Slice of Life Story Challenge

How does writing feel to you?

On the final day of the challenge, Rissa Zimmerman, who was a first-time Slicer this past March, crafted a thank you note to me and Ruth for providing her with a forum to try on her "writer’s outfit".  She compared the fit to different styles of jeans.  In case you missed Rissa's poem, here it… Continue reading How does writing feel to you?

play · technology

Turn off screens and LIVE life.

Screen-Free Week goes from 4/29-5/5. While it might seem drastic and unfeasible to completely unplug, think about what steps you can take to be less connected next week.

collaborative planning · common core · curriculum planning · lucy calkins · tcrwp · units of study

New Units of Study

I purchased the original Units of Study for Teaching Writing, Grades 3 - 5 when they were published in 2006. In the early days, those books were like a Bible to me. I used them to help me plan the scope and sequence of many of the units of study I taught. When I moved… Continue reading New Units of Study

current events

Running Towards Danger

After writing “My Advice to New Moms in the Wake of the Terror in Boston,” I didn’t think I had much else to say about yesterday’s terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon’s Finish Line.  But then I started reading newspaper articles and watching more accounts of heroism from yesterday’s Marathon and I realized I wanted… Continue reading Running Towards Danger

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slicers at Work

We are all writers at work, aren't we?  When I saw LeAnn Carptenter's poem, "Writers at Work," midway through the March Challenge, it resonated with me.   Click here to read the back story of the poem. Thank you LeAnn (otherwise known as Elsie) for allowing me to share your poem again today. Writers at… Continue reading Slicers at Work

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slicers: Why do you write?

Mid-way through the March Challenge I came across a poem Betsy wrote on Teaching Young Writers. It is entitled "Why I Write." There are so many reasons each of us choose to write and to come back and share our writing with this community each Tuesday year-round. When you leave the link to your slice… Continue reading Slicers: Why do you write?

technology · writing

The Handwriting Part of Writing

If you're in an elementary school, you've inevitably had discussion with parents about handwriting.  My policy for writer's notebooks was always, "As long as I can read it, it's neat enough."  I didn't feel that a writer's notebook was the place to be a stickler for handwriting.  However, some parents would press their kids, demanding… Continue reading The Handwriting Part of Writing

giveaway · Slice of Life Story Challenge

SOLSC Prize Announcement

It's my pleasure to announce the winners of the prizes from the Sixth Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge.  Yet again, I ran into a good problem this year.  More people sliced and linked daily than I have prizes to give away.  I'm delighted so many people kept up with the challenge.  I only wish… Continue reading SOLSC Prize Announcement

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Welcome Back. #slice2013

Welcome back to the weekly challenge.  After a day off, how great it is to be back as a writing community? Last month, Cathy Mere wrote a poem entitled "The Writer" that resonated with me.  She has graciously allowed me to republish it here.  I hope you will find it as inspiring as I continue… Continue reading Welcome Back. #slice2013

SOLSC Classroom Challenge

Classroom SOLSC: 31 of 31

It always seems impossible until it is done. –Nelson Mandela It's the final day of our month-long writing challenge.  How did it go?  I'd love to hear your thoughts, feelings, and reflections.  Please leave a link to your class's final round-up along with anything else you'd like to share. Thank you for taking the plunge… Continue reading Classroom SOLSC: 31 of 31

Slice of Life Story Challenge

A Hearty Thank You to Our Support Team

It's hard to believe the final day of our month-long writing challenge is here.  We had a fantastic team of volunteers who helped make our individual and classroom challenges run smoothly.  I want to take a moment to recognize them. Concierges: Linda Baie, LeAnn Carpenter (aka: Elsie), Bonnie Kaplan, Carol Wilcox helped us field questions… Continue reading A Hearty Thank You to Our Support Team

SOLSC Classroom Challenge

Classroom SOLSC: 30 of 31

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. --Lou Holtz Details: If your students are slicing from their personal blogs, then you should link their blog posts together using your classroom or personal blog. Then, share the unique URL to the location of the… Continue reading Classroom SOLSC: 30 of 31