Finding a Space to Write

by Ruth Ayres

I’m a big advocate for writers to find a space that works best for them. I also think it’s important for students to learn to write anywhere. I’m productive as a writer because… Read More →

Topic Choice

by Ruth Ayres

So often, we run into students who say, “I don’t know what to write about.” We work to help them develop topics. We make lists of writing ideas. We encourage them to explore… Read More →

Pop Culture References Make Minilesson Connections Come Alive

by Stacey Shubitz

Maggie Beattie Roberts, my section leader for “Tap the Power of Technology and Media to Teach Higher Level Comprehension,” suggested using pop culture references as one way to engage students in minilessons.  (Pop… Read More →

What do you think of this minilesson?

by Stacey Shubitz

I’ve been working on a few sample minilessons to give my grad students next month when I start teaching “Children’s Literature in Teaching Writing.”  I’ve been making tweaks to the traditional minilesson structure… Read More →

First Attempt at Poetry

by Ruth Ayres

Yesterday Lori Hickman and I launched a poetry unit of study in her kindergarten classroom. Since we wanted to see what they already knew about writing poetry, we decided to have them write… Read More →

The Book Stack

by Ruth Ayres

I have three gems for you. I. LOVE. These. Books. Love them. Micah Player previously worked for Paul Frank Industries. His illustrations and story are whimsical made me fall in love on the spot. Check… Read More →

Opinion Writing in Kindergarten

by Ruth Ayres

In one of the kindergarten classrooms I’ve been working in, we’ve been learning: Writers share their opinions. This has been a unit of study inspired by the Common Core State Standards, which place… Read More →

Mr. Stowlkey and Mr. Smith

by Ruth Ayres

Mr. Stowlkey and Mr. Smith were the teachers in one of the kindergarten writing workshops I was in today. They are incredible teachers. They are both six. (Normally I don’t refer to students… Read More →

Review Mentor Texts

by Ruth Ayres

I’m excited to share this with you. It was one of those times when things just worked out in writing workshop. In one of the third grade classes studying reviews, we began talking… Read More →

Common Core + Students’ Needs

by Ruth Ayres

Much of my time this school year has been devoted to studying Common Core Standards, as well as keeping up with the ever-changing discussion about the PARCC assessment. I’ve been thinking about the… Read More →

Writing Process in Action

by Ruth Ayres

A few posts ago I shared my evolving thoughts about the writing process. Last week I was able to put my thinking to the test. In third grade, kids were getting ready to… Read More →

Labor Day

by Ruth Ayres

In honor of Labor Day, I’m writing a little post about the kinds of “labor” I expect to see in writing workshop. Early on in the school year, it’s important to define student… Read More →

Today’s Teaching Points

by Ruth Ayres

What were your teaching points in today’s minilessons? Here were mine: 4th grade feature article (informational writing) unit: Writers use specific words about the subject when writing informational texts. 4th grade fiction unit:… Read More →

Plotting Short Fiction

by Ruth Ayres

Last month at MRA, I listened to Jacqueline Woodson speak about her writing process. It wasn’t the first time I heard her speak and I hope it won’t be my last. She is… Read More →

So What?!?

by Ruth Ayres

I’ve noticed many of my conferences this week have centered around purpose. I’ve found myself asking again and again and agian, “So why are you writing this? Why is it important?” Nancie Atwell… Read More →

Dunk ‘Em!

by Ruth Ayres

When I first began coaching, Barb Bean and I worked together. Throughout the year, we were intentional about immersing students in the kind of writing they were making. Often this meant genre, but… Read More →

Answers to a Variety of Workshop-Related Questions

by Stacey Shubitz

When Ruth and I present, we always leave time for teachers to turn and talk.  Our Monday morning session at KSRA was much smaller than our Sunday afternoon session, which meant we could… Read More →

Showing a Story

by Ruth Ayres

Recently, I taught a minilesson about showing a story. In typical intermediate grade fashion, students were writing stories filled with struggles, but slim on creating a picture in the reader’s mind. My minilesson… Read More →

Show Don’t Tell

by Ruth Ayres

In narrative writing, it is difficult to shift from telling the story to showing the story. I’ve helped launch a fiction study in a couple of fifth grade classrooms this week, and we’ve… Read More →

Minilesson Part II

by Ruth Ayres

The other day I posted about minilessons being one way to plant a seed of learning. I firmly believe this is a purpose of a minilesson and then through independent practice, conferring, and… Read More →