Advertise on podcast: Two Writing Teachers Podcast

This episode features Ana Valentina Patton, an Instructional Coordinator at KLA Academy in Miami and a contributing writer for the Two Writing Teachers blog. Together, Stacey and Ana tackle the challenges teachers face during the mid-year slump, when energy dips and the pressure of test scores can overshadow the joy of writing. Ana shares practical ways to reclaim presence and authenticity as a teacher-writer, focusing on small shifts that make a big difference in the K-6 classroom. Drawing on her global teaching background, Ana offers strategies for connecting and making writing a more joyful, meaningful part of daily classroom life. GO DEEPER: A Teacher's Guide to Mentor Texts, K-5 (The Classroom Essentials Series) by Carl AndersonBuilding on “Rallying a Community of Writers”: A February Support System by Ana Valentina PattonMorning message ideas from Responsive Classroom“Persistence and Pedagogy” by Amanda PottsRallying a Community of Writers by Jessica CareySign up for the 19th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing TeachersWhen Teachers Write: Three Shifts Toward Becoming a Present Writing Teacher by Ana Valentina PattonWriting Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter ClarkAna Valentina Patton, the Instructional Coordinator at KLA Academy in Miami. With over 20 years of experience across the globe—taught in Venezuela, Egypt, and now the U.S.—Ana is an expert in literacy coaching and writing workshops. She’s passionate about the 'reciprocal power' of teaching and learning, and she’s here to help us cultivate stronger writing communities in our schools. Instagram: @anavpatton Blog: https://anavpatton.org Thanks to our affiliate, Zencastr! Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Discover how teaching self-advocacy during writing workshop empowers students to express their needs and take charge of their learning. Drawing on insights from her upcoming book, Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities: Empowering Kids for the Future, Stacey shares practical sentence starters to help students ask for help with revision, clarify instructions, and participate in peer conferences with confidence. Learn how teaching your students these sentences can foster independence and help them speak up for themselves clearly.  Six Self-Advocacy Sentences for Writing Workshop I’m feeling confused about my writing. Can you help me understand what to do next?I need help with this part of my writing. Could you help me?I’m not sure how to revise this. Could you show me again?Can you please check if I understood the instructions correctly?I’m struggling with giving feedback. Can we talk about how to do it?I’m not comfortable sharing this piece. Is there another way I can participate?Learn more about Stacey’s book, Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities: Empowering Kids for the Future (Guilford Press, 2026). ***** Thanks to our affiliate, Zencastr. Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  ***** Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, Melanie talks with Stacey about her forthcoming book, Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities: Empowering Kids for the Future. From its three-part structure and recurring features, such as tips for cultivating joy and engaging in self-care, to its asset-based approach that builds partnerships while fiercely advocating for services, the book offers practical guidance. Designed primarily for parents and caregivers, it also benefits educators and service providers by demystifying technical language, procedures, and processes, serving as a quick-reference roadmap—making it valuable for non-special ed teachers, new special educators, administrators, and more. It offers key insights on self-advocacy, agency, and strategies to empower kids for lifelong success ahead of its January 20 release from Guilford Press. ​Use promo code AU2E to receive 15% off your pre-order this text at Guilford.com. ​Connect with Stacey Shubitz online: Instagram: @thestaceyshubitzLinkedIn: @staceyshubitzSubscribe to her Substack: Your Ally in AdvocacyWebsite: staceyshubitz.com Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, Melanie provides a few tips for building students' automaticity with letter formation.  Go deeper Effective Strategies for Teaching Handwriting in Grades 3-8The Handwriting Part of WritingSend us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

This week, we examine cognitive flexibility and its importance for young writers and learners. Listeners will hear clear, classroom-based examples—such as switching from an outside voice to an inside voice, adapting to new assignments, and seeing disappointing grades as growth opportunities. The discussion links cognitive flexibility to writing, emphasizing how it aids in planning, revising, experimenting with different leads and endings, and responding to teacher feedback productively. Practical strategies like perspective-taking, word play, experimentation, writing within constraints, and goal-setting are shared to help teachers develop this skill. The episode also features picture book mentor texts such as Don’t Feed the Bears, Beautiful Oops, The Dot, and One Word from Sophia, using them as springboards to discuss flexible thinking with students. Sources Mentioned Dr. Nelson CowanPip the Guide DogValerie Boling podcastJess Mazzonne’s postMindset by Carol Dweck Beauty of Opinion Writing podcastOne Word From SophiaThanks to our affiliate, Zencastr! Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

