Literacy Learning Zone

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! _________________________________________ Are you noticing that stories are  easier and easier to find in your day with open eyes and open ears? There are so many little slices  that make up my day and who I am. Just today I could write about ... A sick child ... again My "I'm almost 40" mammogram A student missing me at school My thought for the day from my mom A student sharing the love of a book My distinguished colleague A daughter authoring a book The extra helping hand this morning My eyes carefully closing, listening I am more attuned to the littlest moments in my life  that can be crafted into stories. I'm capturing words and phrases scribbling in m...

March Slice of Life Story Challenge  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! "That's so cool that you are doing that," my husband commented last night. Last year . . . I started a new journal.   A 10 year journal!   Sounds daunting, but it possesses all the power of simplicity.  Four little lines to record the day.  Knowing I can't capture it all, I write down what I want to remember from the day: the girls tiny moments strong feelings the highs and lows good/bad weather places we visited things we did people we saw books I read A year later . . .  I am now understanding the benefits of this journal.  Each day that I wr...

March Slice of Life Story Challenge  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! I believe an important part of a writing challenge is to be reflective as a writer . . . One of the advantages of a writing challenge it to be creative in my slices from day to day.  I write slices of my life at home and at school, include some dialogue and descriptive word choice.  I write a lot about my girls because I want to hold on to those memories.  Each year goes faster and faster.  I also dabble in some poetry and list making when I'm feeling short of words.  I never really thought of myself as a poet, but I enjoy the less is more approach.  That's my repert...

March Slice of Life Story Challenge  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! My slice-writing so far this challenge has been day-to-day memories and moments.  I've reintroduced myself to my writing notebook that I always carry around with me in my big ole purse. A writing notebook is helpful, especially during a writing challenge.  It can safely hold onto those memories that can be easily and so quickly forgotten, but are full of life and emotion and story. Just yesterday morning there was such a moment, thinking to myself, "I want to remember that." Hours later at lunch, I was staring at a blank page in my writing notebook. Hmmm . . . I know there was a story...

Slice of Life Stories hosted by the  Two Writing Teachers There has been lots of talk as of late about journals, writer's notebooks, and baskets exploding with notes, ticket stubs, and pictures.   Ruth , Christy , Deb and Jennifer all shared their thoughts and feelings. As great writers do, they got me thinking about my love-hate-to-take-the-time relationship with notebooks. I love  a new, blank, ready-to-write-in journal.  I will buy them just because they look pretty with hopes of writing, holding moments, scribbling notes, describing my hopes and dreams, or whatever my little heart desires. I always have the best of intentions. Like many others, I eagerly start capturing ideas in my new pretty journal using my just-right-perfect pen. The first couple pages even display my prettiest handwriting. Days later . . . my pretty notebook sits open waiting on top of a pile on the counter with a few more ideas of stories to share that I managed to jot down in th...

Check out more Slice of Life Stories  at the  Two Writing Teachers Dearest Friend, I just have to say it:  I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry.  It's been too long. I haven't been there for you and I can give you a million-and-one excuses as to why . . . but do you really want to hear about it now?  I'm thinking it's too late. I'm sure you don't want to hear about how busy I am a school: Teaching kids. Encouraging them to read.  Wanting them to L.O.V.E. reading.  Searching for books they will adore and recommend.  Solving problems.  Planning targeted interventions to meet the needs of struggling readers.  Wanting more time for the students to write and blog. Laughing and learning together every day. Enjoying each and every student. There are so many stories to tell, but why would you want to hear about them now? I'm also loving being a mom.  It's still crazy to say that.  Yes, I'm a mom . . . of twins. ...

                       Check out Two Writing Teachers for more Slices of Life! Like I need a new challenge. I want to do it, but . . . is it the right time? Hmm . . . When is it ever a good time?  I will do it. Yesterday, Ruth shared about the Write Fifteen Minutes A Day (WFMAD) challenge hosted by Laurie Halse Anderson . Laurie explains that this writing doesn't have to be shared, and blog writing shouldn't count because we are thinking of our audience.  It's time to grab my writer's notebook and a snazzy pen.  I did it. I wrote for fifteen minutes last night and I thought it would make a great slice of life.  So, in this case I am sharing it!  Here's a peek into my first entry for this challenge: 8/1/11  New Challenge Write for 15 min. a day I need this - for me.  To open my writer's notebook. To record. To jot. To dabble. To plant seeds. I'm a "real-life" writer. I write...

Check out Two Writing Teachers for more Slices of Life! In the Backyard [Inspired by Lisa Schroeder's verse novel: Chasing Brooklyn, p.57] In the backyard There is a warm breeze trying to shift the stifling air. There are cicadas singing in the heat of the day. There is a brilliant blue sky without a puffy cloud in sight. In the backyard There are kids giggling and splashing, trying to stay cool. There is one LARGE sycamore shading us from the sizzling sun. There are toys, bikes, trikes, and more scattered throughout the grass. In the backyard There is a moment at dusk when tired and quiet lay their hands upon us. There are fireflies surprising us: glowing and blinking here, then there. There is a mosquito -- smack! -- buzzing by my ear. In the backyard There is a constant reminder to sit, relax, and stay awhile.

I don't know what to write about today. [Scratching head.  Bulging eyes staring at the blank screen.] Write about the ordinary. Write about the little things. Just write and write. I know, I know.  But I don't know what to write. [Shoulder shrug. Clicking fingertips on the keyboard.] Open your writer's notebook. Search for an idea, a seed, a spark. Let it grow, ignite and you will write. My writer's notebook? Oh, that little book that has been ignored?  Unattended?  Left blank? [Digging and searching for my notebook.] Live the life of a writer. Ideas breathe all around you  every day.   In and out.  In and out. I know. I know. [Dusting the notebook off. Cracking it open as if it hasn't been opened in years.] It's time to revive the notebook. Open your eyes and ears to your world that's waiting to be captured and shared. I know what to write about today., but first, let me write down a few ideas. [Bringing my wr...

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 w...

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 an...