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”
Tag Archives: gifted
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”
Slice of Life Day 13: The Light Dawns
Some folks out there know all about my recent foray into crowdsourcing. It’s been a game-changer for my fourth-graders, and it’s been fun to share our discoveries. We’ve also been working on the importance of using the language of craft no matter what the medium: arts, sports, literature… So. Today. I had my kids doContinue reading “Slice of Life Day 13: The Light Dawns”
Slice of Life Day 12: Prithee
Today is one of those days where I have the delightful problem of having too many things I want to post about. So today, I think I will share my fifth graders’ work with Shakespeare. They spent last week learning about the guy and all of his weirdness, even coming up with their own favoriteContinue reading “Slice of Life Day 12: Prithee”
Slice of Life Day 6: A Story of Our Own
Earlier today, I posted an article to Two Wring Teachers on “crowdsourcing” as a tool for story building and revision. When I read the post to my fourth grade students (the subject of my article) I could see their nods and smiles as confirmation that, together, we did a GREAT THING. Even my most ruggedContinue reading “Slice of Life Day 6: A Story of Our Own”
Slice of Life Tuesday: Give it a Go
This week on the Two Writing Teachers site, I posted about a strategy I tried with my students: Give it a Go.
I introduced the idea today, so I thought I’d share what I wrote alongside them. Here’s my (admittedly autobiographical) contribution…
Slice of Life Day 12: Time Capsule
Here we are at Day 12 of the Slice of Life Challenge. We’re almost halfway through, friends! I’m not much of a Facebooker anymore. I used to be on there often, commenting and posting and what-not. Now, I’m there to do two things: 1) lurk around a little bit, and 2) look back over atContinue reading “Slice of Life Day 12: Time Capsule”
Slice of Life Day 11: On Days Off
Today’s Day 11 of the Slice of Life Challenge. Thought I’d use today’s post to catch a mood. Why no, I’m not spending my Saturday… skipping my workoutchecking my work emailmaking to-do listseating cookiesreading student workignoring my to-do listsre-checking my work emailglued to the couch …why do you ask?
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 