Part 4 of 4 In my classroom, I stress that writing is so much more than just knowing a bunch of grammar and punctuation rules. Writing is really about expressing oneself, your dreams, your beliefs, your hopes, your imagination. Writers don’t write to show off to readers that they know how to avoid vagueContinue reading “It’s hard to teach middle schoolers this: grammar rules exist to bring readers on your journey”
Tag Archives: Education
Reading about how to teach writing
It has its ups and downs I love reading books about the teaching of writing. It’s always so valuable to me to find ways to help kids love writing! Right now, I’m re-reading Real Revision by Kate Messner, a text chock-full of innovative strategies that real-life published authors use when they revise their own writing.Continue reading “Reading about how to teach writing”
Get Your Students Published ASAP
Three days in and students are revising submissions for a publisher. I decided not to discuss class rules on Wednesday, the first day of school, because who wants to hear class rules for eight different classes in one day? Instead, we jumped right into a writing contest hosted by Creative Communication (CC). The contest (read aboutContinue reading “Get Your Students Published ASAP”
Contest #5: Outdoor Writers Association’s Norm Strung Writing Awards
Here’s another writing contest for you to try with your students. The Outdoor Writers Association, based in Missoula, Montana, is an organization of writers, editors, broadcasters, photographers, film makers, and other communicators who are, according to OWAA’s website, “dedicated to sharing the outdoor experience.” The organization is involved in many outreach activities, including the NormContinue reading “Contest #5: Outdoor Writers Association’s Norm Strung Writing Awards”
We have a winner!
Student’s essay places second in national contest Congratulations to Elijah D., whose essay placed second in the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards. Eli’s essay entitled “Natural Nostalgia” placed second in the nation in the junior prose category. He also received a check for $100. Eli graduated from Kirbyville Middle SchoolContinue reading “We have a winner!”
Ten Questions for Kohl’s About This Back-to-School Shirt
Yeah, it’s just a $10 t-shirt (when you buy two of these charmers), but clothing has power. Is this shirt supposed to be funny, Kohl’s? Because it’s really just mean. Did you know that back-to-school should be a time of building students up, not tearing them down? “Nobody cares” has no place in an environmentContinue reading “Ten Questions for Kohl’s About This Back-to-School Shirt”
Let Students Talk, Think, and Think Some More
Here’s what else I do to help students find writing topics they care about and then start writing part 2 of 4 I know from teaching middle school (6-8) ELA for a few years that, in order for students to be passionate about their writing, they must first have a topic that they care about. WhenContinue reading “Let Students Talk, Think, and Think Some More”
2017 Branson Tech Institute: My Takeaways
I attended Branson Tech Institute, an educational technology conference, July 17-18 at Branson High School. The Branson School District extended invitations to attend the conference to area schools, including my district, Kirbyville R-VI. (Thanks to my district for paying my registration fee!) About a dozen different classes were offered during each of nine sessions. Classes were categorized intoContinue reading “2017 Branson Tech Institute: My Takeaways”
I’m Imagining the Possibilities of Project-Based Learning
Yesterday I met for about an hour with Leslie Wyman, the managing director of the White River Valley Historical Society based in Forsyth, Missouri. I had contacted her last week by email to inquire whether there were any projects for which my students could provide basic research and/or writing. I really didn’t knowContinue reading “I’m Imagining the Possibilities of Project-Based Learning”
Contest #4 That Works for My Students: New York Times Editorial Contest
Since 2014, The New York Times has sponsored an opinion-editorial contest on its Learning Network site. Last spring, all of my seventh-graders submitted entries for their chance to win. This contest engaged my students, especially because they knew they were writing for The New York Times. Age Range: This contest is open to students agedContinue reading “Contest #4 That Works for My Students: New York Times Editorial Contest”