Keeping it Real

I belong to a Facebook group of teacher bloggers.  Every now and then one of us writes about when our real life intersects with our online life.  Some situations are awkward.

I am glad that I have a couple of teachers who know me in real life read my blog sometimes.  I know it keeps me honest about what my teaching life is really like.  I can't exaggerate or embellish. 

When I post something, I know the chances of it being read in my real life are pretty good.  I won't be embarrassed by what I write.

Quote of the Week -- December 2, 2012

"Pessimism kills the instinct that urges men to struggle against poverty, ignorance and crime, and dries up all the fountains of joy in the world."

Helen Keller

Have a good week,

 

It's Here! Winter Holiday Teaching Tips and Freebies

I am excited to be a part of this project for the second year.  Fifty Teachers Pay Teachers sellers have posted special freebies for third to sixth grade classrooms.  You can download your free copy of Winter Holidays Teaching Tips and Freebies and see the resources that are available.

Update: I've already read it cover to cover and downloaded several items to use in my classroom the next three weeks.  I hope you find some great stuff.

Freebie: 15 Terse Verse

My students and I have been having fun with Terse Verse riddles.  In case you don't know, Terse Verse is a question that is answered with two words that rhyme.  For example:

What do you call a letter that arrives by train?
Rail mail

I created a freebie called 15 Terse Verse to share the fun with you.  This product is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. This is also available in my Teacher's Notebook store.

I hope you and your students enjoy.

Dumpling Days by Grace Lin

I discovered the author Grace Lin the year my niece was adopted from Taiwan.  I enjoy reading her Pacy Lin series which is somewhat autobiographical.  I have learned a little about Taiwan and one family's celebrations through Grace Lin's writing and subscribe to her newsletter. 

 
Dumpling Days is about the Lin's family month in Taiwan visiting family.  Pacy is honest about her struggles with being Taiwanese and American.  Her descriptions of the food make me hungry.

Here is a descriptive writing graphic organizers based on the five senses.  Students can use it to analyze Lin's description of a family gathering or use it to develop their own writing.

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My Unusual Thanksgiving Part 2

I gave myself the writing prompt from November 16: My Unusual Thanksgiving List Poem.
My result is a list poem called Thanksgiving on My Uncle's Farm.  I published it on my poetry blog Poems of Silliness.
I know I teach writing better when I write regularly.  I know I teach reading better when I read the books my students are interested in.
Next year I may give this writing prompt as homework.  I found when I needed to write a poem about my experience to share with my class, I pay attention to the details. 

Quote of the Week -- November 25, 2012

 

"Here's a hint: learning is not done to you. Learning is something you choose to do."

“Here’s a hint: learning is not done to you.  Learning is something you choose to do.” 

Seth Godin from Stop Stealing Dreams section 16 “School is expensive”