What Should a Writing Classroom Look Like?

Writing? Who has time for that? Writing time tends to get shoved under the rug. Most kiddos run out of topics to write about and with so many different writing curriculums, sometimes writing gets just plain BOOOORING. Are you with me?

So what's the solution? Well, here's what I think a Writing Classroom should look like...

Mini Lessons! Typically 5-10 minutes (I'm talking miniiiii) with a simple strategy or craft you want students to notice and try in their own writing. I feel like the best way to teach grammar and usage is in 1:1 conferences and through modeling. ALL THE MODELING, teacher friends! It's power is unreal! I also love to turn our mini lessons into anchor charts that we can showcase in the classroom.

Independent Writing! This is the biggest chunk of writing time. It should be AT LEAST 30 minutes, should be very quiet, and all students should be doing something related to writing. This is tricky, because you can have many "fake writers" or distracted writers. Classroom management is key here! While students write, you, the fab teacher, meets with students for writing conferences. (I keep track of this in my Writing Binder and try to meet with every student twice a month for 5-10 minutes). I also let students publish their stories on the computer during this time.

Share Time! I swear I was always running out of time to share at the end of writing. But when I do it daily, I notice a HUGE difference. So don't make Kelly Anne's mistake. SHARE! I typically try and help a student use our mini lesson in our writing conference - then I have them share "THE AMAZING THING THEY WROTE TODAY" during share time. I encourage other writers to try the same thing. It's legit magic, y'all. I swear! Try it and let me know what you think!


How do you spend your writing time? How much time do you have for writing?

How to Get Re-Energized About Teaching Writing Halfway Through the Year

It's January. It's cold. I don't know about you, but by now I'm usually over writing. Kiddos have run out of topics. I've run out of patience. And writing conferences just aren't running as smoothly as they used to.

But writing is important. And we want our little writers to see that and know that. And they can't see that and know that if you're sitting in the corner even more frustrated or unhappy than they are!

So how does one get re-energized about teaching writing? Follow one (or 2 or all) of the steps below to help you feel better about your writing time!

 >>My TpT Store<<

I hope these ideas can help you feel great about your time spent teaching writing! Don't be scared to spoil yourself - YOU DESERVE IT!

What Should Writing Conferences Look Like in the Classroom?

Are you a Writing Conference master? Writing Conferences are something most teachers squeeeeze into their day. And when they're squeezed in, they begin to look weak. But did you realize we're doing a huge injustice to our students by not being prepared? Check out my quick tips for making sure you have Writing Conferences nailed!

 Challenging, I know! But if you let yourself mingle with students for 15+ minutes, you'll never be able to meet with everyone. It's a fine line you need to walk between quality & quantity.

If you discuss these 3 things every time, you should have a strong grasp of what your writers are working on at all times. Make sure the majority of your time is spent discussing the student's writing goal and how they plan to achieve it. (This is where I love to pull from the masters, like  Cynthia Rylant and utilize mentor texts).

Grab Free Writing Conference Forms Here!

 They're free and pretty - what more could you ask for? For personalized Conference Forms with the CCSS standards included, be sure to purchase one of my writing units!

Don't forget to enter our giveaway! AND check out the FAB Miss L's Blog for some seriously amazing tips for breaking up those November blues!








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4th Grade Writing Curriculum [Make writing FUN!]

4th Grade teachers!!  Have you checked out my writing units yet?  They're made specifically for YOU, they meet all the Common Core Standards, and provide a rigorous yet FUN writing curriculum for the entire school year.  You can buy them individually or save over 20% by purchasing the bundle!

It took me a long time to figure out a writing curriculum that I was happy with, however I can proudly say that I have never had one student who didn't love to write by the end of the school year.  With this fresh approach to teaching writing, you will actually get to build amazing writers!  It works with nearly ANY schedule and is very little work for you!

Each unit comes with a daily lesson plan, lasting as long as you need it to (ideally 60 minutes, but also with the realization that this may be unrealistic).  There's time for a mini-lesson, independent writing, and time to share, teaching students to think about other writing as well as their own.  Each unit comes with a specific conference form to help guide you through writing conferences, checklists to help you stay organized, and all pages that your writers will need.  Just get them a notebook and you're good to go!  Check more out, below or in my store!!

5th Grade Writing Unit!

It's Friday!  Happy Friday!!

In celebration of the weekend, I am super excited to share with you my new product- a 5th grade writing unit!  I absolute LOVE writer's workshop and supporting writers in the classroom.  It's so often that I have little ones who despise writing.  Which just breaks-my-heart.  Seriously.  Writing should be all about having FUN!  It's such an important skill for our little guys to learn and I just loooove writer's workshop so much, I decided to put together a writing unit for the year just for 5th grade teachers!  I have only completed Unit 1 so far, but am working on Units 2-7.  Check out Unit 1 HERE! 

When they are all complete, they will take you through an entire school year in Writer's Workshop.  All Lesson Plans, Unit Plans, Management Forms, and Rubrics are included with every unit, which makes your job a breeze (ha!)!  Ever wonder how you were going to conference with every student?  No problem!  I've got that all figured out for you! 

Hopefully you have wonderful, beautiful, August weather and are enjoying some time outside and not too much time in your classroom!

Oh, and be on the lookout for a special new series my lady, Mrs. Cahill, and I will be doing on co-teaching!  Coming this weekend!

Thanks!!

Testing, parents, conferences...

Eeeeeee!!  Happy Hour at Sonic is helping me make it through this insanity of a week!

Loving every minute of being busy, but soooo looking forward to Spring Break!!  Holla!  T-minus 14 days.