Student Engagement in Writing: The 10-Minute Check
We all want our students to become more and more independent as writers. We want them to know how to approach a writing task with skill and confidence. At…
Why Writing Lessons Aren’t Working
No doubt, you’re one of the millions of teachers navigating a scripted program. For many, myself included, this is a very big shift. It comes with pros and cons, for…
It’s Time to Stop Making Writing Instruction So Messy
Brené Brown is well known for a simple yet powerful phrase: “clear is kind.” Although she’s mostly referring to arriving at clarity within organizations, this phrase can truly be applied…
Before You Hand Out That Writing Template…
There’s no question about it: writing is hard for kids. Which, let’s be honest, can make it hard to teach. Knowing this, teachers often begin with having kids use a…
The Workshop Model of Teaching: Misunderstood, Not Misaligned
Lately, the workshop model of teaching has been under heavy fire. Scroll social media and you’ll see plenty of posts claiming it’s not explicit, not evidence-based, or not aligned with…