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  • Awesome alternatives to what I did on my summer vacation. Two students are shown with paper and pencils
    Back-to-School

    Awesome Alternatives to “What I Did on My Summer Vacation”

    • August 27, 2025
    • 0 comments
    • by Carolyn Cerrito

    What I Did on My Summer Vacation Rethinking the First Writing Assignment Pencil? Check. Paper? Check. What I Did on My Summer Vacation? Eh… not so fast. During my early years in teaching, I’d enter my classroom full of ideas for my back-to-school writing lessons. The first writing piece, of course, was “What I Did […]

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  • What is freewriting and why it matters for back-to-school. Photo of a student sitting at a desk holding a pencil with an open notebook.
    Back-to-School, Teacher Planning

    What Is Freewriting and Why It Matters for Back-to-School

    • August 13, 2025
    • 0 comments
    • by Carolyn Cerrito

    Ever wish you had a clear, authentic window into how your students think, write, and express themselves before the curriculum kicks into full gear? That’s exactly what freewriting offers. Moreover, freewriting fosters classroom community, enhances writing stamina over time, and uncovers the hidden stories your students are carrying. In the early weeks of school, I […]

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  • Supplies for Writers: Essentials Grade 3-5 Teachers Actually Need with photo of a black mesh cylinder with pencils and pens
    Teacher Planning

    Supplies for Writers: Essentials Grade 3–5 Teachers Actually Need

    • July 30, 2025
    • 0 comments
    • by Carolyn Cerrito

    When thinking about classroom setup, essential supplies for writers in grades 3-5 aren’t just accessories that are lining back-to-school aisles or in trendy ads online. They’re foundations that help move students from idea to draft to publication with possibility and purpose. As an upper elementary teacher, you know the right tools don’t just support organization—they […]

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  • Personal narrative writing for grades 3-5, Blue Heart Writing.com. Two photos of students writing with paper and pens.
    Personal Narratives, Types of Writing

    Personal Narrative Writing in Grades 3–5: Build Confidence & Voice

    • July 16, 2025
    • 0 comments
    • by Carolyn Cerrito

    Personal narrative writing can be the key to unlocking the stories inside those students who feel stuck, resistant, or overwhelmed. It’s a simple, quick win, especially when students struggle with writing. And here’s why: they already have the content. They live it every single day. Kids are natural storytellers. They talk about their lives constantly: […]

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  • Summer Writing

    9 Fun Summer Writing Ideas That Don’t Feel Like Extra Homework

    • June 24, 2025
    • 1 Comment
    • by Carolyn Cerrito

    If you’re looking for summer writing ideas that will keep kids engaged without the dreaded “this feels like homework!” complaints, you’re in the right place. These easy summer writing projects are filled with fun, hands-on creativity. They’re perfect for avoiding the summer slide while making writing feel like play. How Summer Writing Ideas Can Grow […]

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  • Text reads: End-of-Year Writing for Grades 3-5. Photo shows a boy in a blue shirt holding a pencil and writing on lined paper.
    End-of-Year

    5 Easy End-of-Year Writing Activities to Keep Students Engaged

    • June 14, 2025
    • 0 comments
    • by Carolyn Cerrito

    June has arrived, bringing longer days, restless energy, the undeniable pull of summer break, and end-of-year writing activities as we say goodbye to the current school year and hello to summer!  While students (and teachers!) dream of what’s to come— newfound freedom, sleeping in, sunny adventures, lazy afternoons, and time with loved ones— there’s still […]

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Welcome!

Hey there!

I'm Carolyn, your guide to all things Writing in upper elementary! Whether you're a recent graduate with your new teaching degree, making a mid-career transition into the classroom, or a veteran teacher in need of a refresher, you're in the right place! Come join me for writing ideas, tips, lessons, and resources. Together, let's inspire your students to write with purpose and creativity!

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Free writing strategy guide: 7 Simple Strategeis to Solve the "I Don't Know What to Write" Dilemma, from Blue Heart Writing for Grade 3-5 teachers.

Download your FREE Writing Strategy Guide here!

Are you tired of hearing your students sigh, “I don’t know what to write!”

Discover 7 simple ways to spark creativity in your student authors so they can thrive and become the awesome writers you know they can be!

Hey Teacher Friends! It's my favorite time of year Hey Teacher Friends! It's my favorite time of year! 🍁🍂🎄🎉

November's flying by fast! How's it going for you? I'm LOVING the cooler weather we're finally getting in New York! 

Currently finishing up my Christmas Writing Craftivity sets. If you liked my Halloween craftivities, you'll love these winter holiday-inspired writing craft packs!! ☃️

One simple idea snowballed into a 4-part set of holiday writing craftivities to enjoy with your 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders! 

