This past Saturday we had our Aliyat Hatan veKallah at our synagogue, which was essentially a pre-wedding blessing followed by a celebration. We were surrounded by family and friends, which made the day exceedingly special. Also, ten of my former students were in attendance, which touched me since they sat through a three hour service… Continue reading Daily Something – Auf Ruf
Category: family
Thanksgiving: A List Poem
On this day, I am thankful for so many things. I figured I'd create a list poem, with my ideas clustered in stanzas, of what I am thankful for. (I decided not to use ending punctuation for this poem.) Freedom Being an American The right to practice my own religion Driving where I want, when… Continue reading Thanksgiving: A List Poem
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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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WN Entry: A gift that really sticks in my memory
My grandmother passed away nearly seven months ago. In the days prior to her death she was lucid. I tried asking her lots of questions about her life, but she was in pain and didn't really feel like answering me. I even asked her, "Tell me something you've never told me before." She came up… Continue reading WN Entry: A gift that really sticks in my memory
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An Inspired Writer
The purpose of Ruth's other blog aims to inspire readers and writers. She definitely did that with me today! I decided that what I had already bought my Mom for her upcoming birthday was not enough. Thus, I took Ruth's idea and transformed a memoir I wrote about my Mom for Lucy's Writing Class in… Continue reading An Inspired Writer
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Hosting a Writing Night
My October newsletter is being translated right now. I expect to be sending it home to my students' families sometime next week. I'm excited about it since I'm announcing a Wednesday Writing Night for late November in there. My colleagues, Kate and Felicia, and I will be hosting it for all of the fourth grade… Continue reading Hosting a Writing Night
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Stacey’s WN Entry: Weekends in Brooklyn with My Dad
Coney Island: 2004 Originally uploaded by teachergal When I was a little girl my father used to take me to Brooklyn at least once a month so we could spend time with his dad, my grandfather. One of the things I loved the most about going to Brooklyn to visit my grandfather was taking a… Continue reading Stacey’s WN Entry: Weekends in Brooklyn with My Dad
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WN: Weekend Check-Ins
Last year I adopted (and adapted) an idea I got from Davis and Hill's Book, The No-Nonsense Guide to Teaching Writing. For an entire year I gave my students weekend writing assessments. However, they were essentially checklists that didn't inspire my students to really do much thinking about their writing. Hence, in conjunction with two… Continue reading WN: Weekend Check-Ins
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capturing life.
My husband had left for 14 days for Peru, South America. During the time he was gone, I tenaciously captured our life through photos and blog posts. My son and I didn't do anything out of the ordinary -- simply lived life. I've been reminded that all of this simple living adds up to big meaning.… Continue reading capturing life.
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Looking at Your Place: Making a Memory (WN Entry)
Everyone who attended George Ella Lyon's Session on Saturday Morning had the opportunity to make a memory after thinking about a drawing a floor plan of a home they've lived in. I went through the entire first floor of my parents' house and listed one memory from each of those places, including the garage and… Continue reading Looking at Your Place: Making a Memory (WN Entry)
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Ruth’s WN Entry: A Special Relative
Fletcher suggests writing about a brother, sister, or special relative. Remember: think small. Focus on one aspect of that person, or one experience you had with him or her. "Go get the stink blown off of you," Mom would say, pushing us out the door. Jeff and I would jump off the back step and… Continue reading Ruth’s WN Entry: A Special Relative
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Ruth’s WN Entry: Special Place
Today’s WN Entry comes from Ralph Fletcher’s Website. THE CHARGE: Special place: special room, attic nook, inside of a tree, scary closet. You might start by quickly sketching a map of a house full of memories. Mark those rooms where something important happened to you. Stacey challenged a wn entry for a special place. Ali… Continue reading Ruth’s WN Entry: Special Place
