Getting Students to Write! Helping Elementary and Middle School teachers transform writing time

3 Tips for Starting the School Year with Your Writers

Ok, it's actually way more than 3...but I have placed them into 3 main categories!Make it Exciting and MeaningfulBuild CommunityLearn from Your WritersYou will hear how to set a strong foundation for writing from the beginning with techniques such as:Sharing "real-world" writing for studentsCreating a safe and positive environmentBeing a part of the writing community"Kid-watching" during writing timeEncouraging risk-taking and trying new thingsand more!There are several episodes that go along with this one:#73, 84, 85, 87, 109, and 114Also 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 GettingStudentstoWriteAbout 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!

Episode 115 The Heart of Teaching Writing with Melanie Meehan

Today's episode features a very special guest, Mrs. Melanie Meehan!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 statementthe importance of teachers as writersthoughts on templates and GOsthe recursive nature of the writing processbalancing foundational skills with the creativeness of writingand 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 2026About 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 GettingStudentstoWriteAbout 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!

Episode 114 Wins Wins Wins: 3 Classrooms' Journey of Independent Writing Time

You will be inspired from this episode! 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 timeIncreased teacher confidence with teaching writingHow students' engagement and idea generation increasedGrowth in kindergarten writing skills with little instructionI 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 Instagram 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 MelissaLinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Episode 113 Tips for Fantasy Writing with Carl Anderson (Pt 2)

The second part of my conversation with Carl Anderson provides you with helpful and interesting information about teaching writing and more about the genre of fantasy. You will hear Carl's thoughts on:writing your own mentor text-Do not be afraid! the importance of showing how writers navigate writingwriting in front of students (modeled writing)the "elevator pitch" and how it helps students and teachersA 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.comAbout 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 Instagram 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 MelissaLinkedIn Connect with Melissa!

Episode 112 Fantasy for the Win with Carl Anderson Pt 1

You will LOVE this discussion with Mr. Carl Anderson about his newest book, Teaching Fantasy Writing: Lessons That Inspire Student Engagement and Creativity, Grades K6. 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 GettingStudentstoWriteAbout 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 Instagram 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 MelissaLinkedIn Connect with Melissa!