Comment

Comment by Andrea Ries on September 9, 2009 at 6:05pm

Megan and Brenda,
Thanks for responding. I have 4 teachers signed on so far to talk through Lucy this year. We are going to meet next week to establish some shared expectations, read and discuss the wonderful article by Mem Fox that I got from you, Brenda, and do some housekeeping-type things, like establish our meeting times and organization of topics of reading/discussion. Next meeting we will get into the first book in the series and establish some shared pedagogy about the writing pathways, curriculum connections, and management issues. I am hoping to utilize classroom writing samples brought by teachers in k, 1 and 2. That is as far as I have gotten...

Comment by Megan Murray on September 9, 2009 at 6:47am

Does this mean we should start a new group here!?!? :) A Lucy Calkins group, perhaps?

Comment by Brenda Krupp on September 8, 2009 at 7:58pm

Megan and Andrea...I have worked through them and have been using them and refinig them to meet the needs of second graders. I was a prof. dev. coach who coached writing but now am in the classroom. I'd love to join your chats.
Brenda

Comment by Megan Murray on September 8, 2009 at 6:53am

Andrea, I would love to work through the Units of Study with you on-line! :) My district bought them two years ago, but with our crazy writing program (state-wide), I feel like I use them piece meal at best ... and I just LOVE Lucy Calkins!!!

I would love to have some accountability to work through them. :)

Comment by Andrea Ries on September 7, 2009 at 8:29pm

I am new to Discover Writing and just finding my way around. I am a newish Primary IST teacher and just planning my first study group with any willing teachers to talk about writing instruction. We are going to use the Lucy Calkins Units of Study as a mentor text. I am nervous and excited. I would love some tips!

Comment by Abigail Regalado on August 16, 2009 at 10:45pm

Awesome info guys! I am getting started. Hey if you come across anything else I could use, please let me know- great thoughts though!

Comment by Peggy Stark on August 16, 2009 at 10:01pm

I teach second grade. I send home a brainstorming paper the second week of school for the parents to help their children create a list of ideas that they may want to write about during the year. The children tape this in the back of their writer's notebook. When they are lost for an idea we refer back to the sheet. We include topics like: Things I like, Things I don't like, My family, My Pets, Vacations, My Favorite Food, Holidays, etc.

Comment by Julie Koontz on August 11, 2009 at 10:08am

Hey Abigail,
Besides stocking your writing center with different paper (various sizes, booklets - a few pieces folded and stapled could work well for writing picture books); include various pens, pencils, crayons, and markers; maybe a few picture prompts and writing prompts if they're stuck for ideas; examples of different writings (brochures, comics, news articles, poetry books, picture books, student examples); and have a basket or folder for collecting any pieces, completed or not, right there at the center. I hope some of these help.

Comment by Abigail Regalado on August 7, 2009 at 12:00am

Hello to all! I am in desperate need of ideas of how to set up my writing center for third graders. Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated. We begin school in one week so anything that could be set up basic and simple please do send!