Content Category: Choice Literacy
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The Big Fresh January 16, 2016 Must Be Present to Win
Your true home is in the here and the now. ...
The Big Fresh January 9, 2016 Secret Messages
Your message means less than the way the message is delivered, because in actuality, the way the message is delivered, IS the message. Bryant McGill As we settled down...
“Giving Ourselves Hard Problems”: Rethinking Math Workshop
My teaching in my fifth-grade literacy workshops has always come easily, feeling almost instinctive. Math workshop is another matter. Until recently, I hadn’t been able to clinch that same effortless-seeming...
The Intersection of Social Studies and Language Arts
Our state has revised its framework for social studies significantly over the past four years. As I worked as part of a state-level team on the new frameworks for Connecticut,...
Extended Inquiry with Article of the Week
I have been using Kelly Gallagher’s “Article of the Week” strategy in my classroom for some time now. On Mondays, I introduce an interesting or pertinent article to my students...
Risk and All
“You’re killing me,” said Kacie. She sat across from me in my office. Pale complexion, freckles, thick orange shoulder-length hair. She wore gray sweats, one leg tucked beneath her. She...
The Big Fresh December 19, 2015 Unexpected
The quality of our expectations determines the quality of our action. Andre Godin I am observing students in Katrina Edwards’ first-grade reading workshop during independent reading. It’s time to...
Debating How to Begin Stories
Last week, I read Eli’s piece over his shoulder. He had the classic beginning: It was a beautiful November day at the zipline park. He continued his piece with this:...
Conferring Over “Finished” Writing
Ruth Ayres confers with fifth grader Grant over the delicate topic of making changes to a "finished" piece.
Exploring the Writing Process
One of the many great instructional practices to come out of the writing workshop movement is the idea of teaching the writing process. We have tried to demystify the writing...
Modifications for English Language Learners
The teacher is reading aloud a new picture book to the class. Since the students haven’t heard the story before, everyone is listening very carefully. But as she comes to...
Knowing Ami: Silent Communication with an English Language Learner
When Ami walked in the door, I wanted to know everything about her. Why did she always have a sparkle in her big brown eyes? Why did she carry her...
Owl Research Brainstorming: Partner Work
Andrea Smith meets with two girls planning their owl research.
Understanding Character Traits: Part 3
Jason DiCarlo leads a lesson in a third-grade classroom about understanding character traits. He concludes the lesson with partner work exploring Henry's Freedom Box and a whole-class discussion. This is...
The Big Fresh December 12, 2015 Easy
Being content is perhaps no less easy than playing the violin well, and requires no less practice. Alain de Botton I played hooky a few weeks ago. I filled...
Teaching Inference Through Picture Books
One reading strategy my fifth graders still struggle with is inference. After years of working with students this age, I think they are making this more complicated than it needs...
Getting Mentor Texts in Students’ Hands
Ever since I learned about the value of mentor texts to help students’ writing, I have tried to use them as often as possible. I thought I was doing a...
Understanding Character Traits: Part 2
Jason DiCarlo leads a lesson in a third-grade classroom about understanding character traits. He continues the lesson with a read-aloud of the book Henry's Freedom Box. This is the second...
Mentor Texts and Memoir Writing
Writing is only reading turned inside out. John Updike One of the things that I struggle with at times in my writing is where and how to begin. I...
What I Learned About Teaching Writing from My Trainer
I don’t like to exercise. Not usually. I wish I did, but I just don’t. I know I should like it. I try to, but I don’t. And so, twice...
The Big Fresh December 5, 2015 Just-Right Tech
Technology is the campfire around which we tell our stories. Laurie Anderson Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture and discussion by Genevieve Bell, vice president...
