Literacy Learning Zone

Check out more Slices of Life  at the  Two Writing Teachers SOLS:  One Day in My Life Up before daylight breaks morning exercise (or snooze) Hop in 'n out of the shower dressed and ready to go Rise and shine girls two more primed for the day Breakfast next  then time to play Pack up the car zip to Miss Kate's Drop off quick blowing kisses goodbye. Race to school mind spinning with a long list of to-do's Morning meetings colleague chats Teaching kids reading, writing reflecting, thinking all day until School's out evening fast approaching Rushing home to see the girls Kisses, hugs, and love comfy clothes change Prepare, mix, and make dinner on the table Dishes to do lunches to make Toys to pick up laundry to start Library books to return library books to pick up Laundry washer to dryer Bills to pay emails to respond to Twitter to check blogs to browse Laundry to fold Finally  time for just  me. Books to read but I can barely keep my e...

Check out more Slices of Life  at the  Two Writing Teachers I was holding one in my arms and the other slowly walking beside me up to the door.  It was day three of visiting the day care.  Just thirty minutes of observing.  Allowing time for the girls to adjust, to feel more comfortable, to make the transition easier. Who am I kidding?  The visits were more for me.  I needed to observe.  I needed to adjust, to feel more comfortable, to make my transition easier.  I'm not feeling it. It's hard to trust someone that you are suppose to trust, but you don't really know. I opened the door and we walked into Miss K's home.  One clutching my chest, the other suction cupped to my leg. The worry in their eyes.  The tears started to fall.  And not from me.  Yet. Miss K mumbled something under her breath. "What's that?" I asked, not really knowing the routine, still trying to scoot inside and close the door. "Just go...

Check out more Slices of Life at the  Two Writing Teachers The buzzing chatter Excitement over a new year Refreshed and rejuvenated Meetings begin Classrooms unwrapped My head already spinning with ideas Exhausted -- early to bed  Can't even keep my eyes open to read tonight Asleep as fast as I can say -- "Is that the alarm already?" Up bright and early for day two A new day full of wonder The possibilities The opportunities One child at a time I'm ready. Are you ready? Ready or not, our students are!   

Check out other favorite 10 for 10 Picture Book Lists  @  Reflect and Refine  and  Enjoy and Embrace Learning I love picture books.  No, you don't understand. I really L.O.V.E. picture books! It is an obsession . . .  to read, to borrow, to purchase, to savor, to share, to read again     . . .  and again . .  . and again.  I need them.  I want them.  I have to have them! That is why I had to participate in this event!   Cathy and Mandy  are hosting August 10 for 10: The second annual picture book event .  They suggested to pick the 10 picture books that I can't live without in my classroom and library.  This is quite an undertaking, but I've got my favorites to share -- as of now -- in no particular order. I'm sure this list will be amended as I learn and read and fall in love with other favorite picture books. But for now --  [drum roll please] These are my go-to books. ...

Check out more Slices of Life at the Two Writing Teachers This summer I have been reading up a storm!  MG stories, YA novels, and picture books galore!  (Oh, and a couple PD books as well, and lots of tweets and blogs too.) Picture books are amazing.  I guess if I could do something more in my life, I would love to be a picture book author.  What fun!  I never really thought about that before (let alone tell the whole world about it), but I may have to start a new writer's notebook:  Picture Books . . . by Me.  Maybe this will revive my writing drought. So with all this reading, I wanted to invite you to participate in the August 10 for 10: The second annual picture book event hosted by Cathy at Reflect and Refine and Mandy at Enjoy and Embrace Learning .  You can either read the posts or add your own list and link!  The more, the merrier!  (And my picture book budget will be sucked dry before school even starts!) Wha...

                       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...