"Every story is part of a whole, entire life, you know? Happy and sad and tragic and whatever, but an entire life. And books let you know them." --- Sara Ockler, Twenty Boy Summer I planned to post a video today of my system to track my summer reading. However, when I got up at… Continue reading Words that are Speaking to Me
Ruth’s Slice(s) of Life: A New Minilesson Idea
Slice 1: All morning I waited for Laurie Halse Anderson's post about the writing challenge for today. Although a little apprehensive about whether this would be worthwhile, I found myself writing interview questions and then answering them in the voice of a dad. Well past the required fifteen minutes, I was still writing, learning all… Continue reading Ruth’s Slice(s) of Life: A New Minilesson Idea
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Getting Ready to Go “Back to School”
Some teachers are enjoying August without a care in the world, while others are at the bitter end of their summer vacation. Therefore, I thought I'd take a few minutes to point you to some "back to school" posts we've written through the years in order to help you get ready for the school year.… Continue reading Getting Ready to Go “Back to School”
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SOLSC
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Things I’ve Learned from Summer Reading
Two months ago, on the first Monday of my summer holiday, I blogged a post titled, "Summer Reading." Today is my last Monday of summer vacation, so it seems fitting to reflect on my summer reading. Although it'll take more than a single post to capture my reflections, so today is a simple list about… Continue reading Things I’ve Learned from Summer Reading
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Book Suggestions for Kids Who Are New to School
My neighbor's son is starting Kindergarten this month. Even though I've only known him for a little over a year, I'm delighted for him since this is an exciting time in a young child's life. Two books recently crossed my desk that I've thought worthy of sharing with him before he starts Kindergarten. If you… Continue reading Book Suggestions for Kids Who Are New to School
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Words that are Speaking to Me
Whenever I begin reading a new book, I am embarking on a new, uncharted journey with an unmarked destination. I never know where a particular book will take me, toward what other books I will be led. --- Nancy Pearl
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Boy Writers: A Guest Blog Post by Caroline Gonzalez
Caroline Gonzalez began her teaching career in New York City. During her 15 years in New York, she taught K, 1, 2, Transitional Bilingual, and Reading Recovery. She has completed her fifth year of teaching in South Brunswick, NJ and is currently working as an Instructional Support Teacher. During her time in South Brunswick, she… Continue reading Boy Writers: A Guest Blog Post by Caroline Gonzalez
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“The Lost Art” of Letter Writing
I was recently talking with a friend whose daughter was spending the summer at sleep away camp. I was curious about how she was going to communicate with her since e-mail and texting are so prevalent. She told me her daughter wasn't allowed to bring a smart phone and that the computer lab wasn't open… Continue reading “The Lost Art” of Letter Writing
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Start Collecting!
As the school year quickly approaches, now is the time to begin collecting some ephemera from our everyday lives. Ephemera (the stuff of life that you would normally throw away) adds a dimension to writer's notebooks that words alone can't achieve. Here are some things to consider collecting to share with your students. Newspaper clippings… Continue reading Start Collecting!
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Ruth’s SOLS: Listening to Photograph by Nickelback
On Friday, after Andy and I spoke at Nate's funeral, the song "Photograph" was played as the service progressed. Although I've listened to it many times before, it now clings to my heart. I'm reminded how music can make us feel and remember and itch to write. A photo of Nate sits on our mantel.… Continue reading Ruth’s SOLS: Listening to Photograph by Nickelback
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Focus Spots
Last week my husband and I vacationed in Ogunquit, Maine. We took a sunset cruise out of Perkins Cove, which gave us a wonderful opportunity to explore the coastline from a different vantage point. Just a few minutes after our boat got into the open water I noticed a woman sitting out on a rock… Continue reading Focus Spots
