Holly Britton, a handwriting instructional specialist, talks about this and so much more in this informative episode.

About Holly Britton:

The Squiggle Squad’s program designer, Holly Britton, M.Ed., is a curriculum and instruction specialist with teaching experience in all grades K-8. She is an author and conference speaker and a former home educator of four now-adult children. Holly brings over 22 years of private and public educational experience to this program. Holly relishes time with her friends and family including her horse, Shasta.

www.squigglesquad.com

Linkedin

Substack

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Struggling writers? Struggling teacher?

I find it helpful to know and remember that often times the little details are what also make a huge impact on your student writers.

This episode shares examples of those small practices and hopefully helps to spark even more ideas for you to implement.

Listen in to hear about writing tips such as:

• including your writers
• positive energy
• student collaboration
• and more!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

In this episode, Leah Mermelstein helps us sort through one of the biggest issues of teaching writing. We hear and learn about so many different practices, many of which seem to be in opposition, but knowing we don't always need to choose one over the other, it opens us up to a more effective way of teaching writing.

Hear all about:

1. Tried and True curriculum practices
2. Accepting paradoxical thinking
3. The importance of studying students' writing
4. Leah's core beliefs

About Leah:

Leah Mermelstein is a literacy thought leader, published author, and expert in writing, reading, and language development. She partners with educators, tutors children, and supports families in fostering literacy growth at school and at home.

For over 30 years, Leah has delivered professional development nationally and internationally, translating literacy research into effective classroom practice and curriculum. She helps educators and families connect the learning dots so students can reach their full potential.

Leah holds a Master’s in Cultural Diversity and Curriculum Reform and a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is trained in the Science of Reading and Sounds-Write and holds a supervisory license from Rowan University. She has authored five instructional books on reading and writing

Leah's Website

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

You want to help your writers, but often the more help you provide, the more you inhibit their learning. This can happen even more so with struggling writers.

Listen in to hear how to provide support that truly helps!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Ana shares her journey of being an author and what is most important to her as a writer AND teacher of writers!

We talk all about:

-collaboration between writers

-writing needing to be FUN

-not being great the first draft

-ways for writers to be inspired

-the effectiveness of peer critique and how to get it started

Ana provides practical and effective ways to support the writers in your classroom!

ABOUT ANA SIQUEIRA:

Ana Siqueira is a Spanish-language teacher and an award-winning children’s book author based in Tampa, Florida. Her books include Bella’s Recipe for Success (Beaming Books 2021), If Your Babysitter is a Bruja (S&S 2022), Abuela’s Super Capa/ La Supercapa de Abuela (HarperCollins 2023), Our World Brazil (Barefoot Books 2023), La Mala Suerte is Following Me (Charlesbridge 2024), Vera la Valiente is Scared (Beaming Books 2025), Sticky Hermana (Charlesbridge 2025), Mami’s Heart (HarperCollins 2026), If Your Abuelo is an Astronaut (Simon&Schuster 2026) among others. She also has a chapter book series coming out titled Carolina and the Creepy Creature Catchers. Ana co-founded Latinxpitch, a pitch event to promote Latin authors and illustrators. She is a global educator and PBS Media innovator. She lives in Tampa Bay with her husband and loves to play with her Cuban-Brazilian-American grandkids.

Website: Ana Siqueira – Ana – The Teacher and the Writer

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This is how we truly grow our elementary and middle school writers!

What we say shows so much to ourselves and our writers about what we value.

We want our writers to know that we value them and what they do as writers!

What we say also forms what we think. Focusing our language on the writer will help you to focus your instruction on them as well!

If we want to grow our students to be successful writers, we must make this change in our writing instruction.

Grab the free resource mentioned in the episode HERE

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

If you have writers struggling to write or to grow as writers, Ralph shares several ideas for moving writers from reluctant to engaged and thriving.

Listen in to hear:

1. How more freedom helps reluctant writers more than increased structure
2. The case for writing for pleasure
3. Why differences in writing are a good thing
4. The keys to a great writing conference

About Ralph Fletcher:

Ralph Fletcher has been a mentor to teachers and young writers everywhere. He has helped hundreds of thousands of teachers understand the importance of letting go and trusting their writers. Ralph's professional books are part of this tradition.

Ralph frequently works with young writers in schools, and speaks at education conferences in the U.S. and abroad, helping teachers find wiser ways of teaching writing. Ralph is the beloved author of many bestselling teacher professional books and resources including:

1. Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide
2. What a Writer Needs, Second Edition
3. Mentor Author, Mentor Texts
4. Craft Lessons
5. Breathing In, Breathing Out
6. Teaching the Qualities of Writing
7. Lessons for the Writer's Notebook

Students know Ralph as the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults, including Fig Pudding, Twilight Comes Twice, The Writer’s Notebook, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid, and most recently Marshfield Memories: More Stories About Growing Up.

www.ralphfletcherbooks.com

Ralph Fletcher's newest book: Tapping the Writer Within (coming February 2026)

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

The one and only author and writing expert Ralph Fletcher joins us in this episode to share his beliefs on all things writing and writing instruction.

In this first part of our discussion, Ralph shares many insightful ideas that help us support our students as writers. A few topics:

1. Benefits of teachers as writers
2. Importance of a writing community
3. Choice
4. Learning by writing
5. Why writers need to feel like writers

There is so much to learn from this conversation about setting a foundation for writers that builds on writer's identity, community and the practice of writing. Every K-8 writing teacher will benefit!

About Ralph Fletcher:

Ralph Fletcher has been a mentor to teachers and young writers everywhere. He has helped hundreds of thousands of teachers understand the importance of letting go and trusting their writers. Ralph's professional books are part of this tradition.

Ralph frequently works with young writers in schools, and speaks at education conferences in the U.S. and abroad, helping teachers find wiser ways of teaching writing. Ralph is the beloved author of many bestselling teacher professional books and resources including:

1. Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide
2. What a Writer Needs, Second Edition
3. Mentor Author, Mentor Texts
4. Craft Lessons
5. Breathing In, Breathing Out
6. Teaching the Qualities of Writing
7. Lessons for the Writer's Notebook

Students know Ralph as the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults, including Fig Pudding, Twilight Comes Twice, The Writer’s Notebook, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid, and most recently Marshfield Memories: More Stories About Growing Up.

www.ralphfletcherbooks.com

Ralph Fletcher's newest book: Tapping the Writer Within (coming February 2026)

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode will provide practices for:

1. Observing writers and gathering information
2. Assessing based on whole-class and individual needs
3. Deciding next steps

When combined with the ideas shared in previous episodes from this series, these practices will help solidify independent writing time for your students and help you to support students at a deeper level.

If you are looking for ways to make writing time more engaging and productive, to support struggling writers, or to help writers grow, this is for you!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode tackles what to do when:

1. writers are lacking engagement
2. there are just too many papers
3. writers are lacking independence

If you have implemented independent writing time in your classroom or are thinking of starting, this episode will help!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Pat shares a multitude of thoughts and ideas about teaching writing effectively by lifting up students as writers. Pat also helps us to look at the Writing Rope by Joan Sedita with a new lens as she provides her insights on its structure and components, helping us to stay mindful and critical of the resources made available to us.

Another enlightening and helpful conversation with an expert in the field of literacy!

About Patricia Pollack:

Pat Pollack has been in education for over 40 years as a classroom teacher, Principal, Curriculum Director, Literacy Consultant and Partnerships Director. With degrees in Elementary Education, Literacy/Reading, Educational Administration, and Psychology, Pat's content knowledge and experiences have invited her to passionately advocate for student agency and learning, alongside her quest to empower teachers to believe in their abilities to inspire students as readers, writers and thinkers. A national presenter, and content writer of curriculum resources and professional books, Pat continues to partner with school districts to support their visions for developing thoughtful, independent and collaborative communicators, learners and citizens.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this episode, Melissa shares a variety of lessons for all grade levels that will help writers to build their independence during writing time.

Melissa also give advice on using this time for honoring writers as they are and learning more about their strengths and needs before worrying about the product of their work.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Kate and Maggie share the importance of teachers engaging in their own writing, finding mentors, and utilizing professional texts.

