I consider myself fortunate to have learned more about the art of conferring with young writers from some of the best folks out there: Carl Anderson, Lucy Calkins, and Jen Serravallo. As many… Read More
Structures and routines need to be clear in your head so they can be implemented when you start Writing Workshop. You can shift to a new routine or modify one that’s not working… Read More
“Teach the writer, not the writing.” – Lucy Calkins Do you ever feel exasperated by all of the errors you see in your students’ writing? The conference begins and before you know… Read More
I walk into my favorite class of the day, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are floating through the air, She grew up in an Indiana town, with a good lookin’ mama who was never ’round,… Read More
I received a bunch of questions from a regular reader of TWT yesterday. Her questions seemed like ones that other folks might want the answers to, so I asked her if I could… Read More
SOLSC for 091608 – Knowing the Right Thing to Say Originally uploaded by teachergal I had one of the most amazing early-in-the-school-year writing conferences today. The student literally pondered what she was working… Read More
Trading Our Favorite Spaces: 1 of 2 Originally uploaded by teachergal Mary Lee & Franki are hosting something of a blog carnival over at A Year of Reading. It’s called Trading (Our Favorite)… Read More
Strategy Lesson Record Sheet Originally uploaded by teachergal It’s always been tedious recording the teaching point from strategy lessons on three – five kids’ conference record sheets every time I conduct a strategy… Read More
I’m sitting on the rug next to my desk creating charts for the new school year. There’s not much to create since many of my old ones are laminated. I came across this… Read More
I wrote a post about structures and routines to teach kids in September within the context of Writing Workshop yesterday morning. There have been a few questions about “The Conferring Scarf.” Therefore, I… Read More
I worked on the Reading-Writing Connections Document for Those Shoes until 12:30 a.m. Here are two examples of the way I set it up: Craft Move Page Number(s) Why the Author Might Be… Read More
Conferring Tips from C.A. Originally uploaded by teachergal Carl Anderson delivered an excellent keynote address at the TCRWP’s Writing Institute, which I attended a couple of weeks ago. It was called, “So You… Read More
Conferring Notebook Tabs Originally uploaded by teachergal Anyone who puts up next year’s bulletin boards before the school year ends will feel at-home when reading this post since that’s what I do since… Read More
I was conferring with one of my students in Writing Workshop yesterday and quickly found, as I researched, my compliment (meaningful line breaks while drafting) and teaching point (using figurative language, specifically similes).… Read More
My comments about a student’s memoir (draft one) Originally uploaded by teachergal This is the other way I respond to my students’ drafts for all assignments. I always attach a short narrative with… Read More
My room was pin-drop quiet during Writing Workshop today. Why? I did that great Katherine Bomer Activity I blogged about earlier this week entitled “Inside Me/Outside Me.” The kids not only pushed themselves,… Read More
Today’s Writing Workshop lesson went soooo well. I had never had kids write about quotations before, but it was such a success! I look forward to folding this lesson into the first unit… Read More
Even if you’re a few days behind, don’t fret. C’mon in and join JOY: Five Senses Poem Originally uploaded by teachergal I chose to write a poem about the emotion joy. I’m not… Read More
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