Literacy Learning Zone

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ Why is she hiding?  Last week she showed her glorious face  on a day of sunshine and 70s.  Then as quickly as she came,  she was gone.  And the tears of rain came  pouring down, leaving hints of  tiny, fresh buds on trees,  sprouts emerging from the wet, brown dirt  and a glimpse of renewal  of new life, of hope.  But then she turned her back those tears turned cold ice, freezing rain, sleet and...

__________________________________________________ The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers . Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ Yesterday was the first day of spring. But it didn't feel like it. My winter coat is still an every day fixture. Along with my hat and gloves. The air was cold. The wind biting. The sun barely squeezing through the clouds. I can't shake the chill. My hands are ice cold. And, to be quite honest, I'm a bit crabby. Yet, I stop and take in my view as I walk the dog around the two lakes in our neighborhood. The bare trees. The brown grass. The gray sky. The sun trying. The promise of more is in the glow behind those clouds. Yesterday was the first day of spring. Maybe today it w...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! __________________________________________________ Dearest Friend, I miss you.  It's been way too long. I was happy when you arrived this month, but you were here for such a short time.  You felt distant to me.  I saw only a glimpse of your bright, cheery face.  Seeing you warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.  You were like a breath of fresh air.  You whispered soft words of hope and renewal. And just as quickly as you arrived, you were gone.  In the blink of an eye. I was surprised at your decision to suddenly leave.  Your change in behavior was unexpected.  There was a chill in the air and your words pelted like snow. Why, I wonder, do you feel the need to tea...

Slice of Life is hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ And just like that ... December arrives. The decorations were retrieved from storage. Bins and boxes full of red and silver and sparkling lights.  The tree is standing tall and the mantle is dressed.  Little touches of the holiday sprinkled around the house. Ella, our little elf, arrived in style today.  She arrived with a letter from Santa reminding our girls the reason for this...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. It was the  most magnificent fall weekend. Sunshine. Blue skies. Seventy (!) degrees. Orange.  Red.  Yellow. Lots and lOts and loTs of leaves. Raking and piling and raking and piling. Ready for one-two-three jumping!   Singing loudly  "Let it  f        a    l                 l ..." It was the most magnificent fall weekend. #PerfectFallDay and a new easy PhotoGrid app !

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. Finally, school ended. And summer arrived, starting with a vacation away ... So much planning, organizing, packing, and loading the days before a long, long drive from Illinois to Florida.  With four year olds.  Did I mention that's TWO four year olds? Time away from the go-go-rush of life.  No thought or needing to balance home and work life.  It was all 100% family time.  No worries.  No stresses.  No responsibilities to think about at home.  Unplugged ... almost. Laughter and relaxing.  No rushing, just savoring moments.  Beaching-going and building sandcastles. ...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life. These last few weeks of school have been tough.  Summer is almost here. Everyone in the family has been sick the month of May and now into June.  (Yes, even my husband has all the bronchitis symptoms as of Sunday.  Off to the doctor he goes today!)  Summer is almost here. At the beginning of the school year, I always feel like I'm off and running, already months behind before the students even arrive.  Summer is long gone. The end of the school year feels quite the same.  The final to-do list grows before the students leave and the building is closed and I'm feeling months behind. ...

I already shared some of my thoughts for summer reading . . . And then I saw this video: And then I immediately shared it with my colleagues and shared some suggestions to talk up summer reading in an email: Please talk with your students about the importance of keeping that reading brain awake all summer long! Here are just a few ideas that I will be sharing with my small groups (depending on grade level) - If you are interested, there are more ideas on my Summer Reading pinterest page too ( http://pinterest.com/ michellenero/summer-reading/ ): *Set a reading goal or sign an agreement:   http://pinterest.com/pin/ 276901077061924762/     *Try book tastings:  http://pinterest.com/pin/ 39336196715515493/    *Share book trailers to entice their reading brains:   http://mrschureads.blogspot. com/   (or use Google) *Share with students your book stack and have students create their own list of books they want t...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Spring has finally arrived -- Really! Gray clouds dropping Rain drops plopping Thunder lowly rumbling Tinge of green glowing Buds begin showing Flowers boldly emerging Blue skies peeking Sunshine rays speaking Temperatures slowly rising Fast bicycle riding People neighborhood striding Dogs happily joining Children outside playing Chalk art staying Bubbles lightly blowing Neighbors come a-gleaning Yard work cleaning Long winter waving Really. Spring has finally arrived!

March Slice of Life Story Challenge  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! I read the other Ruth's "The Good and the Bad" slice last night and immediately thought of the book: Good News, Bad News  by Jeff Mack.  An adorable (and simple) book about two friends trying to enjoy a picnic...but then it starts to rain -- and the good news, bad news cycle goes on.   Good News, Bad News: Spring Edition The good news . . . I think I maybe saw a glimpse of spring today! The bad news -- it's not here to stay. The good news . . . there was a beautiful bright blue cloudless sky! The bad news -- the deceitful clear sky was filled with frigid cold air.  The...