On the last day of this week's Finding Common Ground Blog Series, learn about the difference between demonstration texts and mentor texts. Both types of text have an important place in writing instruction.
Stacey Shubitz
@shubitz.bsky.social
✍️Literacy Consultant Specializing in Writing Workshop - http://staceyshubitz.com 📚Author of MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITES (Guilford Press, 2026) 💻🎙️Co-founder of #TWTBlog & Co-host of #TWTPod - twowritingteachers.org
Are we teaching writing or writers? It's a question that's becoming increasingly important as schools balance curriculum fidelity with meeting the needs of students sitting. Explore how explicit instruction and responsive teaching work together to create meaningful writing instruction.
Stop by #TWTBlog next week for our annual back-to-school blog series! Topics we'll cover: explicit AND responsive instruction, writing blocks AND cross-curricular writing, foundational skills AND composition, choice AND assignments, & modeling AND mentor texts. http://twowritingteachers.org
Unplug, decompress, and cultivate your "wri-dentity" by finding joy in the craft of writing. 🎧 Listen to the latest #TWTPod episode at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/19208143, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Are you ready to trade one-size-fits-all for strategies that actually work? M. Colleen Cruz helps us rethink oral rehearsal. It's a classic tool, but is it excluding some students? Listen to this #TWTPod episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/19164025.
In our latest #TWTPod episode, M. Colleen Cruz discusses how to reduce and remove obstacles and why UDL is the key to true accessibility. Listen to this Writing Roundtable episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/19164025.
Next up in #TWTBlog’s Author Spotlight Series is Àlàbá Ònájìn isn't afraid to break the mould! He teaches people to ditch the script and trust their gut. https://f.mtr.cool/qznuslbkde
Not all growth is loud. I wrote about what it means when a child’s quiet effort is finally recognized, and why those moments matter so much. Read our story:
Celebrating the Steady Bloom
Honoring the Children Who Grow Without Fanfare
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How does teacher language shape young writers? Ralph Fletcher & Lily Howard Scott join Stacey to share tips for joyful, authentic writing—and how your words can build students’ confidence as writers. Listen to #TWTPod at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/19064937.
Just finished recording an exciting new Writing Roundtable episode, “Shaping Writerly Identities Through Teacher Language and Joyful Writing,” with Ralph Fletcher and Lily Howard Scott. We can’t wait to share their insights with you on #TWTPod soon!
There’s a thoughtful review & a giveaway of my new book on #TWTBlog. If you work with kids, support a child with disabilities, or care about navigating the public school system, this will resonate with you. Enter to win a copy at https://twowritingteachers.org/2026/04/20/make-the-school-system-work.
This week on #TWTPod, Stacey explores why modeling your own writing process is the key to students' growth as writers. Learn how to make "invisible" moves visible for your students. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/19020487.
Just wrapped a fantastic conversation with M. Colleen Cruz, whose new book (NEURODIVERSITY IN THE LITERACY CLASSROOM) is out in May. You won't want to miss this #TWTPod episode when it drops on 5/17. We are so grateful for Colleen's thoughtful exchanges on literacy and accessible education.
In this #TWTPod episode, Doug Kaufman & Tracey-Ann Lafayette discuss student activism, voice, and writing as forces for social change. Hear how students turn personal concerns into purposeful action through inquiry, research, and dialogue. 🎧: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18874116.
ICYMI: Jessica Carey, a #TWTBlog co-author and literacy coach, joined Melanie to talk about the power of read alouds. She shares tips and strategies that you can use right away in literacy instruction. Listen to #TWTPod now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18848436
When writing conferences go off track, a quick reset can make all the difference. Learn simple recovery lines and pivots to rebuild trust, support students, and keep your conferences productive. Try one in tomorrow’s workshop! Listen to #TWTPod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18559519.
This week on #TWTPod, I chat with Melanie Meehan & Maggie Roberts about their new book, Foundational Skills for Writing. They explore executive functioning, motor development, and playful strategies that help every writer thrive. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18720837
Are all your students getting the attention they need? This #TWTPod episode explains how simple equity checks can help make sure every learner (e.g., multilingual, quieter students, & those with IEPs) benefits from your best teaching strategies. 🎧https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18559483.
This week on #TWTPod, we unpack the origins of the Slice of Life Story Challenge and its lasting impact on teachers worldwide. Daily writing in community sharpens our teaching and our view of students. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18674594.
While interval training shouldn't replace process writing, short spurts offer real benefits. Melanie shares why to try interval writing and starter strategies on this #TWTPod episode. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18562521
🧵1/3 📣 New Podcast Episode Alert! @shubitz.bsky.social (literacy specialist + special ed parent) just dropped so much wisdom about IEP meetings, leading with strengths, and why that one document needs to be on your phone.
Feeling the mid-year slump? Tune in as Ana Valentina Patton shares practical ways for K-6 teachers to boost joy and authenticity in writing, with small shifts that make classroom life more meaningful and connected. Listen to #TWTPod now! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18559392
We know language matters, but do we notice the quiet words shaping how we see kids in schools? One word — regular — on a state form made me pause. What does it say about our students? Find the full story on Substack (link in bio), https://tinyurl.com/YAIA-regular.
Empower students to speak up in a writing workshop. In this #TWTPod episode, I share self-advocacy strategies and six sentence starters from my new book to help kids ask for help, clarify instructions, and grow as confident writers. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18548316.
The Goodreads giveaway for my new book is live. My publisher is giving away ten copies (ends Feb. 20)! Perfect for parents navigating IEPs or anyone in education. Enter here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/426652-make-the-school-system-work-for-your-child-with-disabilities-empowering.
I wrote the book I wish I’d had when my child entered school. I hope it offers clarity and reassurance to other families. Out today from Guilford Press! More Info: https://guilford.com/p/shubitz
Get a sneak peek of my new book on empowering kids with disabilities - out on 1/20/26! Discover practical tips, self-advocacy tools, and more in our latest #TWTPod episode. Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18475694
This week on #TWTPod, Melanie shares several tips for building students' automaticity with letter formation. Listen at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2027003/episodes/18443270 or wherever you get your podcasts.
Unboxing my new book! If you or someone you know needs help navigating school supports for kids with disabilities, this is your guide. Preorder “Make the School System Work for Your Child” at https://guilford.com/p/shubitz code AU2E for 15% off!
Unboxing Make the School System Work for Your Child with Disabilities
Unboxing my brand new book!If you, a friend, or a family member has ever felt lost navigating public school supports for a child with disabilities, this is y...
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From switching tones to revising drafts, cognitive flexibility fuels confident young writers. Hear practical ways to nurture it in your classroom in the latest #TWTPod episode. Listen now: https://f.mtr.cool/eteemzdova