Literacy Learning Zone

I'm sitting at the counter in the kitchen and I'm checking the comments on my Tuesday Slice of Life post and reading other slices during the girls nap.  I see my dad slide onto the computer at the desk in front of me. I've observed over the last few days that he's good about checking the stocks "Stocks are down 100 points." and the weather "Still says it's 96 degrees." or playing a quick game of Hearts (in which he insists he wins almost every time). Instead, at this moment, I see him pull up my mom's blog . He reads her post and laughs about poor ol' Max trying to survive with my two little intruders.  He then scrolls through the comments and ventures over to my blog. There is something strange or awkward or cool about seeing someone else reading your blog on their computer screen. "Oh, I guess the next time you write you are going to have to write about your trip from the girls point of view.  And everybody loved your ...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers I can't believe it's already been one whole week. Sometimes vacations are over in a blink, but other times vacations move slowly to enjoy every moment.  That's how this vacation is going - slowly, but with so much to enjoy. Of course, it is hard being away from home and the every-day-usual, but what I have truly enjoyed the most is the evenings.  After the girls are tucked in bed, it becomes my time to do what I choose to do because I have NO to-do list!  Nothing!  No cleaning, no laundry (thanks Mom!), no dinner (thanks Dad!), no dishes, no nothing.  Instead I have guilt-free time to read books, browse Twitter, catch up on blog reading, scrounge...

When Twitter is a-buzzing and I'm browsing, some days there are just too many blogs, articles, websites, etc. to check out and read thoroughly in one sitting.  So, I always have an open virtual "sticky note" on my desktop, where I drag and drop the web address to read at another time. I had about ten sticky notes each full with at least 10, 15, or even 20 items to revisit.  Now that summer is here and I'm on vacation at my parent's house (where in the evenings there is only time for me because I'm not home thinking about everything on my to-do list), I have a little time to go back, read, reread and share. I stumbled upon this poem from Kate Messner that I wanted to capture and remember. Enjoy this excerpt of a found poem reminding us why we need to write and why I am so thankful for all who write books, illustrate books, and take part in any of the process of making books!  Oh, and thank you Kate Messner for this treasure! What Happened to Your Boo...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers I'm sitting in my parents' living room.  Feet up.  And exhausted.  But I'm happy about being here. My parents "retired" over twelve years ago.  Up and left.  Leaving behind my brother and I in Illinois. (Okay, not really that dramatic.  There was quite a bit of planning involved in the process.) They now live 570 miles away.  About 9 hours.  A long, long way to Arkansas. After having my girls two years ago, my mom and dad have made numerous trips north to visit.  So, a couple months ago, my mom hesitantly inquired about the possibility of bringing the girls down for a visit this summer. I thought it was a great idea -- until I th...

I committed a week and a half ago to #TeachersWrite .  I was ready to jump in and try some different writing.  I created a plan and even though I had no idea what I was going to write about -- I was going to write. So far, I have nothing.  (Here come the excuses . . . ) Last week was the last week of school and it was crazier and busier than I ever expected.  End of the year activities and last minute projects.  Prepared treats for birthday celebrations and attended a retirement dinner and staff outing.  Volunteered at Feed my Starving Children   with my church community group - by the way, an awesome experience and hope to share more later!  Oh, and did I mentioned that I'm a wife, a mom of twins, and there is always a list of things to do around the house??? Yeah, it was that crazy busy!  Then I received an email: "Oh, and that post for #IRAEngage?  Could you get that to me three weeks earlier?" So, I was writing, just ...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers Running makes me tired and sweaty!  Running makes me sore! Running makes me hate running!   It was the usual summer day in Chicago on Saturday.  Sunny and hot.  We were ready, waiting at the starting line. This was my second year participating in Girls on the Run .  I was a running buddy for a fifth grade student.  It's an amazing program that empowers girls to believe in themselves, develop self-respect and be healthy.  The girls met for 12 weeks learning about physical as well as emotional, mental and character development and trained for a 5K. Me?  I did nothing.  Zero, zip, zilch. (Bad idea.) Six thousand (yes, 6000!) girls ...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers It was an absolutely beautiful weekend and the girls and I spent almost all day outside. It was that perfect.  Imagine: a bright sunshine, whispers of clouds, a towering shade tree, temperature oh-so-right.  We could do nothing but enjoy the outdoors. We played in the sand table with lots of sand coming out.  We drove our coupes "Flintstone" style in figure-eights.  We pop-pop-popped bubbles in the green green grass.  We drew pictures and words with chalk on the driveway. And then it dawned on me -- The Chalk-A-Bration!   The celebration of chalk meeting poetry with our slicer-writer-poetry-chalker Betsy @Teaching Young Writers .   A little late for the celebration, but . . . I finally put the chalk to the...