Gues Post by Mary (Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives)

Hi there! I'm Mary from Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives.  I am so excited to be guest blogging for Tammy today! LOVE her! :)
Is anyone else revamping their literacy stations this year?  I've been participating in Tammy's Daily 5 and Deedee's In Pictures and In Words book studies this summer.  As a result...my writing station and writer's workshop routine have really been on my mind.  I've gotten some incredible ideas this summer and can't wait to try out some of the new things I've learned!

One of the things that has worked well for me in the past are my kids' writing folders.  I've used spirals for journaling, but folders seem to work best for my classroom for writer's workshop.

I combine folders with brads and folders without brads to make a 4-pocket folder for each child.  I like for all of my folders to be uniform so I usually go out and purchase them myself when they get cheap enough at back to school time.  That way, I can have them assembled and ready at the beginning of school.  I label each section of the folder so my kids can organize their writing tools, ideas, "work in progress" items, and finished products that are ready for the author's chair.
You can grab a copy of my labels and instructions on assembling the folder {here} or by clicking the picture below. {Free}

Do you have a designated area for "authors" to present their work?  This is a definite motivator in my room!  There's something about that proud moment of feeling accomplished and sharing your completed work with others.  I just have a slipcover that transforms one of our chairs.  The mom of one of my former students made it for me!  Isn't it adorable?  I usually slip it on the afternoon before or the morning of- when I know that one of my students will be ready to present.  The kiddos are usually bursting at the seams with anticipation and it becomes a huge guessing game of who is ready to present their work!  I just love that buzz of excitement.  :)

The last thing I want to share with you today is a book I found that will be released next Tuesday, July 24th!  It is about a little dog named Rocket who struggles to find something to write about.  With the help of a little bird, he learns to look more closely at the world around him and ends up finding great inspiration for his story writing.  Doesn't this book sound perfect for writer's workshop?  I have pre-ordered it and can't wait to read it from cover to cover when it arrives on Tuesday.  You can click on the picture below to read the description and pre-order your copy too if you think it is something you might like to incorporate in your classroom.

Thanks to Tammy for letting me share on her blog today!  Stop by and say hi at my blog when you get the chance! :)