I've heard a lot of talk lately about texting (or instant messaging or emailing -- although that one's on the way out as far as high school & college kids are concerned) being the root of the problem when it comes to trashy conventions showing up in students' writing. However, this jury is still out on… Continue reading TM Makes Poor Writers? IDK.
Author: Ruth Ayres
Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.
ruth’s wn entry: Wow Moments
Made this list today during a second grade workhsop -- I'll fill this notebook by the weekend. Here's the cover to commerate this milestone -- I started it less than 2 months ago. Lots of writing has been happening!
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have you noticed the wow lately?
I'm lucky because, you see, I have this constant, little reminder to notice stuff. I live with a toddler who notices the world and points out the wow. Constantly. Walking out the door in the morning: "Venus. Wow. Stars. Wow." Past the Sedum: "Spider. Wow." Every 3 minutes this evening: "Mumpkin Happy. Wow." (We carved him yesterday. … Continue reading have you noticed the wow lately?
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uplifting words.
I started reading Penny Kittle's book, The Greatest Catch, yesterday. It is fantastic -- I could hardly put it down! In her introduction, she shares these words, which I think are most uplifting on a Monday morning: "Lots of times you can go home after working all day with nothing to show for it, but you're… Continue reading uplifting words.
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as promised —
The beginning writing workshop training ended today. I promised to compose a post with some of the places in cyberworld that I referenced. Here it goes -- Stacey's post about the TCRWP K-8 Continuum for Assessing Writing is here. DonorsChoose information is here. Stacey shares tips for getting your proposals funded. Karla Hayden's website is… Continue reading as promised —
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ruth’s wn entry: grandma poems
So, I've been trying to write a poem for my grandma to mail to her along with this photo. Over a year ago she had a stroke & although it's difficult for her to communicate, I know she likes the mail. I want my poem to show the qualities of my grandma that my dad says he sees in me. … Continue reading ruth’s wn entry: grandma poems
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quote for today.
I copied this quote on an opening page of a writer's notebook I started my first year of teaching. I was reminded of it today at the end of the long day -- It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer… Continue reading quote for today.
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more on key beliefs + a big thanks!
Wow! Thanks to those who have shared so far on their Key Beliefs when it comes to language arts. If you've not viewed the comments -- do so now! Just click HERE. So back in January, I wrote a professional manifesto. (I posted it below.) Click here to see a recent reflection on it. Upon reviewing… Continue reading more on key beliefs + a big thanks!
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key beliefs?
I'm a part of our district's literacy task force. At our last meeting we were assigned the task of writing a mission statement for the teaching of writing & reading within our district. So what are some of your KEY BELIEFS when it comes to teaching writing & reading? I'll share my list later --… Continue reading key beliefs?
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big week.
Tomorrow starts a four day workshop that I'm leading. It's a basic introduction to writing workshop with practical tips on how to get started. It's filled pastthe brim with 31 teachers and has a 12 person waiting list. (And this happened within a week of the workshop being posted.) Woah! So, needless to say, I… Continue reading big week.
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Poetry Friday Round Up
So here it goes -- The Brave who share their own words (or their students') Elaine Magliaro at Wild Rose Reader John Mutford at The Book Mine Set inspired by bpNichol. MsMac at Check It Out: Books & Life in a School Library shares her students' version of "Where Poetry Hides," inspired by Georgia Heard's… Continue reading Poetry Friday Round Up
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becoming better.
Today in a workshop, Carl Anderson emphasized the point of being intentional about approaching our conferring from the point of strength of the student. Basically, we learn what they are doing and help them do it better. However, too often we find what they are not doing and then try to get them to do those… Continue reading becoming better.
