In recent weeks, I’ve been spending nearly as much time writing with kids as I have been working with teachers, and let me tell you–this is good for the soul. Particularly when I’m given the space and time to really get to know who these kids are and the gifts they bring. I’ve been teaching in some capacity for 18 years now. I can’t see myself ever giving this up, and some how, I’ve managed…
Some of the middle and high school writers I’m working with this year have just begun researching what digital storytelling is and how they might begin crafting their own stories. There are so many different ways to approach this and an abundance of fantastic resources available online for those interested in doing so. Rather than presenting students with one definition of what digital storytelling is or leading them through a distinct set of steps in…
I’ve been spending more time in nings than anywhere else online over the last long stretch of time. Some of my favorites include the English Companion ning, Working Together 2 Make a Difference, and the WNY Young Writers’ Studio ning. This weekend, I stumbled upon another place that you might consider visiting as well. Making Curriculum Pop is a community for those interested in teaching with or about pop culture. Some interesting conversations unfolding over…
Over the last few weeks, Temple Grandin has come up in conversations everywhere I’ve traveled. Mostly because I keep bringing her up. Inevitably though, someone in every circle has heard of her, attended one of her presentations, or shared her story with others for a wide and interesting variety of purposes. I’d never heard of her, truth be told, until I caught an interview with her on NPR this winter. Then, my daughter Laura and…
Young writers and educators are invited to join the fellows of the WNY Young Writers’ Studio at our first annual Celebration of Writing, which will be held on June 5th from 9:30am until noon at Pinnacle Charter School in Buffalo, New York. This year’s theme is A Celebration of Writers and Teachers in Progress. What makes this event special? All of the kids who are helping to facilitate it and the possibilities that our format…
….is to accept people exactly as they are.” Carl Rogers
Although I may not be spending quite as much time blogging this year, I’ve been finding myself far more active elsewhere online, and in my travels, I’ve found much to recommend. I’ll still be reflecting on what I’m learning and discovering here, but much of that is happening on the ground inside of the classrooms that I get to work in and in some of these spaces: The WNY Young Writers’ Studio is about to…
I received an email this weekend that put a smile on my face, and since I was asked to pass along, I thought I’d blog about it here. A timely post and invitation for today– Emmett Belknap Middle School teacher, Adam Corry, is inviting other schools to join forces with his students in an effort to raise funds for Haitian relief. The Hats for Haiti drive will take place this Thursday, January 21st in several…
Teaching writing can be scary, difficult stuff. The word teacher implies an awful lot, after all. For some, it suggests that they should “know all” before proceeding. But that’s impossible, isn’t it? I can’t imagine knowing everything about writing or writing instruction. Or teaching. Or literacy coaching. Or anything for that matter. I don’t recall who said it online or where, but I remember nodding my head when I stumbled upon this bit of wisdom:…
This fall, I had the opportunity to talk with over 100 writing teachers about the instructional practices that made the most difference for their students. All of these teachers identified and articulated clear learning targets for their students, based upon their previous assessment of student needs. All of them documented what they did as teachers to support their students as they worked together to meet these objectives as well, and during our conversations together, they…