In my first semester beat, I’m exploring the life-saving power of routines–but not just any routines. I’m talking about routines that make life easier, more efficient, and more familiar–even in the most daunting of times (cough, 2020, cough). I’m talking about routines that allow students to thrive whether you are teaching in person, virtually, hybrid, […]
Category: Writing Workshop
Diagnostic Writing: The Springboard for Relearning, Reflecting, and Revising
Earlier this month, the Moving Writers Team collaborated on a post titled “12 Writing Experiences for Processing the Election.” Within the post, I shared an idea where writers use the following prompt to build an argument surrounding the concept of compulsory voting. With my beat this school year being about revision, I saw this post […]
What Comes After Mentor Texts? Defining Each Writer’s Signature Style
My 8th graders are just starting to embark upon their high school application journey. In terms of writing, this means short answer application questions and longer essays in admissions tests. You know the kind. The kind that lure students into giving vague, voiceless answers to questions like, “What inspires you about school?” and “Give three […]
Generating Ideas and Conversations with Minimalist Quotes
Yes, it is cliché, but now more than ever… less is more. And, what we want more of with our writers this school year has changed. Right now, many people find themselves wanting more student conversations, more students ideas, and more writing, but giving more doesn’t happen to be the solution to getting more in […]
Two Truths and a Lie
A writing teacher’s attempt to fill her classrooms full of words. In this excerpt students use Two Truths and a Lie to explain their “Why”
Preventing ELLs’ Failure in Writing Workshop
“One of the burdens of privilege is the outsider’s perspective.”
5 Tips for Encouraging Meaningful Reflection in the Writing Classroom
In my last post, I introduced my goal for the school year: to be more deliberate about having students engage in meaningful reflection throughout every step of the writing process. As I have been working toward this goal, I have found that encouraging the type of deep reflection that we want students to do requires […]
Mentor Text Wednesday: Ambiguity Over the Confederate Flag
Mentor Text: Ambiguity Over the Confederate Flag by Frank X. Walker Techniques: Poetic form Editing and Revision Critical Thinking Background – Originally, I didn’t save the mentor text I’m sharing today because of its mentor text potential. Knowing I was going to be pursuing anti-racist work in my teaching this year, I saved this amazing […]
Lesson Plans: a New Look at Data and Agency
In my first semester beat, I’m exploring the life-saving power of routines–but not just any routines. I’m talking about routines that make life easier, more efficient, and more familiar–even in the most daunting of times (cough, 2020, cough). I’m talking about routines that allow students to thrive whether you are teaching in person, virtually, hybrid, […]
Fostering Risk-Taking During the Revision Process
We all take risks when we need to. In essence, risks allow us to squash the “what ifs,” to feed our curiosity, to discover what’s possible. And of course, they offer us the chance – through trial and error – to strike gold. While there is a time to play it safe and trust what […]
