Documents Frequently Requested
This page contains hyperlinked documents that have been most frequently requested and used. Please feel free to use them, make improvements and adaptations. Let me know what works best for you. If you don't see it here, please reach out to me via the contact page. Thanks.
First, a disclaimer from Abraham Lincoln, on the originality of these documents: "Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all."
Adapted from Nancie Atwell's In The Middle, this opening letter depends on the content area I'm teaching, has played a central part of helping to create a safe, caring & thoughtful community.
Many versions of this great graphic organizer exist. Instead of "characteristics" some teachers substitute it with "draw."
Three column practice for students: analyze, visualize & write. Recommended for a small number of words; individualized for each student.
By far, the most popular writing assignment of the year. More has been written about this project in this article. It is easily adaptable to any classroom novel taught in grades 6 - 12.
The opportunity for both writing and student choice must be present on the first day of the writing workshop. This day one lesson plan is adapted from Nancie Atwell's In The Middle.
A fantastic one-page graphic organizer for teachers to plan with and share with students.
This rubric demands participation from both teacher and student in the evaluation process of writing.
This one-page graphic organizer for both teachers and students can be the framework for a "high-prep" multiple intelligences project.
The original Status of the Class (SOC) document used to help keep both teacher and student organized in the writing workshop.
This handbook not only contains invaluable information like the characteristics of dyslexia, what it is and what it isn't, but also provides information on valid assessments, effective teaching approaches, self-advocacy ideas and a vast array of resources.
