The very fist student day of school, Deb Gaby (the reading coach in my school district) and I stumbled upon a meeting between 5th and 6th grade language arts teachers. They were discussing how to help students want to read. Deb and I slipped into the conversation. I was struck because these teachers are quite… Continue reading Book Talkin’
Primary Teachers: I need your advice, please!
How much time do you think K-2 students need to complete an on-demand narrative writing assessment?
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Serve-up your slice today!
Share your story today.
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Happy Labor Day
I hope today brings whatever you need to... expand your creativity... love yourself... renew your energy... and know you matter.
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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
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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}
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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.
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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
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Tuesday Slices
Write. Share. Give.
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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
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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
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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!
