So. I committed myself to writing student-assigned topics throughout the month of May. To tell you the truth, I could extend LONG beyond May. The kids had a great time (perhaps TOO good of a time?) coming up with topics they thought I should write, topics they themselves had a tricky time with. Of course,Continue reading “Assigned Work: Video Game Writing”
Tag Archives: learning
May Writing Challenge
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. My students are brave and inspiring and amazing – in writing AND in life. So I’m dedicating May to them. I’ve been thinking a lot about how much it takes for them to write, without complaint, WHATEVER it is we throw their way. Every genre, everyContinue reading “May Writing Challenge”
Poetry Month Day 30: Winding Down
All of the tasks about me are stacking upI’ve made and abandoned my to-liststhere is email waiting, work to gradeand please don’t ask about laundryor the comments and the postsOh, to inhale poemAnd exhale reliefAll I need arethe right wordsbut first –sleep Y’all, it’s been a long month. It’s been trying. I’ve been tested inContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 30: Winding Down”
Poetry Month Day 28: There Are Worse Things
than the obvious sources of joy: a box that arrivesout of the bluewith an armful of booksand a brainfull of ideas or a pupper who plays,overjoyedwith absolutelyeverysingle toy she can find(especially when they squeak) the smell of lilacscoming to mein odd wavesas I step out of the caror turn the corner around the block andContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 28: There Are Worse Things”
Poetry Month Day 27: Once Upon A Time
Of the ohsomanysoapboxes I yell from,there’s one that lies at the bottomthe one upon whichall others stand It’s the one I first uncoveredin the dimly-lit museumat the base of the Gateway Archas I listenedraptto the storyteller and I couldn’t even tell youwho it wasand I couldn’t even tell youwhat they toldjustthat I wanted to beContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 27: Once Upon A Time”
Poetry Month Day 17: Faking It
Here’s another poem I’ve brought out from the dusty corners. I remember when I wrote this, and everything about this writing hummed along until I got. To. One. Line. I worked and reworked and reworked, and put the whole darn thing away because I couldn’t get the right word. I STILL don’t have the exactContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 17: Faking It”
Poetry Month Day 14: What They Wrote
Want to write? i saidWant a space where you’re read? i saidThen come with me i saidYou can blog like me i saidHere are some ideas i saidYou can take them or do other things i said And then they cameThey bloggedThey took some ideasAnd they did other things like: A journaling of a day,Continue reading “Poetry Month Day 14: What They Wrote”
Poetry Month Day 13: A Win for Standardized Testing
*Special thanks to S.T., whose gratitude for her time together with classmates together inspired today’s poem Dear Standardized Testing, Thank you. Thank you for bringing me these loveys – Thank you for bringing me these loveys – these loveys who miss one another Thank you for bringing me these loveys – these loveys who missContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 13: A Win for Standardized Testing”
Poetry Month Day 10: The Work is Great
Today, I had the privilege of working again with other leaders from my Just Schools Cohort. Together, we’re working across districts to advance equity and justice in schools. This team of professionals…they’re amazing. And even on days where I feel discouraged about my own work, and my own progress, they are there to remind meContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 10: The Work is Great”
Poetry Month Day 6: On the Natural (Dis)Order
You could say this poem is a continuation of my reflections for the Slice of Life challenge about the need for a strong, steady chocolate stash in a school. I stand by what I wrote, even if my observations this week speak to the contrary. Clearlythere is a problemin our world:there is some kind ofimbalancewithinContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 6: On the Natural (Dis)Order”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 