A short belief statement inspired by Daniel Pennac.

The first day of Kindergarten = First day being writers = First name written on our author’s chair!

Yay, Kindergarten!

I love any chance to chat about writing with passionate educators. Thanks for having me on the podcast, Melissa! open.spotify.com/episode/0Ehy...

Have you joined our Two Writing Teachers Facebook Group yet? Come on in to participate in conversations and ask your questions. We are stronger together! www.facebook.com/share/g/15pw...

Come on in to participate in conversations and ask your questions. We are stronger together! www.facebook.com/share/g/15pw...

Identity influences whether we engage with writing or not. Spending time on routines early in the year to help students develop a unique writing process and build a writerly identity pays off! Learn actionable steps to try this year, no matter your curricular resource.

I played today- AND I wrote today! Thanks to the great Tracy Brosch and Diana Hammond for the research-based and fun ideas for play-based and place-based writing today at the Love & Literacy Conference.

I enjoyed sharing mentor text protocols and strategies for independence today with Sarah Valter at the Love and Literacy Conference. @litcoachvalter.bsky.social

Some inspiration from Donalyn Miller @donalynbooks.bsky.social at the Love & Literacy Conference in St. Louis, MO.

@litcoachvalter.bsky.social kicking things off at the Love and Literacy Conference!

Finished!✅ “Leadership in Teaching Writing” Summer Institute with the Gateway Writing Project through UMSL

This summer, your favorite St. Louis area professional learning organizations are joining forces to host Love & Literacy: a conference for educators in grades K-16 on July 22nd & 23rd, 2025. events.humanitix.com/love-and-lit...

This summer, your favorite St. Louis area professional learning organizations are joining forces to host Love & Literacy: a conference for educators in grades K-16 on July 22nd & 23rd, 2025. events.humanitix.com/love-and-lit...

Grandma’s Marathon Reflection: Not As Planned Come along with me for a marathon that didn’t go the way I hoped or planned.

Class Views: For today’s meeting of the Gateway Writing Project’s Summer Institute, class today is at the Missouri Botanical Garden for some Place-Based Writing.

Yesterday, I created a timeline of my writing life.

A big crowd of teachers who write at NCTE/NCTM Joint Conference in Chicago! I loved presenting with @litcoachvalter.bsky.social and @lainlev.bsky.social.

Loved sharing ideas and inspiration with a great, engaged audience! #LITMATH25

We are presenting at 4:15pm on Monday, June 16th in Chicago at the NCTE/NCTM Joint Conference. Come see us! @litcoachvalter.bsky.social @lainlev.bsky.social

I wanna see more classroom teachers delivering keynotes, facilitating workshops, and given space and larger platforms to talk about what’s working/not working with students in this moment. Too many educator conferences, not nearly enough current teacher voices and experiences.

After one week of immersion and introducing fantasy writing to my students, I've come to this conclusion: Fantasy writing is HARD! Luckily, Carl Anderson's new book, "Teaching Fantasy Writing," has helped me set students up for success.

After one week of immersion and introducing fantasy writing to my students, I've come to this conclusion: Fantasy writing is HARD! Luckily, Carl Anderson's new book, "Teaching Fantasy Writing," has helped me set students up for success.

Looking forward to sharing some writing tips in Chicago this summer with some of my @twowritingteachers.bsky.social co-authors! @leahthomaswrites.bsky.social

What happens when you invite caregivers to write alongside second graders? Joy, vulnerability, and a powerful shift in perspective.

"Eeeeeeeee!!!!" It's 8:25AM, the morning bell just rang, and I'm greeted by a loud shriek down the hallway.

Reflecting on my third SOLSC experience.

Bamboo Raft Ride: Thai Travels After our elephant encounter, we drove further into the jungle. We stepped out of the car to the sound of a rushing, bubbling river, ready for a forty minute "raft" ride down the river. "Uhhhh..." I said when I saw the "raft." Now, I'm not sure what I was expecting.…

A Loud Friday Today was FULL of energy. What was it? The warm spring air? The heavy winds? A Friday after spring break? Whatever it was, these kids were on one today. Every Friday, we play a “Fun Friday Game.” It’s just that- fun. There’s no official instructional purpose. Today, we played Rock,…

I attempt a new tool to help students reflect on their engagement.

Haiku Haven’t done a haiku yet this month. My favorite easy-out! It’s trivia night. We learn how little we know. Third place, but full hearts.

Sitting on the swings with a brilliant kid.

More inspiration from ALVD has me thinking about my own quirks.

Elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand A magical time visiting an elephant sanctuary.

Post your link, then take some time to comment on student slices today!

Nerding out over data and reflecting.

Road Trip Woes

What if your students could see their stories come to life with just a few clicks? That’s exactly what happened when I introduced AI-generated images to my second-grade writers.

Trying my hand at another poem today.

Something Special Just For Me “Oh my gosh,” I said. “This is incredible.” I grinned at my husband. Maniacally. Eyes glittering, hands flapping. “What!?” He asked frantically. He was a bit excited. Confused. Concerned. “I….. made…..” I drew the moment out as long as possible. I moved slowly towards…

Teachers are so generous & openhearted. I am happy to have found a new writing teacher to learn from today. 💙 #TeachingWriting #Writing #Poetry #WritingPoetry #ELA #SecondGrade #NationalPoetryMonth

A quick goodreads review before bed A Gentleman in Moscow: I loved every bit of this! The characters, the wit, the language, the vocabulary, the setting, the Russian Revolutionary history, the culture…I smiled throughout most of the book, and many chapters had a part that made me pause, reread,…

Trying some poetry inspired by a mentor text.

Cruising through the back canals of Bangkok.

Swapping Embarrassing Stories My friend and I were sitting at the post-run hangout at Heavy Riff. For some reason, we got on the topic. One story always sticks out in my head as the most embarrassing moment of my life. I was planning to type it in this slice, yet now I can’t bring myself to!…

A sentence that made me stop, reread, and enjoy.

All We Do in Second Grade As I perused my Wordpress drafts, looking for inspiration, I found this post saved from last year: The author states, “1st Grade is not what you remember. It’s some serious business.” When people think I fingerpaint and play with glitter all day… this is what I wish I…

My husband and I visited Wat Pho, also known as the Reclining Buddha Temple, on the second day of our honeymoon.

Day 9 of the March SOLSC #SOL25: Classroom Challenge Sunday! Welcome to Day 9 of the March Challenge. Today is also our first Classroom Challenge Sunday! Share some comment love with young writers today.

Can I recognize every student in my class by voice? Today, I decided to try a challenge I've seen floating around the internet