Narrative writing is a staple in my high school English classroom. But it wasn't always. I used to be a much more traditional teacher than I am now. The only writing my students did, other than personal response, was very academic and formal. They wrote persuasive research, exposition and lots … [Read more...] about Narrative Writing: why you should use it with your secondary students
Final Assessment for Reading and Writing Workshop
What do you do for a final assessment for reading and writing workshop? Do you still give an exam? My department has been going through an evolution with this over the past number of years, and I feel that we are finally at a point where we have an authentic final assessment for workshop that … [Read more...] about Final Assessment for Reading and Writing Workshop
Reading, Writing & Awareness with Nonfiction
Despite the fact that our students are very connected to the online world, they are not always aware of what's happening outside of their own circle of snaps and texts. So, I decided to come up with a way to teach reading, writing, & awareness with nonfiction. I've been working to find ways … [Read more...] about Reading, Writing & Awareness with Nonfiction
3 Reasons to Use Multi-Genre Projects
Tired of the same old assessments? I might be able to help. Read on to get three reasons to use multi-genre projects with your secondary students. Multi-genre projects were introduced to me several years ago and, to be honest, I wasn't hooked on the idea at first. That was until I was finally … [Read more...] about 3 Reasons to Use Multi-Genre Projects
Teaching research skills: active learning
I know you've been there. You've taught the kids how to research. You've shown them how to embed quotations. You have given them piles of information on how to create a works cited page.And then you see their assignments. They are riddled with errors. Quotations are randomly inserted with no … [Read more...] about Teaching research skills: active learning
Fall Writing for Secondary Students
Can you believe that tomorrow is October first? The school year, as it always does, is flying fast, and we're now smack dab in one of my favourite seasons: autumn. The air is crisp, my classroom expectations are established, and there are so many opportunities to inspire my writers. Let me tell you … [Read more...] about Fall Writing for Secondary Students
Collaborative Poetry: “Where I am From” Poems
My twelfth grade class has been exploring the effect of word choice during our reading and writing workshop. They have written a number of journal entries that required them to experiment with diction, imagery and figurative language, and during my wanders and conferences, I've discovered a number … [Read more...] about Collaborative Poetry: “Where I am From” Poems
Lesson Plans for Reading and Writing Workshop
I'm excited to share this news with you. I've spent a lot of time this summer doing some detailed lesson planning to blend reading and writing workshop, complete with links to how all of the items in my bundles work together. My planning focused on how I would divide up my semester, weeks and … [Read more...] about Lesson Plans for Reading and Writing Workshop
Blending Reading & Writing Workshop: Inquiry Questions
What do you wonder? What are you passionate about? What would you like to learn? These questions are not ones found on tests. They are, however, the basis for inquiry-based learning where students are invited to be active, rather than passive learners. Inquiry allows students to explore and … [Read more...] about Blending Reading & Writing Workshop: Inquiry Questions
Descriptive Writing – Strategies for Teaching
I love teaching descriptive writing and I don't save it for creative assignments only. That is because the elements that make description so important in creative writing are the very ones that make for rich and engaging expository and persuasive pieces as well.I want my students to be able to … [Read more...] about Descriptive Writing – Strategies for Teaching
Blending Reading & Writing Workshop
I love the fact that my students can choose from a rich array of novels when it's time to read. Reader's and writer's workshop has been such a game changer in my classroom because the kids are so much more engaged in reading and writing than they ever were before. And, there are so many … [Read more...] about Blending Reading & Writing Workshop