Pausing on September 11th
Today, September 11th, is the fifteenth anniversary of the horrific attacks that took place in 2001. We, at Two Writing Teachers, pause today to remember all the lives that were lost and the… Continue reading
Penguin Problems: A Review & Giveaway
This penguin has problems. A lot of problems.
Making the Most of Pre-Assessments
We spend a week or so sharing stories, and building excitement for writing stories. We hand out notebooks with fanfare, and writers happily personalize them. They brainstorm ideas for stories they could write.… Continue reading
Setting Up Writing Partnerships
Like so many routines and procedures, the investment of time to establish successful, productive, independent partnerships is incredibly worthwhile!
Listening and Watching Intently: Building a Learning Community
A few short weeks ago our new school year began. I am feeling the pressure of getting to know my students, setting up our room, and building a community of learners. In these early days I tread slowly.
Welcome to Slice of Life Tuesday!
WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog. SHARE a link to your post in the comments section. GIVE comments to at least three other SOL bloggers.
Time Away
Today is Labor Day so it feels like an appropriate time to temporarily sign-off since I’m expecting my second child later this month.
Where Do Stories Belong?
We often say things like, “stories are everywhere,” but do we really show students where stories can live?
Literacy Coaches: Conferring with Teachers and Co-Teaching in Writing Workshop
As a literacy coach, my preference is to visit on any given regular day to be a part of what is authentically happening, and to have genuine, in-the-moment conversations in the classroom. At the same time, it is helpful to have some structure around how a given classroom visit might go–so that people know what to expect. Conferring with teachers and co-teaching makes this possible.
Stamina in Our Youngest Writers
Believe it or not, even four-year-old writers can work on their writing for 45 minute stretches of time! Here’s a peek into a preschool classroom to show you how stamina can increase throughout the school year.
Getting to Know Writers
You can learn a lot about students when you give them a chance to tell you want they know!
Finding Our Teacher of Writers Superpowers
What teacher of writers superpower would you like to develop this year?
Welcome to the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog.
SHARE a link to your post in the comments section.
GIVE comments to at least three other SOL bloggers.
Picture Books in Secondary Classrooms
Picture books are short, visual, and engaging, which makes them perfect for using as mentor texts with elementary AND secondary students.
Fast Forward to Today: 7 Things I Want the Writers in my Classroom to Know
A year ago, I wrote a post titled, 7 Things I Want the Writers in my Classroom to Know. In this post, I wrote about what I knew about being a writer and what I thought the writers sharing our classroom should know about being a writer. Today, I offer an update after an another year of writing.
Writing Through the Hard Parts
How can we teach our students to trust the writing process?
Going Digital #BeBrave
Follow me this year as I try for the fifth time to go digital. Some say, “third time’s the charm.” It wasn’t for me. Maybe the fifth time, with some extra determination, will do the trick!
A Game Plan for Writing Workshop Transitions
Have you ever visited a colleague’s classroom or watched a video of a lesson and wondered, “How are those kids so perfect? How do they seem to know exactly what to do, the… Continue reading
Remembrance Ideas for the September 11th Anniversary
Educators from around the country share the ways in which they teach about September 11th to their students. This post includes programming and writing ideas, as well as links to videos and picture books you can read aloud.
It’s Slice of Life Tuesday!
WRITE a slice of life story on your own blog.
SHARE a link to your post in the comments section.
GIVE comments to at least three other SOL bloggers.