help kids stay in touch with friends when school’s out: autograph sheet I can’t even believe it, but school’s almost out for my kids. Though I’m totally psyched to begin our Smart Summer Challenge this …Read morehelp kids stay in touch with friends when school’s out: autograph sheet
how to make poetry ROCK for kids (start now — it’s national poetry month!) Did you know that April is National Poetry Month? It is. What does that even mean? It means that this month is all about celebrating …Read morehow to make poetry ROCK for kids (start now — it’s national poetry month!)
how to make an at-home writing center Writing centers are something that I first created for my kids years and years and years ago. Though the format has changed slightly (we no longer …Read morehow to make an at-home writing center
hear poems read by poets: 4 free, fab resources I’ve been chatting up poetry all month long, since April is National Poetry Month. I’ve hit you with a few ways to make poetry rock for …Read morehear poems read by poets: 4 free, fab resources
7 ways to get kids writing (and cool writing prompts for kids!) Friends. It’s summer, and if your kids are anything like mine, they want to be outside and they want to be at the pool. Or, okay. …Read more7 ways to get kids writing (and cool writing prompts for kids!)
fun, authentic writing for kids: power notes to nana Oh, boy the last few weeks have been funny for us. And by ‘funny’ I mean not really laughing funny but funny in a tricky kind …Read morefun, authentic writing for kids: power notes to nana
how to teach summary writing: the 1-hand summary Summaries are difficult. Writing summaries, oral summaries–it doesn’t matter. Both? Difficult. No matter the student’s age, the …Read morehow to teach summary writing: the 1-hand summary
first steps to writing: teaching grip to first letters and words I just shared a cool series over at the Scholastic Parents Raise a Reader blog, and I think it will be of interest to many parents. It’s all …Read morefirst steps to writing: teaching grip to first letters and words
turn your kids into grammar sharks: national grammar day I have been as sick as a dog–sick as a dawwwwg— for the past few days, but today I had a little spring in my step because it was National …Read moreturn your kids into grammar sharks: national grammar day
celebrate creativity: PBS Kids writers contest for K-3 One of the greatest ways to get kids invested and interested in writing is to give them authentic reasons to write. When I was teaching high …Read morecelebrate creativity: PBS Kids writers contest for K-3
kid-happy, pet-inspired poetry writing: haiku and cinquain We’ve been dumped on. Big time. Tons of snow has kept us indoors for the last few days, save from the few …Read morekid-happy, pet-inspired poetry writing: haiku and cinquain
pet poetry contest: calling all creative kids! As a longtime friend of PAL, Pets Add Life, I’m happy to share news about a cool opportunity for our students, …Read morepet poetry contest: calling all creative kids!
teaching left handed kids to write: grasp, stages, positioning The following guest post is written by Christie Kiley. Christie has the job I find amazing and awe-inspiring: an Occupational …Read moreteaching left handed kids to write: grasp, stages, positioning
getting kids to stop, observe and write Our Everyday Journal cards have proven to be a really incredible—and sneaky—way of getting the kids focused and thinking in a way that I’m not sure …Read moregetting kids to stop, observe and write
chalk paint graffiti: a happy welcome home Last summer, Maddy came home from an overnight at her Aunt Mary’s house dancing and singing about how Aunt Mary taught her to use …Read morechalk paint graffiti: a happy welcome home
creative writing for kids: photo conversations Getting kids to write–especially in the summertime–is not an easy task. Granted, for some kiddos, writing is their thing. They journal, …Read morecreative writing for kids: photo conversations
everyday journals: creative, thoughtful daily activities for kids This week, we officially began our Smart Summer 2012, a summer filled with fun learning, focused and free days, and a whole lot of …Read moreeveryday journals: creative, thoughtful daily activities for kids
learning with pet poetry (& fun giveaway!) We love our pooch, we really do. Sure, sometimes I say things to him that I wish I didn’t. No, Maddy, I promise we’ll never give …Read morelearning with pet poetry (& fun giveaway!)
best of teach mama countdown: #2 — spelling words Yay! We’re getting down to the wire with this teach mama top 10 all-time best countdown! This post is one that I have shared probably more …Read morebest of teach mama countdown: #2 — spelling words
best of teach mama countdown: #5 — letters b and d I love it when I find a resource that really, truly helps my kids. And PBS has provided me with so many ways to support my children’s …Read morebest of teach mama countdown: #5 — letters b and d