I'm working on a presentation, "Getting Started with Writing Workshop," for a group of 3rd - 6th grade teachers I'll be working with later this month. I've made a list of non-negotiables I'm going sharing with them. They range from writing is taught daily to kids need time to write to students need to go… Continue reading Working Together to Help Struggling Writers
An Interview with the Author of The Tooth Mouse + a Giveaway
The Tooth Mouse, written by Susan Hood and illustrated by Janice Nadeau, is a fable that allows young readers to learn about another country's version of the Tooth Fairy. The Tooth Mouse is ready to move on and Sophie, who is a dear little mouse has to prove that she is honest, brave, and wise… Continue reading An Interview with the Author of The Tooth Mouse + a Giveaway
Share this:
Share this:
Writing Because…
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 work with a group of teachers, I gain a clarity and energy for teaching writers. When this doesn't happen, when my learning ceases, when I'm… Continue reading Writing Because…
Share this:
Share this:
Assistance After Super Storm Sandy + Service Learning Projects
It's been hard for me to watch the news reports of the devastation Hurricane Sandy caused for the New York Metropolitan Area. My hometown and the state I grew up in were ravaged by the storm. So many people lost property and memories when the water came rushing into their houses and apartments. Living three… Continue reading Assistance After Super Storm Sandy + Service Learning Projects
Share this:
Share this:
The Call for Slice of Life Stories
Please remember to get out and vote today!
Share this:
Share this:
Foundations of Writing Workshop
I'm looking forward to the next few days. It's a workshop where old meets new. I've been leading beginning writing workshops for nearly a decade. I'm looking forward to making some shifts to include Common Core thinking, while at the same time holding on to the aspects that make workshop powerful. Tomorrow is all about… Continue reading Foundations of Writing Workshop
Share this:
Share this:
Please help a teacher whose classroom was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
DonorsChoose has created a page on their website where citizen philanthropists, like YOU, can go to fund a project for a teacher whose school was impacted by Hurricane Sandy. As you may know, numerous schools along the Jersey Shore, New York City, and Connecticut are coping with power outages and flooding as a result of… Continue reading Please help a teacher whose classroom was impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Share this:
Share this:
An Inspiring Mentor Text, an Interview, and a Giveaway
I love, LOVE, L-O-V-E Ralph Tells A Story (Amazon Children’s Publishing, 2012), which is a story about a boy, Ralph, who has trepidation about writing. (It’s already become a book I suggest to teachers when I speak about mentor texts!) Ralph is that kid in your writing workshop who claims he doesn’t have anything to… Continue reading An Inspiring Mentor Text, an Interview, and a Giveaway
Share this:
Share this:
A Month of Thanks Begins Today.
Every day in November, I mine my day in order to craft a thankful status update on Facebook. I approach this task like a writer. I walk through my day with a heightened awareness – just like I do when I craft slice of life stories. I savor a funny joke or the feel of my daughter's hand in mine. This allows me to capture moments and live with a sense of gratitude for the little things.
Share this:
Share this:
Vintage Ayres {2007}: The Heart of It All
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 blog years. I began blogging in March 2006. My first blog was called Inspiring Readers and Writers and it has since been moved to private… Continue reading Vintage Ayres {2007}: The Heart of It All
Share this:
Share this:
Rest.
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 I took rest to the extreme considering I checked-out and didn't even blog on Friday. Unfortunately this isn't the truth. I crammed in as much… Continue reading Rest.
Share this:
Share this:
Slicing Early: Thanks to Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Sandy is looming. Excessive rain, high floods, and massive flooding are very real threats for over 60 million people who live in the Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Therefore, I've decided to host our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge early this week. While I could simply set a SOLSC post to automatically go… Continue reading Slicing Early: Thanks to Hurricane Sandy