Techniques such as using a writer's notebook and focusing on foundational writing skills are explored.

As soon as you hear from Maggie about 'Foundational Skills for Writing' you will be ready to push that "pre-order" button!

About Kate and Maggie:

Kate and Maggie began their teaching careers as middle school teachers in city centers — Kate in Brooklyn, Maggie in Chicago. They both felt a natural fit in the energy, intensity and humor of early adolescence. After their graduate education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Kate and Maggie became literacy consultants and worked with teachers in classrooms all over the country.

For the last fifteen years, Kate and Maggie have worked across elementary, middle school, and high school grades, focusing on skill and strategy-based literacy instruction, literacy across the content areas, differentiated teaching methods, and optimizing teaching schedules and structures.

Over time, Kate and Maggie have become known for their concrete solutions to tough situations, their humor, and their strong curricular, pedagogical and personal support of teachers, administrators, and students. These strengths shine through during their presentations and social media presence, such as on their blog, Instagram and TikTok accounts, and their video series for their latest book together, DIY Literacy.

Books:

The Heart of Non-fiction by Kate Roberts

Foundational Skills for Writing: A Brain-Based Guide to Strengthen Executive Functions, Language and Other Cornerstones for Writers

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

We discuss the biggest needs of the young writers in classrooms today including a balanced approach to writing that includes both fun, creative low-stakes writing and rigorous skill-building.

We also explore the importance of choice, authenticity, and emotional engagement in the writing process, and offer practical advice on how to integrate these elements into the classroom. You will hear about the significance of daily writing practice and the role of executive functions in writing.

For teachers seeking to boost student writing engagement and build confident young writers, this episode is a treasure trove of valuable insights and strategies.

About Kate and Maggie:

Kate and Maggie began their teaching careers as middle school teachers in city centers — Kate in Brooklyn, Maggie in Chicago. They both felt a natural fit in the energy, intensity and humor of early adolescence. After their graduate education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, Kate and Maggie became literacy consultants and worked with teachers in classrooms all over the country.

For the last fifteen years, Kate and Maggie have worked across elementary, middle school, and high school grades, focusing on skill and strategy-based literacy instruction, literacy across the content areas, differentiated teaching methods, and optimizing teaching schedules and structures.

Over time, Kate and Maggie have become known for their concrete solutions to tough situations, their humor, and their strong curricular, pedagogical and personal support of teachers, administrators, and students. These strengths shine through during their presentations and social media presence, such as on their blog, Instagram and TikTok accounts, and their video series for their latest book together, DIY Literacy.

Books:

The Heart of Non-fiction by Kate Roberts

Foundational Skills for Writing: A Brain-Based Guide to Strengthen Executive Functions, Language and Other Cornerstones for Writers

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

I wasn't a writer myself and certainly had not had any training in writing or how to teach writing. So, when I sat next to my little ones and read over their pieces, I felt like I didn't know how to help them.

The truth was, I knew so many things about writing that would have been exactly what my students needed to hear! Not only that, but I was able to learn FROM them as they showed me what THEY did as writers.

In the years that followed, I also learned from many resources along the way.

Listen in to hear more of what you already know and a few of the tools that have helped me become an even better teacher of writing.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

It can seem overwhelming and almost impossible to allow students to write on their own, but you can do it and so can they!

This first episode in the series goes over my definition of independent writing AND shares how to jump in and get started including:

• supplies (not many!)
• ways to introduce to students
• what to expect the first few days
• how to keep writers going

I'd love to hear your thoughts and questions on this topic so reach out with a message (it can be anonymous!) Check below!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode shares my top tips for making writing time the best for your students.

Time stealers:

• Too much teacher talk
• Too much student talk
• Lack of writer independence
• Keeping writers all together
• Editing for your writers

I hope you will choose one writing instruction time-saving strategy to level up your writing time!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Both share their experiences and strategies for making writing an effective an enjoyable activity for both teachers and students.

The discussion includes:

• personal journeys as writers
• the significance of collaboration
• the importance of creating a safe and encouraging environment for student writers.

Irene and Charles highlight their upcoming book 'For the Win,' which focuses on contemporary athletes and pivotal moments in their careers.

This episode is a valuable resource for teachers seeking to inspire and improve their writing instruction methods.

Books mentioned:

Dictionary for a Better World

Can I Touch Your Hair?

For the Win

About Irene Latham:

Irene Latham is the author of many books for children, including novels, poetry, and picture books. Winner of the 2016 ILA Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award, she writes poetry inspired by nature, art, and the experience of being human. Together with Charles Waters, she's written Dictionary for a Better World and Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship, which was named a Charlotte Huck Honor book and a Kirkus Best Book of 2018. Irene lives on a lake in Alabama where she does her best to "live her poem" every single day by laughing, playing the cello, and birdwatching. Read more about Irene on her website.

About Charles Waters:

Charles Waters is an author, children's poet, anthologist, actor and educator. His book Mascot (co-written with Traci Sorell) won many awards including the the American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor and the Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor. His books (co-written with Irene Latham) include: Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship; Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes and Anecdotes from A–Z; African Town; winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction; Be a Bridge; and the anthologies The Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty Poets and If I Could Choose A Best Day: Poems of Possibility.

He believes poetry for young people is one of the world's greatest inventions alongside the creation of fire, the wheel and various breakfast foods.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

But isn't that only preventing them from making progress as writers?

In this episode, I discuss the importance of placing your focus on the writer, not the product by allowing students to experience productive struggles in their writing journey and have the opportunity and room to grow instead of being boxed in to a small area of perfection.

If you are an elementary teacher or middle school teacher wondering why your struggling writer isn't growing, this may be the episode for you!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

In this episode, we take a fresh look at teaching grammar and punctuation and the expectations we have for our writers.

You will hear:

• the idea of viewing grammar as a craft
• including grammar instruction in reading and writing
• connecting grammar and mechanics instruction to authentic writing
• ways to help students "edit" throughout the drafting process

Previous Episodes on Grammar and Editing:

Episode 105 with Patty McGee

Episode 50 and 51

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

The subjective nature of evaluating writing makes it difficult to be sure you have done so "correctly" for your students. It is also cumbersome to consider grading entire pieces from so many students.

In this episode, I share ideas and strategies for grading that will help you to feel more effective and efficient.

Included:

• How to focus your grading
• Aligning grading with learning objectives
• Making grading more manageable
• A favorite writing resource

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

Language composition is the way students use language when reading books they have written, reading published books they are not yet decoding, and taking part in activities such as dramatic play.

Matt Glover and Kathy Collins have been studying language composition in order to support teachers to:

• notice and name how young children are composing language
• identify next steps for students in composing language
• use oral rehearsal in upper grades

In this episode, Matt Glover provides insight into the development of language composition and how the way students use language in one area can help them in others. He also shares about the resources found on his website that support teachers in assessing students' language composition.

'If you have young struggling writers or are looking for support with teaching writing, this is an episode for you!

Read more a languagecomp.com

Matt Glover Bio

With over 30 years of experience as a teacher, principal, author, and consultant, Matt Glover is an internationally recognized literacy consultant who speaks widely on nurturing writers, early reading, and children’s intellectual development.

His newest book, How to Become a Better Writing Teacher, is coauthored with Carl Anderson. Other works include Craft and Process Studies, I Am Reading (with Kathy Collins), Engaging Young Writers, Projecting Possibilities for Writers (with Mary Alice Berry), and Already Ready (with Katie Wood Ray). Matt also coedited The Teacher You Want to Be with Ellin Keene.

Matt has four adult children and lives outside Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Bridget, and their dog.

***

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

So yes, this episode is all about paper!

We will explore:

• how paper makes writing more authentic
• the benefits of writers making "picture books"
• how paper choices communicate importance and expectations
• getting started with more authentic paper choices

This simple change will make a HUGE impact on writing in your classroom!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

As a teacher, Christine noticed a need for more representation of all students in the books they read, which is what fueled her motivation to create her book, Elephant Beach.

In our conversation, Christine talks about her experience as an author which provides many insights for teachers who are working to support their writers. As a teacher, author and parent, Christine shares ideas that will encourage young writers, allowing for creativity and authenticity in the writing classroom.

