writing workshop

Happy Labor Day

I hope today brings whatever you need to... expand your creativity... love yourself... renew your energy... and know you matter.

giveaway · writer's notebook · writing

Connect Your Thoughts in a Writer’s Notebook + Giveaways

Last month, I was put on brain rest for two weeks in order to get better after having a concussion.  Brain rest in my world meant no driving, no news (print, online, or TV), no decision-making, and very little computer use.  (It was supposed to be no computer use, but I was able to negotiate… Continue reading Connect Your Thoughts in a Writer’s Notebook + Giveaways

poetry

Where is Poetry? It’s Everywhere! {Guest Post by Betsy Hubbard}

I'm happy to host Betsy Hubbard today with some of her thoughts about poetry. During one of my first memorable experiences with poetry I was asked to memorize a poem of my own choosing. MY CHOICE? What poems did I even know…I knew no poets. I went home anxious. When I told my mom she… Continue reading Where is Poetry? It’s Everywhere! {Guest Post by Betsy Hubbard}

guest blogger · Slice of Life Story Challenge · writing

Slicing Through the School Year

Tara Smith shares how she launched, maintained, and celebrating the writing slice of life stories and comments -- all year long -- with her sixth grade students.

art · poetry

I hope you’ll join CHALK-A-BRATION

On the last day of each month, Betsy hosts CHALK-A-BRATION. This is a celebration of chalk art and poetry. If you want to play (and I hope you do), the deal is simple: Write a poem with chalk on a sidewalk or street or driveway. Take a photo and post it online. Share it with… Continue reading I hope you’ll join CHALK-A-BRATION

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Tuesday Slices

Write. Share. Give.

authors · books

Kate Messner’s Latest Picture Book

I love this new title from Kate Messner and Andy Rash. As I read it, I was intrigued by the speech bubbles, and I wondered how they influenced Kate's writing process. Lucky for me, she was willing to write a few thoughts about Dialogue, Speech Bubbles and Picture Book Revision as part of the MAKING… Continue reading Kate Messner’s Latest Picture Book

minilesson · tcrwp

Using Illustrations to Trigger Memories

I met a fantastic educator, Susie Barcus, from Fort Worth, TX when I attended the August Writing Institute at TCRWP.  We worked together in a small group where we shared some of our favorite "early in the school year" minilessons.  She shared a minilesson with the following teaching point: Writers use illustrations to trigger memories and… Continue reading Using Illustrations to Trigger Memories

writing workshop

It’s Coming!

I'm excited that this little book will be out next month. It is less than 100 pages, but is full of ideas to weave authentic celebration into your work with young writers. It address celebration throughout the writing process, as well as pushes us to consider ways to celebrate outside of the walls of our… Continue reading It’s Coming!

technology · writer's notebook

Instagram Can Help Treat Writer’s Block

Encourage students to snap photos and save on Instagram, which they can revisit later when they need writerly inspiration.

conferring

Conferring

What do you find most difficult when it comes to conferring? I'd love to know your responses! Click here to read mine.

assessment · on-demand piece

On-Demand Performance Assessments & the Norming Meeting

I've administered and reviewed many on-demand pieces of writing. However, I've never engaged in a norming meeting until two weeks ago. Learn more about the ways in which we can work with our colleagues to assess on-demand assessments so they can drive our instruction.