Literacy Learning Zone

____________________________________________________ After reading Kathleen's post entitled Should Educators Be Writers? multiple times, I knew that I had to share it with my colleagues full well knowing that it may make many teachers ... well, uncomfortable.   It is scary to put yourself out there. To put your words to the page. To hit the orange publish button. Without regret.  Or fear.  Actually living that writing life.  I know.  I have been there.  I'm still living it now. I composed the following email today to share in the joy of being a teacher-writer and walking the walk that we expect our students to walk.  We want our students to be brave and grow as writers -- and we need to do the same right beside them. Don't get me wrong ... I was nervous pressing that send button.  I read over the email once.  Del...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Yesterday, as M. and I walked through the Target parking lot after picking up a new prescription for her ear infection, I noticed a man talking to two women.  I remember thinking it appeared strange, but also thought that perhaps they knew each other and happened to run into each other in the parking lot. We continued on our way to our car.  I loaded up the back of the minivan with some essential groceries.  M. climbed up in her seat.  I closed the back end, pushed the cart to the return ca...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ The other day I was about to recycle an empty box and my daughter quickly requested it for a project. How could I say no? The "project" was collaboratively created between my two five year old girls. Our cat, CJ, received a Hex Bug in her Christmas stocking ... it was confiscated by my girls and they designed a new house for the little battery operated critter. The talking and thinking and sharing and trying and trying again and creating and wondering and questioning went on and on for over an hour...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ To write or not to write?   That is the question.   Well, as you can see.  I'm writing.   I have to.   It's in my blood  and nature to write  a little slice of life  every Tuesday. But what to write?   That's another question.   I have stories.   I know I have moments  to capture into words  that are just waiting to be told. But when to write?  That's an important question.   I feel at times  my life is full  to the max.   I'm spinning...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Happy New Year! Happy everything!  I love the excitement that a new year brings -- a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to try again.  January rolls around and my hopes and dreams explode with new opportunities.   I also love the idea of inviting a little word into my life.  One little word that I can focus my thoughts around throughout the year.  One little word that I say daily and visibly display as a constant reminder.  One little word that provides positive hope, energy, and enthusiasm.  One little word tha...