Today is one of my first days of summer break. I woke up early, even before the alarm and wrote 1000 words. We read a collective total of 5 books. The kids and I: rode bikes for an hour; had a picnic lunch by the waterfall in the park; and played at the skate park.… Continue reading Three Things
Author: Ruth Ayres
Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
Summer Reading Plans
Do you have summer reading plans? Like most things in life, it's important to make a plan in order to meet your goals. In my little corner of the world summer is almost a synonym for reading. Before I had kids, I used to send my books with Andy when he left for work in order to… Continue reading Summer Reading Plans
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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, I fear I'm missing deepening my understanding. Writing strengthens reflective practice. Will you take some time to write a reflection from this… Continue reading End of the Year Reflection
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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 notebooks, click here. Sometimes when I post oldies, I feel late to the party. Oh well. These are BIG right now around… Continue reading The Book Stack
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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 the importance of notebook work. John said: I jot ideas down in the notebook, not because I’m worried I’ll forget them, but… Continue reading Deeper Thinking About Notebook Work
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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 block of the day. There were 22 of them, and they all came from very different walks of life. Outside of the… Continue reading Wow. Just Wow.
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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 section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
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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 wanted to change the world one child at a time. Today I spent the day in a meeting. The content was a… Continue reading Go Make a Difference
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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 Prejudice For the story behind why these words are speaking to me, check out Ruth Ayres Writes.
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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 try out new ideas. I can test my theories. Often he gives a little laugh and then says, "Sure, go ahead and… Continue reading Another Kind of Share
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End of Year Traditions
Just curious... What are some of your end of year traditions with your classrooms? Please share in the comments. 🙂
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Documenting Our Learning
Sometimes I think about the amazing work happening in writing workshops, and then wonder if anyone else notices. Sometimes the things that are most amazing are small bits that pack big meaning. Sometimes the most amazing work can be easily missed. Often young writers' (or even old writers') talk is ahead of their walk. We… Continue reading Documenting Our Learning
