Maribeth Boelts will be the visiting author for the graduate course I'm teaching about children's literature and the teaching of writing this summer. I'm SO EXCITED to meet her in person since I've been corresponding with her through e-mail and Facebook for the past four years. Her writing has served as a mentor for many… Continue reading An Interview with Maribeth Boelts + a Giveaway of Happy Like Soccer
The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Please link the slice of life story you write today to this post by leaving a comment. Be sure to check out other bloggers’ writing by clicking through the links in the comment section of this post. Come back later today (or even tomorrow) to read through the links of a few other Slicers who… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
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The Book Stack
This is what I"m reading... I've not completely finished, but I'm hooked. The beginning started out in second-person. Still trying to decide if I liked that craft technique or not. I'd love to hear thoughts if you've read this book. Can't say, quite yet, if I love it. Can say it is pushing me as… Continue reading The Book Stack
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Pathways Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to melee34 whose commenter number corresponds to the random number (72) drawn for Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement by Lucy Calkins, Mary Ehrenworth, and Christopher Lehman. Many thanks to Heinemann for sponsoring this giveaway. If you missed the original post about this book, then click here to read it now.
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Mini-Lectures
I’ve been meaning to share my notes from “Methods That Matter: Using Mini-Lectures, Interactive Video Alouds, and Centers to Raise the Level of Engagement in Social Studies” ever since I attended the TCRWP’s Saturday Reunion in March. Life got in the way of me putting them together in a meaningful way (i.e., so you wouldn’t… Continue reading Mini-Lectures
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A Book About a New Sibling + a Giveaway
I fell in love with Chloe, instead instantly! I loved it for many of the same reasons Ruth did. In addition, as an only child, I love stories of siblings since it allows me to gain a greater understanding of what life with a brother or sister is like. That being said, it’s a look… Continue reading A Book About a New Sibling + a Giveaway
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All-Write Summer Institute
The early-bird registration deadline is quickly approaching for the All-Write Summer Institute in Warsaw, IN. Won't you consider going? The price is soooooo reasonable that it totally makes the conference possible (even if you need to spend the night or fly). Let me know if you'll be attending. Click here for the registration form (and… Continue reading All-Write Summer Institute
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The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
Last week I came across a quote about writing that resonated me. I wanted to share it with you as you get ready to share your slice of life story today. If the writing is honest it cannot be separated from the man who wrote it. --Tennessee Williams Please link the slice of life story… Continue reading The Weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge
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The Book Stack
An eclectic little stack today. Click on the images to go to a link about the book. I've been enjoying books I can read a little here and a little there. This book, however, is one I found myself engulfing. Even though there are 21 conversations with different illustrators, and even though I started with… Continue reading The Book Stack
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Voiceless Visitors
I came across "Ode to the voiceless visitor" during last week's Slice of Life Story Challenge. Riss Leung posted it over at L.I.T. Ladies. It resonated with me since I often wonder why some of the things I write receive a lot of hits, but very few comments. Ruth and I have talked about this… Continue reading Voiceless Visitors
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Words that are Speaking to Me
"How does your setting make people feel? That is the key, not how a place looks but its psychological effect on the characters." --- Donald Maass {Want to play a little with place in your notebook? Check out this idea on Ruth Ayres Writes.}
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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 -- because my copy keeps coming up missing. (Luckily Karen signed a copy for me last week, so I should be able… Continue reading Persuasion with Karen Caine
