Friends, I’m so excited to tell you that I am now a contributing author on the Two Writing Teachers website. This community has helped me grow so much as a writer, a teacher and as a person. Honestly, I could gush for quite a while about how transformative the experience has been. Suffice it toContinue reading ““I Feel Like a Real Writer” – Guest Post”
Tag Archives: writing workshop
Assigned Work: Growing Up
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”
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”
Slice of Life 2021 Day 4: Kid Wisdom
Today marks Day 4 of the Slice of Life challenge. Join me as I work to write every day in March – and maybe beyond! As I alluded to in yesterday’s post, I used my own writing as a mentor text for my fourth graders. The goal is to use student writing as the literatureContinue reading “Slice of Life 2021 Day 4: Kid Wisdom”
Thought Bubble, Speech Bubble
Guess what brave things I did today?a) I got out of my bedb) I committed to working out – and didc) I announced that I wasn’t cooking dinner tonightd) All of the above Of course, there was something I didn’t do today, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m wise, or because I wasContinue reading “Thought Bubble, Speech Bubble”
This is Not a Paper Clip
this post is dedicated to A.H., whose cleverness and sincerity make me deeply proud to know such wonderful people I’m easy to please. Which is good, because as a teacher and as a mom, I can’t wait for big grand gestures to bring me a sense of satisfaction or well-being. I’d be here all day.Continue reading “This is Not a Paper Clip”
Different, Different, Same
“But here’s what’s at the heart of things. Here’s what makes me confident that we’ll be okay this year despite everything being turned upside down.” #D30Learns #WhyITeach
On First Days
This. This photo. It sums things up. Every year since my older guy started kindergarten, I’ve brought my kids to the local breakfast place for a traditional first-day breakfast. Over the years, we’ve toggled it a bit. For a while, I worked in the same district they attended, and our annual ritual celebrated a beginningContinue reading “On First Days”
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 