Christine provides thoughts on teaching writing that will be of help for all!

Here are a few of the highlights from our conversation:

• Creativity fueled by a need
• The importance of a writing community
• The writing process for authors and students

You can find Christine's book and upcoming items on her website

About Christine Devane:

Christine Devane was a second grade teacher for thirteen years and enjoyed reading with her students. She currently lives in Massachusetts with her husband John; three children Joey, Nick, and Adeline; and their dog Sophie. Christine loves going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and collecting lucky elephants.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

As the data conversation continues, I share more in this episode about:

• How data adjust goals for writers
• How data informs your instructional choices
• Simple ways to choose data points and collect data

If you want to teach writing more effectively, engage students in writing, manage writer's workshop and help struggling writers, formative data is where it's at!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Writing Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo (The Hierarchy of Writing Goals)

Writefully Empowered by Jacob Chastain

Data Collection Template (This can be copied and then edited as needed-use your chosen writing categories)

Previous Correlated Episodes:

Ep 84 Writing Conferring Series: Writer's Inquiry Conference

Ep 83 Writing Strategies Series: Engagement

Ep 44 and 45 All Things Writing with Jacob Chastain

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

It is difficult to support struggling writers or even know what to teach for writing if you don't know enough about your writers.

The right formative data will help you plan instruction that supports progress!

In this episode, I share:

• The importance of formative data
• Three writing categories for data collection
• Four ways to gather data
• Collecting data on identity and engagement

After this episode you'll be ready for Part 2 where I go over choosing a data focus and a simple way to record data.

The more focused your instruction, the more writing engagement your students will have, the more confident you will feel in your writing classroom!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

The same is true for us as teachers of writers! We need to teach, not tell by addressing their needs and showing them how to do what we want them to do.

Struggling writers will just keep struggling if all we do is have them keep trying to write without specific instruction.

The trouble is that most teachers are not trained in teaching writing and have difficulty knowing what strategies to teach. (I've been there!)

In this episode, I share techniques and several resources to help you:

• Know where your writers are
• Compile strategies for lessons
• Move writers forward

Here is a list of helpful resources:

The Writing Strategies Book-Jennifer Serravallo

Craft Lessons (several)- Ralph Fletcher

Making Non-fiction from Scratch- Ralph Fletcher

Craft and Process Studies- Matt Glover

Projecting Possibilities for Writers- Matt Glover

If...Then Curriculum: Assessment Based Instruction- Lucy Calkins

Writing Pathways-Lucy Calking

Language Composition Framework-www.languagecomp.com

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

Why you have struggling writers? Why your writers aren't showing growth? Why your writers aren't engaged in writing?

Perhaps they need MORE of something.

In this episode, I share three main "mores" that writers need in order to be successful, and a few additional "mores" that are just as important.

The first more is one I'm sure you have heard before...more time to write! The rest...listen in to hear all about them!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this episode, I discuss lessons cultivated from a multitude of resources combined with years of experience working with writers and with teachers who are new to writer's workshop.

Ideas for lessons will be provided that will help with:

• How to introduce writing to your students
• Ways to support struggling writers
• The reality of being a writer (it's not like most classrooms!)
• Working through writer's problems

You will also hear how important it is to trust that YOU can identify lessons that will support your writers by observing and knowing more about them.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

As you start a new year with a new group of writers, you will want to make writing meaningful for each of them because engaged writers become successful writers!

In this episode I share a few ideas for helping students make connections with writing by offering a variety of entry points as well as helping them to feel ready to write.

Resources mentioned:

Two Writing Teachers: Friendly Letter Writing and Authentic Purposes for Writing

Student Writing Samples

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

ABSOLUTELY!!! So many good things in this episode with the wonderful Leah Thomas!

-Building writing 'empathy' by being a teacher writer

-Allowing writers to be self-directed, making decisions and choices

-Leah's journey as a teacher of writing

-The importance of unpacking standards for writing

If you are looking for best practices for teaching writing or ways to boost student writing engagement, do not miss this episode!!

About Leah Thomas:

Leah (Koch) Thomas is a Kindergarten teacher who has also taught second grade in St. Louis, MO. She holds a B.A. from Graceland University in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Reading and an MSEd from Missouri State University in Elementary Education with a Literacy Certificate. She credits the TCRWP Summer institutes with helping to form her literacy philosophy and love for the workshop model. 

Leah is passionate about honoring student voice and identity through writing. She believes that for children to see themselves as writers, they deserve trust and autonomy to learn more about themselves and their writing process. If students can identify as authors, the motivation, skills, and craft will follow!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Make it Exciting and Meaningful

Build Community

Learn from Your Writers

You will hear how to set a strong foundation for writing from the beginning with techniques such as:

• Sharing "real-world" writing for students
• Creating a safe and positive environment
• Being a part of the writing community
• "Kid-watching" during writing time
• Encouraging risk-taking and trying new things
• and more!

There are several episodes that go along with this one:

#73, 84, 85, 87, 109, and 114

Also mentioned in the episode:

Kindness Speech by 10 year old girl

D. Smith's Inspiring Message

www.k12.thoughtfullearning.com

www.youngwritersmagazine.com

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

As a reader of the Two Writing Teachers Blog for many years and a fan of Melanie's books, it was wonderful to get to talk with her all about writing!

I know you will find inspiration hearing Melanie speak of:

• her writing belief statement
• the importance of teachers as writers
• thoughts on templates and GOs
• the recursive nature of the writing process
• balancing foundational skills with the creativeness of writing
• and so much more!

Don't miss out on this fabulous episode! And-be on the lookout for Melanie's new book with co-author Maggie Roberts in Spring 2026

About Melanie Meehan:

Melanie Meehan is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator in Simsbury, CT, and is passionate about developing young writers, as well as human beings with curiosity, empathy, and responsibility for the world. Melanie was a member of the writing team for the Connecticut Social Studies Frameworks, and is passionate about equity and social justice. She slices at Just Write, Melanie. Melanie has written three professional books. Every Child Can Write: Entry Points, Bridges and Pathways for Striving Writers, was published in October 2019 by Corwin Press. The Responsive Writing Teacher: A Hands-on Guide to Child-Centered, Equitable Instruction, co-written with Kelsey Sorum, was published in February 2021, and Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Writing is her most recent book, published in April 2022.

Melanie holds a B.A from Cornell University, a Masters in Special Education from the University of Hartford, and her Sixth Year in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. Additionally, she has an MFA in Creative Writing from the Solstice Low-Residency Creative Writing Program of Pine Manor College. She has published articles in Highlights Magazine, and won the 2016 Tassy-Walden Award for New Voices in Children’s Literature. You can find her on X @MelanieMeehan1.

In this episode:

Steve Graham, Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

The transformation that occurred for all three of these fabulous teachers as well as their students was incredible!

Listen in to hear about:

• Huge wins in a short amount of time
• Increased teacher confidence with teaching writing
• How students' engagement and idea generation increased
• Growth in kindergarten writing skills with little instruction

I know this episode will persuade you to implement authentic independent writing time!

***Important NEWS! This will be the last episode before a short summer break! I will return in mid-late August.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

You will hear Carl's thoughts on:

• writing your own mentor text-Do not be afraid!
• the importance of showing how writers navigate writing
• writing in front of students (modeled writing)
• the "elevator pitch" and how it helps students and teachers

A quote from Carl: "When kids are highly engaged, it makes our work with kids really enjoyable and much more interesting and just a lot more fun for everybody and joyful."

I could not agree more!!

About Carl Anderson:

Carl Anderson is an internationally recognized expert in the teaching of writing for grades K-8. He works as a consultant in schools and districts around the world. Carl is the author of numerous books on teaching writing, including the new A Teacher’s Guide to Mentor Texts K-5, A Teacher’s Guide to Writing Conferences, the best-selling How’s It Going? A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers, Assessing Writers, and Strategic Writing Conferences: Smart Conversations that Move Young Writers Forward. The fall of 2023 will see the publication of his next book, co-authored with Matt Glover, How to Become a Better Writing Teacher.

You can follow Carl on Twitter at @conferringcarl and on Instagram, carlandersonconferring. You can contact him at carlanderson1@mac.com

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This book is a MUST-HAVE for teachers and hearing Carl's insights on the book as well as his passion for the fantasy genre for students is palpable!

