Friday Favorites
Send a note. This week I have been intentional about sending notes of thanks and encouragement. It is a sure-fire way to turn the day positive. Sevenly. I love the way I can… Read More
Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 3 of 5)
If you’re planning to launch independent writing projects in your class during the final weeks of school, then you’ll most likely have several students who might want to write a book about a… Read More
The Payoff
I’ve been working with Keith Bollman and his fifth grade class on a research project. The end result is a tour of the solar system, completely planned, designed, researched, and created by the… Read More
Purposeful Persuasion
“Mom, you need to talk to Noah and tell him I need more cinnamon on my morning toast.” I raised my eyebrows at the first grader. “I doubt you need more. You already… Read More
WN Collecting Idea
Writer Jordana Horn went into her son’s class, filled with seven and eight year-old kids, earlier this month to lead a session on journaling. She asked the students to write what they don’t… Read More
Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 2 of 5)
The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten can be used to help kids find a topic and to teach students a variety of craft moves. Read more about this book and then leave a comment if you’d like a chance to win a copy.
Writing Matters
Today Deb Gaby and I finished leading the third day of a three-day Foundations of Writing Workshop training. At the end, we asked for reflections. Teacher after teacher commented on the impact of… Read More
Preparing a Keynote
The keynote speeches I’m preparing to deliver this summer have been on my mind for weeks. In an effort to craft inspiring speeches, I’ve been looking for some guidance so I move from outlining to writing the speeches.
SOLSC
Leave a link to your slice of life stories here.
Connect in Person!
Whether you are a regular commenter, a Slicer, a blogger, a Twitter-addict (or a friend of someone who is!), if you are near Warsaw, IN on June 19, consider joining us at The… Read More
Friday Favorites
Unfortunately I don’t have a photo from Favorite #1. Christy Rush-Levine and I met for a walk + dinner on Tuesday. Christy is one of those people who help me feel grounded and… Read More
Inspiring Independent Writing Project Mentor Text (Part 1 of 5)
Amy Krouse Rosenthal provides insight into her new word play book. Chronicle Books offers a giveaway of the book to one reader who comments on this post.
This Quote
I love this quote. It is one of my favorites to share in a workshop. I read it today with an epic-cool group of teachers at Southbury School. (I learned epic-cool from a… Read More
Classroom Routines Made Simpler with QR Codes
Find out how to bring two classroom routines into the 21st century with QR Codes.
Unexpected Energy
Today I proctored our state test. It is a computer test, so I spent the entire day in the computer lab testing seventh graders. I didn’t expect it to be a day to… Read More
Not Just Your Run-of-the-Mill Biography Unit Study
4th Grade Teacher (& Slicer) Noor Shammas writes about her students’ Community Member Biography Project.
We Write the Slices.
On the final day of the March SOLSC, Amy Rudd crafted a parody of Barry Manilow’s “I Write the Songs.” (Click here if you are unfamiliar with the song.) She changed it to “I… Read More
