Literacy Learning Zone

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Parting Thoughts and Empty Spots Thank you,  Ruth , for sharing this novel idea - poetry in the iPod!  I had so much fun piecing the titles of the songs together.  The words were all there, I just had to change and rearrange! Beautiful Day - To Serenade a Rainbow Take the time Quiet your mind Heart and soul Imagine Deep in the heart Pictures and memories All the small things Little moments like that Addicted Stay Always on my mind Stuck like glue Every day All I wanna do Because of you Daytime Friends I learned from the best Wouldn't change a thing I can see clearly now Something to be proud of Everything I said The good stuff Farewell and goodnight 364 days to go Thinking about her was the same  as the hole you keep on feeling  with your tongue after you lose a tooth.   Time after time, my mind kept going  t o that empty spot,  the spot where I  felt like she should be.  (Thoughts from

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . I Could Write . . . I could write about writer's block: sitting next to my husband as he dozes on the couch. Tapping my fingers on the keyboard.  Wondering what to write.  I usually have two or three posts started, but nothing today. (Not bad in 30 days.) I could write about the student that told me today that she misses coming to my class.  She explained that if she doesn't read as good, then she'll be able to come back.  (Doesn't work that easily, my dear!) I  could write about the student who found out it was my birthday and mentioned that she could ask her mom to take her shopping to buy me a gift, but I told her the best gift of all would be to write.  Write me a story.  She agreed that would be a great gift. (Hope she brings me that story!) I could write about how proud I am of my mom and her new reading list/reviews blog.  She already has three posts and has changed and rearrang

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . 35 Birthday Wishes . . . Come True True love Twin daughters Loving family CJ, my clingy cat Strong friendships Undeniable faith Incredible blessings Good health Uncontrollable laughing Lots of giggles and silliness Precious time Picture books Much-needed vacations  Lazy naps Sleeping babies Cozy home Effective teaching Enthusiastic students Insightful learning Powerful words Thoughtful writing Supportive colleagues Colorful post-its and clicky pens Any shade of purple Changes in seasons Radiant sunshine Clear blue skies White puffy clouds Warmer days Flip-flops and pedicures Sandy white beaches Country music Netflix on demand Costco chocolate cake Many more birthdays to come!

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Ten Things I'm starting to reread some favorite books  for several reasons, including reading with new eyes: the eyes of a writer. In the delightful book Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Opal challenges her father to tell her ten things (one thing for each year she has been alive) about her mama because she doesn't remember her.  Opal also starts to create a list of ten things she knows about her dog, Winn-Dixie.  I decided to create my own "ten things I know about" list . . . the number ten (not for my age!) but because I thought it was a solid number.  I'm thinking this is a great way for kids to reflect on their learning as well! Ten Things I Know about the 'Slice of Life Story Challenge' One.  SOLSC awakened me to writing, blogging, and sharing with others. Two.  SOLSC opened my eyes, ears, and heart to the life around me, waiting to be woven into words.

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Confidence in Sharing My mom was the first (and only) person I trusted and shared my blog with when I started it over a month ago. It takes oodles of courage to share writing with others.  I write, rewrite, delete, read, search for a better word, delete, read again, and   repeat this process four or five times.  Then I read it one more time in the morning.  It takes a long silent moment before I can click the "Publish Post" button at the bottom of the page.  Why do I feel this sense of apprehension? I think it was easier sharing my writing with the unknown few on Tuesdays for the Slice of Life.  However, now that we have spent almost a month getting to know each other, your encouraging words of support and understanding help continue to build my confidence as a writer.  My willingness to share with others, even those that I know beyond just my mother, is becoming easier. Yet, as a teacher o

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Vacation is . . . Time Time with my parents and time with my husband and girls. Time to rejuvenate and time to forget worries. Time to watch and time to listen. Time to talk and time to laugh. Time to walk and time to relax. Time to read and time to ponder. Time to write and time to share. Time is vacation and the time comes to an end. Until the next vacation.

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Lovin' This Small Town Life is different in a small town. Livin' miles out in the backcountry. Lovin' the peace and quiet of nature. Listenin' to the birds singin' in the sunshine. Layin' back relaxin', breathin' in the fresh air. Lookin' at the brilliant stars in the black sky at night. Longin' to stay, just one more day. Leavin' for the long journey home. Loathin' big city life Lackin' this small town feel.

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Writer's Notebook Challenge I do love writing.  I had forgotten how good it feels to put words on paper (or type on a screen these days).  Releasing the emotions, gaining the clarity, and allowing others to read and share and learn.  What an awesome feeling it is! I have had Ralph Fletcher's book,  A Writer's Notebook,  waiting patiently on my professional bookshelf at school for, um, well, a couple of years now.  I finally cracked it open this week with all this excitement about writing.  I occasionally use my writer's notebook.  It's an easy place to jot down a quick thought, idea, or phrase someone said that may lead to a future slice.  I bought two fun notebooks (again, years ago. . .) to create a reading journal for home and a reading journal for school.  I was determined to keep a record of my reading and thoughts so that I could share and teach students to do the same.  Years

