Independent Writers
I used to dream of reaching a point in my writing workshop instruction where kids were all working as writers, but they weren’t all doing the exact same thing. This isn’t an easy… Read More
Author Archive
Pumping Up for March Slice of Life Challenge!
It’s time to start talking and imagining and getting excited about the 6th Annual Slice of Life Challenge. Here are a few things to begin considering. If you’ve never participated, now is the… Read More
A Secret to Conferring
I like to figure out why writers make the choices they make. It’s fascinating to learn about writers’ processes, just as it is fascinating to gain insight into the processes of the writers… Read More
21st Century Research
This is the view from the beginning of my day. Our middle schools are working toward an Academic Learning Fair. We are being intentional about considering Common Core standards and making shifts to… Read More
Words that are Speaking to Me
Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others. H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Big Realization from a Tiny Mouse
I have an irrational fear of mice. It is bad news. My husband has established a preemptive strike in our basement and garage. He engages in an impossible battle to keep our home,… Read More
A Fresh Start (In the Middle)
One of the things I love about teaching is the opportunity for a fresh start. No matter how the day goes, we get to start over the next morning. If one year isn’t… Read More
Writing Unapologetically
One of the lines from the Voices Strong class mantra, taught by Christy Rush-Levine is Write Unapologetically. I love these two words side-by-side standing for genuine marks on the page. Today, I planned… Read More
More on the Writing Continuum
It’s late, but I promised to post more about the writing continuum work in fourth grade. Thankfully one of the fourth grade teachers has already documented the early work on her blog. Click… Read More
Formal Language Continuum
There’s way more to this story than what I can process and write tonight. So this is a post with a promise. I’ll share the more of the thinking soon. I’m working with… Read More
On my mind…
It’s one of those days. You know, where you wonder if you really want to keep doing this? It’s one of those days. You know, where you are positive you are doing exactly… Read More
Reading More, Understanding More
Today a third grade teacher stopped me and said, “You should read some of the reviews my students wrote. They are awesome.” “Really?” I smiled. “Oh yeah. They were so much better than… Read More
Where to start?
As many of you know, I love helping people get started with workshop. Here’s what I’m wondering tonight… What is the most important thing to know as a writing workshop teacher? I’d love… Read More
Gratitude List
Oops…I was supposed to post this yesterday. Oh well, here we go… Gratitudes Dirty Dishes. I cook for my family. We eat together. Again and again. So I smile as I wash and… Read More
Because of WMS…
I began my career as a seventh grade language arts teacher at Wawasee Middle School. Thirteen years later, I remain in the same district, but in a different position. My career path has… Read More
Voices Strong Reflection
Remember a few weeks ago I visited Christy Rush-Levine’s classroom? As a reflection for our curriculum director, principal, and school board, we (Andrea Komorowski, 6th grade language arts teacher; Shelley Kunkle, 7th grade… Read More
Does your practice reflect your beliefs?
Lately I’ve been involved in a lot of professional development where I’m providing space and time for teachers to consider their teaching beliefs. I’ve been nudging teachers to consider: 1. What makes you… Read More
