Funny how sometimes when I post something, I'm tested on it the next day. Following my post Why Memoir Monday?, fourteen out of fifteen students didn't complete their homework on Tuesday. The homework was to prepare for literature circle discussions and with the completed notes, discussion circles couldn't happen. Fourteen out of fifteen! I usually… Continue reading A Blessing in Disguise.
Author: Ruth Ayres
Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
Why Memoir Monday?
When I giggle at my goal as a fifth grader to write a story a day, collecting thick purple folders of words and pictures, stapled into books, I remember the process of learning to live a creative life. It was then that I realized the more I wrote, the more I had to write. The more… Continue reading Why Memoir Monday?
Share this:
Share this:
A Quick Reflection.
Stacey and I are big on reflective practice. (It's one of the main reasons for our blog.) To encourage you to do a little on your own, there's a little poll below. Won't you vote? If you want to take it one more step, then leave a comment telling why you voted the way you… Continue reading A Quick Reflection.
Share this:
Share this:
Assessing.
Today my students turned in their narratives. I couldn't wait to read them, so I began today during my lunch. I was touched by their writing, and impressed by the significant revisions many of them made. Tonight (as my kids were coloring) I looked over the narratives again and began to pile them according to… Continue reading Assessing.
Share this:
Share this:
Slice of Life: Conferring
There's a kid in my class that I'm continually impressed by. His answers are straight-out honest and typically thoughtful. He participates, even though at first glance I didn't think he would. And yesterday he asked me to help him with the dialogue in his writing. "I took your advice and worked in some dialogue in… Continue reading Slice of Life: Conferring
Share this:
Share this:
feedback.
Writers need feedback. Frequently. My high school students are working on writing narratives. After storyboarding, I asked them to find the heart of the story and to write that single scene to the best of their ability. Then they gave it to me. I spent one evening reading and responding to what they had written. … Continue reading feedback.
Share this:
Share this:
Ruth’s SOLS: The Morning.
About a year ago I recorded our bedtime routine -- I should do that again, considering there's two extra kids in on the gig. It's funny, though, how much of it is still the same. I was thinking on the way to work today that I should record the morning routine. I don't have photos… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: The Morning.
Share this:
Share this:
Big Picture Series: It’s a Wrap . . . Or Is It?
NOTE: We would really appreciate any feedback on the last Big Pictures Series. Please leave a comment or email us. Does anyone else feel as though there wasn't a holiday break? I, for one, was thankful for the Big Picture Series on reflective practice. It is good to have a reminder from time to time about… Continue reading Big Picture Series: It’s a Wrap . . . Or Is It?
Share this:
Share this:
The Big Picture Series: Freedom in Topic Choice
"Write what makes you happy." -- O. Henry What wise words from O. Henry! So often we try to inspire our students to write by giving them topics we think will interest them. I know for me, relinquishing topic choice was one of the harder things to do when I transitioned into teaching according to… Continue reading The Big Picture Series: Freedom in Topic Choice
Share this:
Share this:
The Big Picture Series: Care Enough.
What children take home in their heads and hearts is much more important than what they take home in their hands. – Bev Bos Sometimes we get caught up in having the perfect plan, the perfect lesson, the perfect unit, the perfect curriculum, and our students producing the perfect pieces. This isn’t what really matters.… Continue reading The Big Picture Series: Care Enough.
Share this:
Share this:
Big Picture Series: Conferring
“Teach the writer, not the writing.” – Lucy Calkins Do you ever feel exasperated by all of the errors you see in your students’ writing? The conference begins and before you know it you’ve given lots of useful advice on how to fix the writing. You look over and notice your student is completely… Continue reading Big Picture Series: Conferring
Share this:
Share this:
Big Picture Series: Fellow Travelers
Too often, there are isolated islands of teachers who are attempting best practice, yet feel no support from the teacher across the hall or even in the building. We want to be the comforting colleagues at the end of the rough day or the people who rejoice with you when things go well. Through this Big… Continue reading Big Picture Series: Fellow Travelers
