One September, I was creating a chart with my students about the things good writers do. They said things like "good writers write long and strong" and "they add details." I was initially impressed. These kids seemed to know some of the things it took to be a strong writer. But then, I conferred with… Continue reading Say What You Mean: Part One
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{Discover. Play. Build.} Character Wants
One of the best ways to get to know characters (or people in general) is to figure out what they want. Often these wants drive our stories Whether you are crafting a fiction story or living your own story, wants are a motivator for actions and choices. Today's {Discover. Play. Build.} challenge is focused around… Continue reading {Discover. Play. Build.} Character Wants
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Say, Sketch, and Write
One of the many charts I made, with the help of some wonderful Kindergarten teachers, while I was taking Kristi Mraz's chart-making class at the July Writing Institute was a scaffold to get Kindergarten students ready to write an all-about book. Betsy Engel, who will be teaching Kindergarten in Manhattan this-coming school year, shared a… Continue reading Say, Sketch, and Write
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Words that are Speaking to Me
It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes… Continue reading Words that are Speaking to Me
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GUEST BLOG POST: Savor a Book: Reading like a Writer
Edited by Ruth: Pssst...today is Mary Helen's birthday! Won't you join me in leaving comments on her blog post about one of her very favorite books? Mary Helen Gensch is currently a literacy coach and Title I interventionist for Pierceton Elementary School in Indiana. Her journey as a writing coach began with the AllWrite!!! Consortium… Continue reading GUEST BLOG POST: Savor a Book: Reading like a Writer
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Simple Shapes Convey Meaning
I have a confession to make: I'm a wanna-be artist. I have a deep appreciation for art and for people who can draw the human form. Until last month, I couldn't even draw a decent stick figure. As a result, my classroom charts as a teacher were neatly written, and sometimes color-coded, but they rarely… Continue reading Simple Shapes Convey Meaning
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Google Reader
Do you read a lot of blogs? Ever wish the posts would come to you instead of you going to them? If you've not already met Google Reader, I'd like to introduce you. Say hello to Google Reader... Google Reader allows me to manage a high volume of blog reading. It saves time because I… Continue reading Google Reader
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{Discover. Play. Build.} More on Maps
Last week... Stacey blogged about updating heart maps. (See everything we've blogged about heart maps here.) B. blogged about hand lists. I was reminded about writing close to the bones. I kept thinking about my slice of life pepperoni pizza. Aren't these just fancy lists? you may be wondering. The short answer is yes. But… Continue reading {Discover. Play. Build.} More on Maps
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Facebook Event Wrap-Up
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's Stenhouse/Two Writing Teachers Facebook Event. It was great to receive so much positive feedback on our Facebook Page from all of you. In case you missed last week's event, you can still check out all five of the downloadable, printable writing tips, which will continue to… Continue reading Facebook Event Wrap-Up
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Facebook Event – Day 5
Our Stenhouse Facebook Event concludes today with a final downloadable and printable writing tip is entitled "Record-Keeping Systems That Make Sense for You." You can find this tip on our Facebook Event. Here's what you need to do to participate: 1) Go to our Facebook Page. Click on the link that will take you to… Continue reading Facebook Event – Day 5
