(Disclaimer: my comma key randomly stopped working so no commas in this post...please don't think I'm an idiot)
Well lookee here...two posts in one week!
Maybe I can get back into this blogging thing again after all. Don't hold your breath.
This year I've been working on being a better housewife even while I'm working. I've made excellent progress. I've had some major setbacks in this department due to not being capable of managing my own stress. Overall I've made improvements though.
I've done all my dishes every night this week so far. I did a MAJOR spring cleaning project last week on my spring break which helps me stay on track. I'm hoping to keep a tidy home even when crazy busy and tired.
I've also been improving in my school work. I have all my papers graded for tomorrow and it's only 9:14 pm. Woohoo!
So...I've been perusing old posts of mine. I'm pretty wordy aren't I? Oh well...that's just me.
I'm not really sure what the purpose of this post was...I'm just babbling on about laziness and writing like usual. Two topics never far from my mind.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I'm Scared of Writing
Soooo...that whole "I'm back" thing...
I'm scared of writing. It's true. I've taken countless writing classes. I majored in English education. I've written a lot over my short life. But I'm still scared of putting my words on paper (or computer). It's like I'm afraid that I will look foolish to someone or that I will break one of the ever-changing grammar rules.
I absolutely love writing and really enjoy reading my own work (most of the time). I just hate the feeling before I actually let the words flow. It's like the feeling I get before I do a somersault or before I wax my eyebrows or before I jump off a diving board or before I let my husband crack my back or before I walk into a party or before I try on a new pair of jeans. It's torture before I start...but I'm always glad I went through with it in the end.
I think about writing all the time. I tell my students to write all the time. I tell them when they're stuck to "just write." Why oh why don't I take my own advice?
So, I'm really going to work on this whole "fear of writing" thing and get back into blogging. I started this blog so I could write publicly. Probably should get back on that.
So, if you haven't totally abandoned my blog...thanks for hanging on. I'll try to be better. No promises though. Because I might break that promise when fear strikes.
I'm scared of writing. It's true. I've taken countless writing classes. I majored in English education. I've written a lot over my short life. But I'm still scared of putting my words on paper (or computer). It's like I'm afraid that I will look foolish to someone or that I will break one of the ever-changing grammar rules.
I absolutely love writing and really enjoy reading my own work (most of the time). I just hate the feeling before I actually let the words flow. It's like the feeling I get before I do a somersault or before I wax my eyebrows or before I jump off a diving board or before I let my husband crack my back or before I walk into a party or before I try on a new pair of jeans. It's torture before I start...but I'm always glad I went through with it in the end.
I think about writing all the time. I tell my students to write all the time. I tell them when they're stuck to "just write." Why oh why don't I take my own advice?
So, I'm really going to work on this whole "fear of writing" thing and get back into blogging. I started this blog so I could write publicly. Probably should get back on that.
So, if you haven't totally abandoned my blog...thanks for hanging on. I'll try to be better. No promises though. Because I might break that promise when fear strikes.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Using Observations in the Writer's Notebook
After this first week of school, I think I can say my students LOVE using Writer's Notebooks. Today, one student didn't want to pay attention because she said she wanted to write about zombies in her notebook. After we finished a quiz today, a boy got out his notebook and continued working on a writing project even though we finished it yesterday. He wanted more. Yesterday, two boys begged to take their notebooks to recess to write some more.
Yesterday we listed our observations or wonders in our notebooks. At the top of the page we wrote "I Wonder..." and then listed all the things in life we wondered about. I shared my list first to get their brains rolling. They LOVE to hear what I write first. I don't know why I never modeled my writing for my students in the past. It really is the best way to teach writing. The only danger is they end up copying your work to some extent. I guess I do the same thing to my mentor authors as well. Maybe that's what we're supposed to do.
At first, some students balked at writing down things they wonder about. Some students claimed they didn't wonder about anything. Others filled up more than one page. Some of the great observations from my students were: "I wonder why God made my face so handsome." How about "Why are bubbles round and not square?" Or "Why does the Easter bunny unnaturally produce eggs?" I really liked this insightful one, "Why would someone invent cuss words?" The classic: "I wonder what my little brother's IQ really is?" A conspiracy theorist: "Why won't the government tell us what is in Area 51?" Or, "Why is Santa Claus fat?"
Of course some of these could be answered. The purpose of this exercise was to first of all, get the students excited about writing. I also wanted them to create a space where they can start gathering ideas for future writing projects. Since we're in the beginning of the year, we need to build up our notebooks so we have something to work with later in the year.
Today we started working on our heart maps. They LOVE this project so far. Even the reluctant students are jumping on board.
