Critical Analysis of a Poem in Middle School
Most middle school students are not thrilled to learn that they will be analyzing one poem over three days. (Some teachers might share the same sentiment!) However, I know how…
Teaching Text Evidence Without The Groans!
There are several topics that make students groan when you announce them…proving a point with text evidence is among the top five. You would have thought I demanded that they…
Readers’ Workshop: Managing Student Choice
As a Literacy Coach, I view my main job as getting kids to love reading. I disliked reading growing up and I hated the REQUIRED reading. No one ever asked…
Writers’ Workshop: Incorporating a Research Unit
I am a huge proponent of the Writers’ Workshop model. However, those who have been to my workshops know that I am not a purest. I do believe that there…
Writers’ Workshop: Celebrate the Authors!
Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.~Franklin D. Roosevelt Last week we celebrated all the little writers at our school. The teachers have been…
Expository Writing: Helping Students Organize their Ideas
Join me for a moment in my writing conference… 1048
Activate Schema and Engage Students with an Anticipation Reaction Guide
Why? While activating background knowledge might not be one of the “Super 6” comprehension strategies, I would argue that this is where every reader should start. As a reader, when I…
Writers’ Workshop: Organizing Ideas for Personal Narrative Drafts
We are getting Writers’ Workshop kicked off school-wide – K-12! 1025
Modeling Generating Ideas with Heart Maps in Elementary
We are getting Writers’ Workshop kicked off school-wide – K-12! 1010