mentor texts

Experimenting with Leads

Stacey Shubitz13 Comments

I spent last week doing some prep work for the graduate course I'll be teaching this summer.  By prepping I mean reading journal articles and rereading Mentor Texts (Stenhouse, 2007) by Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli.  Chapter five of Mentor Texts focuses on "creating powerful beginnings and satisfying endings."  Sound like something you've taught your… Continue reading Experimenting with Leads

quote · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice 2012: 20 of 31

Ruth Ayres159 Comments

Share your slice then comment on as many other slices as possible. Today's quote comes from Louis Pasteur. (Do you know that my undergrad degree is in biology?) I think these words are quite appropriate for writers too. Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely… Continue reading Slice 2012: 20 of 31

quote · sharon creech · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice 2012: 19 of 31

Ruth Ayres151 Comments

A little quote from one of my very favorite books, Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. I think it is quite appropriate for the middle of Slice 2012. It seems to me that we can’t explain all the truly awful things in the world like war and murder and brain tumors, and we can’t fix… Continue reading Slice 2012: 19 of 31

quote · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice 2012: 18 of 31

Ruth Ayres155 Comments

Writing prac­tice keeps your brain awake and alive; it improves your abil­ity to con­cen­trate.  Whether or not you ever pub­lish a thing, reg­u­lar writ­ing practice will give you skills you can use in your work and your per­sonal life, and make you feel more empowered.  It will improve your ability to com­mu­ni­cate, stim­u­late your curios­ity, and make you more aware… Continue reading Slice 2012: 18 of 31

quote · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice 2012: 17 of 31

Ruth Ayres146 Comments

Share your link in the comments then respond to 3 (or more) other slicers. I think this week of the challenge is a tough one. Days 11 - 17 can be grueling. The newness has worn off, the end of the month feels far away, and writing topics seem to be hard to come by. You can… Continue reading Slice 2012: 17 of 31

feedback · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Another little challenge, of sorts

Stacey Shubitz26 Comments

During the first week of this year's month-long SOLSC, I noticed someone posted around 10 or 11 p.m. and remarked that no one ever comments on late-night posters.  My heart sunk.  How frustrating it must be to have one's writing go unnoticed just because you're a pre-bedtime writer! I've been trying to make a concerted… Continue reading Another little challenge, of sorts

giveaway

Writing Streak Giveaway Winner

Stacey Shubitz

Congratulations to Dana, from She Writes Because, on her writing streak (15 days and counting!).  She will receive a copy of Thomas Newkirk's book, Holding On to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones: Six Literacy Principles Worth Fighting For.  Many thanks to Heinemann for sponsoring this giveaway.

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice 2012: 16 of 31

Ruth Ayres151 Comments

Yikes! So the WordPress commenting issues have not been fun. Here are the key things you need to know: This is a WordPress issue. They've decided you must sign in via an account.  We have NO CONTROL over this. Therefore, if you are having trouble, you must either set up a WordPress account OR sign… Continue reading Slice 2012: 16 of 31

commenting

Solution: Commenting Issues

Stacey Shubitz9 Comments

Here's the response from the WordPress Staffer about the commenting issues several Slicers contacted us about: chrisrudzki Staff Mar 15, 2012, 10:29 AM Howdy, We've recently updated our commenting system. Now if someone tries to comment with an email address attached to a WordPress.com account, they'll need to sign into WordPress.com before they can comment.… Continue reading Solution: Commenting Issues

commenting

Having Trouble Posting a Comment?

Stacey Shubitz

Are you experiencing issues when you post a comment on our blog?  If so, you're not alone.  A couple of slicers emailed us last night to tell us they couldn't post a comment on yesterday's call for slices.  Therefore, I've checked the WordPress Forums to see what's happening and the good news is that it's… Continue reading Having Trouble Posting a Comment?

Slice of Life Story Challenge

Slice 2012: 15 of 31

Ruth Ayres157 Comments

Share your link in the comments then respond to 3 (or more) other slicers. I think this week of the challenge is a tough one. Days 11 - 17 can be grueling. The newness has worn off, the end of the month feels far away, and writing topics seem to be hard to come by. You can… Continue reading Slice 2012: 15 of 31

giveaway · Slice of Life Story Challenge

Writing Streak Giveaway

Stacey Shubitz67 Comments

If you're a Slicer who has written for at least ten consecutive days (including today), then this giveaway is for you!  Today's giveaway is a copy of Thomas Newkirk's 2009 book, Holding On to Good Ideas in a Time of Bad Ones: Six Literacy Principles Worth Fighting For.  Many thanks to Heinemann for sponsoring a giveaway… Continue reading Writing Streak Giveaway