Writing Process in Action

Monday October 10, 2011 Ruth Ayres6 Comments

A few posts ago I shared my evolving thoughts about the writing process. Last week I was able to put my thinking to the test. In third grade, kids were getting ready to move from notebooks to drafts. It was a little bit of a painful process because I was breaking the news to them… Continue reading Writing Process in Action

adolescent literacy · big picture · challenges · change · choice · education · inspiration · reflections · Reflective Practice · writing workshop

Teach the Writer

Wednesday September 7, 2011 Ruth Ayres7 Comments

I wish we could change the world by creating powerful writers forever instead of indifferent writers for school. ---Mem Fox I just want to take a deep breath and read those words again. Exactly. "Powerful writers forever instead of indifferent writers for school." Sigh. This is why I'm thankful for writing workshop. It helps us… Continue reading Teach the Writer

Reflective Practice · writing

What do you think?

Monday August 22, 2011Monday August 22, 2011 Ruth Ayres9 Comments

I often write to figure out things. This is typically scrawled in a notebook that no one but me sees. I follow winding trails of thoughts, capture snippets, and try to come to deeper understandings. I tell you this as part of a disclaimer. Usually I go to those notebooks before blogging about something that… Continue reading What do you think?

reflections · Reflective Practice

GUEST BLOG POST: Patrick Allen

Friday July 1, 2011Friday July 1, 2011 guestteacher11 Comments

Patrick A. Allen is a literacy consultant and a 4th grade teacher from Denver, Colorado. He is the author of two Stenhouse books: Conferring: The Keystone of Reader’s Workshop and Put Thinking to the Test (coauthor). You can contact him at patrickallen6@msn.com. Randi Allison recently retired from Douglas County School District in Parker, Colorado. She… Continue reading GUEST BLOG POST: Patrick Allen

professional development · reflections · Reflective Practice

More All-Write Reflections

Wednesday June 29, 2011Wednesday June 29, 2011 Ruth Ayres3 Comments

I know I've spent several posts talking about the All-Write Summer Institute. This is because it was BIG! Here are more thoughts and reflections from the 2011 Summer Institute. Unfortunately I'm afraid I've missed some. If so, please forgive me and leave the link to your reflection in the comments. Perhaps you aren't a blogger,… Continue reading More All-Write Reflections

professional development · Reflective Practice · Write: It's good for you! · writer's notebook

All-Write Reflection + {Discover. Play. Build.}

Wednesday June 22, 2011Wednesday June 22, 2011 Ruth Ayres7 Comments

Sometimes when an experience seems so big it is hard to focus a reflection. Sometimes it is hard to settle the thoughts and find the meaning. Sometimes it is difficult to even know where to begin processing. So I'm going to make a lists. Lists always seem to make things more manageable. The Twitter feed… Continue reading All-Write Reflection + {Discover. Play. Build.}

authors · conferences · Reflective Practice

All-Write Conference

Monday June 20, 2011 Ruth Ayres3 Comments

I on purpose waited to write today's post because I knew I'd have all kinds of ideas swirling after the All-Write conference. However, it is 10:15 and I'm just sitting down alone in my hotel room. Here's the day... Jeff Anderson keynote -- Things every writer needs to know Kristen Horrell -- Creating a culture… Continue reading All-Write Conference

Reflective Practice

How’s your writing workshop going?

Wednesday May 18, 2011Wednesday May 18, 2011 Ruth Ayres6 Comments

The year is beginning to wind down, so it is a perfect time for a little reflection on writing workshop. Here are the questions whirling in my mind. I'd love to know your answers to all or some of them. Reflective practice is the key to continuous growth as an educator. What pleased you in… Continue reading How’s your writing workshop going?

primary grades · process · reflections · Reflective Practice

First Grade Reflections

Thursday April 14, 2011Friday April 15, 2011 Ruth Ayres7 Comments

Today Maggie Gayton asked her first graders to write a reflection about what they have learned recently as a writer. Her students, using pictures and words, reminded us of the power of writing workshop and the importance of reflecting on our writing lives.Maggie will post these reflections on her Celebrating Writers bulletin board along with… Continue reading First Grade Reflections

reflections · Reflective Practice · Slice of Life Story Challenge · sundays for the soul · Write: It's good for you!

Sundays for the Soul: SOLSC Reflections

Sunday April 3, 2011 Ruth Ayres13 Comments

Here is a roundup of reflections from Slice of Life Story Challenge. Trust me, there's not much better than this for your soul. (My apologies if I missed yours. If you wrote a reflection and it's not on this list, pleasepleaseplease add it to the comments.) One of the common themes throughout the reflections is… Continue reading Sundays for the Soul: SOLSC Reflections

digital writing · Reflective Practice · slice of life · Write: It's good for you!

Processing My Learning (Ruth’s SOLS)

Saturday March 12, 2011 Ruth Ayres11 Comments

One of my favorite parts of my job is I am privileged to a lot of professional development. Often when I travel to conferences, I attend with our district reading coach, Deb Gaby. Over the years, Deb and I have developed a comfortable routine of traveling together. I know she likes some alone… Continue reading Processing My Learning (Ruth’s SOLS)