Literacy Learning Zone

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ It's been a whirlwind of a week that has felt more like a month with the official moving day: Packing and emptying a 1950 Cape Cod family built and owned house full of 11 years of ... stuff. A move to just the next town over ... but far enough away to find newness in it all. A new house with bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone ... and an extra for Grandma and Grandpa. Setting up room by room with the help of family ... even when I don't know where I want that. Arriving...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! _________________________________________ Both of my almost six year old daughters fancy themselves as authors and illustrators.  This mindset and understanding has been an ongoing conversation for a long time.  I frequently find them working hard on some writing of notes, lists, labels, stories, or illustrations.  However, one prefers drawing and creating.  The other prefers stories. But I'm so proud of them both!   The other night after dinner, P. was quietly working at her little white table in the office. Early the next morning, she returned to the little white table and continued to diligently work. "P!  Breakfast is ready. What are you working on?" I asked as I walked in the room ...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! _________________________________________ "Mommy? Why do you go on your computer every morning?" P., my almost six year old, asked me after I flipped open my laptop and waited for the internet to connect as I was rushing her to put on her shoes.  She had noticed my change in routine the last couple days. I prefer to post my slice of writing in the morning before the girls are up for the day.  Since mornings are not easy at my house ,   I haven't been posting before they get up. So the last couple mornings I have tried to sneak in posting in the very last minutes before we leave the house to start our school day.  Not the usual part of our routine, hence her perfectly timed question. "Well, I'm p...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ I was that parent. I was  that  parent who overanalyzed a kindergarten progress report. I was  that  parent who carefully crafted an email asking for further clarification of a "progressing" rating (as opposed to a "secure") for my reader and writer. I was  that  parent who asked politely for evidence and questioned how I could continue to help my reader and writer at home. I was  that  parent. I was  that  p...

Slice of Life is hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ It's been a very busy start  to the school year.  And nothing about it  has been the usual.   Priorities shifted and  time has been limited. I have not had the thoughts or energy to share. But today I write ... for me. Stories about my daughters. _____________________________________________ Last Saturday was more than just a holiday. Sitting a...

Slice of Life is hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ At dinner the other night, just like every night, we talked about kindergarten.  I try my various ways of pulling out information from my twin daughters.  Some days there isn't much to share.  And some days ... well, I'm quite surprised what they share. Me: So, how was school today? M and P: (Silence.) Me: What was your favorite part of the day? Share a "good" with me. M and P: (Nothing b...

The Slice of Life is hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Many things have changed as we opened this new chapter in our lives.  Beginning kindergarten is a BIG step, and my two daughters have made this transition with ease. (Me? That's another chapter in this story!) One BIG difference this year is lunch. We must provide lunch on a daily basis. In years past, lunch was provided by our day care provider during the school year. But this year, we have doubled our lunch making from two to four lunches every day. I prepared myself for the BIG feat. I purchased the best littl...

The Slice of Life is hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Have I told you lately how thankful I am for this community?  I appreciated your words of encouragement, your tweets of wondering, and your silent prayers for us as we started a new chapter in our lives: Kindergarten. Last Tuesday was an amazingly difficult, yet celebratory day as my twin daughters marched into school ready to take on the world ... or at least kindergarten.  I cried tears of joy and tears of worry as I walked away, leaving my 'baby' girls with strangers that I did not know. I had to trust the very same system that I encourage other parents to...

The Slice of Life is hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Today is the day -- I wake up early and feel my heart thump thump thump in my chest. Today is the day -- I am full of excitement, wonder, and fear ... wondering if you are feeling the same. Today is the day -- I squat down to look into your sparkling eyes imagining this first day from your perspective. Today is the day -- I brush your hair to the side, rub your soft cheek, and wonder how this day came so quickly . Today is the day -- I give you the BIGGEST hug and kiss to remind you that I am s...

Check out other favorite Picture Book Lists: Picture Book 10 for 10 Google Community Learn more about #pb10for10 from Cathy at   Reflect and Refine  and Mandy at  Enjoy and Embrace Learning Every year I (painstakingly) select ten (ugh, yes, only ten) picture books that I cannot live without in my classroom -- or in the case of the list I am sharing today, picture books that I cannot live without at home. You see, I created this list of picture books for my twin daughters, who will begin their schooling journey by starting kindergarten in a short two weeks.  (I can't believe it.)  Yet, it's my Mommy duty to continue to build the excitement and their confidence ( or perhaps my own)  of this new adventure.  What better way to do it than with PICTURE BOOKS?!?!  A perfect #pb10for10 list of all that I wish for this coming year for my precious girls! I wish you ... ______________________________________________________________ ...