Tag Archives: slice of life

Slice of Life: Ridiculousness

I’m running a couple of writing clubs right now, one for each of the schools that I teach at. In my description of the class, I mentioned that we would have a mix of writing, creative games, and oral work on stories. And yes, there would be fun. Because otherwise, what’s even the point?

I want students to realize that no matter HOW ridiculous and far-fetched their stories might be, a reader or listener will be right with them, as long as the events make sense together and the story is well-told…

Slice of Life: All in a Good Bake

The British Bake Show is one of my absolute favorites. And it’s not just because I’m a baker at heart. It’s not just because the folks on the show are so delightful, charming, and kind to one another. I’m realizing (from my campsite on the couch) that this show – the kid version in particular – satisfies me on a deep, emotional level.

As I watch, I’m realizing that this show, and the kids on it, have lessons for me and my students to learn.

Slice of Life Tuesday: Dispatches from Fifth Grade

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”

Slice of Life Tuesday: The Big Five-Oh

Fifty. So this is fifty. I’m taking a look at this gal. She’s been through stuff.She has seen stuff, and has LEARNED stuff. She knows birthdays are brim-full of expectation,days that demandjoydays that belongto her And yet She also knows a birth day(just like the ideaof turning fifty)is messy,tangled, not what peoplecrack it up toContinue reading “Slice of Life Tuesday: The Big Five-Oh”

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: 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”

Slice of Life: Passover Fun

Today, for my Slice of Life post, I decided to share something I’m working on for the Passover seder this coming Friday. I’m generally the one who leads the service, and I’m always looking for ways to make the evening more fun. Because FUN. A few years ago, I started my take on Passover “TomContinue reading “Slice of Life: Passover Fun”

Poetry Month Day 5: Life as a Poet

It’s a blessingcursetolive in metaphor:to seesun pushing through clouds,a shoelace refusing to relinquish its knots,extra-long stoplights, a stubbed toe,wondering if these things carry meaning or just are what they are and wondering ifthat’s yet another metaphor Today’s quadrille was inspired by Raivenne, one of the folks who challenge me to try something new here andContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 5: Life as a Poet”