Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved books about bears. Therefore, when I picked up Goldilocks and Just One Bear, which feels like the sequel to "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," I was giddy. Leigh Hodgkinson's new book helped me to envision what became of some of my favorite fairy tale characters after… Continue reading Chatting with Leigh Hodgkinson + a Giveaway
Craft Tables for You — Part II of III
This is the second in a series of three posts that include craft tables you can download for use during your conferences or strategy lessons. If you missed last week's post, which talked about what craft tables are and how to create them, then click here to read it now. This week I'm sharing two… Continue reading Craft Tables for You — Part II of III
Share this:
Share this:
Structure + Choice
Here's what I've been thinking about lately: How do we provide both structure and choice in writing workshop? Both are essential to empowering young writers. Structure is necessary to lift the level of every writer in the classroom. Choice is crucial for writers to learn to write with energy and strength. Yet they sometimes seem… Continue reading Structure + Choice
Share this:
Share this:
Annie and Helen Blog Tour
I spent a lot of time reading biographies of prominent Americans when I was in third grade. The biography I liked most was that of Helen Keller. I admired her determination and courage. Therefore I read her biography over and over again since I was fascinated with her life. I don't remember the title, author,… Continue reading Annie and Helen Blog Tour
Share this:
Share this:
Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
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 Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Share this:
Share this:
A Holiday
I hope you are spending your holiday in a way that restores your soul. I know I'm one of the earlier back-to-school people in our little community here. We've been back for three weeks. Some of you just started. And a few are still waiting for your first day of the new school year. Whatever… Continue reading A Holiday
Share this:
Share this:
Words that are Speaking to Me
“In a perfect world everything would be either black or white, right or wrong, and everyone would know the difference. But this isn't a perfect world. The problem is people who think it is.” ― Neal Shusterman, Unwind Since I put Neal Shusterman's books in the hands of three different middle school kids today, I think it… Continue reading Words that are Speaking to Me
Share this:
Share this:
Craft Tables for You — Part I of III
Craft tables are a way to organize one’s thinking about a books teachers will be use as a mentor text. Since a good deal of the mentor text work we do with students in writing workshop happens during one-to-one writing conferences and during small group strategy lessons, it helps to know books really well. Hence,… Continue reading Craft Tables for You — Part I of III
Share this:
Share this:
Hearing the Sound of Opinion Writing
Right now is the perfect time to begin sharing book reviews. Readers across the globe are making plans as they begin a new school year. Teachers are book talking. Kids are book talking. We begin lists in notebooks of favorite books, books we want to read, books we have read. Common core demands we take… Continue reading Hearing the Sound of Opinion Writing
Share this:
Share this:
SOLSC: Do You Know What Everyone Has Been Up To Lately?
Last Tuesday was not a typical Tuesday. I was in Manhattan spending some time with my dear friends, Stacey, who now lives overseas. Second, I had caffeinated iced tea at dinnertime so I was wired. Third, I decided to take advantage of the fact that I was wired and staying at my parents' home to… Continue reading SOLSC: Do You Know What Everyone Has Been Up To Lately?
Share this:
Share this:
If I Didn’t Write Myself I Wouldn’t Know…
Here's a little list that is swirling in my mind... If I didn't write myself I wouldn't know how critical positive feedback is to the life of a writer. This weekend I received emails from three different people in response to a couple of different writing projects. One was from an editor who pushed me… Continue reading If I Didn’t Write Myself I Wouldn’t Know…
Share this:
Share this:
Taking the Art of Reflection Back into the Classroom
Joanne Toft has taught for more than 30 years and spent 6 years managing The Arts for Academic Achievementprogram for the Minneapolis Public Schools. Last year she returned to the classroom to teach 4th grade in one of the district high poverty schools. This year she will be focusing on teaching literacy and science to… Continue reading Taking the Art of Reflection Back into the Classroom
