Teaching Writing

Teachers are constantly reflecting and altering their teaching to better reach and teach their students.  One of the best ways, or the BEST way, I have found to learn new methods to reach my students is by reading and following blogs!  Another tried and true way to reflect and learn new tips and tricks is through professional reading.  I have more books stacked on my nightstand, both for professional reading and personal enjoyment, then I care to admit.  Teachers want to learn and do their best, but there is not always the time.  So I often see books I must read, but have to find the time.  This week, I am finding the time!  Enter spring break!

After my first year of teaching, I felt that I was not the most effective writing teacher.  So during the summer, I read a book to help me really learn how to teach my littles to write.  It helped for the next two years I spent in first grade.  In fact, writing moved from the bottom of my list up to my new favorite subject to teach.  Then, I was laid off and called back to teach second grade.  Now that I have nearly completed my second year in second grade, I feel I have lost my writing mojo for multiple reasons.  Time is limited and it seems writing is always the first subject in my room to go.  Along with lack of time, we purchased a new reading series at my school this year, Wonders.  While I like the series, it is quite cumbersome and takes up A LOT of time during language arts.  Most of the writing students are asked to do is related to a text.  Necessary?  Absolutely.  What I want my students' to write about all the time?  Not really.

I miss having Writer's Workshop in my classroom.  I miss allowing my students' to write and tell stories or small moments.  Allowing students time to write, I believe makes them better readers, as well as better writers when it comes to writing across the content areas.  Because I am on spring break this week, I am diving into a professional book, No More "I'm Done!" Fostering Independent Writers in the Primary Grades, that I believe will be one of my new favorites.  Have you read it?  Do you have any thoughts on the book?  Do you have any tips on how to better fit writing in?  Do you use a basal and feel you have the perfect balance?  Leave me a comment below and let me know!