Slice of Life Tuesday: Ask Me (almost) Anything

Lately, asking me how I am will reveal…well, really any number of things, depending ontime of daywhat I ate for breakfasthow I’m feelingwhether or not there’s chocolate in the copy room stashwhich way the wind is blowingSo I thought I’d give you a slightly more helpful guide Ask me:How I like the weather latelyHow myContinue reading “Slice of Life Tuesday: Ask Me (almost) Anything”

Slice of Life Tuesday: Word Play

Hello, world. It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. I’ll chart that up to the relative whomping that April often has for me, dust myself off, and get back with it. I’ll also say this: my One Little Word? Shift? Boy oh boy, has that come in handy. Suffice it to say, I’ve learned aContinue reading “Slice of Life Tuesday: Word Play”

Slice of Life: Testing, Testing

Standardized testing. It has me feeling some kind of way. I can’t be alone in this. I know we are legion, those of us wanting to teach in a way that aligns with our moral compass. We are legion, those of us in systems that say they are student-centered, that focus on the development ofContinue reading “Slice of Life: Testing, Testing”

Poetry Month Day 8: Honey, I (should) Love*

There was that podcast the other dayabout tacky stuff.Not the tape or the glueor the stick-em-up putty,but the stuff that doesn’tdeservelove or fandom,but somehowgets us. Things I love more than a person should: boxed macaroni and cheese, singing in front of my children,plain marshmallows, new school supplies, the feeling of flossed teeth Things I loveContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 8: Honey, I (should) Love*”

Poetry Month Day 6: What it’s Like

Hey kids! In honorof National Poetry Monthlet’s try a little FUN with SIMILES Ever wonderwhat it’s like to teacha group ofeleven-year-oldsa new thingin technology? Forget herding catsor nailing Jell-o to the wall. It’s like putting puppies in a boxcleaning raw egg with your bare handsriding a bike on top of a skateboardplaying checkers with sixContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 6: What it’s Like”

Story Challenge Day 30: List Poem

Today, I have decided, I will write a list poem. About all of the things that made me happy And maybe some other stuff Depending on where the words lead me. Right now my house is empty But full Of delicious cooking-smells: Sundubu jjigae for later this week Breakfast for dinner tonight Banana bars forContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 30: List Poem”

Story Challenge Day 21: You Asked For It…

…you got it! I had some folks mention yesterday that boy, it might be cool to see a story I’ve told. Well…after digging around, I found a video of one! There are others I’m trying to dig up (especially The Great Banana Fight of 1978), but this one below is a favorite. I made thisContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 21: You Asked For It…”

Story Challenge Day 18: A Nod to William Carlos Williams

So much depends upon Giggly fourth graders Writing new poems And finding their power simplicity. specificity. clarity. there are worse things to teach… Interested in learning more about the March Slice of Life Challenge, or wanting to read more great posts? Head over to the Two Writing Teachers site!

Story Challenge Day 14: On Letting Things Marinate

I’ve had a lot more writing time with my kids, and it’s one of the things I’m proudest of this year. It’s something kids look forward to, because they get to spend time writing whatever it is they choose. It’s a class session I really look forward to, because I get to be eyeball-deep inContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 14: On Letting Things Marinate”