11 on 11.11.11

by Ruth Ayres

It’s kind of been a long week, so I’m going to save the blog post that has been tumbling around in my mind until I have a little more time to pull it… Read More →

Conquering Fear — Pilates & Writing Series: Part 4 of 5

by Stacey Shubitz

Sometimes Pilates exercises are downright scary.  I have a short list of things I refuse to do when I go for a Pilates session.  They are as follows: I will not… 1)  Do… Read More →

Filling Needs.

by Ruth Ayres

I have this job that I’m incredibly thankful for. It gives me a chance to focus — really focus — on the teaching of writing. Naturally I’m interested in all areas of literacy,… Read More →

Forty Years.

by Ruth Ayres

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! Forty years ago today they were married. It’s kinda a big deal, you know, to be married for forty years. It gives me pause and makes me think… Read More →

Concrete Tools – Pilates & Writing Series: Part 3 of 5

by Stacey Shubitz

On pages 62 – 63 of Day by Day, I talked about the role of Pilates and its connection to writing workshop in a detailed discussion called “Concrete Images for Support.”  Here I… Read More →

Storytelling

by Ruth Ayres

One of the ways Martha Horn suggests launching workshop is to spend a significant amount of time steeping the workshop in storytelling. In fact, she suggests every child tell a story aloud to… Read More →

Modifications – Pilates & Writing Series: Part 1 of 5

by Stacey Shubitz

I began working with one-on-one with a Pilates instructor in August 2008, just 15 months after I had an artificial cervical disk replacement in my neck.  In an effort to regain the strength… Read More →

It Feels Good…

by Ruth Ayres

It was one of those days where writing workshop just felt good. Here’s a little recap of the highlights. First thing this morning, I implemented the things I’m learning from Martha Horn from… Read More →

Nananana!

by Ruth Ayres

Imagine me gloating because I spent the day learning about our youngest writers with Martha Horn. Check out the day on my Twitter feed.

Sometimes It Gets Messy

by Ruth Ayres

Sometimes writing workshop gets a little messy. At least it does for me. I think we are trucking along, working our way through a unit of study, learning as writers, preparing for a… Read More →

How to Write

by Ruth Ayres

This past week I’ve had several conversations with young writers about how to write something. Not the logistics of making letters or spelling words, but how to craft their writing in order to… Read More →

Martha Horn!

by Ruth Ayres

Martha Horn is coming to NE Indiana on October 14, hosted by the All-Write Consortium. I’m super excited to hear her thoughts about teaching our youngest writers. If you are interested in attending,… Read More →

Beginning the Journey

by Ruth Ayres

Today I worked with 17 teachers who attended the All-Write Primary Beginning Writing Workshop. Basically it’s a training for teachers who want to learn the basics of writing workshop and get it going… Read More →

Recap of our Summer 2011 Guest Blogger Series

by Stacey Shubitz

Labor Day came and went this past Monday.  Nearly every teacher and child I know is back in school.  Therefore, our summer guest blogger series has come to an end.  Next Friday Ruth… Read More →

Teach the Writer

by Ruth Ayres

I wish we could change the world by creating powerful writers forever instead of indifferent writers for school. —Mem Fox I just want to take a deep breath and read those words again.… Read More →

Going “Back to School”

by Stacey Shubitz

Some teachers have been back to school since August 1st, while others head back after Labor Day.  By looking through our site stats I’ve noticed a lot of people are searching for terms… Read More →

Simple Shapes Convey Meaning

by Stacey Shubitz

I have a confession to make: I’m a wanna-be artist.  I have a deep appreciation for art and for people who can draw the human form.  Until last month, I couldn’t even draw… Read More →

GUEST BLOG POST: Fostering a Love of Writing

by guestteacher

Maureen Ingram has taught in cooperative preschools in the Washington, D.C. suburbs since September 2000, working primarily with three year olds, and mentoring adults – both parents and teachers – in their work… Read More →

The Annual Pennsylvania Writing Institute

by Stacey Shubitz

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time preparing for the morning session I’m leading at the Annual Pennsylvania Writing Institute in early August.  I am honored to have the opportunity to be… Read More →

Summer Writing Plans

by Ruth Ayres

I’ve been seeing a lot around the blog world and on Twitter about summer reading plans. I think it’s also important to help the writers in our classrooms think about their summer writing… Read More →