In the episode you will hear about:

• The bias against fantasy writing
• This genre's profound impact on student engagement and creativity
• The benefits of fantasy writing for students
• Developmental benefits and pedagogical strategies for incorporating fantasy writing into the curriculum,

This is just the first half of this interesting and exciting conversation so don't miss out and stay tuned for Part 2!

About Carl Anderson: Carl Anderson is an internationally recognized expert in the teaching of writing for grades K-8. He works as a consultant in schools and districts around the world. Carl is the author of numerous books on teaching writing, including the new A Teacher’s Guide to Mentor Texts K-5, A Teacher’s Guide to Writing Conferences, the best-selling How’s It Going? A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers, Assessing Writers, and Strategic Writing Conferences: Smart Conversations that Move Young Writers Forward. The fall of 2023 will see the publication of his next book, co-authored with Matt Glover, How to Become a Better Writing Teacher.

 Carl began his career in education as a teacher in elementary and middle schools in the Bronx, New York, Bardstown, Kentucky, and Northbrook, Illinois. Today, he is known for his conference keynotes, PD workshops, and in-school residencies.

 Carl is also known for being an avid fan of the Beatles and Bob Dylan, as well as his lifelong passion for sailing. He lives with his wife Robin in Brooklyn, New York, and is thrilled when their adult children visit them.

 You can follow Carl on Twitter at @conferringcarl and on Instagram, carlandersonconferring. You can contact him at carlanderson1@mac.com

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

After telling a bit about the history of the workshop model, I share what I feel are a few of the possible reasons for these misconceptions and advocate (again) for the method I love so much: the one that not only engages writers but improves student writing.

The episode will touch on:

• The educators who were the impetus for the workshop model in elementary, intermediate, and high school classrooms
• Misconceptions of the workshop model: Lack of instruction, Lack of grammar, Workshop being the only way
• Prominent educators and authors of the workshop model

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic and all that I shared:)

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Listen in to hear about:

-the importance of supporting students with SEL

-including a variety of aspects for helping students with writing

-Zeba's Caring Critters book series!

You can find Zeba -

On her Podcast-Kindergarten Cafe

On Instagram @kindergartencafe

On her website-www.kindergartencafe.org

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

In this episode you will hear about teachers and students from three different grade levels and how they are progressing with implementing student choice, multiple drafts and more. Our coaching work consists of one day of training and 4 days of coaching within 5 weeks, and this episode covers the first half of our time together.

I will share:

-What writing time looked like in each classroom before our work together

-topics we discussed during our training

-steps to include in implementation

-wins and progress of students and teachers

I hope you enjoy hearing all about the fabulous work of these amazing teachers and students!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this episode, Katherine Hamilton from Ensemble Learning discusses mindsets and strategies that are able to be implemented without lengthy preparation and will generalize across other areas of instruction.

Katherine shares insights into:

-fostering a supportive and culturally rich classroom environment

-using scaffolds and visual aids

-and leveraging students' native languages to build their confidence and academic English skills

The conversation also covers techniques for structured student talk and the importance of assessing students' prior knowledge.

This episode will be extremely helpful for all grade levels!

For more information from Ensemble learning, visit http://www.ensemblelearning.org

About Katherine Hamilton:

Katherine Hamilton (she/her) is the Vice President of Programs at Ensemble Learning, overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of all programmatic activities. With nearly 15 years of experience in K-12 education, Katherine specializes in supporting leaders and teachers to create inclusive and equitable learning environments through instructional leadership. Katherine holds a Master’s degree in education with an emphasis in math education from Stanford University and a BA in economics from Yale University. She has also been a secondary mathematics teacher, an instructional coach, and a Director of Curriculum and Instruction at a public school network in Los Angeles. At Ensemble, she has led the implementation of two successful Department of Education grants focusing on leadership for multilingual learner equity and the implementation of high-quality dual language programming.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

To me, it signals that providing students "freedom" to choose their own topics, make mistakes, right without what is considered "proper structure", make mistakes or go at their own pace is something that is different from or outside of the writing that is typically done.

Hear more of my thoughts on this term and its meanings, as well as what I feel to be important when thinking of utilizing journals in the classroom.

Hint...it's all about PURPOSE!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

If you are looking for simple yet powerful ways to help your students to apply grammar skills, you will not want to miss this discussion!

Patty shares a wealth of information on best practices in grammar instruction including high-impact techniques for doing so.

Grab Patty's Noun, Verbs, Both Sort Here

Find out more about Patty Here

Patty McGee is a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator with a passion for transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for delightful literacy practices, Patty has worked alongside educators across the country, partnering to unlock the full potential of their students through innovative and practical teaching strategies. Not Your Granny’s Grammar is her third book.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

However, there are a multitude of skills, abilities, beliefs and characteristics of writers that need to be developed and addressed that are beneath the surface, yet extremely vital, and when they are ignored, students' success as writers in inhibited.

In this episode, I am honored to share one writer's "win" because of one amazing teacher's thoughtful attention to what her writer needed. Although the goal of this lesson or unit may have been much more "academically" based, the skill this writer needed to develop at this time was what needed to be addressed and encouraged.

I hope you will be encouraged to not only focus on what each writer needs that may be outside of your current expectations, but also to know that the more you are aware of your writers' needs the more you will be able to help them!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Sarah gives us a peek into her mind as a writer sharing:

• How she begins a new book
• Her process for drafting
• Her own version of planning
• Strategies for when you are "stuck"
• Using charts and graphs to revise her book

She reminds us that each and every writer is unique and that fostering our students' own writing identity is such an important component to our writing instruction.

I learned so much from our conversation and hope you will too!

Check out more from Sarah (including TEACHER RESOURCES) or book her for your school visit at her website

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Does a young basketball player need to perfect his shot before he can play a game?

Do professional authors publish their first draft?

For some reason there are literacy professionals who are promoting having students "master sentences" before they are able to write anything more. I'm not sure I understand this idea.

In this episode I share my take on this and a similar line of thought that is much more in keeping with the research of not only writing, but learning.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

You will hear more about the importance of student engagement in writing as well as helpful tips for navigating the various aspects of a writer-focused workshop model.

Check out what the authors have to say about:

• Illustrations as an integral part of composition
• Teaching a non-genre specific unit
• Steps for beginning Writer's Workshop
• Tips for utilizing the book

If you haven't listened to the beginning of this conversation, be sure to go back to episode 100!

Books mentioned in this episode:

Craft and Process Studies by Matt Glover

Independent Writing by Colleen M. Cruz

Teaching Fantasy Writing by Carl Anderson

Guest Bios

Carl Anderson is an internationally recognized expert in the teaching of writing for grades K-8. He works as a consultant in schools and districts around the world. Carl is the author of numerous books on teaching writing, including the new A Teacher’s Guide to Mentor Texts K-5, A Teacher’s Guide to Writing Conferences, the best-selling How’s It Going? A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers, Assessing Writers, and Strategic Writing Conferences: Smart Conversations that Move Young Writers Forward. The fall of 2023 will see the publication of his next book, co-authored with Matt Glover, How to Become a Better Writing Teacher.

Matt Glover has been a teacher, principal, and consultant for over 35 years. He is the author of the Heinemann titles Craft and Process Studies: Units That Provide Writers with Choice of Genre and Engaging Young Writers, as well as the co-author of Already Ready, Projecting Possibilities for Writers, I Am Reading, and Watch Katie and Matt...Sit Down and Teach Up, a video-enhanced e-book. An international literacy consultant, Matt works in schools with teachers on topics related to nurturing writers of all ages, early reading, oral language composition, and supporting children’s intellectual development. 

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

For my 100th am joined by two incredible writers themselves who have given so much to the field of education through their work on writing instruction: Matt Glover and Carl Anderson.

In this first episode of the two-part series, we discuss ways to provide more student ownership in writing, which increases engagement and drives learning.

Listen in to hear Matt and Carl speak on:

• Teachers' comfort with writers' approximations
• Knowing writers to know what's next for them
• Engagement as a central goal for teaching writing
• Importance of talking with young writers

This is a must listen, don't miss episode that will inspire you to want to become a better writing teacher!