Everything is included for your kids to write with purpose while having fun! 
• 12 task cards with a range of writing prompts 
• Graphic organizer planning pages
• Various art toppers for student choice
• Several sizes of lined publishing paper

Christmas will be in my TPT store very soon! 🎅🏼

And look for these holiday sets to follow:
• Hanukkah 🕎 🕯️💙
• Kwanzaa 🌽❤️💚🖤
• New Year's 🎉🥂... packed full of toppers, 2025 through 2040!

Back to putting the finishing touches on Christmas! 
Happy Holiday Writing!!

#upperelementary #iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #iteachwriting #christmascraftivity #hanukkahwriting #hanukkahforkids #hanukkahcrafts #kwanzaacrafts #kwanzaawritingprompts #kwanzaaforkids #winterwritingforkids #holidaycraftivities #craftivities #writingteacher #upperelementaryteacher #tptstore #teachersofig #teachersoftpt
Hey teacher friends! After a jam-packed week of Hey teacher friends! 

After a jam-packed week of teaching, meetings, zoom calls, traffic, candy, and Halloween fun, it's nice to have some down time today. I'm spending a quiet Sweet 16th wedding anniversary with Charles curled up on the couch. He's all prepped and ready for his HotFlips Long Island Comic Book Fest tomorrow... I'll be there helping at the door. Right now, here I am in my usual comfy spot with my laptop and PowerPoint. 

Currently on my screen: new sets of writing craftivity goodies for the winter holiday season! So many celebrations, so little time!! Can't wait to share them with you! 

Can't believe it's already November!! What are you looking forward to this month?

#novemberwriting #iteachwriting #iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #writingteacher #writingcraft #upperelementary #elementaryteacher #elementarywriting #iteachthird #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #writingprompts #writingforkids #christmascrafts #hanukkahcrafts #kwanzaacrafts #newyearscrafts #winterholidays #writingforkids
Hey friends! I'm making my way back to FB with a n Hey friends! I'm making my way back to FB with a new blog after a long pause. It's great to be back! 

Click here to learn about the benefits of writing journals in your upper elementary classroom...✏️📝📓

https://blueheartwriting.com/benefits-of-writing-journals/ 

#writingteacher #writingteachers #upperelementary #Iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #teachersoftpt #3rdgrade #4thgrade #5thgrade #iteach3rd #iteach4thgrade #iteach5thgrade #writingjournals #journalwriting #upperelementaryteachers #upperelementaryteacher
It's coming soon!! CYBER MONDAY on TPT!! #tptsale It's coming soon!! CYBER MONDAY on TPT!!

#tptsale #cybermonday #cybermonday2023 #teachersofig #nycteachers #writingteacher #upperelementary #iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #upperelementarywriting #writingislife
Need a last-minute Thanksgiving writing activity? Need a last-minute Thanksgiving writing activity? Check out these differentiated writing pages! No prep... just print and go!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Thanksgiving-Writing-Prompts-8698354

#thanksgiving #upperelementary #iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #writingteacher #nycteachers #teachersofinstagram #tptsale #flashsale
A week ago tonight, I was curled up in a blanket o A week ago tonight, I was curled up in a blanket on my couch, writing a stream-of-consciousness list that became a 3-page impromptu tribute poem. My dear lifelong friend S had passed away after a devastating illness. I knew it was a matter of time, but getting the message on Tuesday, November 7th, was heartbreaking.

The next morning, I drove to work, my mind filled with memories of S. 

I went through the motions of my morning opening routines: starting my laptop, getting into my email, clicking the day’s Google slides and attendance lists. 

“Happy Wednesday! How is everyone this morning?” I cheerfully greeted my students with a smile. It’s that thing that teachers just do. Whatever we are dealing with in our personal lives becomes secondary when our kids walk into our rooms. We smile. We greet. We bury our feelings for the time being. Business as usual. 

I made it through the next few days of school with a smile on my face. 

But after hours, during my long commute home, was a different story. 

I remembered. 

I cried. 

I listened to songs that reminded me of her. 

And once home, I reached for my journal. 

William Wadsworth wrote, “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” And this past week, I certainly did. It was both a tribute and a cathartic outpouring of love. Forty-four years of friendship and sisterhood, laughter and tears, and everything in between. I am truly grateful for having known my dear S.

As we enter this busy Thanksgiving week, carve out a few minutes to collect your thoughts and jot them down. What are you thankful for? Who are you grateful for? What are the breathings of your heart?

Short on time? When on the go without pen and paper nearby, use the microphone feature on your phone to speak into your Notes app. I use this a lot.

#wadsworth #lifelongfriendship #writingismylife #grateful #upperelementary #writingteachers #tributepoem
To all who protect and defend us... thank you for To all who protect and defend us... thank you for your service. We honor you. ❤️🇺🇸
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