Pedantry is the quality of being too interested in formal rules and small details that are not important. Given the grudge I’ve held against my math teacher for almost forty years, that might describe me…
Tag Archives: gifted
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 Day 6: My Favorite Failure
The other day, I failed a lift at the gym. And it made me proud…
Slice of Life Day 5: Called into Service
Parenting older children means that most of the work is done… Until duty calls…
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”
Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 3: Worse Things
Life…has a LOT going on, in every direction. Today’s post is a moment of gratitude for some big-little things.
Slice of Life Day 25: Golden Shovel
Today’s post is a golden shovel, inspired by a quotation from Sylvia Plath. I heard someone say it in a podcast, and the words stuck with me all day. It’s a keen observation on what words can – and cannot – do in times of grief and struggle. Mix in the grief that keeps poppingContinue reading “Slice of Life Day 25: Golden Shovel”
Slice of Life Day 14: On Being Smart
My second graders are learning about children all around the world. We’re using materials based on the UNICEF work from the Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Right now, we’re learning about at what every kid has a right to, including the right to be healthy, to play, to have an identity, to food,Continue reading “Slice of Life Day 14: On Being Smart”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 