There are many ways to teach a minilesson effectively. Many people think inquiry minilessons are stickier than demonstrations since kids "discover" things on their own. As a result, learning stays with kids longer since they've come to the learning on their own.
Environments for Kids & With Kids: Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop
As I thought about writing this post, I considered my day and what needed to get done. I mulled over when I would go to the store, how many loads of laundry I needed to fold, visiting family, and when I'd have time to sit down with my thoughts. As I went through my to-do… Continue reading Environments for Kids & With Kids: Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop
SOL Tuesday
Please read today's announcements before leaving the link to your post especially if you're planning to participate in the 6th Annual Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge with your students.
Next Level Unit Planning: Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop
Tips for moving to the next level of unit planning.
New Blog Series: Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop
Our new blog series, Beyond the Fundamentals of Writing Workshop, begins today. This series is for experienced workshop teachers who wish to push the limits on traditional teacher/student parameters so their writing workshops will become more student-centered. This post contains a preview of what's to come in our posts this week plus information about a book giveaway we're hosting as part of this blog series.
Who Is Up For A Challenge? A Guest Blog Post By Michelle Haseltine
How do I manage with thirty to forty students blogging? I blog too. That’s always made it more meaningful for my students.
The Post-it Note App and Writing Workshop
When you hear blended learning in writing workshop do you immediately envision a classroom of writers looking at a screen?
Rolling Out the Welcome Wagon!
The community of educators, who gather here at Two Writing Teachers every March, is like no other. We are in need your generous, open-hearted, and passionate hearts to help us welcome our newest slicers. We are asking you, our community of bloggers, to consider being part of the Welcome Wagon during the March Slice of Life… Continue reading Rolling Out the Welcome Wagon!
Welcome to Slice of Life
Write a slice. Share it here. Comment on at least three other slices. Are you ever surprised by what you write when you sit down and start writing? Sometimes out thoughts, feelings, and realizations sneak up on us when we write. Slice of Life Challenge Updates and Reminders The eleventh annual Slice of Life Challenge… Continue reading Welcome to Slice of Life
Writing Checklists: Tools for Independence and Goal-Setting
I am a list person. I have lists by my computer, by my bed, in the kitchen, in my car console-- And I love crossing things off my lists. One of the reasons I like lists is they tell me what to do, but my lists serve different purposes; sometimes they help me remember what… Continue reading Writing Checklists: Tools for Independence and Goal-Setting
Do You Ever Wonder?
How do you respond to the recursive "I'm done," and every other form of the phrase? Maybe it isn't about them.
Addressing Knowledge Issues in Informational Writing
If we do not possess a good amount of background knowledge, if we are not interested in the topic, and we were not given a choice, our writing typically suffers. Lack of knowledge in particular, as Mary Ehrenworth suggests, manifests quickly as writing weakness and writing problems. As writing workshop teachers, how might we think about and address these challenges?

