Dabble with alternatives to the traditional research paper

Have you ever considered options beyond the traditional report? Check out what four different teachers did to dabble with research writing in their classrooms.    read more...

Teach students how to omit clichés from their writing

A sign of a more sophisticated writer is one who can write with strong description, interesting similes and metaphors. Unfortunately, in an attempt to include more description and imagery, students often pull from a bank of overused, voiceless and predictable clichés.    read more...

Organizing your anchor paper collection

You know how important it is to show authentic examples of student work to your class, but keeping track of why you kept a certain piece is tricky. We've all collected piles of papers from one year, and then wondered why in the world we wanted a particular piece when we looked at it the next year.    read more...

The “+1″ of 6+1 writing

With all of the 6-traits emphasis for writing, the +1 seems to have taken a back seat to the traits. I understand why -- publishing takes so much time! Teachers shy away from having students actually publish a piece because it could take weeks.    read more...

Kid-friendly 6-traits reminders

The 6 traits aren't rocket science, and yet, when you first learn them it seems like there's a lot to keep track of, doesnt' it? Students feel the same when the 6 traits are new to them, too.    read more...

Got purple words?

What's one way to make sure students know when you love their word choice? Stroke those words with a purple highlighter!    read more...

Trait assessment for writing

If you're using the 6 traits to teach writing, are you also using the traits to assess student writing?    read more...

6-traits cheat sheet for assessment

Need a little help remembering the main points for each of the 6 traits?    read more...

Toy time in writer’s workshop

What do Slinkies, Silly Putty, and a toy train have to do with Writer's Workshop? Everything!    read more...

Managing peer conferences

Peer conferences -- teachers either love them or hate them. I talk to some teachers who hate them because the conversations get out of hand and last longer than they need to. It's hard to keep track of how long a couple of students have been talking when you're trying to mini-conference with other students.    read more...