Monthly Archives: February 2022

Rubrics Extra Instruction Reteaching Skills Mini-lessons Modification Allowing extra time Praising performance and effort Increasing student writing conferences Pairing up peers Revise and edit one skill at a time. RTI What are you currently doing to gauge your students’ writing … Continue reading →

Yes, many Gifted students also have been diagnosed with ADHD. Knowing this and appropriate writing strategies will make your life…and theirs…much better. To be honest, any students who have characteristics of ADHD, though not diagnosed, may benefit just as well … Continue reading →

Think about the ways you learned new vocabulary and then throw that information away. Times have changed, and to be honest, some of the ways we were taught new vocabulary did not work. Research and student observations in our own … Continue reading →

When students are asked to write in a social studies classroom, they are generally being asked to write to demonstrate the knowledge they have been taught. They are being asked to write to see what they have learned. Writing in … Continue reading →

After having taught students for over 40 years, I know writing instruction is not easy. It is downright hard even for those of us who are comfortable with teaching it. I have seen so many teaching “fads” come and go … Continue reading →

The goal for all students is the same–to develop knowledge about forms of writing, basic writing skills, strategies for effective writing, and motivation. All students need to be taught strategies for planning, revising, and self-regulation. Strategies take several weeks to … Continue reading →

Before teaching students to write, we must build stamina and motivation in the students and many times with the teachers. Clear writing starts with clear thinking for children and adults. Writing is s craft, a process—a slow one. We learn … Continue reading →

What do you need to do before actually creating a writing plan for a school system? Create a systemwide writing committee composed of strong writing teachers (and administrators) across all curricular areas. Include some parents and community members. Review the … Continue reading →

Whether you are a parent, teacher, administrator, student, or none of these, you most likely realize the importance of teaching students to think, and one of the best ways of achieving this goal is to teach students to write. Yes, … Continue reading →

Have you ever felt like you were running a race but standing in place? Maybe you have felt as if you were popping all over the place like bacon in a hot skillet. Let’s have a chat about that. Let’s … Continue reading →