Thank you for the writing help. Writing is my biggest struggle during the day.

Like the engagement idea of questions they can all participate in answering.

Thank you for these pre-planning resources

I love engagement questions. They work really well for upper levels as well.

Thank you! It is very helpful to see the flow of your mini-lesson.

Love the mini lessons!

Your comments about note-taking really hit home--I realized how much time I waste waiting for a couple of students while the rest of the class just sat there waiting.

Wow, what a well thought out and helpful video. I am a homeschool mom and will be adapting and implementing these ideas with my 10 and 13 years old children. This video has wonderful resources, thank you!

@AprilSmith

Жыл бұрын

I’m so glad it was helpful!

Thank you. Helpful information.

Thank you for the info... helps to see it in action.

I love the flow of your lesson! I struwith transition and also gettthem to work quickly.

I appreciate the model as part of the mini-lesson.

This will be my first year using writing workshop

Time management for writing is one of the chief complaints of the teachers I work with. I will be sharing your videos with them. Thank you!!

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! If you hear any other complaints that you'd like to see a video on, let me know. I'm always looking for new topic ideas!

I have about 20 minutes to teach writing and love the idea of mini lessons!

Thank you for these insights. It helps calm me since I only have about 30 minute blocks in both of my grade levels

Thank you so much for so many ideas! My mini lessons always turn into maxi lessons. I love the engagement technique of NO 🤚. This is my time killer.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

Seriously! Between me telling stories and them telling stories, we could go for hours, haha!

Engagement questions, active participation vs note-taking Yes, Yes, Yes!

I have finally got the mini lessons down to mini! Now my goal is to work on conferring with writers to keep them on track.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

That's a great goal! One step at a time!

For the past few year we have not really had a writing program, so my biggest struggle has been consistency in lesson flow. Looking forward to some great information.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

I've been hearing this a lot from both teachers and instructional coaches!

I love the idea of whole group answering. Next year will be a huge struggle since my class time is being cut to 46 minutes for both reading and writing. Ugh!

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

That is so short! When you get into your classroom, feel free to email me if you need help trying to balance the two. It'll be tight, but maybe we can figure out how to split them up and still fit it all in.

This year I am going to incorporate a Daily 5 model with mini lessons instead of full 20-30 minute lessons. I love the idea of making writing a mini-lesson! I plan to use a writing notebook and the anchor charts a perfect to shrink down and add to their notebooks so they always have access.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

I've heard a lot of teachers say they print our filled in anchor charts two to a page so that they fit into a composition notebook. I really love that idea!

English includes grammar and writing, alternating between chapters. We are very grammar focused, so trying to properly teach writing while still honoring our grammar lessons is my challenge. I know that my writing instruction needs to improve, so I am up for the challenge. I appreciate the resources you have provided here.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

It's a hard balance. If we focus mostly on grammar, our structural skills don't get practiced. If we skip grammar, we have problems as well. It's all about making them work together!

I like the idea of pre-planning the engagement questions for the lessons.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

It makes a HUGE difference!

Students are engaged during my mini lesson. However, once they head to their seats and begin working, the chaos begins! Most of the kiddos need so much help I have a hard time getting to all of them!

Time is a struggle but test data shows we have to start making time. I have your lessons. I’m going to have to really push time for doing the lessons! They are awesome lessons!

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

Let us know if you have any questions when you go to plan or implement it. We're here to help!

My classes are right at 40 minutes. I find it difficult to get it all in. Love the fact you suggest students answer engagement questions as whole group after the mini lesson.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

The video I have coming out next week is on this exact topic! Check in on Sunday. :)

I always have trouble keeping my lessons in the allotted time, because I was trying to fit the writing and participating in all together. I am going to start prioritizing participation, now , and hopefully that will help the mini lessons stay within the allotted time.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

You may also benefit from splitting up the lessons you're teaching into smaller skills. I found that I was always trying to cram too many different things in!

I love the preplanning ideas, especially the engagement questions

Making writing fun is key - these helpful videos will allow me to make that possible!

This is so helpful for trying to fit writing into a middle school classroom. These mini lessons would make it a lot easier.

Mini-lessons are great! The struggle is always AFTER the mini-lesson, when they complain "I don't know what to write" or "I don't know what we're doing." This year was a struggle with my second graders. I had to keep reminding myself this was their first normal year in the classroom.

@mariapearson7610

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, including the students who appeared to be listening and participating!

@kaylazar2057

2 жыл бұрын

Same. I love your ideas! Labeling.

I love the flow of the mini lessons. Keeping the students engaged was my struggle this year.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

It definitely was. I feel like we are still catch up from distance learning.

I would like to learn how perform mini lessons.

These mini lessons will make for a much easier lesson for my kiddos. I love these techniques! Thank you :)

Loving the flow of the mini-lesson and really going to work on staying within 10-15 minutes of direct instruction..

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

It makes such a huge difference to have the direct instruction. Just make sure that you have ample time for students to apply what they learned after!

Thank you for breaking it all down for us, April! It is super helpful.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

I absolutely love this April! My favorite take-away was the whole group share! What a brilliant and quick idea to get everyone engaged and participating. Can't wait for the next video!

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind words! I love anything where I can engage students all at once. It's a serious win!

I had really never thought about having it drawn out before use. I am a new teacher, and I am always seeing anchor charts and having no clue how to utilize them correctly. I am thankful that you modeled this in your video!

