The act of writing is an act of optimism. You would not take the trouble to do it if you felt it didn't matter. --- Edward Albee

Linda left a comment on my last rereading post reminding us about the voices we ask kids to turn off when they are writing. You know the voices -- the monsters that tell you evil things like: This is dumb; You can't write: Why are you writing those words? These monsters must be squelched. This… Continue reading Little Writer or Little Monster?

Last Friday, after Christi read Thursday's post about rereading, she said, "Will you teach a lesson like that in here?" Naturally I was game and a little excited. Lessons are always better when you get to try them again. This time, I explained rereading is something writers do to get a feel for how the story… Continue reading More on Rereading

Make plans now to attend the All-Write Summer Institute! I'll be there along with: Jeff Anderson Ann Marie Corgill Georgia Heard Lester Laminack Debbie Miller Katie Wood Ray Terry Thompson Cris Tovani Kristina McBride (YA author of Tension of Opposites) Barbara Morrow (children's author) As if this isn't enough, Gordon Korman will be speaking on… Continue reading Sundays for the Soul: Summer PD

It begins with character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does. --- William Faulkner

This book will be for sale on May 10 and I suggest you make a plan to get it! I've read it to my own kids more than ten times already and today I shared it with two second grade classrooms. True to Lauren Child's work, the illustrations + text are full of whimsy and… Continue reading Slightly Invisible

Something that I've noticed about myself is the thing I do THE MOST when writing is rereading. I spend exorbitant amounts of time rereading. Then I reread some more. Then I reread it aloud. Something  I've noticed writers in classrooms DON'T do is reread. Hardly ever. And when they do reread it is rarely worthwhile. Today I… Continue reading Rereading. Rereading. Rereading.

Our proposal with Patrick Allen and Troy Rushmore was accepted for NCTE 2011 Annual Convention in Chicago. Our presentation is: Exploring Independence as Readers and Writers: For Ourselves and Our Students Hoping you will join us too. Here is more information on the 2011 NCTE Annual Convention (http://www.ncte.org/annual).   Also, my apologies for not posting… Continue reading NCTE: Chi-Town Here We Come!

If you slice more than 28 days, you may enter the drawing for the following giveaways: A custom painted stool of your favorite children’s book by Deb Gaby! A Sari Book journal from Love Calcutta Arts donated by Accessories for Hope. A Write: It’s good for you! canvas I painted. A Write: It’s good for you! mug. A set of three… Continue reading SOLSC. 2011. 25 of 31

Tonight Andy and I spoiled Stephanie. Together, just the three of us, we bought new gear for softball season. Pink cleats. Pink mit. Pink gear bag. Not-pink ling socks. Black shorts. She loves softball. I like seeing this part of her develop. I'm thankful she has a place where her strong-will, competitive nature, and drive… Continue reading Spoiling Steph (Ruth’s SOLS)

How do I share my students’ Slices? What do I need to know about participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge 2011? Need to know how to start a blog? What’s a Slice? Cool News: Stenhouse is offering free shipping to Slicers throughout the month of March. Just enter the code SOL.