Catch up on my series this fall. Last month I shared mini-mentors for review writing! Sadly, some students only write in response to prompts in English class. Whether it’s daily journaling prompts or larger essay prompts, these students miss out on one of the toughest parts of an authentic writing practice: developing ideas. Still, both […]
Questions Instructional Leaders Can Ask To Support Their ELA Teachers I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard or seen teachers complain about how they are expected to go to professional learning where the facilitators teach in ways that would never fly for classroom teachers. As someone who does an awful lot of facilitating […]
One way to provide an entry point for students who often feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the climate crisis is to explore a text pairing that puts ideas in conversation with each other. This juxtaposition can bring key concepts into relief, as well as help students articulate the priorities of each writer because there […]
The brevity of poems allows us to slip them into lessons as we develop skills for writing in any genre.
As an American now living and teaching in Canada, I’ve had to learn a lot in a short period of time. I’m teaching a self-contained 3rd + 4th grade class this year, which means I’m teaching Social Studies, and the American Education system doesn’t really give us all that much about our neighbors to the […]
A mentor text doesn’t have to be an entire article or lengthy passage. Sometimes just a couple of sentences provides a writer with the guidance and inspiration they need to move forward as a writer. This year, I’m continuing to use a few full-length mentor texts in each unit of writing, but I am also […]
“…in many writing classrooms, students are learning to write by not being allowed to do any of the things “real” writers do: make choices.”
Abigail’s first beat of the year takes you through a lesson you could do tomorrow. Discovering the importance of place and how through observation growing a deeper understanding of why place matters in our writing.
Through all the unprecedented changes the pandemic has brought into our classrooms, something that hasn’t changed and is highly unlikely to change is, how, despite seemingly perfect external conditions, the inner condition of the writer affects their writing.
To celebrate the beginning of the school year, we’re offering a little discount on our on-demand course archives! Head here to see what we have to offer and use your discount before it’s gone!
Last year, I shared a lot about the language field guides I use in my classroom to help students not just memorize (and forget) words but explore words and use them to improve their reading and writing! Here are those posts: Language Exploration That Changes Writers in 30 Minutes per Week Field Guide Entries That […]
Catch up on my series this fall. Last month I shared mini-mentors for review writing! Sadly, some students only write in response to prompts in English class. Whether it’s daily journaling prompts or larger essay prompts, these students miss out on one of the toughest parts of an authentic writing practice: developing ideas. Still, both […]
As I began preparing for my 10th year in the classroom, I realized I’m in an interesting place in my career. I by no means consider myself a veteran teacher; I still have so many lessons to learn and experiences to be had before I’m wise. It honestly feels like it was just yesterday that […]
Mentor Text: Denialist Glossary by Daniel Heath Justice Techniques: Critical thought about Word Choice Deconstructing language use Background – As I write this, a group of teachers at my school has been prepping a series of lessons to deliver to our student body around next week, as we recognize Truth and Reconciliation Week here in Canada. […]
Questions Instructional Leaders Can Ask To Support Their ELA Teachers I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard or seen teachers complain about how they are expected to go to professional learning where the facilitators teach in ways that would never fly for classroom teachers. As someone who does an awful lot of facilitating […]
One way to provide an entry point for students who often feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the climate crisis is to explore a text pairing that puts ideas in conversation with each other. This juxtaposition can bring key concepts into relief, as well as help students articulate the priorities of each writer because there […]
The brevity of poems allows us to slip them into lessons as we develop skills for writing in any genre.
Each spring, I use my discomfort with my school’s requisite summer reading assignment as a challenge: How can I make required reading work for my students and our wider community? How can I create some opportunities for student choice and voice that still allow some structure for evaluation? This year, I really thought I hit […]
As an American now living and teaching in Canada, I’ve had to learn a lot in a short period of time. I’m teaching a self-contained 3rd + 4th grade class this year, which means I’m teaching Social Studies, and the American Education system doesn’t really give us all that much about our neighbors to the […]
Today’s guest post comes from Savannah Cordova, a writer with Reedsy, a marketplace that connects self-publishing authors with the world’s best editors, designers, and marketers. In her spare time, Savannah enjoys reading contemporary fiction and writing short stories. As a teacher, you have a shot at being that one unforgettable person who deeply motivates a creative writing class, […]
Before laying down an opening for this year’s first post, I found myself browsing around the Moving Writers site and checking out some of the lovely work my colleagues are already producing. Hattie found a way to recharge from last year in the form of an outstanding education book that inspired her. David found similar […]
