mentor texts · picture book · Read Aloud

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.

writing workshop

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 process · writing workshop

Writing Through the Hard Parts

How can we teach our students to trust the writing process?

writing workshop

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!

classroom environment · environment · first day · materials · organization · partnerships · procedures · routines · writing workshop routines

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 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

picture book · Read Aloud · September 11th · september 11th tribute

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.

Slice of Life Story Challenge

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.

blogging · Teachers who write · writing · writing workshop

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.

Teachers who write · writing workshop

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

christopher lehman · professional books · professional development · writing workshop

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

writing workshop

Students Writing: Day One and Every Day

Uncovering the various layers of a student takes time, intention, and writing.

back to school · writing workshop

Using a Writing Survey

How do you get to know the writers in your classroom at the beginning of the school year?