Writing comes from reading and reading is the finest teacher of how to write. –Annie Proulx Like most writers, I learn a lot about writing by reading and studying the writing of other authors. I take apart favorite picture books to study character development, plot structure, how dialogue moves the story along, and more. I […]
A Lesson in Reading Like a Writer Read More »
Experienced teachers know that building community within the classroom is one key to a successful learning experience for their students. A sense of community creates a space where students feel safe taking risks. It helps them work collaboratively with others because the other students are viewed as friends and supporters. It helps create a sense
SICK DAY JITTERS Lesson Plan: Building School Wide Community Read More »
Our students want and need consistency and routine. Knowing that, we try our hardest to provide it for them in our classrooms. However, sometimes, life happens and the predictability they want disappears. And although it might be hard for them, learning to handle those unexpected and unplanned events is a life skill. Reading Sick Day
SICK DAY JITTERS Lesson Plan: How to Handle Change Read More »
Just when you get your FIRST DAY JITTERS settled down after the first day of school, it’s time to work on your PICTURE DAY JITTERS! Below is a fun activity to do with your students or with your own kids. It would also be fun if all of the teachers in the school did one…and
Jitters Jitters Everywhere! Read More »
As a teacher I loved the last day of school. Obviously, I was looking forward to a summer of no more (school) reading, no more (school) books, no more student’s dirty looks. But it also provided the perfect time to look back and reflect on the year, to really think about and examine my successes,
Last Day Blues: Students Reflecting on the Past Year Read More »
One of the last years of teaching, I was doing hall duty in the 7th grade wing of my school late in the day. A parent lurched out of the rowdy, rambunctious crowd of students and stood by me for a moment looking totally overwhelmed. After taking a deep breath, she told me that she
“I Don’t Know How You Do It” Read More »
I first wrote this essay for an adult writing class I was teaching, outlining what I believed to be the most important attributes of a writer. However, as I recently reread it, I realized that these attributes – patience, perseverance, reflection, and self-forgiveness – also applied to being a teacher. Actually, the truth is, I
Four Essential Attributes of a Writer…And a Teacher Read More »
This is a classroom or a home activity for any age student. The point of yearly school picture is to capture each student as they look at a particular moment in time. It’s fun for them to look back at old school pictures and remember what they looked like, how they dressed and even how
Art Project inspired by PICTURE DAY JITTERS Read More »
In my book, Last Day Blues, the students in Mrs. Hartwell’s class worry that she will be sad when the school year ends and will spend the summer wishing she were back in school. As the students try to think of ways to ease Mrs. Hartwell’s sadness, they also look back at the high and
One Way to Use LAST DAY BLUES in the Classroom Read More »
A couple of years ago I was volunteering in an elementary school and was asked to monitor a small group of 3rd graders who needed extended time to take the standardized state test. As I wandered around the room, I noticed one boy getting especially antsy and yet, to my surprise, he kept plodding ahead.
A Positive Way to Combat Big Test Jitters Read More »