Reading centers are the perfect activity for students to work on while you are meeting with reading groups. But please know that reading centers are not babysitters! They are not busy work! Reading centers should be an opportunity to practice important skills that students are learning. If you are not sure about how to make centers safe next ... Continue Reading
How to Make Centers Safer Next Year
There is no doubt about it -- we live in a different world than we did just six months ago. Covid-19 has brought lots of fear and uncertainty to the world of education. What will school look like next year? Will we wear masks? Will we have students in the classroom or will we still be teaching virtually? If we are in the classroom, how will we keep ... Continue Reading
5 Ways to Excite Reluctant Writers
"UGH! Do I have to write?!" I bet you have heard this before! We all have some students who don't like writing and spend all of their time complaining, napping and staring at the clock. I lovingly refer to these students as "reluctant writers." Most reluctant writers don't feel confident in their ability to write and they struggle to get ... Continue Reading
Be a Kick-Butt Writing Teacher Even if you Hate to Write
As a kid, I dreamed of being an author. My dad would bring home a laptop from his work and I would spend my weekends writing chapter books. I would submit them to contests that I found online. During recess, I would sit on the sidewalk reading a thesaurus. My dream was shattered my freshman year of college. I was so excited to turn my first ... Continue Reading
5 Mistakes Teachers Make When Teaching Writing
Teaching writing can be so tricky! Most of us never even took a class in college about how to teach writing. Many teachers are just winging it and we are all doing the best that we can with the tools we have been given. It stands to reason that we are making a few mistakes. The good news is that they are easy to correct! Talk Too Much Let's ... Continue Reading
3 Ways to Have More Fun Teaching Writing
Do you hate teaching writing? If so, you're not alone. Teachers everywhere describe writing as overwhelming and frustrating. And since it is no fun at all...teachers aren't quick to protect their writing time. "Math is going a little long? Oh well, I guess we don't have time for writing today." But what if I told you that writing can be more fun to ... Continue Reading
Writing Workshop is a Hot Mess
Can you relate? There is a line of students who want me to look at their writing. One student is drawing on his desk. Another student is asleep. I have another group students giggling while they present to peer edit. I have some students drafting. A few students are editing and revising. Some students are publishing on the class computers. ... Continue Reading
Make Boring Writing Curriculum More Engaging
Do you have to use a certain writing curriculum? Does it happen to be a little dull and boring for you and your students? I totally get it! I've been in your shoes and I know how frustrating it can be. I want to share a few tips that helped me to make my writing curriculum more engaging. Having a great writing curriculum is so helpful. It can ... Continue Reading
Free Summer Writing Menus
As the school year comes to an end, it is fun to give students some activities to enjoy over the summer. I don't give homework packets. Yuck! But I do love challenging them to read a couple books and write in a journal. Every students won't do it, but if we make it fun, many will! I think that your students will enjoy these summer writing ... Continue Reading
Virtual End of Year Activities
The end of the school year is upon us. And it turned out to be one crazy weird school year. Our usual end of year bag of tricks won't work this year. But there are still so many fun and simple virtual end of year activities that you students will love. Memory Books I always loved to have my students create memory books at the end of the year. ... Continue Reading
