I teach Writing Workshop, Language Arts and Social Studies to sixth graders at a middle school in suburban New Jersey. This blog is my attempt to capture all the "stuff" that goes into my teaching life - the planning, the dreaming, the reading, the preparing, the hoping and (above all) the kids.
Please note that the content of this blog is my own. It does not reflect the opinions of my employer.
View all posts by Tara Smith
My eight-year-old granddaughter, Fiona, visiting from Michigan, came rushing into the kitchen looking for the salt shaker. There was a slug on the frog she had netted from the pond. On her way out, shaker in hand, she turned. “Grammy, even though I promise the shaker won’t touch the slug make sure you wash the top when I bring it back in… even though I promise it won’t touch it. Just in case, wash it.”
Thanks, Tara, for reminding me of Mary Oliver’s words: “Pay attention. Be astonished. Write about it.”
So this last weekend, I took a break from prepping for upcoming “curriculum” work and reviewed some notes from the June #tcrwp writing institute. Here’s a look at how my writing progressed during the week.
For some reason, my post does not show. 😦 Will try one more time. 🙂 http://familytrove.blogspot.com/2014/07/air-or-error-ports.html
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Although I entered the link to my SOL post yesterday, it never appeared. While attending yoga class yesterday morning, I found words to reflect upon. The link to my blog is http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-slice-of-life-approaching-august.html.
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Although I entered a link to my July 29, 2014 SOL piece, it never appeared so I am re-entering this morning. Yesterday’s yoga class provided me with thoughts on how to approach August as we prepare for a new year of learning. http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-slice-of-life-approaching-august.html
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I am still smiling about this. http://iheartpurplestuff.blogspot.com/2014/07/sweet-escape.html
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http://archermom.blogspot.com/2014/07/our-oldest.html
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It’s been too long. Feels good to be writing again. Making a pledge to stick with it. Here is a slice about my posey posey offspring:
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Today I reflect on how the Serenity Prayer is helping me through some tough times. http://payanwriting.blogspot.com/2014/07/slice-of-life-serenity.html
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Attended a 65th wedding anniversary on Sunday!
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After a morning at the yoga studio, I found time to reflect upon a message that was changed into a life mantra for the summer. See the blog post at http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-slice-of-life-approaching-august.html. Comments would be appreciated.
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Leaving a thoughtful piece about Anticipating August after yoga class today. Making connections from the stillness of reflective practice to approaching life with an open mindset. Blog post, Approaching August at http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-slice-of-life-approaching-august.html.
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Oh, I just love Mary Oliver’s words! After a team planning day today I got to thinking about team building: http://portable-teacher.blogspot.com/2014/07/summer-reigns.html
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Oh, I just love Mary Oliver’s words! After a team planning day today I got to thinking about team building: http://portable-teacher.blogspot.com/2014/07/summer-reigns.html
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Vacation views. http://readingteacherwrites.com/2014/07/29/slice-of-life-…oms-with-views/
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Strangers
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One of my favorites from Mary Oliver. Patience:http://deowriter.wordpress.com/2014/07/29/solsc-2014-learning-patience/
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More digital storytelling using Zeega. Kitchen Memories…as I pack up my kitchen getting ready for a move. http://www.raisingreadersandwriters.com/2014/07/kitchen-memories.html
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Reading Ralph Fletcher’s Boy Writers and had a live moment at home:
http://parentingandpedagogy.blogspot.com/2014/07/boys-will-be-boy-writers.html?m=1
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I have spent lots of time in the car this summer… yesterdays trip was on a Road Less Traveled https://myrandomwonderings.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=125&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
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Today is a happysad kind of day. http://carolwscorner.blogspot.com/2014/07/slice-of-life_29.html
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I’m learning about the importance of truly observing life and thinking about the significance of even the mundane parts.
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Little boys obsessed with cars – reminiscing – a very short story
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I wasn’t going to share today, but life happened and so here it is.
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Fishing and Teaching
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Wow, what a summer.
http://chrisleish.weebly.com/blog/learning-to-focus-on-what-i-am-doing-right
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Why I didn’t used to like taking vacation photos–and why I now do: http://wp.me/p2Pe2s-R3
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I do not think that word means what you think it means… or rather – Words have meaning,
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I tried my hand at documenting the children’s work “Reggio” fashioned – and summer finally provides the time for me to post about it! http://myiearlychildhoodreflections.blogspot.com/2014/07/what-about-our-water-investigations.html
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My summer time happy place.
http://missskopec.blogspot.com/2014/07/slice-of-life-my-happy-place.html
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This is the fourth in a series of blog posts about our trip to Guatemala. I’m finding time to write again.
