Writers' Workshop, Reading Response Journal Lesson Plan

Do we agree that in school, teachers rely too much on paper-and-pencil activities? Students spend endless hours in rote memorization, fill-in-the-blank activities and pointless time fillers. Do we agree that worksheets are boring and meaningless?  In my 25 year teaching career, I have agonized about this waste not only of paper, but more importantly of student brain power.  I've explored ways to make schoolwork more real and less 'ditto-based' (Dittos are what we called worksheets in the medieval days of Spirit Master copy machines.) Here's a list of alternatives for Writers' Workshop and book reports that are anything-but-boring worksheet activities.  Read more