Choice Lit Topic: Teaching Writing
Everyone who writes for Choice Literacy loves teaching writing, because we all write ourselves. We know it is “hard fun,” as Donald Murray famously said—exasperating and exhilarating at the same time. The writing workshops you will read about here and see in our videos are busy, noisy, vibrant places. And most days, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than in the midst of ’em! Here is where you’ll find our latest discoveries, insights, and occasional boneheaded mistakes in teaching writing.
Results
Strawberries, Fun, and Student Blogging
Growing as a teacher and learner requires honest feedback. Who else could be more honest than students? During winter break, I reflected on my teaching practices in order to set...
Graphic Organizer for Mystery Writing
Beth Lawson talks with her 4th graders about the elements of a good mystery, and shares a graphic organizer to help them develop realistic characters and themes.
Writers, Choice and Independence (Part I)
I had an observer in my classroom a few years ago who said, "I love how independent your students are during the workshop. They're such independent writers for fourth graders."...
Transitioning to Guide on the Side: Facilitating Collaborative Scoring
"I want to move as much of my professional development from sage on the stage to guide on the side," I wrote as my goal for the coming year. For...
Wonderopolis: Nonfiction, Technology, and Web-Based Independent Learning
Wonder questions bring life and energy to learning. This school year, I started using a powerful digital website called Wonderopolis. Each day, my students and I visit this site during Morning...
Books Struggling Readers Can and Will Want to Read: Building the Classroom Library
Cleaning up the room after school, I noticed Sammy's reading bag under the table. I've been finding his reading intervention bag left on his hook lately, and have been wondering...
Writers, Choice and Independence (Part II)
There is a difference between students quietly writing during workshops in classrooms, knowing the routines that are in place, and true independence. So what can teachers do to create environments...
An ESL Poetry Cafe Celebration (Part II)
In Part I of this feature, I shared some projects, expectations, and activities for our Poetry Café celebration. This is an event where families enjoyed listening to their children read poems,...
Math Journals
I like math because when I do math, I feel like I'm in a place where I belong. —Ruthie, third grader When I was in high school, I absolutely adored...
Born Wonders: Tapping Student Interest in Animals, Babies, and Books
Children love to read and learn about animals of all sizes, shapes, habitats, and species. As parents, learners, and teachers, we understand why kids are fascinated with small creatures: Animals...
Refining the Weekly Class Newsletter
It was writing workshop time on a mid-October Wednesday, and the buzz of four children chattering in excited voices was a dead giveaway that something wonderful was about to happen....
Coaching Reluctant Writers
I'm not sure I've ever met a reluctant writer. Oh, she may look reluctant or he may sound reluctant, but they rarely are. Take, for example, Eduardo. Eduardo slunk into...
Aimee Buckner on Nonfiction in Student Notebooks (PODCAST)
Aimee Buckner chats with Franki Sibberson about her new work on integrating nonfiction into reading and writing notebooks with students. Aimee's latest book is Notebook Connections: Strategies for the Reader's Notebook....
Prewriting is a Party!
"Does anyone here like parties?" The fourth grade classroom where I'm demonstrating a lesson is a forest of tall standing arms.Everybody likes parties. "That's what I thought. So I'm getting...
The Triple Threat: Building a Community, Discussion Skills, and Writing Stamina
There are several key components of a thriving literacy workshop. In my sixth-grade classroom, students need to: be able to read and discuss texts; feel comfortable with each other so...
Great Lead Investigators
It's writing time. As I meander around the room and read over the shoulders of my 6th graders, I realize it's time to talk leads. Writing leads is a strategy...
Off the Beaten Professional Development Path: What I Learned from the Teachers as Writers Group
It's a Saturday and I'm pressing the norms chart up on the window of a sunlit room in a popular local coffeehouse. Two teachers are here early and smile a...
Writing Drafts and Stamina
It was the beginning of triathlon training season. As I slipped into the pool, I was trying to remind myself of what I knew. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe left. Stroke,...
Lester Laminack on Reading Like a Writer (PODCAST)
In this podcast, Franki Sibberson chats with Lester Laminack about how he reads as a writer, and what teachers might do to develop this skill in their students. Lester is...
“The Wrath of Guess Jeans”: Response and Read Around
In this second video in a three-part series, Katie Doherty leads her 6th graders through a response activity. In this installment, the students respond orally and share some of their...
Pamphlets on Books (Part 2 of the Persuasive Pamphlets Series)
I can never seem to make just a quick trip to a bookstore or library. I'm easily side-tracked from my initial purpose, and the thrill of discovery makes time seem...
