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I’ve been doing quite a bit of thinking about literary essays lately.  The topic first came up in early May when I was consulting with a third grade teacher who I had worked with earlier in the school year.  I asked her how her year had been going and she lamented about having so many [...]

I received a question earlier this evening about what’s next in my Writing Workshop: What do you usually do next in writing workshop? I just finished persuasive writing, and this is the first time I have done it so early in the year. I am trying to figure out the next logical step. I feel like [...]

Someone once told me that an experienced teacher asks, “How are the kids doing?” rather than asking “How am I doing?” I’ve found that to be more and more true of myself as each year passes. I’m not as worried about how I’m doing… I think I know what I’m doing. I’m [...]

I’ll begin immersing my students in the literary essay genre tomorrow. I’m fortunate to have had some wonderful students last year who graciously allowed me to share their essays with future students to-come. Hence, I have quite a few literary essays copied, ready-to-go for my students to possibly use as mentor texts tomorrow. [...]

Kate mentioned that some of our students might need assistance with developing their thesis statements. Therefore, I created a graphic organizer for students to use to help them develop a meaty thesis statement. Click on the link below if you’d like to take a look. Literary Essay Thesis Statement Starters [...]

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the thesis statements my students are going to start crafting for their literary essays lately. Therefore, in addition to the graphic organizer I produced for tomorrow’s lesson, I also put together a thesis revision template/writer’s plans worksheet for my students to use on Tuesday that looks [...]

I am creating a list of writing partnerships for my students’ Literary Essay Unit of Study based on the texts they’ve selected to examine, from the packet of 11 texts I gave them, for their literary essay. Would you believe that only five of the six texts are represented from the packet?!!? I’m [...]

My students are going to be drafting while I’m out of the room doing reading assessments this-coming Thursday. Hence, I’m a little bit panicked since I don’t like being out of the room on days when kids are selecting a seed idea or when they start drafting. (I have an amazing guest teacher… [...]

1. Noticing the growth in a young writer: I conferred with one of my students today who fought with me tooth-and-nail at the beginning of the school year when it came to elaborating. Today, he had six pages-worth (double-spaced) of writing for his literary essay draft! This makes me happy. [...]

Castrillo de Murcia, Spain

Coordinates: 42 21 N 4 3 W

Population: 246 (2006 est.)

Certainly Pamplona’s running of the bulls and possibly the annual city-wide tomato fight in Buñol are well known outside of Spain, but the number of people aware of this Catholic country’s baby jumping tradition (yes, you read that right), is probably a lot smaller. (more…)

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During our common planning time today, my colleagues and I brainstormed a list of texts we’re going to have students select from for their literary essays. Many people think that kids should pick whatever book they’re reading, I’ve come to believe that having children select from a pre-selected set of short texts is better. [...]