Books mentioned in this episode:

How to Become a Better Writing Teacher by Carl Anderson and Matt Glover

Engaging Children: Igniting a Drive for Deeper Learning by Ellen Oliver Keene

Guest Bios:

Carl Anderson is an internationally recognized expert in the teaching of writing for grades K-8. He works as a consultant in schools and districts around the world. Carl is the author of numerous books on teaching writing, including the new A Teacher’s Guide to Mentor Texts K-5, A Teacher’s Guide to Writing Conferences, the best-selling How’s It Going? A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers, Assessing Writers, and Strategic Writing Conferences: Smart Conversations that Move Young Writers Forward. The fall of 2023 will see the publication of his next book, co-authored with Matt Glover, How to Become a Better Writing Teacher.

Matt Glover has been a teacher, principal, and consultant for over 35 years. He is the author of the Heinemann titles Craft and Process Studies: Units That Provide Writers with Choice of Genre and Engaging Young Writers, as well as the co-author of Already Ready, Projecting Possibilities for Writers, I Am Reading, and Watch Katie and Matt...Sit Down and Teach Up, a video-enhanced e-book. An international literacy consultant, Matt works in schools with teachers on topics related to nurturing writers of all ages, early reading, oral language composition, and supporting children’s intellectual development. 

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

More often than not, writing is the part of literacy that gets pushed aside for other areas.

But writing is an ESSENTIAL part of our students' day and life and needs to be given what it is due!

This episode will provide tips and ideas for getting the most out of your day and including writing practices that are effective for your writers.

Mentioned in the Episode:

Integrating Reading and Writing- Michelle Ruhe Coach from the Coach

Mini-lesson Episodes 19, 21 and 22

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode shares a few examples of looking at parts of teaching writing in a new way and provides you with steps to try it out yourself!

Listen in to this short episode for some helpful tips for improving your writing instruction.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

I find it helpful to know and remember that often times the little details are what also make a huge impact on your student writers.

This episode shares examples of those small practices and hopefully helps to spark even more ideas for you to implement.

Listen in to hear about writing tips such as:

• including your writers
• positive energy
• student collaboration
• and more!

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

I get it. Trying new things can be time-consuming and a bit scary.

But also...it can be so worth it!

If you want your students to be engaged and successful in writing, it's time to take a risk!

If you are frustrated with lack of student progress and even student interest and motivation for writing, then it is time to think differently about writing time in your classroom.

The goal for writers is not to get something "good enough" on paper. The goal is to enjoy, experience, understand, learn about and become better at writing.

This episode will encourage you to push through the uncertainty of new practices and do what is needed to provide your writers with new opportunities to learn and grow.

**Teachers! We want to hear from you! We want to hear your story, experience, aha moment or insights related to Getting Students to Write! The more we share, the more we learn together, the more we can accomplish for our writers!

Click the link below and record a voicemail. Your story may be featured on the podcast:)

Send a voice message to GettingStudentstoWrite

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this episode we discuss:

• the importance of slow, strategic implementation
• using checklists and rubrics
• providing quality, exemplar writing pieces and
• how to set goals while staying within a writer's ZPD

This conversation will get rid of any fears and frustrations with having students work together as writers!

Michelle Ruhe is a 20+ year veteran elementary educator dedicated to helping others find the joy in teaching--because confident, happy educators are the key to inspiring confident and successful students! She wants others to love teaching as much as she does...and wouldn't dream of doing anything else!

Michelle has experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and virtual consultant and holds great knowledge of literacy!

Coach from the Couch Website www.coachfromthecouch.com

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this first episode with Mrs. Michelle Ruhe of Coach from the Couch, we share the power of peer feedback to:

• enhance writing quality
• engage students and
• distribute the feedback workload

You will hear about the transformative potential of peer feedback in fostering student ownership and improving writing through collaborative learning.

Listen in to this and next week's episode for practical and effective tips on implementing peer feedback in your writing classroom.

Michelle Ruhe is a 20+ year veteran elementary educator dedicated to helping others find the joy in teaching--because confident, happy educators are the key to inspiring confident and successful students! She wants others to love teaching as much as she does...and wouldn't dream of doing anything else!

Michelle has experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and virtual consultant and holds great knowledge of literacy!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

I couldn't help but think of that saying when writing show notes for this episode!

Just like I over-supported my children when baking cookies to avoid the "mess" of little hands, writing teachers often over-scaffold their writers.

If you have ever said, "I taught you how to do that!" or "We've been over this!", it's very likely you have provided too much support for your writers.

In this episode, I share what over-scaffolding can look like in writing instruction and why it is so important to allow students to "get into the mess" of writing and truly take hold of the skills they need as writers.

Be ready to get messy and provide more opportunities for writing growth in your students.

I completely understand why this fabulous teacher was hesitant...and there are so many reasons!

But the truth is, we all need repeated practice to improve our skills, and developing skills as writers is no different!

In this episode, I share the importance of increasing the volume of student writing as well as providing opportunities for students to cycle through the writing process over and over again.

You will hear about the significance of:

• Setting expectations for volume
• Focusing on student goals
• Making revision a bigger part of the process
• And more!

I will also share helpful advice for those nagging worries that I know are lurking in your mind!

The Research-Decide-Teach conference originates from Lucy Calkins and is a highly effective method for truly meeting your writers' needs and moving them forward as writers.

In this final installment of the Writing Conference Series, Melissa discusses how to gather information from students, make instructional decisions, and effectively teach targeted strategies during a writing conference.

Melissa provides an overview of the RTD conference, a comparison of RTD to other conferences previously discussed in the series, an example of a student conference and practical tips for implementation.

Listen to hear:

• Melissa's encouragement for trying this new conference
• How to use unit goals to help make conference decisions
• The importance of trusting your teacher intuition
• The benefit of strong pedagogy and student agency

This episode will take away the fear of making "in the moment" decisions and help you to implement this conference with success!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this episode, Melissa dives into strategies for improving writing elaboration for students by first considering a few overall understandings and techniques for opinion, narrative and informational writing and then sharing specific strategies for ways to elaborate.

Emphasizing the importance of purposeful writing and understanding the audience, Melissa offers a range of techniques and specific strategies tailored for different genres. She also introduces practical elaboration strategies like twin sentences, using question words, and acting out scenarios, along with more advanced techniques such as developing characters in narratives and organizing information in informational texts.

This episode is jam-packed with helpful elaboration strategies for writing in the elementary and middle school classroom!

AND! Listen in for a chance to receive a FREEBIE-Melissa's writing strategies one pager!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Teachers tend to place too much responsibility on themselves when it comes to instruction in general, and definitely with writing instruction! This creates unnecessary stress that can be alleviated by establishing student autonomy and agency.

Involving students in their learning and putting more of the responsibility on them will:

• Increase engagement and motivation
• Make learning stick
• Lesson your mental load
• Increase student growth

In this episode, Melissa shares examples of ways to include writers in their learning that you can implement tomorrow.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Quite often, the strategies you have taught are not being implemented in each student's independent writing pieces.

The purpose of a "Re-teach" conference is to provide follow-up, explicit instruction on a previously taught writing strategy from a whole-class mini-lesson.

Because the strategy being used has already been taught, the preparation is quite minimal...WINNING!

In this episode, Melissa will discuss how and why to choose this conference for your writers as well as the benefits of implementation.

Not only is the Re-teach conference easy to put into practice, it is also highly effective for your writers!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this episode, Melissa emphasizes the importance of supporting students in having the independence to generate their own ideas for writing.

She discusses the negative impacts of consistently providing students with topics and offers practical strategies to help students generate ideas on their own. When students are involved in creating their own topics, their engagement is increased.

Highlighting the significance of understanding the purpose behind different types of writing, Melissa provides techniques such as:

• using emotions
• studying the world around them
• making lists of their most important things in life
• asking big questions
• and taking inspiration from reading

This is such an important episode for all writing teachers from Kindergarten to High School!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode will teach you all about the Compliment Conference and how to use it as not only a way to encourage your writers but also as a formative assessment for your writing instruction.

