current events · interview · picture book

An Interview with the Author of Come with Me + a Giveaway

As educators, we are uniquely positioned to teach children to respect and love each other. We have the power to show them how to make the world a better place. We can shape the next generation of children so they will choose to be accepting of people who look different, have a different set of beliefs, or originate from a different cultural background. This is an enormous responsibility, but we are fortunate if we can do this work to bring about change in our corners of the world.

audience · engagement · meeting area · reflections · sharing · writing workshop

If We Build It, They Will Come: Tales From Inside The Sharing Circle

The most important minutes of your writing workshop require zero hassle and no prep--only precious time. The minimal investment is worth its weight in gold. Welcome to the sharing circle with guest teacher Lori VanHoesen: The bridge builder you didn't know was doing the hardest work all along.

schedules · writing workshop

Protecting Student Writing Time

As the school year approaches and we are knee deep in planning our schedules it seems a good time to keep this (previsously run) post in your mind.  What do you believe about writing?  How will this be reflected in your schedule?  Your schedule can tell your students what you value.   We would never… Continue reading Protecting Student Writing Time

Slice of Life Story Challenge · writing workshop

It’s Tuesday! Time to Share a Slice of Life!

Write. Share. Give. Have fun.

Google Forms · record keeping

Ideas for Getting Started with Google Forms

Google forms helps with record keeping and planning next instructional moves in writing workshop and more. Here are some ideas to get started!

writing workshop

Sorting Out Your Edge Pieces

Are you motivated and ready to dive into writing workshop this year after the Writing Workshop Fundamentals blog series? Here are some things to consider as you begin to piece together the big picture.

back to school · Mary Ehrenworth · middle school · risk-taking · tcrwp · writer's notebook

Risk-taking in the Writer’s Notebook

We learn when we experiment and take risks. The writer's notebook could be a place worth considering as a place to do some risk-taking!

growth mindset · plan book · Q & A · reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

The Intentional Educator Planner (Giveaway)

I've always wanted to keep a reflective journal about my teaching but in the hustle and bustle of a busy school day, that seemed to be the first thing to go from list of "to-do's." I'm hopeful that having  a place to reflect right in my plan book will encourage me to take time to write down my thoughts and ideas each week. The 2017-2018 Intentional Educator Planner will be just the place!

Writing Workshop Fundamentals blog series

In Case You Missed It: Writing Workshop Fundamentals Blog Series

Whether you are new to writing workshop, or a leader of this work,we hope this blog series provides you with the essentials to run a successful writing workshop in your classroom.

writing workshop

Tuesday Slice of Life!

Welcome back to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge. Write your post. Share the permalink here in the comments section. Be sure to comment on three other posts sometime today. If you haven’t already, check out our August blog series: Writing Workshop Fundamentals. We hope you'll find some inspiration for starting your school year… Continue reading Tuesday Slice of Life!

classroom environment · Writing Workshop Fundamentals blog series

Environments: Writing Workshop Fundamentals

Working with the intention of creating writing environments with our students that are reflective of the beliefs and the needs of all should be our goal. While each writing workshop is unique to the writers within the workshop, there are basic design components true of all writing workshops.

mentor texts · writing workshop · Writing Workshop Fundamentals blog series

Mentor Texts: Writing Workshop Fundamentals

Today, in writing workshop, we intentionally teach students how to write by using authors as our co-teachers.  As teachers, we write for and with our students, and our writing can show them the possibilities for their own pieces. We highlight student work too as a mentor text, creating a bridge from what students are currently doing to a more effective way of writing.