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, Lori Hickman, shares her genuine thoughts about teaching kindergarteners to write poetry. She begins by admitting she thought is was going to… Continue reading Kindergarten Poetry Celebration
Author: Ruth Ayres
Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
The Book Stack
This is what I"m reading... I've not completely finished, but I'm hooked. The beginning started out in second-person. Still trying to decide if I liked that craft technique or not. I'd love to hear thoughts if you've read this book. Can't say, quite yet, if I love it. Can say it is pushing me as… Continue reading The Book Stack
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All-Write Summer Institute
The early-bird registration deadline is quickly approaching for the All-Write Summer Institute in Warsaw, IN. Won't you consider going? The price is soooooo reasonable that it totally makes the conference possible (even if you need to spend the night or fly). Let me know if you'll be attending. Click here for the registration form (and… Continue reading All-Write Summer Institute
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The Book Stack
An eclectic little stack today. Click on the images to go to a link about the book. I've been enjoying books I can read a little here and a little there. This book, however, is one I found myself engulfing. Even though there are 21 conversations with different illustrators, and even though I started with… Continue reading The Book Stack
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Words that are Speaking to Me
"How does your setting make people feel? That is the key, not how a place looks but its psychological effect on the characters." --- Donald Maass {Want to play a little with place in your notebook? Check out this idea on Ruth Ayres Writes.}
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Persuasion with Karen Caine
Last week I was fortunate to spend the day with Karen Caine. Are you familiar with her work? It is the book that I have had to buy the most -- SIX times -- because my copy keeps coming up missing. (Luckily Karen signed a copy for me last week, so I should be able… Continue reading Persuasion with Karen Caine
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Learning how to confer with student writers
One of the teachers I'm working alongside is really focused on honing her conferring skills. So we are hunkering down beside students and listening intently to their work. She leads the conference and I listen. We've been considering the two parts of a conference. In a nutshell, these parts are: Part One: Figure out what… Continue reading Learning how to confer with student writers
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The Book Stack
I have a new obsession...London. It started stirring slowly, but now I'm curious about London. This book sent my curiousity over the edge. Now I have nagging questions and bits of stories bouncing around my brain. I want to learn as much as possible. For the first time in my life, I have a strong… Continue reading The Book Stack
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Words that are Speaking to Me
THE JADE NOTEBOOK and Laura Resau are all kinds of inspiration for me right now. Check out Ruth Ayres Writes next week as I share more (and bring back the Discover. Play. Build. Challenge). Meanwhile, be sure to check out Laura Resau's blog, Ocean in a Saucer. You won't be disappointed. A beautiful mess. I often claim this… Continue reading Words that are Speaking to Me
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First Attempt at Poetry
Yesterday Lori Hickman and I launched a poetry unit of study in her kindergarten classroom. Since we wanted to see what they already knew about writing poetry, we decided to have them write a poem. This made me a little nervous. What if they just stared at the paper or chaos ensued because they had… Continue reading First Attempt at Poetry
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The Book Stack
I have three gems for you. I. LOVE. These. Books. Love them. Micah Player previously worked for Paul Frank Industries. His illustrations and story are whimsical made me fall in love on the spot. Check out Chronicle Books website for more information on CHLOE INSTEAD. I'm looking forward to using this text in writing workshop for these… Continue reading The Book Stack
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Editing Wonderings
I've been thinking a lot about editing and conventions and writing workshop. My ideas keep twirling around and I'm trying to grab hold, but they don't seem to want to be pinned down quite yet. Or maybe I'm still looking for the thing that interests me the most. What I'm grappling with is the disconnect… Continue reading Editing Wonderings
