Everyone wants students to be be intrinsically motivated to write daily. While we can hope our enthusiasm is contagious, sometimes it's not enough for reluctant writers. Working with reluctant writers means providing the motivation without threatening low grades. Creating enthusiasm is hard when a child doesn't feel s/he has anything to write about. It's hard… Continue reading Start Thinking About the Classroom SOLSC: Classroom Prizes
Independent Writers
I used to dream of reaching a point in my writing workshop instruction where kids were all working as writers, but they weren't all doing the exact same thing. This isn't an easy point to reach. Today I witnessed it in Shelley Kunkle's 7th grade writing workshops. She is in the midst of a research… Continue reading Independent Writers
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Slicing on Tuesdays
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Pumping Up for March Slice of Life Challenge!
It's time to start talking and imagining and getting excited about the 6th Annual Slice of Life Challenge. Here are a few things to begin considering. If you've never participated, now is the time! You'll need to start a blog. I promise you can do this. If you have any questions, just ask. Stacey or… Continue reading Pumping Up for March Slice of Life Challenge!
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Lab Sites Showcase Examples of Good Teaching
Debrief questions and forms for a classroom lab site.
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A Secret to Conferring
I like to figure out why writers make the choices they make. It's fascinating to learn about writers' processes, just as it is fascinating to gain insight into the processes of the writers in our classrooms. I think one of the secrets to conferring is to remember that every action reveals who our students are… Continue reading A Secret to Conferring
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Living Well in the Classroom
Last week I found myself reading through The Community Review, which is the Jewish newspaper for Greater Harrisburg. Rabbi Akiva Males of Kesher Israel Congregation wrote a tribute to teacher Victoria Soto who hid many of her students when the gunman entered her classroom. While I've read much about Soto's heroism, there was something that… Continue reading Living Well in the Classroom
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Tuesday Slices + A Poll
Please link your slice of life story to this post today. As always, be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. If you’re dropping by to link up quickly today, then please come back later to read through others slicers’ posts. I'm trying… Continue reading Tuesday Slices + A Poll
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Today we celebrate equality. When I read about the civil rights movement, I have to pause and stretch my imagination to understand what life was like in the 1960's. Separation was accepted, even desired. We've come a long way. Today we learned our new son will be home this week. He puts his hand in… Continue reading
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Two Books to Honor MLK
May tomorrow be more than just a day off from work and school. May tomorrow be a day when we commemorate the life of a great man who worked peacefully for justice and equality in this country. May the example set by Dr. King inspire us all.
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Be Present.
Knowing when to be present helps me think about being more intentional when dividing my time between technology and the people in my life.
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Talking Poetry with Lynne and Rose + a Giveaway
Poetry Mentor Texts: Making Reading and Writing Connections, K-8 is the latest gem from Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli. Not only does their book help you hone your poetry workshop instruction using mentor texts, but it also provides suggestions with ways to infuse poetry throughout the school day. Just like their previous books, Poetry Mentor… Continue reading Talking Poetry with Lynne and Rose + a Giveaway
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 