Before every single minilesson I teach in writing workshop, I write a statement. It always begins the same way, and I never (not-ever) forget to write it. It begins like this: Writers… This statement is a non-negotiable for me because it forces me to boil down the teaching point to something specific and authentic. If I can’t complete the statement, then I shouldn’t be teaching the lesson. Here are a few of my recent teaching points. Writers decide how to enter a new writing project either through collecting, drafting, or… Read more Teaching Points Lead to Authentic and Specific Writing Instruction →
My friend Tam is writing a story about a rodent who wants to visit Paris. I’ve been enamored by Tam’s work on this project. (And I’ve even found myself liking… Read more {discover.play.build.} research a place →
The Invention of HugoCabret by Brian Selznick(Scholastic) We gave Sam The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick for Christmas. Sam and I have been reading it together ever since.… Read more hugo cabret →
If you follow me on Two Writing Teachers as a teacher, you know I’ve been thinking quite a bit about helping young writers find their own personal writing process. The more I write, the more I realize how personal my writing process is. I’m realizing if students can personalize it for themselves as well, then they will become more proficient writers. The flip side of the coin is there are some things that all writers do. This is how the phases of the writing process were developed. All writers collect… Read more little things: writing process →
id·i·o·syn·cra·sy noun \ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē\ plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies Definition of IDIOSYNCRASY 1 a : a peculiarity of constitution or temperament : an individualizing characteristic or qualityb : individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food) 2 : characteristic peculiarity (as of temperament); broadly :eccentricity from: Merriam-Webster Online Keeping a writer’s notebook has helped me to notice the details surrounding me. I like capturing tiny details that become significant in crafting the story or building the character. In order to do this, I must be aware of the world around me. Just now, as I was waiting for water to boil for my tea, I looked… Read more {discover.play.build.} idiosyncrasies →
Summer is writing in the morning.Summer is walks after lunch.Summer is giggles over bugs and bubbles.Summer is mid-day bike rides.Summer is hose water prickling our warm legs.Summer is remembering to… Read more Summer is…(SOLS) →
