Day 31 of 31: SOLSC

Congratulations on reaching the final day of our month-long writing challenge!  Please link your SOLS today before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today. Additional Notes: Click here to learn more about the prizes people who write for all 31 days of March will be eligible to win. Click here to get find out about prizes folks [...]

Good Bye March (Ruth’s SOLS 31/31)

March you whirled around and around. March you spent hours on the computer, more than you like, but somehow still not enough. March you stayed home, enjoying the grey days almost as much as the sunny ones. March you held chaos and solitude, stress and delight, tears and giggles all within your arms. March you savored [...]

The Way We Speak

The way we speak has been on my mind a lot lately. I read Peter Johnston’s Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children’s Learning (Stenhouse, 2004) when it was fresh off the press. At the time I remember thinking, What’s the big deal? This is a book filled with common sense and conversations that are second nature. [...]

Day 30 of 31: SOLSC

  Edited:  I was touched by Kevin’s heartwarming reflection via a podcast that he posted today. He reflects about why he writes for 31 straight days each March. Will you follow his lead and reflect about how the challenge has impacted you? It could even become your next Slice. (Does that make anyone else smile: a Slice about [...]

Walking on Sunshine (Ruth’s SOLS 30/31)

I know it’s shocking that they aren’t red, but nonetheless these are my latest pair of shoes from my mom. I’ve been wanting a pair of yellow shoes, and even with the big flower on the toe, I think these are perfect. Maybe it’s because they are yellow. Maybe it is because they are bright. [...]

Day 29 of 31: SOLSC

Congratulations on reaching the 29th day of the Slice of Life Story Challenge!  Stacey will start celebrating Passover this evening, so I’m taking over for the last three days of the Challenge.  Please link your Slice of Life Story, using the exact URL of the post you’re submitting today, to this post by leaving a [...]

Dinner Disaster (Ruth’s SOLS 29/31)

All of this happened in less than ten minutes. “Come on in for dinner,” I called out the front door. Andy and the kids began picking up the baseballs speckling our yard. Then in went the bats and in went the mits. They heaved the tub back to the garage. Everyone crowded around the bathroom sink [...]

Summer Plans?

The 5th annual All-Write Summer Institute is planned for June 21 – 22 in Shipshewana, IN. At an ubelievable price, it is something you may want to consider. If you register before May 1st, it is $159 (only $99 if your school is a member of the All-Write Consortium). Check out this line-up of national [...]

Day 28 of 31: SOLSC

Welcome to the 28th day of the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Please link your Slice of Life Story, using the exact URL of the post you’re submitting today, to this post by leaving a comment before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today. Scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your [...]

Counting Down to Break (Ruth’s SOLS 28/31)

Four more happy wake ups until Spring Break. The days before break always challenge me to continue savoring each day. I tend to get caught up in anticipating vacation and I forget to relish each day for what it is. I’m looking forward to collecting my final Slices for the challenge in these days leading [...]

Day 27 of 31: SOLSC

The weekend is upon us!  Be sure to check out some of the things we’ve been blogging about this week, which have a way of getting lost behind the calls for Slice of Life Stories.  This past week’s non-SOLSC posts include: Feature Article Inquiry Going-Public with Student Writing Lighten Up! Take W.W. Outside Topic Choice [...]

Shoe Shopping (Ruth’s SOLS 27/31)

“I’m double excited with sprinkles on top,” Sam said on our way to my parents’ house. “Papa and I are going to have a grrrrrreat time!” “Not as much fun as we’re going to have with Mimi,” Stephanie countered. The argument, er conversation, continued about who was going to have the most fun — Sam [...]

Day 26 of 31: SOLSC

Welcome to the 26th day of the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Please link your Slice of Life Story, using the exact URL of the post you’re submitting today, to this post by leaving a comment before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today. Scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your [...]

Photos Galore! (Ruth’s SOLSC 26/31)

One of the things I’ve fallen behind on due to writing the book is processing my photos. I have a little system I go through to get from camera to prints (to scrapbooking) and it’s been shoved to the back burner time and time again. Tonight I decided to catch up. Well, maybe not catch [...]

Going Public with Student Writing

Most young writers long for an audience who will read and respond to their writing in a thoughtful way.  One of the most important gifts you can give your students is the desire to publish their writing in the world at-large.  There are a multitude of young author’s contests and magazines that accept student writing [...]

Day 25 of 31: SOLSC

Today is the 25th day of the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Please link your Slice of Life Story, using the exact URL of the post you’re submitting today, to this post by leaving a comment before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today. Scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your [...]

Topic Choice Mentors

Sometimes, when we offer students choice during a poetry unit of study, they get come up empty.  One topic that all kids have something to say about is school.  Whether they love it or hate it, enjoy writing or shy away from it, all children have opinions and unique experiences about school.  Reading, Rhyming, and [...]

A Grey Day (Ruth’s SOLS 25/31)

It’s been a grey day today. All day the sky has been shades of grey and the rain has come down. I like grey days from time to time. They make me want to slow down and remember all the reasons I have to be grateful. I remember a slew of gratitudes in order to [...]

Day 24 of 31: SOLSC

Today is the 24th day of the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Please link your Slice of Life Story, using the exact URL of the post you’re submitting today, to this post by leaving a comment before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today. Scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your [...]

Good Night (Ruth’s SOLS 24/31)

(Since it’s nearing the end of the month, I’m pushing myself to collect ordinary Slices that represent my daily life.) It goes like this: Good Night Sam Here’s a keep-you-forever-hug, Momma. He hugs me tight, tighter, and then some more. You’re the best Momma ever. I love you. He snuggles in, then pops up Can [...]

Feature Article Inquiry

This week I’ve been working with a team of extraordinary fourth grade teachers. They are on the brink of a unit of study based on research. I launched the unit with an inquiry into feature articles. I brought a couple of samples with me and posed the question: What makes a feature article? Most of [...]

Day 23 of 31: SOLSC

Today is the 22nd day of our month-long writing challenge! Please link your Slice of Life Story, using the exact URL of the post you’re submitting today, to this post by leaving a comment before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today. Please scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your writing [...]

After School (Ruth’s SOLS 23/31)

I used to be wiped-out after school. I spent every ounce of energy during the day and came home completely zapped. 4:00 pm in the summer seemed to be a completely different time than 4:00 pm during the school year. Four o’  clock pm summer felt like there was still an entire day left to [...]

Take W.W. Outside!

It’s been a long, hard winter for those of us who live in the Northeast.  I’ve been walking outside when I got home in the late afternoon.  As I scrolled through some Slice of Life Story Submissions, I noticed a lot of other people have been getting outside to enjoy the unseasonable weather.  While it’s [...]

Day 22 of 31: SOLSC

Today is the 22nd day of our month-long writing challenge! Please link your Slice of Life Story, using the exact URL of the post you’re submitting today, to this post by leaving a comment before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time today. Please scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your writing [...]