Welcome to #TeachWriting, our bi-weekly chat about writing instruction! This is our last chat before our summer break - we normally chat every two weeks! Thanks for joining - tonight's moderator will be @bkuhl2you!
Please take a minute and introduce yourself - where/what you teach, where you're tweeting from, and how long you've been on break (or when you will be . . .) #TeachWriting
Tonight's chat will follow a standard Q/A format - Questions will be tweeted from this account starting with Q1, Q2, etc. Please begin your response with A1, A2, etc. #TeachWriting
Shout out to all of our guest moderators this year - we appreciate your help guiding this conversation! We couldn't do this without your help! #TeachWriting
We're going to ask you to toot your own horn a bit tonight - please don't be shy about sharing your writing goals and achievements - especially blogs! We can learn so much from your blog posts - please share links gratuitously! #TeachWriting
Q1 - When you want to REFLECT, LEARN, and ADJUST your teaching for next year, what habits, strategies, or methods work best for you? How do you like to reflect? #TeachWriting
A1 - I go through phases. Phase 1 - yell at myself. I get pretty frustrated, and I can be pretty hard on myself. But I'm tough. . . Phase 2 - READ, WRITE, READ, WRITE. Lots of both, back and forth. Phase 3 - Plan, plan, plan. Then plan a little more. #TeachWriting
A1: Blogging about issues that are difficult helps me think through them. Reflective analysis on paper...#teachwriting - as I ask the Ss to do! I also ask Ss for feedback throughout the year.
A1 - Sometimes there's some R & R in there. Heck, there's always some. I sometimes do a little home improvement. Last summer, I re-did the bathroom. The summer before, I think it was the living room. #TeachWriting
A1—I break out the stack of professional reading I’ve been meaning to get to all year. Today’s pool float read was a recent Voices from the Middle from @ncte#teachwriting
Interesting that you specify the paper part. I've been trying to do a little paper - trying to create a model of the writing notebook for next year. Paper is kind of cool - especially when you alternate and think about the difference. #TeachWriting
A1: 1.Writing post-its to myself constantly and consolidating those at the end of the year to guide my summer reading. 2. Blogging to figure things out! #TeachWriting
Welcome, Missy! We're going to ask you to share a link to your blog, BTW. That's cool that you use the blog as a "writing to learn" thing. #WritingIsThinking#TeachWriting
A1—Yes, painting a room or cleaning a closet provides time to think. I like to sit under a tree with my notebook to scribble, list, play around with new ideas. #teachwriting
There is something different that happens in the brain with pen and paper as opposed to screen and keyboard. Ss will tell me they prefer my feedback on paper. #teachwriting
It's nice, too, when you can work on something and actually watch the progress. I painted my daughter's room PINK (sorry, but it's that kind of PINK) a few years ago. It was REALLY CLEAR that it changed as a result. Nice sense of accomplishment. #TeachWriting
A1—I need paper to do any real digging. Paper connects me with the old me and the me I always wanted to be, the me who can draw, doodle, write sideways across a page and know no one is watching me think #teachwriting
A2 - I'm asking this, but I kind of hate this question. There were lots of things that went well, of course, but there's so many details that could have been better. It's hard to single out one thing as purely good. So much is mixed. (Thinking INSIDE OUT movie.) #TeachWriting
That’s my experience, too. Feedback I give on a computer in some programs takes some extra clicks for students to access on their iPads, and even then, it doesn’t line up with the text correctly. Many students don’t bother. #teachwriting
That's awesome, Tracy. I like paper, too, though my reasons aren't quite as interesting. It just slows me down. I feel more like a poet - I have more time to choose my words carefully (I type kind of fast - maybe too fast sometimes.) #TeachWriting
A2: This was a rough year, so it’s difficult for me to think of things I’d call “wins,” but I ended up w a lot of 7th graders who discovered a love of writing. They loop with me for 7-8, so it will be fun to hit the ground running in the fall. #TeachWriting
A1: I read through student survey from the end of the year. I don’t reflect enough which Is why I finally started blogging. Only two posts in but I’m starting! #teachwriting
Q1 - When you want to REFLECT, LEARN, and ADJUST your teaching for next year, what habits, strategies, or methods work best for you? How do you like to reflect? #TeachWriting
Everyone has a "rough year" every once in a while. Sometimes it's only rough because we have such high expectations for ourselves. I've found that those are the years that help me grow the most. (I grew a lot this year, too.) #TeachWriting
