Here's how some of the conversation went: Student: I'm writing a legend. Me: Wow, so what exactly is a legend? Her: Shrug. Me: Wait. Her: I guess it's like an explanation of something that happened, but the story doesn't have to be true. Me: Have you read many? Her: Yeah, some. Me: So what I'm… Continue reading Mentor Text Thursday: Find a Personal Mentor
Category: inspiration
Sundays are Good for Your Soul
I love Sundays. (You know, I could say this about almost any day of the week.) The reason I love Sundays is because they slow down a little, at least around my house. We tend to stay home a little more on Sundays than the rest of the week. So I've been thinking how to… Continue reading Sundays are Good for Your Soul
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Yo-Ho-Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me!
Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day (link takes you to Wikipedia; here is the official site). Next to Christmas, this may just be my favorite! 🙂 A little known secret is that I'm an avid pirate-lover. I love all things Pirate (except for the baseball team)! Today my little family of five is celebrating. … Continue reading Yo-Ho-Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me!
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Writer’s Notebooks, Art Journals, Scrapbooking, Blogs???
Liza Lee Miller said: Okay . . . here’s a question for you. As a teacher, as a writer, as an artist . . . what is the difference between a Writer’s Workbook and an Art Journal. My mother and sister keep art journals and ephemera is a huge part of that for them. I… Continue reading Writer’s Notebooks, Art Journals, Scrapbooking, Blogs???
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A Lot of Slow to Grow.
I love Eve Merriam's work. Here is one of my favorites, which I will be sharing with the teachers attending the Beginning Workshop Training that starts Monday. A Lazy Thought By Eve Merriam There go the grownups To the office, To the store. Subway rush, Traffic crush; Hurry, scurry, Worry, flurry. No wonder Grown ups… Continue reading A Lot of Slow to Grow.
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Be A Writer.
This past week Stacey has posted several great ideas about ways she is going to get her students excited about writing. If you've not seen them, then check out her posts from this week -- you'll see meeting area supply boxes, gift wrapping, and writer's notebook enhancements. Next week I'm leading a four day training… Continue reading Be A Writer.
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photos + words.
In response to Ali's challenge this week, I've been thinking of stories which represent finding balance in life. This has stretched me as a writer. I find myself renewed by having a project to complete. I find myself looking at the world differently and looking at myself differently. I find myself pulling out my writer's notebook… Continue reading photos + words.
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WE’RE PRESENTING AT NCTE IN NOVEMBER!!!!
I just got off of the phone with Ruth, with whom I shared the great news. Our conversation session proposal, "INSPIRING CHILDREN TO WRITE: TEACHING WRITING WORKSHOP WITH OUR NOTEBOOKS WIDE OPEN" was accepted for the 2008 NCTE Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas. My speech title is "Teaching With My Notebook Wide-Open," while Ruth's… Continue reading WE’RE PRESENTING AT NCTE IN NOVEMBER!!!!
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Time to Write the Entire Draft
My colleague Kate and I were remarking that this unit of study on fiction is taking our students longer (i.e., longer for their drafts to come together). Hence, I decided that it's time for ME to get a full, working draft of my story together so that I can really use it as a touchstone… Continue reading Time to Write the Entire Draft
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Need Inspiration?
Look no further than In Other Words, which is a site that posts a quote daily and asks you to write off of that quote. Today's quote comes from Norbert Platt and is particularly inspiring. (You can also view the quote on Catchwords.) Enjoy and happy writing!
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OLW (One Little Word).
Last week Stacey posted about using Ali's OLW challenge in her classroom. It's a very cool post & if you missed it, take a few minutes to check it out by clicking here. 2008 marks my third OLW. In 2006 the word was GRACE. 2007's word was GENUINE. And in early December I chose the… Continue reading OLW (One Little Word).
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One Little Word
New Year's Resolutions!???! FEH! Who needs them!??! I never stick to them anyway (who does?)! Therefore, when I saw the One Little Word "Challenge" on { A } this morning, I thought, "Wow!" Of course, then I proceeded to wonder just what my word for 2008 should be... I finally figured it out (see below).… Continue reading One Little Word