This conference has four simple steps:

1. Open the conversation
2. Identify evidence of a successful writing behavior or action
3. Share the compliment with the writer
4. Thank the writer for their time.

Melissa also shares how to plan for the Compliment Conference as we as utilize the conference as data for further instruction.

Next up the in the Writing Conferring Series:

• Anchor Chart Conference
• Research, Decide, Teach Conference

Don't miss out on this series!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

There are so many reasons why students are not fully independent writers, and this episode provides a variety of ideas and strategies for creating a classroom full of writers who are!

Melissa shares four ideas for supporting independence during writing time:

• Implement procedures
• Expect It!
• Give it time and have patience!
• Prevent obstacles
• Find out the true reason for lack of independence

Whether you are teaching Kindergarten or 8th grade, if you are looking for ways for your student writing time to be more self-sufficient and effective, this is the episode for you!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This series will discuss a variety of conference types for writing to help you feel more confident in meeting one-on-one with your writers in order to meet their needs.

This first conference, the Writer's Inquiry Conference is all about getting to know your writers.

It is extremely helpful for students to feel at ease and accepted in their writing community, and building a relationship with you is the way to start.

Melissa will share the components of the conference as well as specific questions to include in your discussion.

Bonus: Ideas for how to administer a Writer's Survey for an additional and efficient way to get to know your writers.

This episode will help you set the foundation not only for implementing writing conferences with your students, but for successful writing instruction overall.

Additional Professional Development on Writing Conferences:

A Teacher's Guide to Writing Conferences by Carl Anderson, Katie Wood

How's It Going; A Practical Guide to Conferring with Student Writers by Carl Anderson

Teaching Writing by Lucy Calkins

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Just as with any learning-academic to athletic-learners must be engaged in order to progress.

Drawing from educational research and expert Jennifer Serravallo, I discuss the multi-dimensional construct of writing engagement, including affective, behavioral, cognitive, and social components.

After sharing key practices for your writing classroom that set the tone for engaged writing, I offer various practical strategies to improve student engagement such as:

• choosing meaningful topics
• setting goals
• utilizing tools
• positive talk
• collaborating with peers
• and more!

If you are wondering how to help students who do not want to write or students who are not engaged in writing, this episode is for you!

Sources:

Research Article Students' Writing Engagement S. Ives, S. Parsons, J. Marine, P. Rogers, A. Horton, C. Young 2022

The Writing Strategies Book-J. Serravallo

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Strategies for Writing and All About Conferring

There are a variety of common struggles for our writers and I hope to help you by sharing specific strategies for each of them in the upcoming podcast series.

Conferring is a topic I have not yet thoroughly addressed so I will be alternating the strategies series with a conferring one as well.

Before sharing both series, I wanted to be sure to provide some helpful understandings that come along with meeting writers' needs with both writing strategies and writing conferences.

This episode discusses:

• Identifying the true needs of your writers
• Avoiding 'jumping to conclusions"
• Focusing on the writer
• Conferences as conversations

If you are looking to up your writing instruction in your classroom even further, listen in to this episode and be ready to get started!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Now what?

It's time to find strategies for writing that your writers can use to meet their goals!

In this episode, Melissa shares four techniques for finding and choosing teaching points.

1. Leveraging Your Own Writing Experience
2. Mining Mentor Texts
3. Thinking Outside the Box
4. Utilizing Professional Texts

Listen in and feel more confident in your ability to teach your writers!

Professional Books Mentioned in the Episode"

Units of Study in Narrative, Opinion and Informational

Writing Pathways

The Writing Strategies Book

Projecting Possibilities

Lesson that Change Writers

The Unstoppable Writing Teacher

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Listen in to hear:

Why you don't need to be a perfect writer to teach your writers

Ways to get to know your writers

Free Writing Assessment

Helping writers use AI effectively

I hope you enjoy the episode!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Ms. Dana Teaque is an experienced and passionate educator who will make you feel seen and inspire you to do what is best for your students.

Listen in to hear:

• Dana's educational journey
• Writing strategies for diverse learners
• Fostering student growth
• Embracing flexibility

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

It is there each time you make a decision to:

-provide a structure graphic organizer for planning

Or

-have students "check in" before moving ahead in the work

In this episode, I encourage teachers to consider the purpose of their fear and provide less structured guidance, allowing students to make errors as part of their natural learning process.

I highlight the importance of observing each student's individual writing abilities and using those observations to guide our instruction. By focusing on each student's unique path of development, we can better facilitate a love for writing and help them grow authentically.

This episode will encourage you to let your students BE WRITERS!

00:49 Common Teaching Practices in Writing

02:08 Understanding the Fear of Mistakes

03:34 Embracing Individual Writing Paths

04:53 Learning from Mistakes

05:30 Sports Analogy for Writing Development

08:09 Encouragement for elementary and middle school Teachers

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Yes, they have their place and may be a needed activity for our elementary and middle school students in order to prepare for testing or other situations, BUT

They should not be the only writing students are doing on a daily basis!

In this episode, I explain the limitations of prompts, such as their failure to foster independent writing skills and their inability to engage students meaningfully.

You will also hear practical strategies for transitioning away from using prompts, emphasizing the importance of teaching students to generate their own ideas and connect personally with their writing.

I suggest ways to scaffold learning while nurturing a classroom culture where students see themselves as writers.

Specific tips include:

• engaging students with different writing genres
• allowing them to abandon pieces that don't work
• and providing support where needed to build their confidence and skills

00:00 Introduction and Purpose

00:38 The Role of Writing Prompts

04:36 Limitations of Writing Prompts

07:54 Encouraging Independent Writing

12:32 Practical Steps to Move Away from Prompts

19:58 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode shared 4 techniques to not only help get more writing into your class as a content area teacher, but also how to more effectively meet the needs of your writers.

You will learn about:

• The impact of writing with your students
• Small ways to include more writing practice that also impacts reading success
• Implementation of Baseline Writing Pieces and a simply way to assess them
• Implementation of 2 ways to model writing strategies for students

After this episode, you will feel much more capable of incorporating writing into your content-area curriculum!

About Melissa:

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

I often find that in the classroom, this practice is limited for students as writers.

This may be due to teachers' lack of time, or the concern teachers hold over managing multiple writing pieces for each student.

But limiting writers to one piece in a unit limits their opportunities for practicing all aspects of being a writer.

This episode will help you see why students need to write as much as possible and how to make that happen in your elementary or middle school classroom.

Like the episode? Be sure to share it with a friend!

About Melissa:

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Listen in to hear us discuss:

-Cassandra's observations of writing programs in various districts

-Bringing real-world writing into the classroom

-Cassandra's hopes for writing instruction

-Small ways to enhance writing in your classroom

I hope you enjoy this episode!

About Cassandra:

Cassandra Williams is a true innovator in the education field, having dedicated over 25 years of her life to revolutionizing existing systems and setting new standards of excellence. With a degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s from California State University, she is also the founder of two successful elementary schools in Indianapolis. Her research has focused on coaching teachers to accelerate student achievement, often utilizing video and other technologies as learning tools. Her most recent passion is the Educational Innovation 360° an e-Instructional Coaching System, which she designed and developed in 2018.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Do you want your writers to be excited, confident and ready to engage in writing? How you begin writing time-the words you say and the activities you ask your students to do-needs to support those goals.

This means your "go-to" writing prompt may not be the right choice for the first day of school.

Listen in to hear how to start off your writing time on the right foot!

About Melissa:

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Hannah is passionate about getting learners participating in the learning process and in this episode, she shares ideas for doing just that!

Listen in to hear about:

-thinking outside the box

-finding teacher autonomy alongside teaching standards

-getting students out of their seats

-building writing fluency

-mixing up the routing

-the "foot" writing piece

-the "sweater" project

-capitalizing on curiosity

This is not an episode to miss!

About Hannah Roudebush: Hannah is a Training Consultant at Gale, part of Cengage Group, where she develops and delivers training to K-12 teachers and school media specialists, as well as special, government, and public library staff on a wide variety of digital resources supporting lifelong learning.

 She earned her BA in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Studies from Marshall University in 2012. She later went on to gain certification in English 5-Adult, as well as MAs in both Instructional Processes and Strategies and School Principalship. After teaching 8th grade for 10 years, Hannah joined the EdTech world as a training consultant.

