Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is a writing teacher and children's poet in Holland, NY. You can read her daily children's poem and find writing ideas, book recommendations, and tips for students at her blog, The Poem Farm. Children’s poems such as these have embroidered my life with a layer of beauty and meaning. They have also… Continue reading Poetry & Structure: Falling in Love… and Holding it Together — A Guest Blog Post by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
An Interview with the Author of The Cupcake Queen
Heather Hepler, author of The Cupcake Queen, was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about her new young adult novel, which I enjoyed reading not only for its storyline, but for the incredible writing craft it contains. This is the kind of book that should be placed in students' (ages 10-15) hands… Continue reading An Interview with the Author of The Cupcake Queen
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Mentors
One of the common threads running through the All-Write Conference was having mentors. I'm wondering who are your favorite mentors to use in your classroom and to use for your own writing. For me, I enjoy using Jacqueline Woodson and Jane Yolen in classrooms as well as for my own writing. In addition I hope… Continue reading Mentors
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Writing Institute
I'm getting ready for the Teachers College Writing Institute, which begins next week. Anyone else going to be there? If so, please drop me a line. It would be great to meet up before one of the keynotes. I'll look forward to sharing what I learn, in this forum, during the month of July.
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Join us for our weekly Slice of Life Story Challenge!
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Reflections
I just got back from a dinner with J. Patrick Lewis. After dinner Pat spoke and inspired me to teach and write and live more intentionally, more light-hearted. This comes on the heels of a day with Katie Wood Ray, Sharon Taberski, Franki Sibberson, and Sarah Weeks. Am I a lucky girl or what? Although… Continue reading Reflections
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Poetry Friday Roundup
I created a Jog, on Jog the Web, to round-up everyone's Poetry Friday Submissions. Click here, or on the image below, to head over to the Jog I created. Then, use the left nav to travel from site to site. Thanks to everyone who participated in another wonderful week of poetry!
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Good Teacher: A Guest Blog Post by Elizabeth Eastmond
Elizabeth Eastmond teaches English at a local community college near her home in Southern California. You can find her writings at peninkpaper.blogspot.com or occasionalpiece.blogspot.com. I remember that day pretty clearly. The brilliant and dazzling lesson plan fell on its face. The students were more bored than I was. The silence that met a non-starter discussion… Continue reading Good Teacher: A Guest Blog Post by Elizabeth Eastmond
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Poetry Friday: Please join us!
I am hosting Poetry Friday this week! Please leave a comment with a link to and a brief description of your post. I will put up another post later this weekend, using Jog the Web, which includes all of your links since I have family visiting today. Speaking of family, Father's Day is two days… Continue reading Poetry Friday: Please join us!
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Do we really need SMART Boards to teach writing well?
Last Friday, there was an article in The Washington Post entitled "Some educators question if whiteboards, other high tech tools raise achievement." This article reflects an on-going conversation Ruth and I have been having about how much technology is really needed to teach writing well. (Annie, a third grade teacher who is the author of… Continue reading Do we really need SMART Boards to teach writing well?
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Poetry Friday will be HERE tomorrow!
We're hosting Poetry Friday tomorrow. Please visit tomorrow by submitting a favorite poem or an original poem. The round-up will take place over the weekend.
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Individualize Writing Process + Standardized Tests
Sometimes when I write in this forum it is about topics I have thought through and know exactly where I stand and what I think. Other times I write here in order to figure out what I think. These are the thoughts which make me most nervous to post. However, if I never post my… Continue reading Individualize Writing Process + Standardized Tests
