I've noticed many of my conferences this week have centered around purpose. I've found myself asking again and again and agian, "So why are you writing this? Why is it important?" Nancie Atwell in her lesson set, Lessons That Change Writers, teaches students to ask: "So what?" when they are writing. I think this sticks with… Continue reading So What?!?
Giveaways!
Random House has generously donated four copies of Because of Mr. Terupt and Dash and Lily's Book of Dares to giveaway to Two Writing Teacher readers. Woo-hoo! So here's how the giveaway is going to work. It's a little different than the way we've hosted them in the past . . . so read carefully!… Continue reading Giveaways!
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Mentor Text Thursday: Voice
My husband picked up Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea (Delacorte Press, 2010, Books for Young Readers is an imprint of the Random House Children's Books Division of Random House) and read it the same day it arrived at our house. This is unusual. He is not a fiction reader. He is really not… Continue reading Mentor Text Thursday: Voice
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Dunk ‘Em!
When I first began coaching, Barb Bean and I worked together. Throughout the year, we were intentional about immersing students in the kind of writing they were making. Often this meant genre, but sometimes it was a particular author or craft move. During her poetry unit, Barb brought in a pack of Oreos and some… Continue reading Dunk ‘Em!
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Ruth’s SOLS: Mean Girls
My third grade daughter came home yesterday after school upset because she was: Kicked out of the Horse Lover's Club at recess. One girl told another girl I don't love horses enough and they don't want me in it. But they don't know what's in my heart and that I love horses more than almost… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Mean Girls
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Share a Slice Today!
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Excitement is Contagious
Last week I overheard several conversations about exercise. It wasn't the typical kind of "new year exercise" conversation either, they weren't lamenting about having to do it, nor how sore they are now that they've started a new routine with the new year. Instead these conversations were upbeat and positive. What is influencing everyone's attitude… Continue reading Excitement is Contagious
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Sundays for the Soul: Write to Feel Better
Last week Christi Overman posted the minilesson for the day on her class blog. She wasn't going to be at school and instead of canceling workshop or writing the lessons in the sub plans, she wrote directly to her students. (Just one more reason to host a class blog.) The lesson is one that is… Continue reading Sundays for the Soul: Write to Feel Better
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Words that are Speaking to Me
If you don’t know the trees you may be lost in the forest, but if you don’t know the stories you may be lost in life. —Siberian Elder
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Friday Reflections
This week -- I was reminded of the lives our students endure outside of our classrooms. They are often very different than the life I lead outside of the classroom. I connected with friends. I believe even more in the power of story. Our experiences matter. When we teach students how to find their stories,… Continue reading Friday Reflections
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Mentor Text Thursday: Find a Personal Mentor
Here's how some of the conversation went: Student: I'm writing a legend. Me: Wow, so what exactly is a legend? Her: Shrug. Me: Wait. Her: I guess it's like an explanation of something that happened, but the story doesn't have to be true. Me: Have you read many? Her: Yeah, some. Me: So what I'm… Continue reading Mentor Text Thursday: Find a Personal Mentor
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Welcome Isabelle!
Join me in celebrating with Stacey and her husband as they welcome their new daughter, Isabelle, into the world.