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http://mslanguageartsteacher.blogspot.com/2014/07/me-myself-and-i-personal-narrative.html
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My MEMTA experience: http://millerinthemiddle.blogspot.com/
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a change in the weather:
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I’m an introvert.
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http://dkdougka01.blogspot.com/2014/07/slice-of-life-tuesday-daily-walk.html
Today we are giving the readers a snapshot of our morning walk.
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Well, my mom hasn’t been very good about writing lately, so I decided I would take over today. We’re going on vacation! http://deb-day.blogspot.com/2014/07/travels-with-chloe.html
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This summer, having time to write and a supportive critique group is helping me become fearless!
http://readingtothecore.wordpress.com/2014/07/29/slice-of-life/
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Just a “Thank you” for today.
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I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow. Today is all about the packing.
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What I am learning about writing from writing every day…http://tworeflectiveteachers.blogspot.com/2014/07/reflections-on-writing-every-day.html
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My eight-year-old granddaughter, Fiona, visiting from Michigan, came rushing into the kitchen looking for the salt shaker. There was a slug on the frog she had netted from the pond. On her way out, shaker in hand, she turned. “Grammy, even though I promise the shaker won’t touch the slug make sure you wash the top when I bring it back in… even though I promise it won’t touch it. Just in case, wash it.”
Thanks, Tara, for reminding me of Mary Oliver’s words: “Pay attention. Be astonished. Write about it.”
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Enjoying a vacation in Seattle: http://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2014/07/29/slice-of-seattle/
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a perfect day….in Paris 🙂
http://bigtimeliteracy.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-perfect-day.html
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Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with a teacher friend about readers as writers and what we hope for in this upcoming new year
http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/kid-lit-frenzy/2014/7/28/slice-of-life-readers-writers
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I am reflecting on last week’s writing, encouraged by a comment…
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Still mostly without internet. Short connection to publish a sea salty slice.
http://justforamonth.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-sea-salty-slice.html
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So thankful for the friendship at camp! From a first-time camper…
http://theamyrudder.blogspot.com/2014/07/friends-make-it.html?m=0
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The everyday moments right now
http://rdgtchr.blogspot.com/2014/07/weeding-with-my-mother.html
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Celebrating a special birthday today: http://www.teacherdance.org/2014/07/a-special-slice-grand-girl-imogene-is.html
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Teaching and learning…and hemming pants. Good stuff.
http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2014/07/slice-of-life-hemming.html
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I “dared greatly” this weekend and went ape-ing! My reflections: http://mrsknottsbooknook.blogspot.com/2014/07/sol-72914-i-went-ape-ing-this-weekend.html
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Honoring my commitment to focus on my OLW on 5th Tuesdays…
http://pleasuresfromthepage.blogspot.com/2014/07/revisiting-my-olw-savoring-book.html
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Loving the beauty & sounds of the early morning….
http://sweetwritinglife.blogspot.com/2014/07/morning-song-sol-7-29-14.html
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We are puzzled by something that appeared in our front landscaping bed.
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My twin daughters are similar, but different. Yesterday’s struggle with being different …
http://literacyzone.blogspot.com/2014/07/sols-similar-but-different.html
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Celebrating morning time… http://1gratefulteacher.blogspot.com/2014/07/morning-time.html
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The Case for Tweeting in Preschool (It’s not what you think!)
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This is an ecologically based post about saving the environment.
http://drferreri.blogspot.com/2014/07/sol2014-saving-world-one-cartridge-at.html
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So this last weekend, I took a break from prepping for upcoming “curriculum” work and reviewed some notes from the June #tcrwp writing institute. Here’s a look at how my writing progressed during the week.
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A Wildly Wonderful Week to Remember
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A surprise at our front door.
http://myreadingblog-jac.blogspot.com/2014/07/tuesday-sol-72914-unexpected-visitor.html
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I wrote a song. Two friends transformed the song into a digital story. The result floored me, and reminded me of the emotional power of digital storytelling.
http://dogtrax.edublogs.org/2014/07/29/the-power-of-the-song-as-digital-story/
Kevin
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It’s been a notable week for notebook entries…
http://livinglifetwice-alwrite.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/slice-of-life-tuesday-notable-week-for.html
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No time to write but I did. Thank you two writing teachers for the Tuesday SOL push.
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