Keep Learning

by Ruth Ayres

Today I read a few pages from Peter Johnston’s book, Choice Words. You know this book, right? If not, it is a small, powerful read that can change your teaching life forever. (If… Read More →

Pretend it is Friday

by Ruth Ayres

So I was planning to try a new kind of post last Friday. And then Friday came and went. How does this happen? So right now, let’s just pretend it is Friday. Or… Read More →

Vintage Ayres {2007}: The Heart of It All

by Ruth Ayres

I’m smiling at the phrase Vintage Ayres. It’s a little bit of a smirk because, really, am I old enough to qualify as vintage? Maybe not. But definitely so in blog years. I… Read More →

Reflections from Listening to M. Stiefvater

by Ruth Ayres

Here’s the thing: I’m not really the kind of person who follows authors around and gets their signatures and takes photos with them. In fact, I’m rather shy when it comes to this… Read More →

Author Visit

by Stacey Shubitz

Maribeth Boelts gave an engaging and thought-provoking talk to my students and I last week.  She talked about so much more than just her books and her process — though she did that… Read More →

Deeper Thinking About Notebook Work

by Ruth Ayres

This week I had the opportunity to interview author John Claude Bemis. This is is latest book: I asked him about notebook work and his response led me to a deeper understanding of… Read More →

Documenting Our Learning

by Ruth Ayres

Sometimes I think about the amazing work happening in writing workshops, and then wonder if anyone else notices. Sometimes the things that are most amazing are small bits that pack big meaning. Sometimes… Read More →

The Book Stack: Cynthia Leitich Smith

by Ruth Ayres

One of our favorite reads is… The book is as great as it looks. I love the whimsical illustrations and the strong craft of the text. In fact, each time I read HOLLER LOUDLY by… Read More →

GUEST BLOG POST: Growing as Writers through an Author Study

by guestteacher

Stella Villalba teaches English as a Second Language at Beechwood Elementary in Columbus, Ohio. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she started her career in education teaching ESL in Asuncion, Paraguay. Stella also publishes… Read More →

All-Write Conference

by Ruth Ayres

I on purpose waited to write today’s post because I knew I’d have all kinds of ideas swirling after the All-Write conference. However, it is 10:15 and I’m just sitting down alone in… Read More →

Bits of This & That

by Ruth Ayres

Remember this letter that Allie sent to Eve Bunting last fall along with The Ghostly Scary Mystery she wrote dedicated to Eve Bunting? Allie got a response! Yes, there was a form letter,… Read More →

Making Characters Come Alive

by Ruth Ayres

I liked this book.  A lot. It’s sweet and charming, and makes me realize that maybe there’s a part of me that’s a hopeless romantic.  After I read it, I had to track… Read More →

Reading Together (Ruth’s SOLS)

by Ruth Ayres

“Excuse me Mom,” Sam said as we ended a chapter in The Magician’s Elephant. When he talks like this it always makes me smile. I pause and look at him. “You know, I’ve… Read More →

Words that are Speaking to Me

by Ruth Ayres

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” — Scott Adams Have you heard about Sara Zarr’s speech for the SCBWI conference in NY? Anyone lucky enough… Read More →

Saturday Mornings

by Ruth Ayres

This is my vision of you on Saturday mornings: A mug of something warm — coffee, tea, or chai — in your hands Snuggled in a comfy chair Allowing peace to replace the… Read More →

Genre Choice

by Ruth Ayres

Going into the last leg of the school year, I’d like to take a minute to encourage you to empower students to chose the genre they are going to write. It is important… Read More →

Author Studies Help Children Write Better

by Stacey Shubitz

Last month I was consulting in a school with some primary grade teachers. They expressed concerns about infusing mentor texts into their classrooms. I provided them with some language for developing theories about… Read More →

Memoir Monday: Origins of Writing

by Stacey Shubitz

I’ve been thinking a lot about the questions Pam Muñoz Ryan posed to the audience at the TCRWP Writing Institute last week. There are many reasons I write: to communicate with others quickly,… Read More →

Greater Expectations

by Ruth Ayres

Greater Expectations by Robin Turner is an excellent resource for secondary Writing Workshop teachers.  As a high school teacher, he shares real life experiences, authentic teaching points, superb advice, and high quality rubrics… Read More →

Virtual Author Visit

by Ruth Ayres

video visit_2, originally uploaded by happygirl_77. Yesterday was Ball State University’s first virtual author visit of the school year. Sue Price and Betsy Likens(middle school language arts teachers) joined their classes in order to… Read More →