Anybody can write an exciting story and make it interesting. The trick is to . . . write a quiet story and make it interesting. --- Hemingway
Author: Ruth Ayres
Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
Gratitudes
Oops, this was suppose to post yesterday. I'm thankful for . . . Silly jokes that make giggles come alive Ordinary moments captured with words Photos documenting life The privileged work of education A full refrigerator Hugs Toasty fire crackling dry logs More white Christmas lights Two daughters and a son The ability to read A… Continue reading Gratitudes
Share this:
Share this:
Twitter as PLN
I joined Twitter at the beginning of October. What began as an experiment in learning a new genre has become one of the best professional development experiences of my entire career. I've been envisioning a post about the professional development offered (free) on Twitter, when I came across "Making the Most of Twitter" by Franki… Continue reading Twitter as PLN
Share this:
Share this:
NCTE: A Very Brief Reflection
Hugged.Home.Unpacked.Can't wait to talk with Andy.But first, a very brief reflection of NCTE. I promise more will come. Still, in a word, this is what I'm taking away from NCTE 2010:JoyYes, joy. I am joyful for the privileged work I get to do each day. I'm joyful to write alongside students, allowing my love for weaving words… Continue reading NCTE: A Very Brief Reflection
Share this:
Share this:
End of a Fantastic Day
It's been a long day at Literacy for All. We each attended great sessions (which I'm sure you'll find out more about in upcoming blog posts), presented two different sessions, and are now putting our finishing touches on our NCTE presentation. Don't we look ready to turn-in for the night?
Share this:
Share this:
Words that are Speaking to Me
If the story is in you, it has got to come out. --- William Faulkner
Share this:
Share this:
Parent Communication
As we venture into teaching writing in authentic ways, it is important to communicate with parents our teaching decisions. When using technology in writing and reading workshops, communication with parents becomes imperative. When Christi began tweeting, she communicated this addition to their learning with parents. She also encouraged parents to follow their tweets and to… Continue reading Parent Communication
Share this:
Share this:
Quality Writing Comes When Students are Invested in their Projects
A few weeks ago we talked about audience in Christi's second grade workshop. During sharing, students sat in a circle and each shared the audience for their current WIP. When it was Allie's turn she said, "Eve Bunting because I want to write a book like her." This was a very different answer than her… Continue reading Quality Writing Comes When Students are Invested in their Projects
Share this:
Share this:
Twitter in Classrooms
One of the first people I addressed in a tweet was @CAFirstGrade, Julie Simmons' first grade classroom in Ohio. They were using Twitter via an iPad during their independent writing time. Later in the week, they tweeted during shared writing using a SmartBoard. It was fun to tweet with them and gain insight into their… Continue reading Twitter in Classrooms
Share this:
Share this:
Words that are Speaking to Me
Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that's what makes you strong. --- Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever Sarah Dessen shared about her writing process this week on her blog. Any tidbits I can learn about the twisty-chaotic-magical nature of the writing process, makes me understand writing more deeply. This is… Continue reading Words that are Speaking to Me
Share this:
Share this:
It’s Here!
Guess what was on my doorstep tonight? Day by Day -- the actual book! It is officially released and is in the warehouse. I have to admit, there is a lot about this whole process that seems a little surreal. I used to say, "When I grow up I want to be a writer." When… Continue reading It’s Here!
Share this:
Share this:
Taking Time to Reflect Leads to More Accurate Teaching Decisions
Today I found myself understanding the writing process more deeply. Primary writers work through the writing process by layering each phase on a single copy of their writing. They plan a story across pages, first touching each page and telling the story, then sketching. They draft by adding words to the pictures. They revise by going… Continue reading Taking Time to Reflect Leads to More Accurate Teaching Decisions
