Literacy Learning Zone

The world is flipped upside down. Trying to wrap my brain around it. Staying silent to listen To hear the cries. Hard to focus and concentrate Or think about anything else. Staying silent to listen To hear the power of words. Reading, sorting, gathering Resources, videos, book titles, blog posts. Staying silent to listen To hear the stories. To really, really l.i.s.t.e.n. Trying to hear all sides of a  very complicated issue and timeline. Staying silent to listen To open my eyes. Wanting to teach my daughters What is true and right and just. Staying silent to listen To hear what I can do. Capturing the essence of what I need to do in my classroom. Staying silent to listen To hear and deeply understand. Trying to wrap my brain around  this world that is flipped upside down.

March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! The start of my spring break has been just perfect.  With this loooong winter and so many changes happening in my district, this break was much needed.  I've had this longing for stress-free living. Sunday afternoon as the girls napped (yeah!), I actually lounged on the couch under a blanket sipping hot chocolate in   the middle of the day . I wondered aloud, "When was the last time I just sat and relaxed  in the middle of the day ?"   I held my breath because I said this out loud with my husband in the room, waiting for a suggestion of how I could productively use my time. There are  always  things to do around the house or for the girls or for school or for me, especi...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers I'm learning that I have many stories to tell.  I'm a pretty private person and it takes me time to get to know and trust and share my stories.  (Blogging with the Two Writing Teachers community has sped up the process.  Thanks for being a supportive bunch!) I have my up and down stories about being a . . . mom teacher believer wife daughter sister friend All of these identities have stories.  Stories that are entangled to make me me.  How do I mold and merge and conform these stories to expr...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers I usually write my Tuesday "Slice of Life"  on Monday evening.  Some Mondays, I have a story or idea already mixing -- and sometimes even several ideas to choose.  This week was different. I started typing.  Then deleted.  I had an idea.  Then started over.  A blank screen stared back at me.  Fingers tapped on the keyboard, but nothing filled the page that was worthy of sharing. I then remembered reading Rachel's post:  Sunday Stills @ finding joy , and I also remember thinking to myself: I may need to try this again for a slice . ...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers Today, another slice of life day, thoughts are floating in my head: Girls. Growing. 2 1/2. Too fast. Mom. Visit.  Helping hands. Extra love. Overnight. Getaway. Renewed. Fresh. Time. Up. Leaving. Today. School. To do. Never. Ending. Thinking about. Interventions. Choice. Reading love. For haters. Balance. Deep breath. One day. At a time. Life. Quickly. Into perspective. Sandy. Storm. Water. Terrifying. Outages. Flooding. Wild winds. Damage. Prayers. Thoughts. Safety. Calm. Today, as Sandy hovers and wreaks havoc, thoughts are swimming in my head.

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers _______________________________________________________________ in spire  |inˈspīr| verb   [  trans.  ] 1  fill (someone) with the  urge   or  ability to do or feel something, esp. to do  something  creative  :            [  trans.  ]  his passion for romantic literature inspired him to begin  writing   |  [as  adj.  ]  (  inspiring )  so far, the scenery is not very inspiring.  See note at  encourage  . _______________________________________________________________ I lov...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers Well, it seems that last week's episode ( access denied ) was just a glitch.  All is in working order!  Phew!  It wouldn't have been the end of the world, but just a little bump in the road. Life always throws little bumps in the road.  They say that's what makes us stronger. The start of the school year has brought many little bumps.  I'm still trying to figure out the new schedule -- or shall I say, I'm trying to figure out how to do everything I was able to do over the summer now with school in session.  It's not working. I have stacks of books waiting to be read. I haven't browsed my Twitter feed or tweeted in weeks. ...