“Social psychology has found the more you reward people for doing something, the more they tend to lose interest in whatever they had to do to get the reward.” – Alfie Kohn (2000). Sometimes our students expect something for the work that they do in the classroom. They become accustomed to manipulation techniques. We’ve heard… Continue reading Growing Writers: Eight Alternatives to Extrinsic Rewards
Throwback Thursday: Setting Up for Success in the Middle School Writing Workshop
As each new year approaches, many of us begin thinking about the physical space(s) we create for our writers. How might it/they be more effective? Inviting? Or different? The spaces we design for our middle school writers can greatly affect how they "view" writing. Check out this week's Throwback Thursday for ideas on creating space for writing in the middle school writing workshop!
Share this:
Share this:
(Writing) Life Imitates Art: Finding Inspiration in Ralph Fletcher’s Instagram
The creative lives we maintain outside of writing fill us up as humans with stories to tell. When we bring this life into the writing workshop, it builds community, and it lays the foundation for lifelong writers who have strategies for sustaining their own writing lives.
Share this:
Share this:
It’s Tuesday! Join the Slice of Life Story Challenge
It's Tuesday! Time to write, share and give!
Share this:
Share this:
ICYMI: Nurturing Independence From the Start
Just in case you missed a post, we've got all the links in one place! PLUS--The giveaway winners!
Share this:
Share this:
The Importance of Repertoire: Nurturing Independence From the Start
The truth in writing -- and in many aspects of life -- is that there isn’t really one way to do anything. The strongest writers understand their options and are flexible and intentional with their choices. That’s repertoire!
Share this:
Share this:
Writing Because You Want To: Nurturing Independence From the Start
How do you encourage students to write at home without mandating they do so? Read on for some ideas! Please share your ideas in the comments and keep our conversation going.
Share this:
Share this:
A Writer’s Mindset: Nurturing Independence from the Start
Does the mindset of our student writers impact their independence? How does OUR mindset impact their independence as writers?
After a lot of researching, reading, writing, and reflecting I'm sharing some insights and steps toward building a growth mindset in our classroom communities of writers. Join in the conversation!
Share this:
Share this:
When Writers Choose the Genre: Nurturing Independence from the Start
We don’t just want writers to be independent writers in our classrooms, we want them to be independent writers in the world! To do that, we need to offer frequent opportunities for them to begin with ideas, then choose genre — instead of the other way around.
Share this:
Share this:
The Importance of Establishing Routines: Nurturing Independence from the Start
There are some routines that are more important to teach than others during the first six weeks of school. In the midst of building classroom community and starting to teach curriculum, there are a dozen routines one can model with students so writing workshop runs efficiently.
Share this:
Share this:
Routines and Structures of Writing Workshop: Nurturing Independence from the Start
In this post, I'll describe how four parts of writing workshop can foster independence: Minilessons, Independent Writing Time, Partner Time, and the Reflection/Closing.
Share this:
Share this:
It’s Tuesday! Join the Slice of Life Community
It's Tuesday! Time to write, share and give!
