Author Archives: Lainie Levin

March: Blowing in Like a Poem

So many little miracles happened for me today. I got a hug from a reserved second grader. A tricky third grade class was beautifully behaved. And this morning the world brought me a seed for a poem, which I carried in my pocket and thought about through the morning. And when my fifth graders heldContinue reading “March: Blowing in Like a Poem”

Making Lemonade

Now is about the time of year when I give my fifth grade students an assessment on literary analysis. We have spent a fair amount of class time learning how to write proper claims and arguments, and we have also discussed the type of language that is best suited for the tone of academic writing.Continue reading “Making Lemonade”

On Teaching and Transparency

I’m always complaining that I don’t have enough mentor texts to teach my students about reading and writing concepts. I can never get enough. That’s why I was so excited to introduce a concept to my two fourth grade groups yesterday and today. I got the idea from Kristin Ackerman and Jennifer McDonough’s book, Conferring withContinue reading “On Teaching and Transparency”

Ah, Fiction! We meet again.

I have a confession to make. I have not written fiction in…I cannot remember how long. There’s just something about writing fiction that stops me in my tracks. I don’t know what it is. Personal narrative? Poetry? Essay? I’m all in. Fiction? Move it along, nothing to see here. I’ve tried countless times, with stops andContinue reading “Ah, Fiction! We meet again.”

Right Poem, Wrong Assignment

Today I had my fourth graders write about something small, taken for granted, or unappreciated. We started with a poem I wrote and shared about lowly feet. Then it was time for the kids and me to get cracking. I meant to do the assignment along with them. I really did. But I couldn’t thinkContinue reading “Right Poem, Wrong Assignment”

More Important Things

Once again, I got to enjoy composing alongside my students today. This group of fourth graders was also working on “important” poetry, but we decided on pencils as our object. Here’s my contribution: The Important Poem The important thing about a pencil Is that it is sharp. It’s long, it’s yellow And you can twirlContinue reading “More Important Things”

Important Poetry

Once again, my students and I are composing poetry, this time based on Margaret Wise Brown’s The Important Book. It’s such a charming read, and both the kids and I love how Brown takes ordinary things in our lives and sees the poetry within. The kids wanted to write their poetry today about paper. So, I joinedContinue reading “Important Poetry”

On Feeling (not) Useful

Well, it certainly has been a while since I’ve stopped by. I felt the pull to write once again as I am watch my fifth graders craft allegorical stories. Funny thing is, they’re the same group who formed trusted reader circles in fourth grade. And here they are, working with a new set of trustedContinue reading “On Feeling (not) Useful”

Finding Trusted Readers

Sometimes, I don’t have all the answers. (Whaaaaatttt? Stop the presses! And don’t tell my children.) Naw, just kidding. But really. I know I’m not the only one who gets blind to my own writing, unable to either see or overcome the shortcomings of my craft. That’s when I need somebody else’s eyes on my work.Continue reading “Finding Trusted Readers”