A2—Biggest win is focusing on use of generative tasks rather than prompts. Tasks that help students excavate their thinking and come up with three of their own ideas rather than respond to my one #teachwriting
A1: taught new semester writing elective this year. It went super well! 200 min of journal writing, 3 1,000 word #CCSS writing, 10 shorter writing assignments, another 3 #CCSS writing pieces — this time 500-700 words and collaboratively. #TeachWriting
This was the hardest year. I considered quitting for the first time ever at this school. Thankfully my amazing colleagues and my PLN on twitter kept me going. I’ve learned so much this year. #TeachWriting
I keep thinking about blogging, but I am having difficulty committing. Do you carve out time on the weekends to write? Where do you get your ideas? #TeachWriting#sbpdchat
A1: I read through student survey from the end of the year. I don’t reflect enough which Is why I finally started blogging. Only two posts in but I’m starting! #teachwriting
Q1 - When you want to REFLECT, LEARN, and ADJUST your teaching for next year, what habits, strategies, or methods work best for you? How do you like to reflect? #TeachWriting
A2—Generative task: Draw a map of your old neighborhood. What memories come to mind? Sketch a floorpan of your house. What secrets/events/happy thoughts do you recall? #teachwriting
A3: I moved “levels” of English I and it took me a long time to adjust. I want my students writing everyday. I think I am going to (inspired by #100DOSW18) have a daily writing prompt, sometimes related to lesson, language study, reading, reflection, or fun. #teachwriting
A1: go through every unit and pick it apart, think of a few cool new ideas to incorporate, figure out how to do something more effectively and efficiently, use student feedback to improve, put myself in the kids shoes! #TeachWriting
Q1 - When you want to REFLECT, LEARN, and ADJUST your teaching for next year, what habits, strategies, or methods work best for you? How do you like to reflect? #TeachWriting
A3: Actually, this answer came up just now over in the other chat! I was not able to differentiate as effectively as I wanted in grammar. I have't resolved this one yet. #teachwriting
Great questions! I think a weekly goal - or a monthly goal to start - is big. And weekends might not always work. You might have a hard time if you plan to do this during your only "free time." It's a challenge. #TeachWriting
So far I’m just telling my teacher story. Then I want to reflect on this year. Then, maybe book reviews or my journey with ADHD. https://t.co/QUkQMAH26i if you wanna see the work in progress. Also I want to read and reflect on other blogs/articles. #teachwriting
I keep thinking about blogging, but I am having difficulty committing. Do you carve out time on the weekends to write? Where do you get your ideas? #TeachWriting#sbpdchat
A1: I read through student survey from the end of the year. I don’t reflect enough which Is why I finally started blogging. Only two posts in but I’m starting! #teachwriting
Q1 - When you want to REFLECT, LEARN, and ADJUST your teaching for next year, what habits, strategies, or methods work best for you? How do you like to reflect? #TeachWriting
That makes me think of the "asking questions" activity we did this year. Nicely generative as well. Simple prompt on a 1/3 sheet handout - few minutes - chance to share - and post the interesting ones. Great results with simple activity like that. #TeachWriting
This was the hardest year. I considered quitting for the first time ever at this school. Thankfully my amazing colleagues and my PLN on twitter kept me going. I’ve learned so much this year. #TeachWriting
A3 - I moved to 6th grade this year, and it was a bigger change than I was expecting. Different curriculum, different teammates, different kids with different expectations. I struggled at times. Lots to learn from. #TeachWriting
A3: Challenges were that I had a lot of kids cheating themselves out of revision this year. Doubled down on modeling my own revisions and focusing on the importance of that over my drafting. Had them help me revise more together. #TeachWriting
A2 - I think the stories we wrote in science were a win. Not consistent, and a struggle for some kids ("Why are we writing stories in science class?"), but lots of great thinking and learning grew from it. I have examples to share at some point this summer. #TeachWriting
For me, the key to blogging is notebook work. I write beside my students and am pleased to find I have something to say! My blog is linked in my Twitter bio #teachwriting
#teachwriting A:4 This summer is about to begin. My husband and I are going to Barbados in July. Yeah! I am also learning how to fly fish. Never fished before. I am a beginner's beginner! #sbpdchat.
