Dixie Keyes from Arkansas State writes, “One consistent creative writing idea that I ease into fluidly, even on a busy day is writing about ‘moments.’ This also challenges me to rethink the day with gratitude and to be more mindful of interactions with everyone. So, I …
Classroom Library: Tips from a Librarian
Setting up a middle school classroom library with the help of Erin Linsenmeyer of the Downers Grove Public Library.
Peer Response from Three Perspectives
A three-perspective approach to peer response involves responding as a human being, a reader, and a writer.
Sunday Stanzas & Stories. 8.23
Pick someone out that we each see daily, or regularly, and create a little character study or fictional backstory.
Teacher-Friends: Diane & Sarah
Teaching can feel so lonely at times. Do you have a colleague who is your BFF, who pulls you out from under your desk to make you laugh, who hands you a tissue when you just need to cry, who just inspires you? Diane and Sarah taught together for over a decade, and through a series of email exchanges, they talked about stories, students, and the beauty of teacher-friends.
Sunday Stanzas & Stories, 8.16
Last week, in my Call for Writers, I invited you to join me on Sundays to do some creative writing. People from all over the country responded- Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Texas, and Turkey. Thank you for joining me in …
Book Response: Rethinking Grading by Cathy Vatterott
I think this book is really helpful for teachers rethinking grades. Okay. In Rethinking Grading: Meaningful Assessment for Standards-Based Learning, Cathy Vatterott offers a framework for standards-based grading to reflect student progress and learning, and she provides examples from elementary, middle, and high schools. Still, …
Call for Writers: Sunday Stanzas & Stories
In the summer, I do a lot of reading and writing, but as the school year gets going, I gradually replace my personal literary work for the work of the classroom. I spend more time planning lessons, listening to students, and reading student blogs, and …
Book Review: Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger
“Last week I cut my hair, bought some boys’ clothes and shoes, wrapped a large ACE bandage around my chest to flatten my fortunately-not-large breasts, and began looking for a new name.” Some reviewers on Goodreads have written that Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger is unrealistic because of …
Nel Noddings: How do teachers encourage student development?
“When we confirm someone, we identify a better self and encourage its development. To do this we must know the other reasonably well. Otherwise we cannot see what the other is really striving for, what ideal he or she may long to make real.” — …