Today is the final SOL Tuesday before the 12th Annual SOLSC begins!

Tuesday February 26, 2019Thursday February 28, 2019 Stacey Shubitz77 Comments

Today's the final warm-up before our month-long writing challenge begins this Friday.

Talking to Caregivers about Conventions and Spelling

Sunday February 24, 2019Saturday February 23, 2019 Melanie Meehan5 Comments

More than other skills, most caregivers tend to worry about spelling and conventions when it comes to their child's writing. I get it. Those skills are right there at the tip of the writing iceberg. Those skills are concrete and obvious. Those skills are the ones that they recognize and know how to fix when they sit with their child. So how do we talk to caregivers about spelling and punctuation? Here are three ideas that you may find helpful.

reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Teaching Writers to Reflect + Giveaway

Friday February 22, 2019Friday February 22, 2019 Betsy Hubbard54 Comments

For the past two weeks, I've been immersing myself in some reflection. This book, TEACHING WRITERS TO REFLECT, has been an excellent tool as I pass along reflective practices to my students.

audience · engagement · middle school

Where is the Attention?

Thursday February 21, 2019Wednesday February 20, 2019 Lanny Ball12 Comments

Sometimes it can be difficult to imagine creating or allowing a wider audience to read our students' writing. But there is great possibility in doing so. It just takes a shift in attention...

blogging · writing workshop

Budding Bloggers

Wednesday February 20, 2019Tuesday February 19, 2019 Deb Frazier

I remember when I started blogging with my first graders, I dove right in without a thought! Despite my lack of preparedness I never looked back. Blogging inspired and connected my students in ways I never imagined. I know you'll find the same joy in blogging!

Slice of Life Story Challenge

SOL Tuesday #sol19

Tuesday February 19, 2019Thursday February 28, 2019 Stacey Shubitz69 Comments

After you leave the link to your slice of life story today, please take a moment to fill out the Participant Information Form for the 12th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge (if you haven't done so already). The link is in body of this post.

Slice of Life Story Challenge · SOLSC Classroom Challenge · writing workshop

Thinking Ahead to April and the Classroom SOLSC

Monday February 18, 2019Sunday February 17, 2019 Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski10 Comments

The Classroom SOLSC is in April this year and it gives me an extra month to reflect, plan and prepare! How are you helping students to get ready for this challenge?

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Participant Information Form #sol19

Friday February 15, 2019Thursday February 28, 2019 Stacey Shubitz

Attention first-year and returning Slicers: Please fill out this year’s participant information form. Filling out the form takes less than five minutes and helps us stay organized during the Challenge.

collaboration

Three Ways to Be A Better Colleague

Thursday February 14, 2019Thursday February 14, 2019 BethMooreSchool9 Comments

Three ways YOU can be a kinder, more generous, better person to work with.

writing workshop

Growing a Classroom Environment Where Writers are Seen and Inspired

Wednesday February 13, 2019Wednesday February 13, 2019 Kelsey Sorum6 Comments

A place to make meaning of ourselves and the world around us, writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery. However, when idea-collection tools and drafts are stored in folders, we miss a valuable opportunity to make the diverse lives and experiences of our communities visible. Instead, we can rely on classroom as a tool for making children, their identities, and experiences seen.