Do you have comments that you make repeatedly when giving students feedback? I definitely do, and on the top of the list is "tell me more." So many of my students don't fully develop their points, and their writing is pretty dull as a result. Therefore, I decided it was time to come up with a new … [Read more...] about Teach students to support their ideas
Encouraging Reluctant Writers
You've created the perfect lesson plan. Your kids are engaged in the writing activity... all except a handful. You know them, the ones who refuse to write no matter what you ask them to do. Encouraging reluctant writers to pick up the pen can be hard, but with a few simple strategies, you just might … [Read more...] about Encouraging Reluctant Writers
3 Reasons Why Your Mentor Texts Should Not Be “Perfect”
MENTOR TEXTS BUILD THE HABIT OF REVISION There are a lot of good reasons for using mentor texts with our students, but you know what? There are three really good reasons why your texts should not be "perfect." The idea of using mentor texts was one of those game-changing ideas for me. … [Read more...] about 3 Reasons Why Your Mentor Texts Should Not Be “Perfect”
How to Use Learning Stations in a High School Classroom
Learning stations or centers are very popular in elementary grades, but do they work with older students? Absolutely. In fact, they are an incredible tool for focus and learning. So, if you're wondering how you can use learning stations in a high school classroom, read on! (and if you want some … [Read more...] about How to Use Learning Stations in a High School Classroom
Persuasive Writing: a pre-writing activity
Persuasive Writing: a pre-writing activity Often when we announce that we are assigning an essay we get some groans and eye rolls. I try to circumvent that with some persuasive writing activities that get my students excited (or at least somewhat interested) in the art of persuasion. Before we … [Read more...] about Persuasive Writing: a pre-writing activity
Expository Writing: Teaching Kids to Inform & Explain
Expository Writing: Teaching Kids to Inform & Explain So you are teaching expository writing and here's the outcome for your students: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. It sounds a … [Read more...] about Expository Writing: Teaching Kids to Inform & Explain
Lesson Planning in Room 213: IMPROVING WORD CHOICE
Hello, there! If you've been following along, all week I've been sharing the things that I've been doing with my students. It's only our second week, so the students are learning about my expectations for reading and writing workshop - and about the importance of improving word choice. Yesterday, … [Read more...] about Lesson Planning in Room 213: IMPROVING WORD CHOICE
Teaching the importance of word choice
This is my first full week with my students so we started with some warm up activities and ones that get us started and organized. Today, I'm ready to start teaching them the importance of word choice. My students are seniors, so much of what I'll cover over the next few classes is not new. … [Read more...] about Teaching the importance of word choice
Starting reading and writing workshop
Welcome back to the second part of my series where I'm giving readers a closer look at lesson planning in Room 213. Yesterday, I shared a spoken word poem by Matthew Foley to get my students thinking about being truly "present" in class - as well as to see what they knew about word choice and using … [Read more...] about Starting reading and writing workshop
Real Life Assignments: Writing Reviews
Real Life Assignments: Writing Reviews This semester, I've been adding more real life writing assignments to my writing workshop. I'm loving them because the kids are engaged, and because I can easily answer the inevitable question: when will we ever use this? The first new assignment … [Read more...] about Real Life Assignments: Writing Reviews
Sentence expanding lessons
Some students struggle to write strong, effective sentences. They get the job done, but the results are often pretty basic because their ideas are underdeveloped and the writing lacks flow. One strategy that can make a big difference is sentence expanding lessons. Showing students the art of … [Read more...] about Sentence expanding lessons
Color Coding as a Writing Strategy
One of the simplest methods for teaching kids to think and write analytically is also one of the most effective: show them a sample paragraph and use color coding as a writing strategy. My tenth graders have been exploring the ways that point of view and perspective affect the novels they are … [Read more...] about Color Coding as a Writing Strategy