Every year, I ask my departing fifth graders to share what they’ve learned about language arts and about themselves throughout our time together. Every year, I tell them this is the last thing I will remember them by. I only give them two rules: letters need to be written in letter form, and I wantContinue reading “Slice of Life Tuesday: Dispatches from Fifth Grade”
Tag Archives: elementary education
Slice of Life Tuesday: On Letting Them Go
Today and yesterday were my last days with my fifth graders. Some of these kids, I’ve worked with for a year or two. Others, we’ve been together for three, four, even five years. There is so much change that happens over the span of that time. Add our shared experiences living through COVID and itsContinue reading “Slice of Life Tuesday: On Letting Them Go”
Slice of Life Tuesday: Book Teaser
It’s been three years since I’ve been able to put together a collection of allegorical fiction with my fifth graders, but this year we’re doing it!
I always love this project so much, because it taps into the wealth of wisdom, perspective and potential these kids carry with them. I mean, I see it in them, and it makes my heart smile when they recognize it within themselves.
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”
Poetry Month Day 4: Shameless Plug
Today’s poem isa haiku telling you tojust click on this link It’s my articlefor Two Writing TeachersI hope you enjoy =))
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”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 