Yesterday I received a note in snail mail from a former student who graduated this year. Here is what it said, typed as closely as possible to the original: Thank you Mrs. Ayres, you tought me alot you always were there for me to help me through the ruff times. you Believed in me when… Continue reading the big picture.
Month: June 2008
All Chocked-Up
Regular readers of this blog might remember how impressed I was with one of my students who artfully mentored her memoir after Cynthia Rylant last month. She's also been writing some amazing poems this month. So, this is what I just got finished writing on her report card (and I'm all chocked-up): Molly listens attentively… Continue reading All Chocked-Up
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Picture Book-Palooza
On Thursday afternoon my students counted the photocopies of the book covers that I have hanging on clotheslines all around our classroom. Nearly every book I've read (save a few whose covers I never hung) to my students has it's cover posted around the room (laminated on mounted construction paper). They counted, with the ones… Continue reading Picture Book-Palooza
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INSPIRATION for Memoir Mondays: Mistakes from the Past
Ever do something that you look back on and think, "What was I thinking?" Well, when I came across this photo of my feet (Sorry, but I have to post it for you to get the full effect!) from 2001, I was horrified at what I allowed someone to do to my feet: You know… Continue reading INSPIRATION for Memoir Mondays: Mistakes from the Past
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Are you up for one more challenge?
When Ruth and I developed Two Writing Teachers last year, we wanted it to be a place where teachers could be fueled with a passion for teaching, writing, and living. We also wanted it to be a place where we shared our own writing and reflected on our teaching: celebrating when it went well and… Continue reading Are you up for one more challenge?
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An Original Acrostic Poem for Poetry Friday
I'm teaching acrostic poetry to my students today. That fact, coupled with the present Word Up/One Little Word Challenge involving the word ONE, I decided to mesh the poetry and the OLW Challenge together. Word Up - One, originally uploaded by teachergal. This week Poetry Friday is being hosted at Sarah Reinhardt's Blog. However, if… Continue reading An Original Acrostic Poem for Poetry Friday
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Literacy For All
Between presenting at NEATE and at NCTE, my fall is going to be very full. However, when I received the brochure for the 19th Annual Literacy for All Conference, which is held annually in Providence, I couldn't resist signing up for a Sunday Pre-Conference Workshop since I only have to travel a couple of miles… Continue reading Literacy For All
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Making Mentor Poems Accessible At Any Time
Mentor Poems Bulletin Board, originally uploaded by teachergal. I realized the other day that it was unfair to only provide extra mentor poems, from my mentor poems binder, to kids when I conferred with them. Hence, in addition to handing out a packet of mentor poems after each minilesson, I also put together this new… Continue reading Making Mentor Poems Accessible At Any Time
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GET A READING LIFE: Independent Reading Projects
Up to My Eyeballs in Independent Reading Projects Originally uploaded by teachergal My kids filled out their independent reading project proposal forms today. They WOWED me! And now, I have been combing through my bookcases at home trying to find books that will fit the type of work they want to do as they prepare… Continue reading GET A READING LIFE: Independent Reading Projects
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Summer Reading.
At my daughter's k - 3 school, there is a summer reading challenge. Each year the challenge changes, but the idea is to encourage a LOT of reading over the summer. This year it is to read 1000 pages over the next 10 weeks. Wow! At first I thought we'd have trouble. However, last night… Continue reading Summer Reading.
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Summer Literacy Challenge for Kids
Jen Barney, of A Teacher's Life, posted a comment on a post I wrote a couple months ago about summer writing loss. Jen suggested that I give my students a Summer Adventure Packet. She graciously sent the one she used to me so that I could tweak it for my own use. This is what… Continue reading Summer Literacy Challenge for Kids
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Ruth’s SOLSC: Hello Summer.
Waking up before the alarm, smiling, and easily getting out of bed. This is the first indicator of summer. Taking the time to make breakfast, sitting at the table to enjoy a conversation with a toddler and preschooler. This is the second indicator of summer. Taking our oldest to kindergarten; another indicator of summer. The… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLSC: Hello Summer.
