Last week I posted 25 Reasons People Don’t Write. As an after thought, I added a silly little list about what to do about not wanting to write. I’ve been thinking about that little list and realized I ran out of steam for the list. (I didn’t want to write it…how ironic!) So here is another attempt at the list. How about you? What do you do to keep going when you don’t want to write? Write anyway. Talk to someone else. Believe my words matter. Set and meet goals… Read more 25 Things to Do About Not Wanting To Write →
The story behind the book review. Sam was given a special assignment to respond to a book of his choice with a project. He decided to write a book review. … Read more Feedback Gives Writers Energy →
Why People Don’t Write No ideas. No audience. No purpose. No desire. No vision. They think their writing isn’t good enough. The blank page…they don’t know how to get started. They don’t want to sound dumb. Lazy. Tired. Stressed. There’s too much to write about. There’s not enough to write about. Other people are better writers. Not enough tenacity. Believe the lies the writing monsters tell them. No inspiration. No living, breathing writers in their daily lives. No feedback. Fear. Not enough time. Little understanding of Standard English. (Embarrassed to… Read more 25 Reasons Why People Don’t Write & 25 Things To Do About It →
Sam and Mrs. Schoof My kids were away from school for three weeks, having an entire week of school closed because of snow and cold. The day before returning to… Read more A Very Special Place {A Stance for Best Practice Instruction} →
I’m glad you are here to celebrate! For more information, check out the CELEBRATE This Week page. Please use #clebratelu to share. What happens when you don’t want to celebrate? When you think you are too exhausted to celebrate? You CELEBRATE anyway! I’m keeping my brain focused on the things I can rave about this week. One.I had three conversations via Google Hangouts with educators across the country. They gave me energy and reminded me how very much I like working in a coach capacity. Thank you Katie, Colby, and… Read more CELEBRATE This Week X →
I’ve learned to love poetry. (Cover your ears, Amy, Mary Lee and Betsy.) There was a time in my life when I thought poetry was pointless. *hangs head*covers face*apologetic eyes* … Read more What Poetry has Taught Me →
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 →
To print a copy of this chart, follow this link to the PDF in Google Drive. It prints nicely as a 36″ x 48″ chart. Then add your students’ names… Read more Follow Your Own Writing Process (Grades 3 & Up) →
These are the things I’m celebrating when I assess Sam’s writing. One By rereading his first few words, he realized he started with a dependent clause. Then he added a… Read more Nudging Growth through Celebration →
Ruth Ayres Writes 