Writers write.

Writers write.

  Writers write. Subject and predicate. Reality and hopeful wish. What we fail to realize as writing teachers is that students need time to immerse themselves in writing. Bad writing.…
Summer Learning Gain

Summer Learning Gain

  Each year, we hear about the potential learning loss that students will experience over the summer. This year, we’ve been warned of the unprecedented learning loss that students have…
Working Within Constraints

Working Within Constraints

  Sometimes, working within constraints is the way to get out of your funk. Give yourself a limit or roadblock. Something that will cause you to think clearly about your…
The Secret Is Almost Out!

The Secret Is Almost Out!

  Today, I met with our secret society of writers at school. This group of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are extremely dedicated and passionate writers. They span all…
Pen Snob

Pen Snob

  I’ll admit it. I’m a pen snob. It started a few years ago when I discovered Sharpie pens. Any time I wrote anything, it had to be using a…
Passionate Writers

Passionate Writers

  My son is a passionate writer. He often sits with me as I write and publish. He asks a million questions about my process which I always try to…
Craft in the Real World – Some Takeaways

Craft in the Real World – Some Takeaways

  I just finished reading Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses. The book examines how stories are told, who tells them and how…
Let the Writers Write

Let the Writers Write

  Have you ever had that student in your class, the one who can’t stop writing? Each day, it’s a new story. Or a continuation of a story. The student…