 She has a passion for making learning fun and teaching in unconventional ways, while still making instruction both rigorous and relevant. Targeting different learning styles, fostering critical thinking skills, and getting participants engaged in the learning process are her educational passions!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

In this episode, Melissa covers:

~The what and Why of Mentor texts for writing

~How to choose a mentor text for writing

~Using your own library or Read Alouds as mentor texts

~Ideas for strategies to teach using a mentor text

Your young writers need to see writing strategies in action in order to grow as writers.

Listen in and "up your game" when it comes to teaching writing!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Students need a high number of opportunities to see and practice many types of writing.

Shared Writing allows the time for students to be free of the transcription part of writing so they may concentrate more on the composition and the thinking that goes along with it.

In this episode, Melissa shares her views on the use of Shared Writing as well as:

-How long each session should take

-Key practices to utilize (such as ways to engage students)

-Choosing topics for all students

-and what NOT to do!

Shared Writing can be implemented in all grade levels and is extremely helpful for student progress as it provides a real-time model for the steps of the writing process.

This practice is meant to be tailored to the needs of your students and has flexibility in implementation while following a few set techniques and routines.

Listen in and get ready to implement Shared Writing in your classroom!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Or perhaps you throw in the towel as soon as things don't go as planned?

I have definitely been guilty of "poo pooing" a new strategy or technique when it doesn't magically fix everything right away. But the truth is, everything takes time!

Plus, sometimes a small adjustment is all it needs to work smoothly.

Oftentimes we feel like something is wrong when the thing that's meant to help us falls short.

This episode will share examples of common challenges with new workshop practices and how to overcome them with time, understanding and action!

Don't miss this helpful episode for your elementary or middle school writing time!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

We continue our discussion on the topics of:

Handling the "expectations" of teaching writing:

-considering each writer's "default"

-letting go in order to prevent holding writers back

-creating school-based progressions

-focusing on growth

Editing in a new light

-editor vs writer

-risk vs perfection

-non-negotiables

Our guests' favorite pieces of advice

I left this interview with so many new learnings to share with teachers and I know you will too!

Books mentioned: The Unstoppable Writing Teacher by Colleen Cruz, Teaching Fiercely by Kass Minor, Why They Can't Write by John Warner.

Guests

Coley Conter: Coley Conter brings deep experience as a curriculum writer, lead teacher, and literacy innovator to her work at TC Advancing Literacy. She’s been a contributor to new editions of Units of Study in Writing and an instructor in the Writing Program at Rutgers University. Her educational experience spans grades 3-12. Coley is passionate about cultivating brave classroom communities and increasing interdisciplinary literacy in schools, both of which she continues to explore as a student in the Literacy Specialist program.

Katy Wischow: Katy Wischow has been a staff developer, supporting schools and teachers around the world, since 2013. Before that, she found her way to workshop teaching, seeing how it transformed her students' work in her Newark, NJ middle school classroom. Her students' response led Katy to enroll in the Literacy Specialist Program at Teachers College, where she earned her M.A. Katy is the co-author of the professional book Unlocking the Power of Classroom Talk, co-written several Units of Study for middle school, and the Ida & Jake series in the Jump Rope Readers decodable book collection. She is passionate (and super nerdy!) about curriculum, writing instruction, and all things literacy!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Coley Conter and Katy Wischow are a pleasure to speak with and I you will gain so much from hearing what they share with us!

Our discussion begins with Katy and Coley's favorite part about teaching writing and moves on to discuss:

-tapping into "out of school" writing

-children's writing communities

-strategies for getting writers started

Books mentioned in this episode: How to Tell a Story by The Moth

Guests

Coley Conter: Coley Conter brings deep experience as a curriculum writer, lead teacher, and literacy innovator to her work at TC Advancing Literacy. She’s been a contributor to new editions of Units of Study in Writing and an instructor in the Writing Program at Rutgers University. Her educational experience spans grades 3-12. Coley is passionate about cultivating brave classroom communities and increasing interdisciplinary literacy in schools, both of which she continues to explore as a student in the Literacy Specialist program.

Katy Wischow: Katy Wischow has been a staff developer, supporting schools and teachers around the world, since 2013. She currently works for the Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower. Before that, she found her way to workshop teaching, seeing how it transformed her students' work in her Newark, NJ middle school classroom. Her students' response led Katy to enroll in the Literacy Specialist Program at Teachers College, where she earned her M.A. Katy is the co-author of the professional book Unlocking the Power of Classroom Talk, co-written several Units of Study for middle school, and the Ida & Jake series in the Jump Rope Readers decodable book collection. She is passionate (and super nerdy!) about curriculum, writing instruction, and all things literacy!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Is that feeling something your students need in order to enjoy and engage in writing?

Writing instruction needs to be explicit and effective, but in order for our students to WANT to write, writing time needs to be enjoyable, collaborative and engaging!

If you want to see a classroom full of students excited to write, taking risks and writing more,

this episode will help you reflect on the structure of your writing time and provide ways for you to create an environment that is conducive to writing for your students.

Ready to Shake Things Up? Press play!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

It is vital to understand that our young writers need to learn how to compose!

Oftentimes, because the conventions are what stands out to us when we read a student's writing piece, they become our focus, and lessons and discussion on the composition portion of writing fall to the wayside.

Fear not, because this episode will help you to stop the war between conventions and composition so that you will help your writers to grow with well-balanced writing instruction!

Mentioned in this episode: Jennifer Serravallo's The Writing Strategies Book.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Elementary

Middle School

Teaching Writing

His speech resonated with me and the work I do with writing teachers and writing instruction in elementary and middle school classrooms!

We all want to do our best, but do we really know how to make change in our work?

Teachers are always performing, trying to give their best to their students. However Mr. Briceno tells us that living in the "performance zone" hinders our ability to learn and grow.

If you want to truly grow as a teacher of writing and help your student writers to grow as well, this is the episode for you!

Eduardo Briceno's Book The Performance Paradox

Freebie- Building Independent Writing Stamina Checklist

Grab the Checklist Here

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

You are working so hard and are just so worried about that one student. They don't seem to be catching up or getting closer to "grade-level expectations" as writers.

This episode is for you, because I don't want you to stress anymore!

You will hear about how to look for growth and see your part in your writers' journey!

Listen in and feel better about all that you are doing for your elementary and middle school writers!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

We will discuss how Share Time can help with:

• generating ideas for writing
• reinforcing writing skills
• building community of writers
• building writer's confidence
• and more!

If you would like to receive more support from Melissa and receive new resources first, sign up for Tuesday's Truth!

Sign up here!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

I am going to share 5 convincing reasons why taking time to write for yourself will truly benefit you as a teacher of writing as well as your students as writers.

I know you are so very busy, and I promise that even a little bit of your own writing will go a LONG way!

If your students aren't enjoying writing or are stuck in one spot, this strategy will help!

Listen in to this episode and you will be moved to start writing and share it with your students!

Sneak Peak of the Benefits:

1. Understanding what happens with students as they write.
2. More easily identifying what your students need.

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This is how we truly grow our elementary and middle school writers!

What we say shows so much to ourselves and our writers about what we value.

We want our writers to know that we value them and what they do as writers!

What we say also forms what we think. Focusing our language on the writer will help you to focus your instruction on them as well!

If we want to grow our students to be successful writers, we must make this change in our writing instruction.

Grab the free resource mentioned in the episode HERE

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

I find that getting teachers to see writing instruction in a new way to be extremely helpful.

One way I have accomplished this is in my comparison to teaching math, as well as the goal of using math in our lives vs using writing.

This episode lays out this view point as well as explores the reasons for the "traditional" way of teaching writing that is most often seen in classrooms.

In order to help our young writers be successful, we have to allow for their independence.

Although many teachers fear this idea, in reality, it actually sets them free! Free to identify what their writers truly need as well as to teach them effectively.

Listen in to hear why!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Whether or not you are utilizing a writing "program" with lessons already provided, you may find yourself feeling lost or unsure of how to proceed during each writing block.

A program also will not ensure you are meeting each writers' needs.

