If you want to build a community of writers, start by supporting feedback- writer to writer. Early on in the year we establish our author's chair routines, which is when, after working on writing, students elect to sit in the authors' chair, share their writing, and receive feedback. (Note: author's chair only needs to be … Continue reading Effective Peer Feedback for Young Writers: One Scoop or Two?
Author: emily.fintelman
The Writing Process: Lenses for Primary Writers from Planning to Publishing
It's not really THE writing process. It's A writing process. And it's not necessarily a linear process. It's a collection of lenses for improving writing from different perspectives. Pick up any book on teaching writing and it'll deliver you a different version of The writing process. That's ok. I don't think there are two authors … Continue reading The Writing Process: Lenses for Primary Writers from Planning to Publishing
Lifelong Kindergarten
I’ve just finished Mitchel Resnick's book Lifelong Kindergarten. I love the way this book shares real examples of how to bring powerful philosophies to life with students, and especially that it was so relevant to the kids I work with: upper primary. I’m sharing my sketch notes of the four chapters on projects, peers, play and … Continue reading Lifelong Kindergarten
TAG: Peer Writing Conferences
Students need peer-to-peer writing conferences. When done well, they allow our student writers to gain insight from peers on their writing while it is being crafted, and use this to guide their next steps. While feedback from teachers is important, feedback from peers can be powerful, allow a variety of perspectives, and be more instantaneous … Continue reading TAG: Peer Writing Conferences
Prompts for Maths Reflections
Reflecting on the experience is one of two activities necessary to improve our mathematical thinking (Siemon et al., 2021). In Teaching Mathematics: Foundations to Middle Years, we read that "reflecting may involve writing about where we got stuck, what we did to become unstuck, conjectures we tried, patterns we found, and strategies we used" (Siemon, … Continue reading Prompts for Maths Reflections
Rectetris: an area and perimeter game
I whipped up this game earlier this year to give my students the opportunity to practice calculating area and perimeter of rectangles. I wanted a game that included a genuine use for finding out both area and perimeter and could't find anything. The main skills I aimed to have students build through this game were: … Continue reading Rectetris: an area and perimeter game
Iggy Peck, Architect | STEAM through Picture Story Books
I love using picture story books for teaching anything and everything! I love the way rich literature enables imagination and wonder, and empathy and connection in students. These are wonderful starting points for inquiry learning driven by curiosity and care. Through a ‘STEAM through Picture Story Books’ series, I want to highlight some simple opportunities for … Continue reading Iggy Peck, Architect | STEAM through Picture Story Books
Just One Bee | STEAM through Picture Story Books
I love using picture story books for teaching anything and everything! I love the way rich literature enables imagination and wonder, and empathy and connection in students. These are wonderful starting points for inquiry learning driven by curiosity and care. Through a 'STEAM through Picture Story Books' series, I want to highlight some simple opportunities … Continue reading Just One Bee | STEAM through Picture Story Books
Wilam: A Birrarung Story | STEAM through Picture Story Books
I love using picture story books for teaching anything and everything! I love the way rich literature enables imagination and wonder, and empathy and connection in students. These are wonderful starting points for inquiry learning driven by curiosity and care. I am currently working in a STEAM-based leadership role and have been encouraging teachers to … Continue reading Wilam: A Birrarung Story | STEAM through Picture Story Books
Introducing the Learning Assets in Upper Primary
In this post I share some lessons for introducing the learning assets. Skip to the end if you're looking for those. This year my classroom co-teacher and I have been focusing on building the learning assets with our Year 4/5/6 students. As documented by Kath Murdoch in her book The Power of Inquiry (2015), learning … Continue reading Introducing the Learning Assets in Upper Primary
Mrs Fintelman Teaches 