A meeting place for a world of reflective writers.
One thing I love so much about being an educator is the cyclical nature of the school year. The beginning of the year brings promise, renewed energy, and a certain … Continue Reading Ending a Year of Teaching Writing with a Group Reflection
Dana Murphy shares some thoughts about the expectations we place on students when we ask them to reflect on their writing.
Reflections on my first Twitter Chat: what worked well, what overwhelmed me, and some silly things I tweeted.
Today Deb Gaby and I finished leading the third day of a three-day Foundations of Writing Workshop training. At the end, we asked for reflections. Teacher after teacher commented on … Continue Reading Writing Matters
Unfortunately I don’t have a photo from Favorite #1. Christy Rush-Levine and I met for a walk + dinner on Tuesday. Christy is one of those people who help me … Continue Reading Friday Favorites
I love this quote. It is one of my favorites to share in a workshop. I read it today with an epic-cool group of teachers at Southbury School. (I learned … Continue Reading This Quote
This weekend I learned of a first grade club. “The teachers don’t know about it,” Sam (my first grade son) said, “So keep it quiet.” “What is it?” “It’s the … Continue Reading Bad Word Club
Expectations of common core, teacher evaluation, and what it means to be literate in the 21st century can sometimes pile up and overwhelm me. There is so much new information … Continue Reading Trusting Myself
The third part of the conference was led by Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan. They inspired me to stick to my beliefs. One of the ideas they talked about is … Continue Reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 3 of 3}
You can change your attitude, your priorities, or your thinking on any day. You just have to commit yourself to a new mindset or way of life.
I have an irrational fear of mice. It is bad news. My husband has established a preemptive strike in our basement and garage. He engages in an impossible battle to … Continue Reading Big Realization from a Tiny Mouse
I want you to know you are enough. Enough. As in you are good enough. Enough. As in I’ve had enough. Enough. As in I have enough time. You are … Continue Reading Enough
It’s one of those days. You know, where you wonder if you really want to keep doing this? It’s one of those days. You know, where you are positive you … Continue Reading On my mind…
I began my career as a seventh grade language arts teacher at Wawasee Middle School. Thirteen years later, I remain in the same district, but in a different position. My … Continue Reading Because of WMS…
One of the reasons I appreciate the opportunity to lead professional development is I get to continue pushing myself to new understandings and deeper learning. Every time I speak or … Continue Reading Writing Because…
I’m smiling at the phrase Vintage Ayres. It’s a little bit of a smirk because, really, am I old enough to qualify as vintage? Maybe not. But definitely so in … Continue Reading Vintage Ayres {2007}: The Heart of It All
Rest. Why does this seem like a dirty four letter word? I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about rest. We were on fall break last week. You might think … Continue Reading Rest.
Last week I had the privileged of observing Christy Rush-Levine with her eighth grade language arts classes. Deb Gaby, the reading coach in my district, along with two middle school teachers went … Continue Reading Christy Is…
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the things I know because I write. I’ve been keeping a little list of these ideas as a crude plan for an article … Continue Reading Nudging Joy: A Student Group
I hesitate to write this blog post. Yet it needs written. Maybe for you or for the teacher next door. Definitely for me. This week I’ve had too many conversations … Continue Reading Facing Discouragement
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 