Opinion writing in grades K–6 is more than just persuasive essays. It lets kids express what they really think and see their ideas matter on the page. In this episode, we look at what makes opinion writing special: children sharing real opinions on topics they care about, building their sense of self, and bravely taking risks with their words. You’ll hear how opinion writing grows from simple preferences with pictures and labels to more thoughtful arguments that consider other viewpoints. We also share a list of mentor texts you can use to lift the level of your students’ opinion writing. Finally, we offer ways to celebrate students’ work, like author’s chair, hallway displays, family mailings, and online publishing, all focused on giving students a voice and the joy of sharing their opinions with real audiences. Go Deeper  Doug KaufmannTracey LafayetteBeth Moore’s website for paperThe New York Times’ Writing ContestsBooks We Mentioned: 1,000 Awesome Things by Neil PasrichaBreakfast on Mars and 37 Other Delectable Essays: Your Favorite Authors Take A Stab at the Dreaded Essay edited by Brad Wolfe and Rebecca SternDon’t Feed the Bear by Kathleen DohertyCan I Be Your Dog by Troy CummingsEating to Save the Planet by Ann BroylesOur Favorite Day of the Year by A.E. AliThe Black Mambas by Kelly Crull Thanks to our affiliate, Zencastr! Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, Stacey explores how picture books about moving, starting over, and making a new home—including stories of immigrants, refugees, and families in transition—can inspire and elevate students’ writing. Drawing on Rudine Sims Bishop’s work about books as mirrors and windows, she highlights three powerful titles: My Home is in My Backpack, You Are Home, and Just Say Welcome. Each book offers students opportunities to see themselves, build empathy, and practice meaningful writing craft moves. You’ll also learn a simple, actionable routine for using picture books as mentor texts in your classroom right away. Whether your students have lived through significant changes or are learning to welcome others, these stories will help every child find their voice and build a sense of belonging through writing. Click here to look inside the picture books in “Finding Home and Building Voice: How Picture Books on Moving and Belonging Inspire Young Writers.” References: Craft Moves: Lesson Sets for Teaching Writing with Mentor Texts by Stacey Shubitz (Stenhouse Publishers, 2016) Just Say Welcome by Emily Raij and Nathalia Takeyama (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2025) Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors by Rudine Sims Bishop (1990) My Home is in My Backpack by Eugenia Perrella and Angela Salerno (Floris Books, 2025) You Are Home by Bex Tobin Fine and Andres Landazabal THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATE! Zencastr: Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

This Writing Roundtable episode features Valerie Bolling discussing her book, Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom: Building Student Agency, Independence, and Success. Valerie shares what inspired her focus on writing, goal setting, and how teachers can balance guidance with student ownership. She explains how to model goal setting, teach effective strategies, and assess student progress. Valerie also addresses common challenges teachers face and offers practical solutions. This episode provides valuable insights into fostering agency and independence in young writers. Go Deeper: Here are several Two Writing Teachers blog posts and past podcast episodes that deal with the topics discussed in this episode: A Few Tips for Small Group InstructionBuild Strong Writers with Executive Function ToolsIncreasing Student Agency as WritersStudent Agency, Self-Assessment, and Small Group InstructionStudent Seminars and Goal-SettingThe Power of Goal-SettingValerie Bolling is an award-winning 30-year educator/author who has written over 10 books for children; Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom: Building Student Agency, Independence, and Success is her first book for teachers, and she has two others on the way. Follow these links to find Valerie online: WebsiteInstagramBlueskyFacebookXLinkedinThanks to our affiliate, Zencastr! Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, we explore the typical path that every writing unit follows, regardless of the curriculum. We highlight teaching strategies that work in different settings. We discuss immersion, its importance, and how to make it more beneficial for writers. We also discuss how co-creating anchor and process charts can support students, focusing on what authors do and how they do it. You'll hear tips on helping students think about their purpose and audience, guiding them through planning, drafting, and revising, and building a strong classroom community through partnerships, sharing, and feedback. We wrap up with ideas for celebrating writing and encouraging meaningful reflection. GO DEEPER: A Trajectory to Duplicate: These Poems Were VERY Good ThingsSomething Do-Able to Try: The Editing MinuteThanks to our affiliate, Zencastr! Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