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Friends to Visit I 'v e been slowly reorganizing my classroom library.  As I was leveling and labeling books, I slowly started creating a stack of books on the side.    This book.  Oh, this is a good one.  That book. I remember loving them as a child, but why?  What made it so special?  Why did I want my students to read it?  I could not answer any of these questions.   Hopefully, after this week my memory will be awakened by some of these favorites that traveled with me on my break. Books are like old friends.  It's important to keep in touch and visit every now and again. A short stack of favorite books to revisit:  The Giver; Tuck Everlasting; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; Sounder; The Cricket in Times Square; Walk Two Moons, Lily's Crossing; From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; Where the Red Fern Grows; Seedfolks; Number the Stars; Wringer; and Because of Winn

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . A Visit: The Conclusion      Part 1  -   Part 2  -   Part 3 I read her twelve page research paper many times over.  I thought to myself, "I didn't have to write anything like this until I was in college!"  Overall, I was impressed.  She did it.  She was able to thoroughly defend her thesis with evidence supported from her research.  My fingers are crossed that her teachers agree! Thursday, March 17, 2011 10:50 pm Email Inbox Re: Thank you! Thank you so much for all your help today. I'm sorry that it was last minute, but you really helped a lot and I greatly appreciate it!  I just finished and it feels great.   Of course, I wanted to include you.  After all, you're where I got my start :) And I will definitely include you in my future college apps and essays.  Again, thank you so much for everything! You're the greatest!  :)  You know I will keep in touch, I alw

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . A Visit: Part 3    Part 1  -   Part 2 She asked me to review her research paper.  I had to help her out, but my palms were itchy and a rush of self-doubt came over me.  I teach elementary students how to write.  High school?!?  What do I know about -- Oh! She emailed me again. Maybe she's attached the paper so I can start reading it tonight before we meet tomorrow.   Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:58 pm Email Inbox Re: Research Paper great! its not done yet its still a very rough work in progress. i had it mostly done and then my teacher told me i was analzying history not arguing anything so i have to go back and add analysis that connects the evidence to the thesis but i can email you what i am working on now, or ill finish working on it and email it to you when im done. whatever you would want! thanks so much for your help :) and depending on how much i get done tonight ill let you know,

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Change in Patterns I look forward to hearing about your slices of life each and every day.  You've become like old trusted friends . . . we share so much about our personal and professional lives, even if it's just a slice.   I have learned the rhythms and patterns of many of my favorite writers.  When they post. Where to scan. What picture or blog name to look for in the comment list.   Isn't it funny how after just nineteen days of writing and sharing, you feel like you know someone? Then Saturday morning. . .  One of my new writing buddies didn't post before me like she usually does every day.  That's not like her.  Why?  What's going on?  Is it spring break?  Maybe she's traveling.  Why would her routine change?   I hope everything is okay.  So many questions and wonders. A few hours later on Saturday . . . Whew. (Sigh of relief.)  She posted.  Everything

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . A Visit: Part 2       Part 1 A previous student I taught over six years ago visits year after year.  I'm delighted every time she stops by because she is open, shares about her life -- the achievements, the struggles, high school life in general . . . sometimes more than I wanted to hear. In January, she showed up at my door.  We chatted about school.  We chatted about sports. We chatted about the possibility of her observing and volunteering here next year.  We chatted about Purdue, her dream school.  We chatted about her new job serving elderly grandparents their dinner, even though they never seemed to be happy with anything she serves.  We just chatted and chatted about anything and everything for over an hour. On the way out, she mentioned that she loved writing because of me.  Wow.  Never saw that coming.  Then she matter-of-factly stated that she isn't the writer she used to be and sh

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . A Visit I've been teaching just over ten years.  When the fifth grade class "graduates" from elementary school, I tell the kids that they are always welcome to come back and visit.  Maybe because they are growing up, they are just too cool, or they don't have the time, not many take me up on my offer. But every once in a while, a previous student will stop by for a visit.   Usually at a time when I'm rushing out the door.  But I stay.  Some how their name returns to me out of thin air.   I ask questions.  They answer in brief.  I ask more questions. I give them my time because it is important. It's important to them.  It's important to me. There is one student who returns year after year.  She may only stop by one time an entire school year, but she has not missed a year since she completed elementary school.  She is now a junior in high school.  Six years later and she'

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . A Letter to an Old Friend Dearest Friend, How have you been?  It's been too long.  I cannot wait to see you again!  I've been dreaming about visiting ever since the middle of winter when I peered out my frosted window into the depths of the snow.  I smiled to myself thinking about our reunion that will happen soon. Soon still feels like forever.  After packing and stacking the car, after getting the house ready only for us to leave, after double and triple checking the lists, and after the long and exhausting ten hour drive south, we'll arrive ready to relax and enjoy your company, forgetting about all the worries left behind. Won't it be delightful to go for long, leisurely walks? See the bountiful Bradford Pear trees blooming? Feel the brisk breeze breathing off the lake? Put our feet up on the front porch and pour over preposterous particularities? Watch Max hop about with happ

The Slice of Life Story Challenge  is hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers . Teacher Evaluation "What a great morning! Thanks for working so hard today.  We sure learned a lot!" I praised my first grade group of boys as we wrapped up our small group time. "You worked hard today too!" Andrew exclaimed. "Thank you, Andrew," I whispered through a smile and a laugh, all the while shaking my head in amusement. Who needs administrator evaluations and observations? These are the moments that matter.