Category Archives: SOLSC

Slice of Life Day 9: Salty

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day. A rare, early-spring holy-cow-this is-what-we’ve-been-waiting-for-all winter-day. A hip-hip-hooray-Daylight-Saving-Time-has-finally-come-and now-we-can-celebrate-the-light day. A play-frisbee-with-the-dogs-in-the-yard kind of day. A find-a-friend-and-go-for-a-long-walk-and-catch-up-session kind of day. A skulk-around-the-corners-of-the-backyard-looking-for-signs-of-spring kind of day. And I, in my infinite wisdom, messed around too much yesterday and forced myself into a Get-Stuff-Done day today. If you see me, andContinue reading “Slice of Life Day 9: Salty”

Slice of Life Day 8: Fiction, Part 2

Yesterday, I posted a fictional story I crafted along with my students in the style of Leo Leonni. I put myself in the hot seat and let the kids do a “table read” of my work. I sat to the side with and zipped my lip while they read and discussed my story. I wasn’tContinue reading “Slice of Life Day 8: Fiction, Part 2”

Slice of Life Day 7: Fiction, Finally

Fiction is not my favorite thing to write. In fact, I avoid it at all costs. But when the time comes for me to set an example for my fourth graders, I suppose it’s time to roll my pride into a ball and get on with it. I’m sharing the story I drafted for their review.

Slice of Life Challenge Day 4: For Which It Stands

Today I had my students “translate” the Pledge of Allegiance into fifth-grade language. It was an exercise in: -Using the online dictionary-Simplifying words by thinking, “That’s a fancy way of saying ______”-Learning how syntax (word order) affects the tone of writing-The benefits of simple clear language Oh. And.-We’ve been saying this thing for how manyContinue reading “Slice of Life Challenge Day 4: For Which It Stands”