Author: Ruth Ayres

Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
Reflective Practice

Bad Word Club

Ruth Ayres10 Comments

This weekend I learned of a first grade club. "The teachers don't know about it," Sam (my first grade son) said, "So keep it quiet." "What is it?" "It's the Bad Word Club. I'm not in it, though." But you know a lot about it, I thought. "How do you know about it?" "Ohhhh, you… Continue reading Bad Word Club

Reflective Practice · Write: It's good for you! · writing · writing workshop

Trusting Myself

Ruth Ayres12 Comments

Expectations of common core, teacher evaluation, and what it means to be literate in the 21st century can sometimes pile up and overwhelm me.  There is so much new information coming at me -- things to consider about text types, what opinion writing looks like with primary students, how to use technology as a tool… Continue reading Trusting Myself

coaching · professional development

Who coaches the coach?

Ruth Ayres8 Comments

Who coaches the coach? This question was posed at the Choice Literacy Coaching the Common Core workshop. It's one that is sticking with Deb and me. Instructional coaches (and I think this is a little true for teacher leaders too) live in a land between. We aren't administrators and we aren't teachers. We live between… Continue reading Who coaches the coach?

preparing students for the 21st century · professional development · video

Chewing On This

Ruth Ayres3 Comments

I watched a version of this video several years ago. In preparation for a workshop I'm leading on Thursday with a group of Career Tech educators (think culinary arts and auto mechanics), I pulled it up to watch again. I was glad to find the video was updated last December. I'm struck by the reality… Continue reading Chewing On This

common core · preparing students for the 21st century · professional books

Common Core — Appendices

Ruth Ayres9 Comments

Many of us are digging into Common Core Standards. We are spending time reading the standards, figuring out what they mean, and noticing how they grow from grade to grade. Indiana (my state) adopted Common Core State Standards several years ago, so I'm familiar with the standards. What I'm realizing now is the usefulness of… Continue reading Common Core — Appendices

common core · professional development · Reflective Practice

Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 3 of 3}

Ruth Ayres4 Comments

The third part of the conference was led by Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan. They inspired me to stick to my beliefs. One of the ideas they talked about is a Framework for Change. In order for change to occur, they suggest systems need: Vision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan If any of these items… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 3 of 3}

coaching · common core · conferences · professional books · professional development

Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 2 of 3}

Ruth Ayres5 Comments

The second portion of the Choice Literacy workshop, Coaching the Common Core was led by Heather Rader. Heather is the author of Side By Side: Short Takes on Best Practice for Teachers and Literacy Leaders. She is the senior editor for Choice Literacy and an instructional coach  I hope you know Heather's work. She is… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 2 of 3}

coaching · common core · literacy · professional development

Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}

Ruth Ayres11 Comments

Recently Deb Gaby and I attended a Choice Literacy Workshop called Coaching the Common Core. It was one of the best conferences I've ever attended (and I've attended a lot of really great conferences!). The workshop was divided into three parts. Jennifer Allen, Heather Rader, and Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan led the three portions.… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}

#slice2013: 31 of 31
writing workshop

#slice2013: 31 of 31

Ruth Ayres155 Comments

WRITE. Each day in March write a slice on your own blog. SHARE. Link your post here (using the SAME username each day) before the comments close. (Comments typically close around 5 am.) GIVE. Comment on at least three other slices. Woo-hoo! You're still blogging on the 31st. It feels good, doesn't it? Even if… Continue reading #slice2013: 31 of 31

#slice2013: 30 of 31
slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge

#slice2013: 30 of 31

Ruth Ayres156 Comments

WRITE. Each day in March write a slice on your own blog. SHARE. Link your post here (using the SAME username each day) before the comments close. (Comments typically close around 5 am.) GIVE. Comment on at least three other slices. Any questions, please contact: Linda Baie – lindab414[at]gmail[dot]com (If you last name begins with A… Continue reading #slice2013: 30 of 31

#slice2013: 29 of 31
writing workshop

#slice2013: 29 of 31

Ruth Ayres154 Comments

WRITE. Each day in March write a slice on your own blog. SHARE. Link your post here (using the SAME username each day) before the comments close. (Comments typically close around 5 am.) GIVE. Comment on at least three other slices. Any questions, please contact: Linda Baie – lindab414[at]gmail[dot]com (If you last name begins with A… Continue reading #slice2013: 29 of 31

#slice2013: 28 of 31
writing workshop

#slice2013: 28 of 31

Ruth Ayres161 Comments

WRITE. Each day in March write a slice on your own blog. SHARE. Link your post here (using the SAME username each day) before the comments close. (Comments typically close around 5 am.) GIVE. Comment on at least three other slices. Any questions, please contact: Linda Baie – lindab414[at]gmail[dot]com (If you last name begins with A… Continue reading #slice2013: 28 of 31