A4: lazy porch naps, bike rides, gravel runs (I live in the country). Recharge: I’ll be at the @FolgerLibrary Teaching Shakespeare Institute this summer and hope to push myself to reach new goals. #TeachWriting
Yes! And those questions can be stems rather than full interrogative sentences. Those prompt thinking and lead to good things. “Prompt” thinking…you see what I did there? #teachwriting
A4 - Teaching a "writing with technology" workshop with IWP - yes, that's my idea of fun. I'm also excited about having big chunks of my schedule with absolutely nothing planned . . . #TeachWriting
A4: lazy porch naps, bike rides, gravel runs (I live in the country). Recharge: I’ll be at the @FolgerLibrary Teaching Shakespeare Institute this summer and hope to push myself to reach new goals. #TeachWriting
A4 - Teaching a "writing with technology" workshop with IWP - yes, that's my idea of fun. I'm also excited about having big chunks of my schedule with absolutely nothing planned . . . #TeachWriting
A4 - We did Starved Rock park last week - hiking, taking pictures, admiring these cool rock formations - and other "cool road trips" on the way, I hope. #TeachWriting
Q5 - What are some goals you have for yourself this summer? (Books you want to read? Writing goals? Blogging goals? Planning goals? Exercise goals?) #TeachWriting
A4: Hammock naps, re-reading my favorite books, hanging out with Jane Eyre, Elizabeth Bennett, Armand Gamache, Hazel and Fiver. Spending time with my granddaughter #teachwriting
A5 - I'm a (very slow) runner, and summer is when I try to race. I'm never going to be a serious runner, but I run my own race, and I enjoy the chance to feel like an athlete again. I'm planning to do a few 5K's, and maybe a 10K again. #TeachWriting
A5: I’m exploring a career change, and that’s exciting. I love teaching and writing, and I’ll be looking for ways to translate those passions into something new. #teachwriting
A5: 20-minutes of writing a day (terrible writing perfectly acceptable 😀), blogging semi-regularly, read as many books with fictional maps in them as possible... #TeachWriting
A5 - I started a few books. My goal is to finish a few of them. I'll share when I have something that's share-able. Some nonfiction, some fiction, both MG/YA stuff. Mostly. #TeachWriting
I find the greatest satisfaction in blogging about my own interests and life. A sign on my desk says “Remember who you always wanted to be.” I do that through personal blogging at https://t.co/GC0WWofhwu
Classroom blogging is done at https://t.co/1Q6ZBOJ9DH#teachwriting
A5: I’m exploring a career change, and that’s exciting. I love teaching and writing, and I’ll be looking for ways to translate those passions into something new. #teachwriting
A5b: also thinking a lot about what schools ask of Ts, Ss, and Ps. Simplistically, we all want our kids to be healthy and happy. Shouldn’t we demand more of ourselves to make sure our kids are well? I think so #TeachWriting
Mine enjoyed imitative poetry. Read sonnets, write in partners about something silly, write alone more seriously. Was challenging and accessible (thanks https://t.co/lEPstquzb0 lol) for all my kids. #teachwriting
This summer I’ll be moving that personal blog to a WordPress domain. I’ll be losing my district email and access soon. Will post update in my Twitter bio. #teachwriting
I'm reading longer ones and feeling good about pages covered. I'm craving adult fiction instead of teen romances. LOL #TeachWriting But I will do both.
I'm hoping to share some sample student writing on my class website. I have a team blog that I also hope to share. I've had blogging buddies before (@mrskriese!) - and it was pretty cool, although her kids did a much better job than mine (not that it's a contest) #TeachWriting
Let’s start compiling short mentor texts from our summer reading around certain craft elements!! A6 #TeachWriting for example I screenshot this in the forthcoming NOT THE GIRLS YOURE LOOKING FOR by @aminahmae for metaphor
I've used a bunch of different formats and sites, and I'm pretty happy with Wordpress. Very customizable, and lots of domain/address options that aren't too expensive if you want your own domain. #TeachWriting
Yes. The benefit of being the only language arts teachers for 7th and 8th in my rural district is that I get to see astronomical growth and forge strong relationships. I’ve looped for all 12 years of my career and can’t imagine it any other way.
Very motivating for students --- especially those who believe they are not good writers. Thanks for sharing your examples. @TeachWriting2#teachwriting#sbpdchat
A6: Check in with the PLN over time! Have another chat devoted to feedback for what's working and what needs tweaking. Having a check-in makes me accountable. #teachwriting
Domain name (your name, whatever you want that's available), some new templates. It's okay, but I stopped doing it. I wasn't seeing the value over the free version. #TeachWriting
The free WordPress has many wonderful options and excellent support. I’ll be happy with that for now. Still making some decisions as to blog title, theme #teachwriting
A7: I’d love to hear from Ts who have Ss write in math, science and other non-English classes to see what they’re doing cross-curricularly. #TeachWriting
Yes. The benefit of being the only language arts teachers for 7th and 8th in my rural district is that I get to see astronomical growth and forge strong relationships. I’ve looped for all 12 years of my career and can’t imagine it any other way.
We ask this every year. I think our biggest challenge this year was finding enough guest moderators to keep the chat interesting and to cover days when Lisa and I were not available. So that will be a focus next year. Other ideas? #TeachWriting
Working on ways to provide meaningful feedback and reflection using specific modes for students to work through. I thoroughly enjoyed this Twitter Chat. See you in the fall! #teachwriting
I did it once - moved from 7th to 8th one year, and had a lot of the same kids. Some of the best relationships I've ever had with kids. They were also my first group, so yeah. #TeachWriting
A7: I would love to have a "share one successful lesson" chat, in which participants provide examples of what works in their classroom around a specific topic (such as prewriting strategies, teaching how to proofread, digital citizenship, etc.) #teachwriting
We have an archive - I'll be sharing a link to tonight's chat archive in a little bit. Thanks so much to everyone who joined us (including those of us who were lurking!)! See y'all in the fall! Have a great summer! #TeachWriting
Thank you so much for joining us this evening! We appreciate your time! We hope that you've benefited from joining us this year, and we look forward to next year - have a great summer! #TeachWriting
