Yesterday we hit a new milestone on Two Writing Teachers -- over ONE MILLION hits! Thank you for your support and encouragement. In honor of one million, would you take a minute to leave a comment with your general location, as well as your job title? I thought it would be neat to see the… Continue reading 1,000,000
Author: Ruth Ayres
Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
Have you celebrated lately?
Celebration is the fuel for writers. Sadly, I used to think celebration meant party and party meant fluff. This was an unfortunate misconception. Celebration is an essential component to a writer's life. Without it we cease to exist. Writing is difficult and unless we take some time to relish in the little accomplishments, we fizzle… Continue reading Have you celebrated lately?
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Ruth’s SOLS: Away.
This afternoon Stacey said to me, "You don't know what to do with yourself, do you?" She was right, I had no clue. Afternoons are the busiest part of my day. When I walk in my door at 4:30 I am completely consumed with family life. The afternoons with Stacey have been quiet and relaxing.… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Away.
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Feeling Stressed?
It's that time of year for teachers . . . everything is piling-up, we've passed the "honeymoon period," and our lists of things to do could stretch to the moon (and back). Add on top of that the shorter days of the season, as well as the upcoming holidays and it is no surprised many… Continue reading Feeling Stressed?
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Words that are Speaking to Me
I wanted to write literature that pushed people into their lives rather than helping people escape from them. --- Harvey Pekar
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Showing a Story
Recently, I taught a minilesson about showing a story. In typical intermediate grade fashion, students were writing stories filled with struggles, but slim on creating a picture in the reader’s mind. My minilesson went like this (and, yes, it was less than 15 minutes!): Share this chart – all of which we’ve discussed in previous… Continue reading Showing a Story
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Conferring.
Tomorrow I get to meet with a book study group. We're going to read Conferring: The Keystone to Reader's Workshop by Patrick Allen. Deb Gaby, an incredible reading coach for my district is leading the study and asked us to reflect on a few questions before tomorrow. Write down what you hope to gain from… Continue reading Conferring.
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Words that are Speaking to Me
You have to be brave to take out that white sheet of paper and put on it words that could be evidence of your stupidity. --- Sol Saks
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So Excited!
I just noticed our book, Day by Day is online at Stenhouse. Click here to check out the entire text!
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Yesterday’s Post
Awww man, this was yesterday's post and I completely forgot. Yesterday was a day filled with unexpected tasks. Have you ever had one of those days? You just never seem to get the things done you planned to do because other, more pressing things pop up? For me, these "other things" usually involve people. Someone… Continue reading Yesterday’s Post
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Highlights from the Week
I have been in a lot of different writing workshops lately. Just this week I've been in 13 writing workshops and have met with 13 different teachers in either reflective practice meetings or planning meetings. Therefore, I have SO MUCH I want to record. Which leads me to my current dilemma: what do I not… Continue reading Highlights from the Week
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Columbus Day
Today we remember Columbus' voyage across the seas. Can you imagine loading up three wooden ships and setting sail into the unknown? Columbus and his crew had no idea what to expect. I think they would have made excellent writing workshop teachers. Part of becoming a proficient teacher is being willing to take a risk into… Continue reading Columbus Day
