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 moment the teacher suggests it?" Just like in sports, practice makes perfect. A sports coach puts time and effort into devising game… Continue reading A Game Plan for Writing Workshop Transitions
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.
Nurturing Our Writing Lives: 5 Ways to Keep Writing
How can we nurture our own writing lives once the school year begins? 5 ways to help us keep writing.
Straight From Students: Why Teachers Should Write
During the last week of school, I met with a group of fourth graders to have an end of the year reflective conversation. We can learn so much about what to do throughout they year by asking students to reflect and share what they found to be powerful. Many times, students are our very best… Continue reading Straight From Students: Why Teachers Should Write
Close Writing: Review and Giveaway
"Mrs. Sokolowski, I'm done!" It's a refrain I've heard often from students, who tell me they are completely finished with a piece of writing. More times than not, as I read the student's work, I see that the piece could use more revisions, more editing, more care. I've always felt that having a passionate purpose… Continue reading Close Writing: Review and Giveaway
Students Writing: Day One and Every Day
Uncovering the various layers of a student takes time, intention, and writing.
Using a Writing Survey
How do you get to know the writers in your classroom at the beginning of the school year?
#NCTEchat Preview: Why Writing Workshop?
Join us for a discussion centered on why writing workshop WORKS!
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.
Getting to Know Your Writers: Three Assessment Ideas You May Not Have Considered
Sometimes it takes a little extra research to get to know kids in order to inspire them. How do you get kids to pour their little hearts out onto the page, if they feel like you barely know them at the start of the year?
Making the Classroom a Place for Everyone
Establishing expectations, student goals, and classroom norms from the start will help you and the paraprofessional move forward as a team who operates with the best interest of the children first.

