Opinion, Persuasive or Argumentative Writing?
Many teachers think argumentative and persuasive writing are the same. Some would go as far as to say that persuasive writing has just turned into argumentative because of Common Core (not true). And where does opinion writing fall into all of this? First of all, if...
Mini Lessons Step By Step Part Three
Share Tweet Pin It Welcome to Mini Lessons Step By Step Part Three! Part One: Coming to the Meeting Area and Hooking Students In Part Two: Teaching a Targeted Skill & Modeling with Mentor Texts Part Three: Guided & Independent Practice...
Mini Lessons Step By Step Part Two
Share Tweet Pin It Welcome to Mini Lessons Step By Step Part Two… Part One: Coming to the Meeting Area & Hooking Students In Part Two: Teaching a Targeted Skill & Modeling with Mentor Texts Part Three: Guided & Independent Practice...
Mini Lesson Step By Step Part One
129SHAREShare Tweet Pin It So what is a mini lesson anyway? To put it plainly, a mini lesson is a brief lesson modeling a targeted writing skill. In this series I’ll break it down into small, easy to chew bits. Join me for this three part series...
Writing Chart Fails and Fixes
Share Tweet Pin It Charts for workshop can be incredible tools and well…a giant pain. Come on admit it, how many times have you scribbled down student ideas only to stare sideways at the mess before you. And half the class shouts you forgot the...
Let Google Take Over Your Writing Classroom, Here’s How…
Share Tweet Pin It If your students have access to Gmail your writing instruction should be completely transforming because of Google! If you don’t have access to the teacher online heaven of Google Apps don’t worry, many, many...
50 Ways to Get Kids Begging to Write More
196SHAREShare Tweet Pin It Do your students moan and groan when it is time for writing? Does it make you sick to your stomach when that happens? Does it make you feel like you are failing as a writing teacher? You are not alone! Believe me, it happens...
Week Before Holiday Writing Ideas
174SHAREShare Tweet Pin It Before your pants are covered in green glitter and your classroom floor is littered with candy cane wrappers, make sure those writing skills you taught during that one unit in that one month are not forgotten! I’ve...
How To Do Project Based Learning During Writing Workshop
160SHAREShare Tweet Pin It What is Project Based Learning? According to The Buck Institute, “Project Based Learning occurs when students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time investigating and responding to an...
5 Essentials for Writing Workshop
Share Tweet Pin It Teachers are masters of winging it. We are resourceful when put on the spot, it’s what makes this profession an art. Not only are teachers resourceful they are inventive, they have personality, values, ideas, passions, and...
Get Writing Conferences Right
Share Tweet Pin It Writing conferences are the toughest part of the writing workshop class. If you are new to writing workshop don’t worry too much about the conferring at first. Just do your best to roam the room while students write with quick...
Tips for Planning Writing Units
Share Tweet Pin It Planning a writing unit can feel overwhelming. Many teachers feel stressed out by curricula put in front of them by their schools and districts with little to no training. It is difficult to sift through all the words to get to the...