Reading Teacher Writes

Sharing a love of literacy with fellow readers and writers


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Slice of Life Tuesday: Getting “Booked”

Slice of Life Small LogoI read Kwame Alexander’s new book, Booked. When I told him via Facebook that I had a question about my reading and if I missed something and needed to read the book again, he replied, “Ha Ha!”

The class watched his poetry workshop from March 2015 on Meet the Author. I thought it was informative and entertaining. (Boring words! We broke out the dictionary and thesaurus.)

Compelling? Instructive? Revealing? (Yes, revealing. I learned about Kwame’s thoughts on writing poetry, his process for finding words to use in his writing, and his rubric for grading students on their “poetry’s behavior.”) The whole program was in spots/scenes from the studio, Kwame’s office (at home? Cool!), and the stage where the students read their poems.

Delightful? Gratifying? Welcoming? Amusing? (Yes, yes, yes, and yes.)

I am always ecstatic to share my video finds with my students. What a great way to Meet the Author! I’ll need to find more of this program. For this, I searched You Tube for “Kwame Alexander” videos. I found this program on the Fairfax Network/Fairfax County Public Schools channel, dated July 2, 2015.

https://youtu.be/V39o0u6Wjbg

 

 

 

 

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Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 7: Back to Work!

Slice of Life Small LogoBack to Work!

After suffering all weekend, I’m back to work today! I don’t know why this weakness, illness, affliction is staying with me, but I will know more after my doctor’s appointment today.

Our class is writing Slice of Life stories today as well. Some students are writing about weekend life, favorite YouTube channels, and family members. I like reading the pieces and getting to know people better. Some students have fascinating stories! I’m having a little trouble thinking in this large, echo-y classroom — people want to talk about their ideas and items of interest instead of writing them down. I think I know why there are “writers’ retreats” now. The distractions are not helping my brain!

Maybe I shouldn’t write with my students. (No, that’s not what I learned is best for any of us.)