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

In the past, I've found myself really distracted by these artsy anchor charts that there's no way I had the time or ability to draw. Keeping it simple is really important, and getting the framework set beforehand so that you can go straight into the lesson is a good time-saver!

For writing, I have tried mini lessons. I get stuck on the scope and sequence of things. I also often have my students asking over and over again what they should be doing, even though I have said it, and I post my directions visually. I am hoping to spend part of my summer to create more of a flow to my writing block.

I love the idea of providing the notes for the students, so you will have their attention (while you model), from beginning to end. This ensures they'll be able to grasp the concepts, (hopefully) instead of trying to write down those notes. It is really a hassle and a waste of time that can be utilized in a better way.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

My students always struggle with note-taking, so this has been one of the best things I've done for my class!

I struggle with time and fitting everything into the time I have my students. I split my day so I have two groups each day and I teach ELA and Social Studies.

I am switching from 4th grade Science to teaching 4th-grade Writing. This is the first year our school has designated a class period only for Writing. I will have 65 minutes dedicated to Writing, with four separate classes. I am having a little anxiety about guiding/conferencing over 100 students.

The thing I struggle with the most is rushing through the lesson so I can get everything else accomplished in 1 hour. I would love to have 90 minutes, but the way our 7th grade is scheduled from hour to hour, that is just not feasible.

I do a 10 minute mini lesson. I don't struggle until sending them off. They need so much help I have a hard time getting to all of them! I can't wait to do more anchor charts next year!

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

That is definitely a struggle! Giving them a checklist of what to do can be helpful, along with aligning it so that the mini-lesson is the exact same procedure and organizer that they will complete in their writing.

I teach mini-lessons, but my biggest problem is encouraging and motivating reluctant writers. Once the lesson is presented, I have students who will do anything to keep from writing!

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

I think we've all been there, especially lately! A checklist can help a lot + having students discuss with a partner or a group to get ideas flowing. Usually it's a lack of confidence in writing, which is why I love doing a writing stamina unit for these kiddos too!

I struggle with fitting everything into my LAR periods. I don't think I was an affective writing teacher this year. I need to somehow create designated writing workshop times in my week.

I can't wait to try the engagement questions. This will work not only in the writing mini lesson, but all subjects.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

So true!

I do writing mini lessons in my classroom. I struggle to keep it engaging!

Yes, I usually do a 10-15 minute mini-lesson for writing. The biggest struggle is getting students to apply the content of the mini-lesson in their own writing without my constant supervision.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

A checklist and a copy of your model will help a lot of them, but there's always a couple that still need help.

I teach special ed (Resource 5th grade and 3rd grade) I have tried mini-lessons with each group. My mini-lessons definitely run way over which is awful for attention span. And after the lesson I sometimes get the dear in the head lights look from many. With the typical, "I don't know what to write" statement.

I teach my writing mini lesson and model. Some students seem to forget the mini lesson focus.

I do mini lessons-my challenges continue to be planning and time.

Writing is incorporated with reading and my block can be anywhere between 30-45 minutes. So, time is extremely stressful. I also have students who work very slowly.

We have 120 minutes for Reading and Writing Workshop. Scheduling both workshops each day and to get in grammar/vocabulary/spelling/writing and reading ... what can that look like?

My biggest struggle during mini lesson time is getting everyone to engage. My class at least this year was willing to allow two or three people to control the conversation. I tried numerous ways to get everyone engaged but it didn’t always work.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

I totally get that. I like to write down engagement questions before each lesson where they all give a hand signal or answer at the same time. It's still difficult to get 100% engagement. I always tell other coaches to not expect that in any classroom they observe!

Never thought about not having students take notes.

I do mini lessons then have them do some type of activity but the students do not want to ask clarification questions until I release them...then hands go up for me to go to them and explain individually. 🤦‍♀️

I'd say our biggest challenge during writing mini-lessons is engagement. Our students aren't big fans of our ELA curriculum.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

I totally get this! Having relevant curriculum is so important. There’s only so much you can do to spruce it up if it’s not written with engagement in mind. 😩

How I get a copy of the template?

I sometimes do mini lessons in Resource English, JH/HS. It is difficult for me to get buy in, interactions, and then application of what we are covering. Some days are definitely better than others. I love your ideas of visuals and pre-prepped engagement questions.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

It is definitely a struggle for that age group. I found that the more I tailed the topic to what they were interested in, the more buy-in I got. I'm apparently not very hip, so I'd always have to ask them what was popular at that time... haha.

Yes, but I struggle with time of the lesson and giving students enough time to write.

Time is always a struggle and keeping the mini-lesson focused on one specific skill.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

I'm releasing a video Sunday that's all about time! Definitely come back and watch it if you can.

I am a first year teacher, and struggle implementing mini-lessons. I still feel like I "vomit" information and have so much to say that I OVER talk!

I love the idea of NOT doing note taking during the mini-lesson. I agree that it can be a time-waster, so I've stopped doing it as well.

@AprilSmith

2 жыл бұрын

It was the best thing I ever did for my writing block!

Alll of the above with mini lessons. I don’t focus well so THEY don’t focus. I get off track when I am in the middle of something I see a struggle and try to hit that too. NO FOCUS on my part.

My biggest struggle is having enough time to teach writing at all. I am a special education teacher and my research based reading program focuses very little on writing which is so very sad. My ELA block is usually 45 minutes total. I have purchased your program so that I can be more deliberate about teaching writing in the fall.