Remembering the Miracles of 9/11/01
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” -Harry S. Truman
Category Archive: wn entry
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Revisiting the Writer’s Notebook with “Revision Centers”
The last quarter of the school year signals a time of mixed feelings – the year is almost over, and even though we look forward to restful summer days, there is the sadness… Continue reading
#slice2013: 14 of 31
“Everybody–even monsters–needed a little attention once in a while.” ― Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief {Care} WRITE. Each day in March write a slice on your own blog. SHARE. Link your post here (using the… Continue reading
Persuasion with Karen Caine
Last week I was fortunate to spend the day with Karen Caine. Are you familiar with her work? It is the book that I have had to buy the most — SIX times… Continue reading
A Special Visit
The more things change, the more they stay the same. –Alphonse Karr Last Saturday my cousin got Bar Mitzvahed in New York. I tacked-on a few extra days to my weekend away so… Continue reading
I’ve been studying sentence structure…
I was watching or listening or reading something this week — I don’t remember what — but the message was: You can’t be a writer if you’re not a reader. True. (And probably… Continue reading
What are you thankful for?
November is always the busiest month of the year for me. When I was teaching full-time, November meant Parent-Teacher Conferences (and NCTE starting in 2007). Now that I’m out of the classroom, November… Continue reading
Reflections on September 11th
Ten years have passed since September 11th, 2001. In 2001, I lived in Manhattan when the planes hit the Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, PA. Today I live in Central… Continue reading
{Discover. Play. Build.} More on Maps
Last week… Stacey blogged about updating heart maps. (See everything we’ve blogged about heart maps here.) B. blogged about hand lists. I was reminded about writing close to the bones. I kept thinking… Continue reading
“A” Collection (Ruth’s SOLS)
I collect the letter A. I think it’s fun to hide them throughout the house and in my office at school. I like to tuck them into unexpected places. On top of a… Continue reading
Ruth’s SOLS: Mean Girls
My third grade daughter came home yesterday after school upset because she was: Kicked out of the Horse Lover’s Club at recess. One girl told another girl I don’t love horses enough and… Continue reading
Thinking About Others
Most schools in this area are on break. However, my daughters’ school is not one of them. They continue to go to school through Wednesday. Today I volunteered in my first grade daughter’s… Continue reading
Ruth’s SOLS: Away.
This afternoon Stacey said to me, “You don’t know what to do with yourself, do you?” She was right, I had no clue. Afternoons are the busiest part of my day. When I… Continue reading
Remembering September 11th
If you teach eighth grade or younger, it is highly unlikely that your students personally remember the events of September 11; many of our students weren’t alive when the attacks occurred. For me,… Continue reading
Ruth’s SOLS: Starting School.
For many, today marked the start of a new school year. For my son, it marked the start of a school career. He went to school for the very first time today. I… Continue reading
One Time Stories
Do you know the old saying, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?” I’m experiencing it first hand. My oldest daughter, Hannah, was given a writer’s notebook by her third grade teacher.… Continue reading
Ruth’s Slice(s) of Life: A New Minilesson Idea
Slice 1: All morning I waited for Laurie Halse Anderson’s post about the writing challenge for today. Although a little apprehensive about whether this would be worthwhile, I found myself writing interview questions… Continue reading
Ruth’s SOLS: Listening to Photograph by Nickelback
On Friday, after Andy and I spoke at Nate’s funeral, the song “Photograph” was played as the service progressed. Although I’ve listened to it many times before, it now clings to my heart.… Continue reading
Ruth’s SOLS: Nate
Less than 24 hours after eating gummy worm brownies with Nate, Andy and I found ourselves standing in a hospital room with his family. Although Nate was young and strong, he had a… Continue reading
Ruth’s Memoior-ish Monday: Bridal Shower.
This weekend I went to a bridal shower and I was reminded of my own wedding preparations. Isn’t it strange the way time plays with your mind? It seems like it was just a… Continue reading