This episode explores practical executive functioning tools that support students’ writing and goal-setting success. Inspired by Valerie Bolling's book, Goal Setting in the Writing Classroom: Building Student Agency, Independence, and Success (Stenhouse Publishers, 2025), Stacey highlights seven strategies—such as making timelines, using timers, and tracking progress—that help improve organization, focus, and motivation. These tools build essential skills for writing and lifelong executive functioning. Drawing on personal experience, the episode shows how goal-setting applies both in and out of the classroom. Tune in to learn how to help students develop confidence and independence with their writing goals. GO DEEPER! TWT Podcast Episodes That Deal with Executive FunctioningAccommodations for Access to Writing InstructionBuild Executive Functioning with Time Management TechniquesBuild Writing Confidence with the "Ready, Do, Done" ModelCo-Create Writing GoalsHelp K-8 Students with Executive Functioning Needs: A Conversation with a ColleagueUnlock Strategies for Task InitiationTWT Blog Posts That Explore Executive FunctioningContingency Maps for Writing WorkshopsFrom Memory to MasteryHands in the Air: How Gestures Support Writing InstructionRoutines Build CapacityWriting and Working Memory: Reflective PracticeSend us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this episode, Melanie talks with TWTBlog co-authors Sarah Valter and Leah Thomas about ways to infuse writing experiences in students' lives beyond classroom instruction.  GO DEEPER: Finding Wider Audiences for Student Work This or That: Inspiring Writers to Learn About Themselves Extracurricular Writing Clubs Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge ***** Thanks to our affiliate, Zencastr!  Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

GIven that many teachers are getting ready for parent/caregiver conferences, Melanie suggests five ideas for making good writing conferences even better!  GO DEEPER: Genre-based Progressions Summer Writing Motivation Ways for Caregivers to Support Writers Making the Most of Conferences Finding Wider Audiences for Student Work Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

My Kids Can't Write: How to Advance Achievement Through Cross-Curricular Writing, by Paul Emerich France, provides K-5 teachers with practical guidance on helping students write effectively across all subjects. It explains how to incorporate simple routines and journal-based activities to make writing a regular and manageable part of classroom life. In today's episode, we talk with Paul about how to prioritize writing throughout the school day. Paul Emerich France is a National Board Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, and the author of six books on teaching. Recently, he has published My Kids Can’t Write with Corwin Press. He currently works as a consultant and coach, supporting teachers with implementing cognitive writing across all subject areas. Website: Make Teaching SustainableBook: My Kids Can't Write, K-5: How to Advance Achievement Through Cross-Curricular Writing (Corwin Press, 2025)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainteaching/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sustainteachingSend us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

There are many different questions to consider when assessing students' writing. This episode suggests various lenses for deciding on next instructional steps.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.

In this Writing Roundtable episode, Stacey and Melanie talk with Patty McGee and Tim Donohue, co-authors of Not Your Granny’s Grammar. Patty and Tim explain their research-based approaches to making grammar and writing instruction engaging and meaningful for both teachers and students. They explore the history of grammar, the power of grammar notebooks and partnerships, and how to effectively integrate grammar instruction into the school day. Patty and Tim also break down the scope and sequence of their book, emphasizing teacher choice and instructional principles that nurture lifelong learners. Additionally, they highlight the invaluable grammar guide included in their book. Whether you’re a teacher looking to refresh your grammar toolkit or you’re eager to find a new approach to grammar instruction, this episode offers valuable takeaways to inspire your teaching practice. You can check out more about this book on Melanie's post on the TWT blog.  Tim Donohue is a former high school English teacher who currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent in New Jersey.  He can be reached at [email protected] Patty McGee is a literacy consultant, author, educator, and advocate for delightful literacy practices. Learn more about Patty and her work at www.pattymcgee.org. THANKS TO OUR AFFILIATE! Zencastr: Use our special link (https://zen.ai/mqsr2kHXSP2YaA1nAh2EpHl-bWR9QNvFyAQlDC3CiEk) to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.  Send us a text 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: [email protected] Stacey Shubitz: [email protected] Email us at [email protected] for affiliate or sponsorship opportunities. For more about teaching writing, head to the Two Writing Teachers blog.