Melanie Meehan
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Melanie Meehan is the Elementary Writing and Social Studies Coordinator in Simsbury, Connecticut. She began her educational career over 20 years ago, teaching reading and writing workshops in a self-contained classroom of emotionally deprived students. She stayed home for ten years, serving on the local Board of Education and raising her four daughters, before returning to the classroom. In addition to learning with both students and teachers, Melanie loves to spend time with her family. She has many fictional works in progress and blogs with Melanie Swider at Two Reflective Teachers.
Most Recent Content
Getting Students in the Learning Zone
The zone of proximal development (or ZPD) is the sweet spot for learning—just enough challenge with just enough support to take on the challenge. Melanie Meehan shares how teachers can create scaffolds in their classrooms that help students find their own ZPDs.
Mentor Text Craft Guides
Melanie Meehan helps students see the craft moves in mentor texts by tucking brief guides into many of her favorite children’s books in the classroom library.
Mastering Conventions
Even eight-year-olds are expected to master a dozen or more conventions. Melanie Meehan shares a process for helping students focus on the small steps needed to master any convention with peer support.
Text Set Resources
Melanie Meehan shares some of her favorite resources for developing text sets.
Helping Students Understand What Works for Them
Want students to become more independent? Melanie Meehan recommends that you take each student through a reflective process to figure out what learning processes and habits work for them.
Finding Time for Writing Shares
Finding time for writing share sessions may begin with trying out a few different options to see what works in your classroom. Melanie Meehan presents some of her favorites.
Boosting the Confidence of Writers
We can teach students craft moves for their writing and how to punctuate. But how do we build their confidence? Melanie Meehan helps Aaron see his needs as a writer, but even more importantly, his strengths.
Talking Through Characters
Melanie Meehan shares activities that help students talk about their characters before writing about them in a realistic fiction unit.
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