Education
**Two Writing Teachers Podcast**

Since 2007, Two Writing Teachers has been a vibrant community of reflective writers. We’re excited to take our passion for teaching writing to new heights in the second season of our podcast. Join us as we explore ways to create, lead, and sustain joyful and productive writing workshops, empowering educators to help their students become competent, brave, and confident writers. Let’s make writing instruction engaging and rewarding for everyone involved!

Would your company like to sponsor an episode of the Two Writing Teachers Podcast? Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Latest Episodes:

Remember the Compliment: A Tip for Tomorrow from Stacey Aug 20, 2023

Show notes

Are you a teacher who sometimes forgets to compliment your students during writing conferences? Don't worry. You're not alone! But compliments are an essential part of building confident and competent young writers. In this episode, Stacey explores ways to make space for compliments during those limited conference times. Learn how to start your conference with research and build on a student's strengths. Discover sentence stems to help you give sincere and impactful compliments that will leave your students feeling inspired and confident. Plus, Stacey shares tips on making your compliments long enough to feel good. Let's make a student's day with a thoughtful compliment at every writing conference we hold!
Click here to read past TWTBlog posts about complimenting students in writing conferences.
THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATE, BRAINPOP! Use TWTPOD15 for 15% off your first BrainPOP Family or BrainPOP Homeschool payment.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Embrace an Asset-Based Approach: A Digging Deeper Dialogue Aug 13, 2023

Show notes

Teachers' expectations of their students can significantly impact their outcomes, so it's vital to have an asset-based approach. Using an asset-based lens, we look for the positive things students can do rather than focusing on their deficits. This shift can occur in teacher-teacher and teacher-student interactions, such as examining student work with a positive lens and emphasizing the importance of compliments and positive feedback.

In this podcast, we'll explore how these shifts in practice can lead to greater efficacy, with teachers believing in their power to make a difference. Join us on this journey towards an asset-based approach in writing workshop, which recognizes the worth and capability of all students.
Some of the resources we mentioned in the episode:

Books by Ashley Spires
Choice Words by Peter H. Johnston
Compliment Cards - A Few Ideas for Conferring
Google Forms
Ideas for Getting Started with Google Forms
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Mindset: The New Psychology of Successby Carol Dweck
Rosenthal and Jacobsen
Start With Joy by Katie Egan Cunningham

THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATES!

BrainPOP: Use TWTPOD15 for 15% off your first BrainPOP Family or BrainPOP Homeschool payment.
Libro.fm Offer: Use the TWTPod Code
- Receive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Create a Dynamic Writing Workshop in Your Classroom: A Digging Deeper Dialogue Aug 06, 2023

Show notes

Ready to create a thriving writing workshop in your classroom? Our latest podcast episode has got you covered! We discuss the components of a successful writing workshop approach, including ample writing time, building a strong community, mentor texts, & more. Plus, we explore how to infuse joy into the workshop so it's fun for students. Tune in to learn how to nurture your students' love of writing and help them find their own writing process. Grab a coffee, hit play, and remember to subscribe & leave us a review!

Articles Mentioned:

Podcasts Mentioned:

THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATES!

BrainPOP: Use TWTPOD15 for 15% off your first BrainPOP Family or BrainPOP Homeschool payment.
Libro.fm Offer: Use the TWTPod Code
- Receive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Make the Most of Professional Development: A Digging Deeper Dialogue May 28, 2023

Show notes

Are you a literacy coach looking to take your professional development to the next level, or are you a classroom teacher who wants more out of the PD you receive? Our latest episode has got you covered! Tune in for various ideas, from incorporating dedicated writing time into PD sessions to searching for mentor texts as a faculty member. More nuanced options, like video studies and lab sites, are discussed. This episode has inspiring ideas to help you take your PD to the next level.

What's Next:
We are experienced in leading professional development for school districts and are happy to discuss potential opportunities with you.

Click here to find out about Melanie Meehan's PD offerings.
Click here to learn more about Stacey Shubitz's professional development services.

Go Deeper:

THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATES!
BrainPOP: Use TWTPOD15 to receive 15% off your first BrainPOP Family or BrainPOP Homeschool payment.
Libro.fm Offer: Use the TWTPod Code
Receive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Find Inspiration for Summer Writing: A Conversation With a Colleague May 21, 2023

Show notes

Summer vacation can be when children's writing lives take a backseat to other activities. What if we could help our students pursue writing that interests them during the summer break? Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski, a former #TWTBlog co-author, joins us to discuss how to keep students writing during the summer months.

Join Kathleen and Stacey as they explore practical strategies for encouraging and supporting our students' writing lives during the summer months. From journaling to blogging to creating digital stories, there are many ideas to help keep your students engaged and motivated to write all summer long.

