An Athlete’s Mindset (Ruth’s SOLS 12/31)

After my husband read today’s slice, he said, “It reminds me of my favorite quote when I used to play sports:” Winning isn’t everything. It is the only thing. — Vince Lombardi After school Stephanie and I holed up in the studio for a little while. She was working on making a card for her [...]

Fresh Poetry Links

I’ve taken class trips for the sole purpose of having students write poetry.  My students have written poems atop the Prudential Center in Boston, from the Top of the Rock, next to the animals at the Bronx Zoo, and in the lush gardens at the NY Botanical Garden.  I’ve urged students to take their notebooks [...]

Two Exciting Events on Opposite Ends of the Country

THIS WEEKEND:  The Tucson Festival of Books is taking place this-coming Saturday and Sunday.  Click here to learn more about the events for children.  Plus, there is PD Credit available for this event. NEXT WEEKEND:  The 78th Saturday Reunion at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project will take place on Saturday, March 20th.  Click [...]

Day 11 of 31: SOLSC

It’s the 11th 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 for [...]

Writing (Ruth’s SOLS 11/31)

When I’m writing and the words are coming, I’m in a zone. Do you know what I’m talking about? That zone where you feel you can work forever, because things are clicking along. Hours pass in a single breath and nothing interferes with your concentration. It feels good to concentrate like that. Sometimes it doesn’t [...]

A Fuzzy Poetic Mentor Text

Last week I wrote about a book with very different types of acrostic poems, after which students can mentor themselves.  Since National Poetry Month is rapidly approaching, I thought I’d stick with poetry for the next few Thursdays. Ever since I learned about Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT, I’ve been hooked on stories [...]

Day 10 of 31: SOLSC

Congratulations on reaching the tenth 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 [...]

Take a Few Minutes to Organize.

Several years ago I took a class focused on organizing memories. The basic mantra of the class was this: You can only scrapbook as well as you are organized. During the six month class I organized photos, memorabilia, and memories. I also paid particular attention to the way my studio was organized and diligently made [...]

A Bike Ride (Ruth’s SOLS 10/31)

All five of us went for a bike ride tonight. Five bikes; four people. The little guy rides on a seat on the back of my bike. This will be his third summer riding on the back of my bike. I love having him close. Sometimes we chat. He tells me what he’s thinking. He [...]

Day 9 of 31: SOLSC

Today is the ninth 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 [...]

Letter to the Author: Part of the “Share a Story, Shape a Future” Blog Literacy Tour

Check out the “Share a Story, Shape a Future” Blog Literacy Tour.  This post relates to today’s theme, “Literacy My Way/Literacy Your Way,” of the Tour, which is hosted by Susan Stephenson at The Book Chook. I loved to write as a child, but never had someone hand me a book and say, “You write [...]

What makes a home? (Ruth’s SOLS 9/10)

Two weeks ago one of my best friends moved and now lives two hours away. She was in town yesterday and today presenting at my school. We were able to chat a little, but not enough. She was sharing with me how her new house doesn’t feel like home. Which made me begin to consider: [...]

Day 8 of 31: SOLSC

Today is the eighth 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 [...]

Living the Life of a Writer

As I’ve been Slicing this month, I’ve been noticing the way my life as a writer changes as I’ve been on the lookout for stories. As my writing about professional-content has increased these past few months, my writing about my personal life has decreased. So far this month I’ve collected personal stories for The Challenge. [...]

Yipee! (Ruth’s SOLS 8/31)

All three of the kids were together as we were talking about the day’s plans. “So tonight I won’t be home. I have a hair appointment, then I’m going out to dinner with some friends.” They all nodded. “That means you’ll be hanging out with Dad all night.” They all burst into cheers. Serious cheers [...]

Day 7 of 31: SOLSC

Today is the seventh 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. Just scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your writing [...]

A Surprise (Ruth’s SOLS 7/31)

Despite a cold that caused him to miss church this morning, my husband surprised me when I got home from service. “Do you want to go to the hockey game this afternoon?” I cut my eyes to him, thinking about the laundry and the cleaning and the writing that needed done. “I didn’t think you felt well.” [...]

Day 6 of 31: SOLSC

It’s the sixth 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. Just scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your writing for [...]

Electricity (Ruth’s SOLS 6/31)

Sam: Momma, tell me something about electricity. Me: Electricity is interesting, isn’t it? What do you know? Sam: I know it comes in through wires and goes to the breaker box. Then when we turn on the light switch it makes the lights go on. Me: Do you know anything else about electricity? Sam: Yes. [...]

Day 5 of 31: SOLSC

It’s the fifth 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. Just scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your writing for [...]

A Walk (Ruth’s SOLS 5/31)

“Want to go for a walk tonight?” I said into the answering machine, “Call me back and let me know, I can go anytime.” The phone rang two minutes later, “Hey, I was taking pizzas out of the oven. Yes, I’d love to walk tonight. Do you mind if we go after dark?” “No problem [...]

Day 4 of 31: SOLSC

It’s great to have you back for the fourth 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. Just scroll to the bottom of this post to leave [...]

Chores (Ruth’s SOLS 4/31)

“Why do I have to do dishes,” the red-headed six-year-old says. “Because we’re part of a family and families do chores together,” the eight-year-old responds, putting the last of the clean dishes away. With her hands on her hips and her chin out, the six-year-old frowns, “I won’t do them. I don’t like to do [...]

Writing Different Kinds of Acrostic Poetry

I had the pleasure of being part of the round two judges for the 2009 Cybils Poetry Panel.  I really enjoyed all five of the books we had to judge, including the winner.  One of the books that made it to the final round was called African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways with poems written [...]

Day 3 of 31: SOLSC

It’s the third 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. Just scroll to the bottom of this post to leave the link to your writing for [...]