My best friend and I went to Newport in August 2004. Since then, I've been back quite a few times, including yesterday, with Marc (my husband). Therefore, this Monday, I'm going to reflect on how my attitude and feelings towards Newport have changed in just a few short years. Make a Smilebox postcard If you… Continue reading Memoir Monday Idea: A Special Place (Then & Now)
Author: Stacey Shubitz
Stacey Shubitz is a K-6 literacy consultant and former elementary teacher. She is the author of CRAFT MOVES and other professional books on writing workshop. Her new book, MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES (Guilford Press, 2026), empowers parents to navigate the special education system.
Writing-Related Birthday Gifts
Writing-Related Birthday Gifts Originally uploaded by teachergal Yesterday was my birthday and I received two writer's notebooks: one from my best friend and one from one of my students. (Do you think people realize I'm obsessed with writing? I think yes!) The pink and brown notebook that my best friend got me started with a… Continue reading Writing-Related Birthday Gifts
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Building a Living Poetry Anthology
Pat suggested that I work with my students to create a Living Poetry Anthology (I believe Georgia Heard first presented this idea in one of her books.) during my first year of teaching. As the overzealous person I was in my first year of teaching, I did it. My students each recopied three - five… Continue reading Building a Living Poetry Anthology
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Close Observation Yields Remarkable Object Poems
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Poetic Devices I Think Elementary School Kids Can Use (& Should Know About)
A Poet's Toolbox Originally uploaded by teachergal We read Valerie Worth's "Chairs" Poem today prior to Writing Workshop. Before my kids filled out the revised Responding to Poetry Form, we spent time really talking about tools poets use (i.e., they keep all of these in their toolbox and take a few of them out when… Continue reading Poetic Devices I Think Elementary School Kids Can Use (& Should Know About)
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WN ENTRY: This Work Matters!
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“Responding to Poetry” – Form Evolution
Kate and I have been going back-and-forth with "the best" format we can use for getting our kids to start responding to poetry. After something didn't work as well with my fourth graders (as it did with my fifth graders), we worked together to recreate the fifth grade sheet I had so that it would… Continue reading “Responding to Poetry” – Form Evolution
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Card-Writing Challenge
No, I'm not proposing (yet another) challenge for you to do on your blog (to be linked here w/good ol' Mr. Linky!). However, I'm proposing that you challenge yourself to send someone a hand-written message this week. My birthday is this-coming Friday. So, when I saw a pink envelope in the mail from my Mom,… Continue reading Card-Writing Challenge
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What do you notice about this poem?
Brainstorming About "Pencils" by Barbara Esbensen Originally uploaded by teachergal Since I came back today, my kids only had one day's worth of formal poetry instruction. Hence, I wanted to spend some time doing some noticing of the tools one poet used in their poem (in this case, Barbara Esbensen's Poem "Pencils," which I've used… Continue reading What do you notice about this poem?
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Yea! Back to Work Today! :)
My fever broke. So, as soon as I finish my cup of tea, with lots of honey in it, I'm headed out the door. My kids have the final day of their NECAP Science Test today. If the weather holds up, then I'm hoping to take them outside to do some Poetry Readings. However, I'm… Continue reading Yea! Back to Work Today! 🙂
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SOLSC: Sick
Compendium of Sickie Meds Originally uploaded by teachergal I don't like being sick. It's boring. I hate feeling tired, weak, and gross. I didn't go to work yesterday since I had a 101-degree fever. Guess what? Fever's still going strong, so I'm not going in today either. Can't get my kiddies sick! The thing I… Continue reading SOLSC: Sick
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My First “Memoir Mondays” Memory Post
We were patiently waiting at Logan Airport for the gate agent to call us up for check-in. Alexa hadn't arrived from DC yet. I was flanked by my parents who were about to send their only child abroad for five weeks. I noticed another girl, who looked about my age, with her parents and her… Continue reading My First “Memoir Mondays” Memory Post
