Ruth wrote about gratitude yesterday. Besides getting me thinking of all of the things I'm thankful for, it got me thinking about all of the people who we don't thank enough in our lives. I'm not talking about our parents (though we should thank them often!), but rather all of the people around schools who… Continue reading Writing Letters of Gratitude
Category: letter writing
Letter to the Author: Part of the “Share a Story, Shape a Future” Blog Literacy Tour
Check out the "Share a Story, Shape a Future" Blog Literacy Tour. This post relates to today's theme, "Literacy My Way/Literacy Your Way," of the Tour, which is hosted by Susan Stephenson at The Book Chook. I loved to write as a child, but never had someone hand me a book and say, “You write… Continue reading Letter to the Author: Part of the “Share a Story, Shape a Future” Blog Literacy Tour
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Letters of Gratitude
I am consistently moved by meaningful letters. When I write thank you notes, I am sure to take time with them so the recipient can feel my genuine gratitude. However, when I write other notes, specifically condolence notes, I find it more challenging. (Let me be honest, I've even looked for mentor letters to help… Continue reading Letters of Gratitude
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End of Year Letters BACK TO My Students
My Hope and Dream Letter Originally uploaded by teachergal I can hardly believe there's only five school days left even though I've been going through my students' end of the year reflection letters, and responding to each of them in writing, this past week. It takes awhile to do it well. Therefore, this is the… Continue reading End of Year Letters BACK TO My Students
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Mentoring: Peace, Locomotion
My colleague and next-door-classroom-neighbor Leanna and I were eating and grading writer's notebooks together at lunchtime today. I got to the second notebook in my stack and said, "She's gotta be kidding me!" "What?" Leana asked. "She wrote me," I stopped feeling something between annoyance and anger, "letters." I have this thing about writer's notebooks… Continue reading Mentoring: Peace, Locomotion
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Updated End-of-Year Letter Guidelines
Here's what I'm giving my students to work on over the course of three days this week: Guide to End of the Year Letters to Ms. S. NOTE: Your paragraphs do not need to follow this exact structure! It’s merely a guideline to help you if you’re stuck. • Paragraph 1: What is your greatest… Continue reading Updated End-of-Year Letter Guidelines
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End of Year Classroom Rituals
I've noticed that a post I wrote last June, about letters I have my students write to me at the end of each school year, has been getting a lot of clicks lately. Since it seems like a lot of people are looking for ideas with how to end the school year with the same… Continue reading End of Year Classroom Rituals
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Thank You for the Thank You Note
I've hesitated writing this post for a few days. For one thing, I didn't want this post to seem like I was tooting my own horn. Second, I didn't want my classroom to seem like it's without flaws either. Recently, I've had some visitors in my classroom (one of whom is a TWT Reader and… Continue reading Thank You for the Thank You Note
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A Must-Read About Letter Writing!
Head over to the Choice Literacy Website to read an article Mary Lee Hahn wrote entitled "The Joy of Letter Writing: An Integrated Unit for Intermediate Students." It'll surely inspire you to get going with letter writing, if you haven't already.
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Are you ready for Tuesday?
An historic Inauguration Day is rapidly approaching. Are you reading a book about the transfer of power or about our President-Elect? Will you be watching the Inauguration live with your class and having them write about it in their notebooks? Not sure? Check out an article I wrote about ways to celebrate Black History Month,… Continue reading Are you ready for Tuesday?
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What I Know Now
My friend Nicole purchased a copy of What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self for me when I turned 30. The book sat on my bookshelf for over a year-and-a-half despite it's pleasing cover and list of contributors. However, I decide to pull it off my shelf when I was packing for my… Continue reading What I Know Now
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Some Executives Have Some Mail Coming to Their Offices Now!
Dropping a Stamped Persuasive Letter Into the Outgoing Mail Basket IS a Form of Publishing! Originally uploaded by teachergal Eleven of my kids showed up to school on this very icy Monday. 10:11 of them completed their persuasive letters when they had off on the snow day. (WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Therefore, all of them were able to… Continue reading Some Executives Have Some Mail Coming to Their Offices Now!
