In my series this fall, I have been looking at ways that any teacher in any classroom in any school can wade into writing workshop or take their existing workshop to the next level. Most recently, I wrote about teaching writing skills in the workshop — something that can be very hard for teachers to wrap their […]
“I don’t know what to do. My main claim just kinda blew up in my face.” The student sat in front of me–a little forlorn, a lot frustrated–her computer balanced on her lap. I was surprised by her candor. Usually, when students’ claims “blow up in their faces” they are quick to ask for […]
So here we are. It’s the end of November, which means that #nanowrimo is coming to a close, and I didn’t write my novel. Again. But this year, I’m totally okay with that. You see, in the past, I’ve taken a few different approaches to #nanowrimo: Are you crazy? Write a novel in a […]
When I think of increasing student choice and voice this leads me to think about increasing student motivation and happiness. And when these ideas coalesce I can’t help but think of Malcolm Gladwell’s Ted Talk (I realize this is a strange connection to make, but hear me out). Gladwell discusses how Prego, back in the ’70s, took over […]
In my continuing series this fall, I am examining the fundamental elements of writing workshop and providing ways for teachers to get started and ways for seasoned workshop teachers to take their practice to the next level. In the first two installments, I wrote about choice (here and here) and making time for writing (here […]
We loved spending time with you at #NCTE18 and sharing a bit from Beyond Literary Analysis. A perfect way to follow up and dig deeper with us is to join us for a 3-part webinar series! Grab a glass of wine after work and join us to chat about why we need to broaden our […]
There’s a John Lennon song that addresses an issue that teachers know all too well: “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making [lesson] plans.” Even the most responsive and differentiated approaches can fall victim to the different kinds of chaos that life throws our way (Technology, I’m talking to you). On top […]
Years ago when I taught debate, there was nothing that frustrated me more than a student saying, “I need to switch topics. I’m researching and there’s nothing on this.” Really? There’s nothing out there about abortion (or fill in any other widely written about topic)? Of course there was, and I usually needed to […]
After the last installment of my four-part series on reading like a writer, I received a question from Lisa in Waunakee, WI about helping students better understand what they are doing in their own writing: “How to help students explain WHY/HOW an aspect of the piece (like a description, an added scene, a certain line, […]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time to gather (in Houston) to learn together! Here’s where you can find members of the Moving Writers team at #NCTE18. We hope you’ll come say hi!!!
In this series, we’ve been going back to the basics of writing workshop — those fundamental pillars that distinguish workshop teaching from other teaching. The things that make the biggest difference when you want to grow — and move — writers. Giving frequent chunks of time to the practice of writing is hard for all of […]
If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed by now that I’m as likely to retweet something that entertains me as I am to retweet good educational practices when I see them (I’d argue both are important–one for reasons of my sanity and…actually I guess both of them for that.). Which means, for me, […]
This whole scaffolding series has been building up to this last post. Everything we do to teach kids how to read like writers is in preparation for the last leap: trying the craft in your own work. In literature heavy classrooms, teachers may skip this step: The peak of literary analysis instruction is teaching students […]
“You have to learn the rules before you can break them.” This is an argument I hear frequently – usually in favor of teaching the 5 paragraph essay before more authentic genres or for memorizing parts of speech before studying craft. This year, my beat for Moving Writers reflects my role at school: intervention and […]
A little context to preface this post… I teach high school English at an international school in Abu Dhabi (in the United Arab Emirates). The curriculum in grade 9 and 10 uses the Common Core Standards, and we offer both an IB and AP stream in the upper grades. This year I teach grade 10, […]
My beat this fall is all about exploring how students can write their way INto texts and use their writing (or others’) to learn more about literature. If you’re looking for new ways to use writing in a literature study or hoping to blend writing workshop into a course where it doesn’t seem like a […]
In my series this fall, I have been looking at ways that any teacher in any classroom in any school can wade into writing workshop or take their existing workshop to the next level. Most recently, I wrote about teaching writing skills in the workshop — something that can be very hard for teachers to wrap their […]
“I don’t know what to do. My main claim just kinda blew up in my face.” The student sat in front of me–a little forlorn, a lot frustrated–her computer balanced on her lap. I was surprised by her candor. Usually, when students’ claims “blow up in their faces” they are quick to ask for […]
Mentor Text: Just a Girl by Elizabeth Ditty Techniques: Writing memoir Organization Creative Transitioning Background- I’ve pretty openly expressed my love for Memoir Mixtapes here. As their header states, they’re “The ultimate mashup of the two things we all love to talk about: ourselves & music.” This makes them such a lovely source to mine […]
Today’s guest post is from Paige Timmerman, a high school English teacher in Salem, Illinois. She has guest written for Moving Writers before as she explored audience and the college essay! You can connect with her on Twitter at @pbrink12 or via e-mail at timmermanp@salemhigh.com. Senior English can be a beautiful and frustrating thing. For […]
So here we are. It’s the end of November, which means that #nanowrimo is coming to a close, and I didn’t write my novel. Again. But this year, I’m totally okay with that. You see, in the past, I’ve taken a few different approaches to #nanowrimo: Are you crazy? Write a novel in a […]
When I think of increasing student choice and voice this leads me to think about increasing student motivation and happiness. And when these ideas coalesce I can’t help but think of Malcolm Gladwell’s Ted Talk (I realize this is a strange connection to make, but hear me out). Gladwell discusses how Prego, back in the ’70s, took over […]
In my continuing series this fall, I am examining the fundamental elements of writing workshop and providing ways for teachers to get started and ways for seasoned workshop teachers to take their practice to the next level. In the first two installments, I wrote about choice (here and here) and making time for writing (here […]
Mentor Text: ‘Start Here’ by Mari Andrew Techniques: Writing Memoir Organization Background- If you’re a regular visitor to Moving Writers, or follow any Moving Writers contributors on Twitter, then Mari Andrew needs no introduction. A wonderful creator expressing herself through image and words, she presents her thought with an openness and honesty that strikes a chord […]
Last month, I shared my plans for using a soliloquy study to help my seniors write their way in to Hamlet. Today, I’m almost done reading the seniors’ soliloquies, and I’m excited to share the results, the lingering questions, and my plans for the future of this unit with you! Previously, on Moving Writers… The […]
