Summer Writing Camp
My summers away at sleep away camp were some of the best of my life. However, sleep away camp gave way to summer internships, which eventually gave way to jobs. Ah, the passage… Read More
Monthly Archive: May, 2012
End of the Year Reflection
I think reflective practice is the heart of a growing teacher. Without reflection, we stagnate. Over time, reflection has become a state of mind for me. However, if I never write it down,… Read More
The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment… Read More
The Book Stack
No surprise here that this was in my book stack this week. If you missed the interview on Ruth Ayres Writes, click here. If you missed the way John influenced my thinking about… Read More
Words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Last week I traveled to Washington, DC for a family vacation. While we were there we visited the Washington DC Martin Luther King National Memorial, which opened since our last trip to DC. … Read More
Deeper Thinking About Notebook Work
This week I had the opportunity to interview author John Claude Bemis. This is is latest book: I asked him about notebook work and his response led me to a deeper understanding of… Read More
Wow. Just Wow.
Awhile ago I was a 7th grade language arts teacher. My last year in the classroom I had one of the coolest classes that may have ever been compiled. It was the last… Read More
The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment… Read More
Go Make a Difference
Tonight’s post is just a little reminder. Your story matters. Your teaching matters. Take a minute and remember why you joined the profession in the first place. Do you remember? I do. I… Read More
Words that are Speaking to Me
Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting. — Jane Austen, Pride and… Read More
Talking with Taylor Mali + a Giveaway
On a tough day in the classroom, all of us have turned to Taylor Mali‘s poem “What Teachers Make” for some solace. Last month Taylor published a book, What Teachers Make: In Praise… Read More
What do you think of this minilesson?
I’ve been working on a few sample minilessons to give my grad students next month when I start teaching “Children’s Literature in Teaching Writing.” I’ve been making tweaks to the traditional minilesson structure… Read More
Another Kind of Share
We’ve been researching in Keith Bollman’s 5th grade class. Because Keith and I have been working together for years, I know he will let me play a little in writing workshop. I can… Read More
The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Please link the Slice of Life Story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment… Read More
End of Year Traditions
Just curious… What are some of your end of year traditions with your classrooms? Please share in the comments.
Raise Your Glass: The Making of a Wedding Toast
My brother-in-law is getting married this Sunday. Marc, my husband, is his brother’s best man. As is tradition at most weddings, Marc will be delivering a toast at the reception. Last weekend Marc… Read More
Kindergarten Poetry Celebration
This is great. We’re going to play it this afternoon with the class. Popcorn, apple juice, and a movie to celebrate our work in poetry. Please watch the first minute, because the teacher,… Read More
An Interview with Maribeth Boelts + a Giveaway of Happy Like Soccer
Maribeth Boelts will be the visiting author for the graduate course I’m teaching about children’s literature and the teaching of writing this summer. I’m SO EXCITED to meet her in person since I’ve… Read More
The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Please link the slice of life story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment… Read More
