Category: writing workshop

writing workshop

ruth’s sols: a walk

Ruth Ayres4 Comments

My oldest daughter and I went for a walk tonight.  Just a short little jaunt down the side road.  She held my hand the entire time.  When she needed to push her hair out of her face, she would take my wrist with her other hand, let go, fix her hair, then slide her hand… Continue reading ruth’s sols: a walk

writing workshop

Ruth’s SOLS: Keep You Forever Hug.

Ruth Ayres4 Comments

I am fortunate for so many reasons, but for today's slice it is because I get to be a mom. Just like every morning I gave Sam and Stephanie, Mom and Dad hugs good bye.  I fed the dog an exorbitant amount of puppy treats and I grabbed my tea-to-go.  Unlike every other morning, Sam and… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Keep You Forever Hug.

writing workshop

a litmus test.

Ruth Ayres4 Comments

Sometimes my background as a science major leaks out.  Today, allow me to share my "litmus test" for minilessons: Is this lesson relevant for students to use again and again and again in their lives as writers and communicators? This is one of the biggest differences in my teaching now that I've embraced Workshop philosophy.  I'm… Continue reading a litmus test.

writing workshop

Ruth’s SOLS: Today I . . .

Ruth Ayres5 Comments

Today I was in four different schools. Today I drove more than 130 miles. Today I worked with grades one, two, six, and nine. Today I was surprised with a dinner out. Today I am a proud owner of three guppies, compliments of preschool. Today I wore my favorite necklace, a gift from Stacey, and… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Today I . . .

writing workshop

Ruth’s SOLS: Quiet Pause.

Ruth Ayres6 Comments

Yesterday was a day of celebrating.  Today held a few moments of reflecting.  Our oldest daughter went home with her best friend after church.  Our youngest two played together forever outside.  The parental units worked our fingers to the bone putting back, cleaning up, rearranging, and finding our home again. And in that time of… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Quiet Pause.

writing workshop

Ruth’s SOLS: Got’cha Day!

Ruth Ayres2 Comments

Karate.  An old-fashioned rootbeer stand, complete with frosted mugs, a juke box, and hoolahoops.  Hugs.  Swirled soft-serve from Dairy Queen, with sprinkles.  Cuddle on the couch with a movie.  All in honor of Got'cha Day. One year ago, our daughters came home to their real family.  Today we celebrate.

writing workshop

Ruth’s SOLS: It’s a . . .

Ruth Ayres10 Comments

My little brother called me.  (I use the adjective "little" loosely here since he is nearly a foot taller than me.  The proper adjective would be "younger," but "little" is used due to the fact that it is fun to taunt him.)  I could feel his grin through the phone.  He had news and it… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: It’s a . . .

writing workshop

Ruth’s SOLS: Driving.

Ruth Ayres7 Comments

I spend a lot of time in the car.   Not only do I drive fifty minutes to get to the school where I'm currently working, but I also drive during the day, between schools.  Not to mention driving home and then any extra that happens in the evenings.  (Though I must admit, once home, it's… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Driving.

writing workshop

Ruth’s SOLS: Connected!

Ruth Ayres9 Comments

I accept that it is going to be a few more days until I can connect my desktop.  I accept that I cannot blog from school.  I accept that I have a limited amount of time after school before morphing into Mom and am unable to go to a library to blog.  So I keep… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Connected!

writing workshop

Ruth’s Slice: Gummy Worms.

Ruth Ayres11 Comments

Often on Friday afternoons, my youngest two kids and I will stop at an old fashioned general store in a tiny town on our way home.   We park alongside the railroad tracks.  When we're really lucky, a train will pass. "I love trains," the youngest will say.  Naturally followed by, "And bong clocks and bowling." … Continue reading Ruth’s Slice: Gummy Worms.

writing workshop

comments matter!

Ruth Ayres11 Comments

Stacey and I often talk about the power of comments.  The long and the short of it all is this:   Comments matter.  A lot. With that said, we've been ecstatic about the number of people who have chosen to become "Slicers" this month.   We've been even more excited about the number of people who have… Continue reading comments matter!

writing workshop

Conferring Truths.

Ruth Ayres2 Comments

The thing that struck me the most while observing Debbie Miller was her demeanor with children. She was genuine.  Sweet.  Kind.  Responsive.  After watching her in a second grade and first grade classroom, I was inspired to make the following list.  These are little nuggets I've picked up over the years of listening to voices… Continue reading Conferring Truths.