This new book by Cynthia and Sanford Levinson is a treasure trove of information as well as a handy example of many elements of inspiring nonfiction writing.
Putting the Large Stones In First: A September Check-In
Nervously lowering myself into a chair, I scooted myself closer to the table. Around me sat three new colleagues. My new 7th grade teaching team. Having moved from my familiar home in small-town Oregon to a strange and exciting new land called New England, I wasn't sure quite what to expect. Our team leader, a… Continue reading Putting the Large Stones In First: A September Check-In
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Knowing My Writers
September is a get-to-know-you month. A community-building-ice-breaker-month. September is a settling-in month, a becoming-comfortable month, a building-relationship month. It's an ask-the-parents-about-their-child month. A stack of papers month. Artwork created month. September is a launching month, a set-the-vision month, a build-enthusiasm for the work ahead month. September is an exhausting month, but a month that reveals much about the 24 third graders who inhabit room 215 with me this year.
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It’s Tuesday! Time to share a slice of life!
Welcome to our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge! Write. Share. Give. Please leave the permalink to your own blog post, and comment on at least three other posts. Comments energize writers and keep our writing community vibrant. On a related note, if you are a slicer who is attending NCTE in St. Louis and you’re… Continue reading It’s Tuesday! Time to share a slice of life!
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The Words You Write First Are Anyone’s Words
Regardless of the genre, one of the most important things we can teach our students is how to write words that could come from them – and only them.
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A Closer Look: Learning About Our Writers with Formative Assessment
Sound assessment plays a vital role in showing and in detailing progress students are making toward reasonable goals.
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Paper Choices: What’s up with that?
I'll be honest, the best thing about the start of the new school year is the school supplies. There's nothing like the combo-smell of new backpack, pencils, erasers, and paper. Ah. I think it's safe to say that many avid writers have a strong affinity for school supplies (or office supplies if you prefer). Pens,… Continue reading Paper Choices: What’s up with that?
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Past the Flash of Technology
Technology gives us all choices and decisions to make. Big decisions. How can we welcome technology in our classrooms? Technology can be a new way of doing the same thing. Will we seek apps that allow our students to make choices in creating and sharing with others, or will we seek apps that do the same old thing in a different way?
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It’s Tuesday! Join us with a slice of life!
Welcome to our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge! Please leave the permalink to your own blog post, and comment on at least three other posts. Comments energize writers and keep our writing community vibrant. Our community is a source of strength for each other. My thoughts continue to be with people who are impacted by… Continue reading It’s Tuesday! Join us with a slice of life!
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Pausing to remember 9/11
Sixteen years ago, I kissed my three daughters goodbye as I left them in the gym's babysitting room, and I headed up to the aerobics room to teach my 9:15 step class. My oldest daughter was five--an afternoon kindergartner-- and I did not know yet that I was pregnant with my fourth daughter. Just before… Continue reading Pausing to remember 9/11
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Three Tips to Avoid Overcommitting to First Words: Revision
Helping light the way to revision for our writers while honoring those first words.
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Not All Writers Are the Same! Ideas for Differentiating in the Writing Workshop (Part 2)
The fact is, just like athletes that show up to the first day of practice, writers bring different skill sets. Some arrive to middle school not knowing where to put a period, while others already know how paint vivid pictures with words that knock our socks off. How do we plan for such a wide variety of writers?
