even when our units of study and minilessons have moved on to other aspects of the work.

English as an Additional Language

How to Know When to Move Forward with Language Learners

I recently was working with a kindergarten teacher who was teaching a group of six kindergarten students, all identified as novice English Language Learners.  My experience observing and working with this group reinforced my own understanding of Andrea Honigsfeld’s research in her recent book, Growing Language and Literacy. In it she solidifies my understanding that… Continue reading How to Know When to Move Forward with Language Learners

Slice of Life Story Challenge

IT’S TUESDAY! JOIN US FOR THE SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE!

Welcome! Join today's Slice of Life Story Challenge by... writing a post, sharing the permalink in the comments section, and visiting at least three other slicers to leave a comment for them.

paper · progressions · strategic conferring · Teachers who write · writing workshop

Intentional Practice In Our Writing Classrooms

Intentional practice leads to better performance. Writing instruction follows a similar pattern, and by about six weeks into the year, teachers know their students. Just like soccer coaches, teachers can start to develop some responsive instruction, both from the figurative sidelines, as well as through direct instruction.

A Peek Inside Conferring Toolkits Blog Series · conferring · strategic conferring · writing workshop

Questions to Reflect, Expand, and Select

If we are not intentional, we can easily rush into many teaching points, instead of only one. We can overwhelm ourselves and our students. If we are not careful, we can miss the most important reason we sit with a student―the opportunity to listen and learn.

feedback · middle school · process · student work

There Is No Finish Line

Using student work as feedback for our teaching informs us. It empowers us.  In a way, it allows young writers to become our teachers...

celebration · early childhood · kindergarten

A Parade of Writers

It's time to celebrate the progress writers have made!

Slice of Life Story Challenge

IT’S TUESDAY! JOIN US FOR THE SLICE OF LIFE STORY CHALLENGE!

Welcome! Join today's Slice of Life Story Challenge by writing a post, sharing the permalink in the comments section, and visiting at least three other slicers to leave a comment for them.