In this episode, I share the ONE THING that is crucial for teaching writing and growing writers-You must KNOW THEM!

I will discuss ways to be sure you do, as well as the second integral practice for feeling secure in your planning AND seeing progress with each and every writer.

Listen in and for teacher strategies and tips that will transform your writing time and help you feel more confident as a writing teacher!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Today's episode will cover these two questions:

How can I support emergent writers?

After finding out students' writing level - do I split them into groups and focus on their level or do the teaching as a whole class?

Happy Listening!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Today's questions are:

How can I instill motivation in writers?

How will I be sure my lessons are diverse to meet all writers' needs, challenging students who need it without overwhelming others?

I hope the ideas and suggestions shared will not only help the teachers who provided these questions but you as well!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Risa provides high-impact teaching strategies and mindsets that are geared toward supporting multi-lingual learners but will benefit all students in your classroom.

The information Risa shares is of great help to teachers who are limited in support when teaching English Language Learners.

In this episode, Risa and I continue our discussion with ideas for supporting learners new to literacy instruction.

Risa Woods Instagram

Risa Woods Website

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Risa provides high-impact teaching strategies and mindsets that are geared toward supporting multi-lingual learners but will benefit all students in your classroom.

The information Risa shares is of great help to teachers who are limited in support when teaching English Language Learners.

In this episode, you will hear what Risa believes to be most important for the students in your classroom as well as thoughts on translation tools to utilize- and her answers may be surprising...they were to me!

Risa Woods IG

Risa Woods Website

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode delves into the ways that understanding that connection help to inform and enhance writing instruction.

Melissa shares what research says about how reading and writing work together, ways to begin to make this connection known to students and the 'behind the scene' ways that reading strengthens writing.

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Freebie- Building Independent Writing Stamina Checklist

Grab the Checklist Here

Have you asked these questions before?

'How much should my students be writing?' 'What should their writing look like?' 'What should I focus on?' How should I instruct this writer?'

Well-today we turn stop saying 'should' and start using 'can'!

This episode will share Melissa's take on how teachers can approach their own learning of student-centered writing instruction by accepting the journey. We will also discuss the importance of knowing students' abilities and valuing the joy of writing!

These are the mantras I'd like you to take on when thinking about the editing and publish portion of the writing process for your students.

When we keep the writer in mind (teach the writer, not the writing!) we will not have them edit to "perfection". We will have them edit to their level of skill with editing.

When we value the process, not the product and we know that "publish means public, not perfect" we do not need to have our writers completely rewrite their final product.

I hope this episode will help you to continue to transform your writing time!

Freebie- Building Independent Writing Stamina Checklist

Grab the Checklist Here

About Melissa

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

This episode will discuss two thoughts on the revision portion of the writing process:

1-Why do we revise and how can we make it effective for our writers?

2-When do writers revise

Melissa will share how the idea of "teaching the writer" is still vital and effective for revision as well as ways to choose revision strategies in your classroom.

If we want to get our students to write, we must teach them!

Happy Listening!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Freebie- Building Independent Writing Stamina Checklist

Grab the Checklist Here

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

In this episode, Melissa shares the details of drafting by exploring all the purposes of this part of the writing process for our student writers as well as for ourselves as teachers, and how important it is for us to understand this aspect of writing for our writing instruction.

Discussion points include:

How planning is also "drafting"

Drafting is a vulnerable step that requires a safe community of writers

Students and teachers learn from a draft

Multiple drafts per unit

Freebie- Building Independent Writing Stamina Checklist

Grab the Checklist Here

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Effective use of planning, or pre-writing, is an integral step in student writing, and in order for a writer's planning to be worthwhile, it needs to be the right fit for them.

In this episode, you will hear my thoughts on traditional planning methods and why they are not supporting the idea of "teaching the writer, not the writing" as well as various strategies for ways students can plan their writing.

Happy Listening!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

But what do we consider writing? What is focused on and valued in our schools during writing time?

This episode discusses the meaning of writing and how writing is often showing up in our classrooms. Melissa shares her views on what writing means to her and how to be sure we are hitting all aspects of writing in our instruction so that our writers learn and grow!

Website and Blog Read the latest blog posts and find out more about services provided by Melissa

TikTok Follow Melissa for tips and support with writing instruction!

YouTube Find out more about teaching writing as you watch webinars and model lessons taught by Melissa

LinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

My word of the year is Relationships, and since this idea was one that my special guest spoke about on the last episode, I thought I would talk about it more today!

If you and your students are struggling with writing time, the relationship between you and your students may be just the thing to transform!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

In this episode, we dig into a few sections of Mr. Chastain's book, Writefully Empowered, and he shares his thoughts on writing assessment, breaking the mold in writing instruction, conferring with your writers and more.

Quotes from this episode:

"The equality of outcome is different than equity of access."

"The standardization of what progress looks like misinterprets the growth of students."

You will be so happy you joined us for this episode!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

What a pleasure it was to speak with author, educator and podcast host Mr. Jacob Chastain.

Mr. Chastain's passion for students and for writing (and for student writers!) is clear and contagious, and is such an inspiration for all educators, regardless of the grade level or content they teach.

A few quotes from our guest:

"Not everyone is going to be a certain type of writer. Our job is to be their writing coach..."

"In real writing a lot of writing happens in the head before it ever comes to the page."

"Let's make our classrooms a place where writers can mingle, and they can get distracted, and they can live the writerly life. It's not just a free for all. We are still thinking about writing!"

"I was never going to get [my students] to retain those grammar things if I never got them to care about what they were writing in the first place."

If you are looking for help with teaching writing in a way that works for your students, this is the episode for you!

You can find Mr. Chastain on Instagram @heychastain, Facebook at Teach Me, Teacher and on each of his two podcasts: Teach Me, Teacher and Craft and Draft.

Also check out his two books; Teach Me, Teacher and Writefully Empowered

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachingtotransform/message

I respectfully disagree, and in this episode you will hear my reasons for being opposed to this practice, and what I feel is important in primary writing instruction and independent writing.

I hope this episode turns some of you into independent writing advocates!

Happy Listening!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachingtotransform/message

Today's episode speaks to a few specifics that have come up time and again when speaking to and working with teachers of writing, as well as one common logistical issue for independent writing.

Underwriting and the use of whole class graphic organizers are two practices that have been used for a while, but I believe should be things of the past!

Listen in to hear what I know and believe about these two practices and suggestions for alternatives to both.

I also share a great tip from Michelle Ruhe of Coach from the Couch for how to handle all of the papers that come with independent writing!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachingtotransform/message

We want to help our writers and we rely on our own assumptions to make choices and decisions for writing instruction.

But what if we allow our writers to show us what they need before we give them what we THINK they need?

If you want to Get Your Students to Write, listen in to hear about this teacher mistake with writing and how to avoid it!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachingtotransform/message

This one is all about providing Meaning and facilitating Collaboration.

In order for students to feel motivated to write, it must be meaningful to them. Creating meaning always comes back to authentic writing opportunities. Does that mean a writing prompt? NO!

Collaboration is vital for so many reasons! Writers will be able to: celebrate, work through problems, generate ideas and feel a sense of confidence from being able to help a peer or be celebrated for their writing!

Happy listening!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachingtotransform/message

This episode will cover two of the four aspects I feel are necessary for helping writers to feel confident and enjoy writing time: Belief in our Writers and the Energy of the Classroom.

Our students need to know that we believe they are able to write and write well in order to feel confident.

Listen in and learn ways to get your students to write!

About Melissa:

Melissa is an enthusiastic educator and continuous learner with over 19 years' experience in education.  Her passion and expertise is transforming writing programs so that teachers are confident in writing instruction and student writers thrive! She strongly believes teachers are the key to effective instruction and their writers are their best resources.

Melissa knows that too often, explicit writing instruction is pushed aside in elementary education, and she feels it is her calling to help schools make it front and center, providing teachers with the knowledge and support necessary to implement effective and engaging writing instruction. 

Teaching to Transform, LLC was founded by Melissa in 2018 and partners with school districts to provide professional development in writing instruction.

If you would like to learn more or refer Melissa to your district, check out her website below!

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teachingtotransform/message