You can find Kathleen Neagle Sokolowski online at Courage Doesn’t Always Roar or on Twitter, @MrsSokolowski

#TWTBlog posts related to this episode:

Other helpful resources:

Best Apps for Creating Books and Storybooks (Common Sense Education)
Everything You Need to Teach Digital Citizenship (Common Sense Education)
Independent Writing: One Teacher – Thirty-Two Needs, Topics, and Plans by M. Colleen Cruz
Keeping a Notebook Videos on YouTube (Betsy the Writing Camper)
Publishing Opportunities for Students (Common Sense Education)
Sharing Our Notebooks (Amy Ludwig VanDerwater)

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Three Possibilities for Using Chat GPT: A Tip for Tomorrow from Melanie May 14, 2023

Show notes

There are many ways teachers of writing can use A.I.! From exemplar and demonstration texts to feedback on your in-process writing, to providing starting points for curriculum documents, this episode will provide you with some ideas for using A.I. to maximize your preparation time.

Where to access Chat GPT: https://chat.openai.com/chat
This requires you to set up an account, but you can also access many of the features at poe.com.
Books, blog posts, and other resources mentioned in this episode:
Three Ways to Use Chat GPT
Can A.I. Write a Good Speech?

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Make Mentor Texts Endure: A Tip For Tomorrow From Stacey May 07, 2023

Show notes

It's essential to keep mentor texts meaningful for students so they can learn how to use them effectively and independently. In this episode, Stacey shares four practical strategies to encourage children to return to mentor texts repeatedly. These include whole-class text studies, the "return and reflect" process, using craft move charts in picture books, and encouraging students to "read like a writer" when they're reading for pleasure. By implementing these techniques, teachers can help their students become more independent writers in and out of the classroom.

Books, blog posts, and other resources mentioned in this episode:

A Small Group in Action: Elaboration Strategies, Here We Come!
Craft Moves: Lesson Sets for Teaching Writing with Mentor Texts
Mentor text craft move charts are found in A Small Group in Action: Elaboration Strategies, Here We Come.
Rebekah O’Dell’s Twitter thread explains the concept of “Return and Reflect”
Tap Into the Power of Whole-Class Text Studies

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

The Tricky Business of Spelling: A Digging Deeper Dialogue Apr 30, 2023

Show notes

Are you ready to help your students take their spelling skills to the next level? We discuss spelling development and the benefits of invented spelling, word sorts, and personalized word walls. We also explore practical strategies that empower kids to become confident spellers and make the most of an "Editing Minute." Whether you're a teacher or a parent, our episode contains valuable tips to help your students succeed. Tune in now!
Go Deeper:
Be the First Reader of Your Writing
Beyond the Weekly Word List
Does Spelling Still Matter – and If So, How Should It Be Taught? Perspectives from Contemporary and Historical Research
Editing Along the Way… Often in 5 Minutes or Less
“Just Keep Swimming”: Spelling Strategies
Resources Teachers Can Share with Families: Spelling and Handwriting
Something Do-Able to Try: The Editing Minute
Spelling K-8: Planning and Teaching by Diane Snowball and Faye Bolton
Spelling Words for Kids: Resetting Our Workshop Practices
Why Invented Spelling Matters

Thanks to Our Affiliate!
Libro.fm Offer: Use the TWTPod Code
Receive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

The Importance of Immersion: A Digging Deeper Dialogue Apr 23, 2023

Show notes

Libro.fm Offer: Use the TWTPod Code
Receive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership. Credits can be used on your choice of more than 275,000 audiobooks on Libro.fm.After your first month, you’ll pay $14.99 USD for one audiobook credit per month, and each payment supports local bookstores. Members also receive 30% off when buying audiobooks à la carte. Pause or cancel at anytime and keep your audiobooks.
Engaging with good writing helps students develop a vision when they’re asked to create their own texts. In this episode, we discuss why teachers will want to spend a few days immersing students in the genre they will write at the beginning of a unit. We share strategies and protocols to help your students engage in the work of reading like a writer at the beginning of a unit of study.

Check out these past Two Writing Teachers blog posts for more about immersion.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

End the School Year with Independent Writing Projects: A Tip for Tomorrow from Stacey Apr 16, 2023

Show notes

Independent writing projects are among the best ways to infuse joy into your writing workshop. These projects are a blessing for students who love to write, but they’re also a way to hook striving writers.

A Few #TWTBlog Posts About Independent Writing Projects:

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
How Writers Work: Finding a Process That Works for You by Ralph Fletcher
Independent Writing: One Teacher---Thirty-Two Needs, Topics, and Plansby Colleen Cruz
Writing Radar: Using Your Journal to Snoop Out and Craft Great Stories by Jack Gantos

THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATE!

Libro.fm Offer: Use the TWTPod Code

Receive 2 audiobook credits for $14.99 USD with your first month of membership. Credits can be used for more than 275,000 audiobooks on Libro.fm. After your first month, you’ll pay $14.99 USD for one audiobook credit per month, and each payment supports local bookstores. Members also receive 30% off when buying audiobooks à la carte. Pause or cancel at any time and keep your audiobooks.

Send us Fan Mail

Please subscribe to our podcast and leave us ratings/reviews on your favorite listening platform.
You may contact us directly if you want us to consult with your school district.

Melanie Meehan: meehanmelanie@gmail.com
Stacey Shubitz: stacey@staceyshubitz.com

Email us at contact@twowritingteachers.org for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities.
For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.