This May, I’m committing myself to writing student-assigned topics. Some of them might be cut-and-dried, some of them might be bears. And some of them will reveal themselves in the writing. Today’s assignment: What does it mean to grow up? What does it mean to grow up? Of course, I could joke around about the answerContinue reading “Assigned Work: Growing Up”
Tag Archives: teaching
Assigned Work: Cat Fiction
This May, I’m committing myself to writing student-assigned topics. Some of them might be cut-and-dried, some of them might be bears. And some of them will reveal themselves in the writing. Today’s assignment: Write a fiction dialogue about cats. Okay, I’m wondering. Is this a full fiction story about cats INCLUDING dialogue, or a story TOLDContinue reading “Assigned Work: Cat Fiction”
Assigned Work: Video Game Writing
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”
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 21: On Opportunity
They say, sometimes,that when God closes a doorHe opens a window (and yes I know gender is a construct) but what I really want to say is that sometimeswhen God closes a doorwhat’s really meant is for you to stay at home,look around this place and sayheyI kind of like this placemaybe I’ll spruce itContinue reading “Poetry Month Day 21: On Opportunity”
Poetry Month Day 20: On Storage
This poem is also an entry for the Slice of Life weekly writing challenge. Go give them a visit! What do you do with all of your ideas,they wonderedthat you gather during the day? She thought a moment,pursed her lipslooked real hard to her left(as if something were there)then she shrugged her shoulders and said,Continue reading “Poetry Month Day 20: On Storage”
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”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 