Interactive Modeling: A Powerful Technique for Teaching Children teaches us how to use interactive modeling to teach a variety of classroom routines, behaviors, and skills in an engaging way that shows students what to do while providing them with a safe space to practice.
Formal Language Continuum
There's way more to this story than what I can process and write tonight. So this is a post with a promise. I'll share the more of the thinking soon. I'm working with a group of grade 4 teachers to create some meaningful learning experiences with conventions for Tier 2 intervention. It has been incredible… Continue reading Formal Language Continuum
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It’s time to share your slices.
Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading It’s time to share your slices.
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On my mind…
It's one of those days. You know, where you wonder if you really want to keep doing this? It's one of those days. You know, where you are positive you are doing exactly what you are made to do? Yes, one of those days. Where the hard and the pay off are all rolled into… Continue reading On my mind…
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Your Dreams Matter. Your Teaching Matters.
A couple of weeks ago I was re-reading the chapter about genre studies in The Art of Teaching Writing, New Edition (Heinemann, 1994) by Lucy Calkins. Once I was finished, I flipped to the final chapter of Lucy's book, which is entitled "Do I Dare to Care So Much?" I was looking for inspiration. (In… Continue reading Your Dreams Matter. Your Teaching Matters.
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The Intersection of Poetry and Informational Writing + a Giveaway
When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders can be used as a mentor text to help students craft poems, instead of biographies or informational reports, about people they read about and research.
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Reading More, Understanding More
Today a third grade teacher stopped me and said, "You should read some of the reviews my students wrote. They are awesome." "Really?" I smiled. "Oh yeah. They were so much better than last year." Last year she opened her classroom to me in order to try-out some of my thinking about opinion writing, specifically… Continue reading Reading More, Understanding More
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Tuesday Slices
I've been reading Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli's new book, Poetry Mentor Texts: Making Reading and Writing Connections, K-8. They have a reminder, on page five of their book, that is worthy of repeating today and every day: As a teacher of writers, it is important to be a teacher who writes.
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Where to start?
As many of you know, I love helping people get started with workshop. Here's what I'm wondering tonight... What is the most important thing to know as a writing workshop teacher? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so I hesitate to share mine. Please leave a comment about your first reaction to this question. Even… Continue reading Where to start?
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Be more than busy. Be productive. Be happy.
Seven tips to help you get and stay more productive during the holiday season and all year long.
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Gratitude List
Oops...I was supposed to post this yesterday. Oh well, here we go... Gratitudes Dirty Dishes. I cook for my family. We eat together. Again and again. So I smile as I wash and remember not everyone has the abundance of food as we do. Muddy Floor. My kids play outside, and they run inside, not… Continue reading Gratitude List
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank a family member, friend, or colleague for a small kindness they've extended to you. While a text message or an e-mail is nice, a handwritten note or live conversation (i.e., in person, via Skype/Facetime, or on the telephone) is even better.
