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Category Archives: Writing


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The Best Part of Me

I’m a teacher and I use Pinterest. There, I said it. I feel like maybe there’s a 12 step program somewhere in my future, because there are times when I spend hours on that site, mostly pinning teaching ideas. It’s not that I don’t have any of my own, it’s just that there are so many good ones out there to borrow!

One that I found and liked was a writing activity that asks kids to think deeply about the best “part” of themselves. They literally write about a body part, but I wanted my young writers to go beyond the surface.

To me it’s not enough to say, “I like my eyes. They allow me to see and they’re a pretty color.” Maybe for a young child that would be fine, but these kids are eight to thirteen years old, and so bright. They are capable of so much more.

I asked them to think about why they chose that particular part. What does it do for them? How does it make them feel? Does it affect their relationships with others? Does it matter what others think about it? I wanted them to really reflect.

Then I invited each student over for a photo of their selected part, to go along with the writing. Above are a few of the parts they chose. Their reasons are wonderful.

Have you ever thought about your best part? What is it, and why?

 

 


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First Day Jitters, Again

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It happens every time. Tomorrow I start writing camp with a new group of kids, and I’ve got the jitters.

I’m prepared. My day is all mapped out, my cart is full of the necessary supplies, and today I toured the site, so I would know just where to go and how to get there. Seriously, I’m ready.

I’ve reviewed the roster, sent out a welcome email, and planned activities that I think will be both fun and enriching for my young writers. I’m bringing my A game. So what’s the big deal?

The big deal is that every time I work with a new group of kids I get this way. I’m not afraid of them. I’m not afraid that I won’t know what to do with them. It isn’t fear at all. Anxiety is more like it. I suppose it’s more excitement than anything else.

I’m excited to get to know them. I’m excited to try out some new things. I’m excited to see what they can and will do. I’m excited for it all, and it all starts tomorrow.

I know it’s going to be great, now if I can just calm down enough to get a good night’s sleep I’ll be set.


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Just This One More Thing

So I have this thing I have to do. Yes, Have To. I made a commitment. It’s not a bad thing. In fact it’s a thing that helps me in the long run, but it takes work. Actual, no two ways about it, work. So naturally, I’m putting it off.images.jpg

You see, I don’t want to do the work. Why? I’m not sure. It’s not that I can’t. I’m able to do it. It’s just that I don’t want to.

Will I? Of course. Like I said, I made a commitment. I don’t take my commitments lightly. It will get done. And it will get done on time. But right now, I’d rather do something else. Anything else. Like, oh, I don’t know… blog maybe?

My plan was to get up this morning, drop my son off at work, and then GET. IT. DONE.

I got up, took him to work, and decided I needed breakfast. Well, don’t we all? Most important meal of the day, and all that jazz. So, I had breakfast. And while I ate, I checked my email. That makes sense, right? Multi-tasking to save time?

Well, my email reminded me that I had to provide some feedback to Amazon, so I took care of that (because without my feedback they might fold). Then I realized that I needed to send a welcome email to my summer writing group (or their parents, to be exact).

It took me a while to trudge through the task of setting up a group. Don’t laugh at me, but I find Google and their email and docs and such kind of awkward. I know, I’m the one who’s awkward, but I’m okay with that. Finally I got it sorted out, the email written, and sent.

Okay, so NOW I’m ready to do that thing. But shouldn’t I at least get a load of laundry started? Or unload the dishwasher? Nah, I have to do the thing. But wait! What a brilliant blog post idea. Me, procrastinating, again! My readers will LOVE it!

Insert eye roll here.

Okay, so maybe not the most brilliant topic, but, to quote lots of people, “It is what it is.” What does that even mean?

So now, at long last, I’m going to wrap up the blog post, and get started on my task. Oh wait, it’s time for lunch. Okay, right after lunch I’m starting! Really.