I worked with my teachers in Elgin today! We had a great day of clarifying expectations for writing and to talk specifically about mini-lessons in Writer’s Workshop. If you are like my teachers, you are gearing up for Poetry Writing (K-2) and Expository Writing (3-5). Another blog post to follow with the ideas I shared with them!
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that get teachers the most excited. In this morning’s training with K-2 teachers- it was the idea of writing folders! Classroom walls are a great resource for students, but in Writer’s Workshop I like to keep students heads DOWN and looking at their writing. So rather than making them look around the room to find support for writing, I give them TOOLS in their writer’s toolbox. That toolbox just happens to be the first two pockets of their writing folder! And that writing folder happens to be two folders taped/stapled together and has two OTHER pockets that hold their writing. It looks like this….
In today’s training a Kindergarten teacher asked me if I had files I could send her so she could make “toolboxes” for her kids. I told her I was sorry… I didn’t have the files anymore. Which was true. But I came home (unloaded the dishwasher, changed clothes, went to the gym, ate dinner, and MADE them). I’m hoping she will use them- and that I made them- and sent them to her before she makes them herself. I also am posting them here so teachers everywhere (all 3 of you who read my blog! LOL!) can use them with their kiddos. You can get them FREE in my TpT store. Happy writing!
More than 3 people read your blog 🙂 Thank you for sharing. I totally agree. Resources should be at their fingertips instead of searching all over the room.