On Monday, I plan to teach them how to use their notebooks to record their personal thoughts in what is called the "daily pages." Daily pages are basically the same thing as journaling. We'll see how it goes! I'll keep you posted. As always, if you have suggestions for how to use writer's notebooks in the classroom, please leave a comment!
Yesterday we listed our observations or wonders in our notebooks. At the top of the page we wrote "I Wonder..." and then listed all the things in life we wondered about. I shared my list first to get their brains rolling. They LOVE to hear what I write first. I don't know why I never modeled my writing for my students in the past. It really is the best way to teach writing. The only danger is they end up copying your work to some extent. I guess I do the same thing to my mentor authors as well. Maybe that's what we're supposed to do.
At first, some students balked at writing down things they wonder about. Some students claimed they didn't wonder about anything. Others filled up more than one page. Some of the great observations from my students were: "I wonder why God made my face so handsome." How about "Why are bubbles round and not square?" Or "Why does the Easter bunny unnaturally produce eggs?" I really liked this insightful one, "Why would someone invent cuss words?" The classic: "I wonder what my little brother's IQ really is?" A conspiracy theorist: "Why won't the government tell us what is in Area 51?" Or, "Why is Santa Claus fat?"
Of course some of these could be answered. The purpose of this exercise was to first of all, get the students excited about writing. I also wanted them to create a space where they can start gathering ideas for future writing projects. Since we're in the beginning of the year, we need to build up our notebooks so we have something to work with later in the year.
Today we started working on our heart maps. They LOVE this project so far. Even the reluctant students are jumping on board.
On Monday, I plan to teach them how to use their notebooks to record their personal thoughts in what is called the "daily pages." Daily pages are basically the same thing as journaling. We'll see how it goes! I'll keep you posted. As always, if you have suggestions for how to use writer's notebooks in the classroom, please leave a comment!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Introducing the Writer's Notebook
I have officially completed my first two days of my 4th year of teaching. They were utterly exhausting, but incredibly rewarding.
This year I decided to introduce the concept of the Writer's Notebook in my 6th grade classroom. So far, so good. On day one, I showed them my writer's notebook. They were enthralled with the markers I used to make my Heart Map and "I" chart. They keep begging to do that, which makes my heart sing. (Even though I know they are mostly interested in using markers.)
The first activity I had them do was "History of a Name." I got this idea from the great book entitled Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook by Aimee Buckner. They had to write about the history of their name. Since it was the first time I had them write this year, I let them include anything relating to names. Some students really ate up this activity. Others were more reluctant. They didn't seem to be able to pull ideas from their brains. I'm really hoping it becomes second nature to them as the year goes by.
Today I had them prepare a list so they can "Write From a List" later in the year, which is another of Buckner's strategies. They had to list their top 10 best life events and top 7 worst life events. Some of them struggled to come up with enough ideas. I really don't think some of them ever reflect on their own lives in this way. It's something I hope to help them develop. Once they got the hang of it, though, they were begging to share with the class what they wrote. One of my toughest boys, who has a terrible attitude normally, accidentally blurted out to the whole class that he was going to put "Having Mrs. Rhine as our teacher" on his best events list. He was being completely sincere when he said it. It absolutely melted my heart!
Tonight, I've been reading some more of Buckner's book. It's been excellent. I often have a hard time truly relaxing in the evenings. I end up browsing through the same old posts on Facebook when I really have all sorts of fun things I could be doing instead. I really want to improve this aspect of my life this school year. So tonight I brewed a cup of tea, grabbed my book and highlighter, created a piano solo station on Pandora, and sprawled out on the couch. It was divine. Much better than endlessly browsing Facebook! That's for sure!
Let me know if you've tried Writer's Notebook in your classroom. I'd love to hear your ideas!
This year I decided to introduce the concept of the Writer's Notebook in my 6th grade classroom. So far, so good. On day one, I showed them my writer's notebook. They were enthralled with the markers I used to make my Heart Map and "I" chart. They keep begging to do that, which makes my heart sing. (Even though I know they are mostly interested in using markers.)
The first activity I had them do was "History of a Name." I got this idea from the great book entitled Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook by Aimee Buckner. They had to write about the history of their name. Since it was the first time I had them write this year, I let them include anything relating to names. Some students really ate up this activity. Others were more reluctant. They didn't seem to be able to pull ideas from their brains. I'm really hoping it becomes second nature to them as the year goes by.
Today I had them prepare a list so they can "Write From a List" later in the year, which is another of Buckner's strategies. They had to list their top 10 best life events and top 7 worst life events. Some of them struggled to come up with enough ideas. I really don't think some of them ever reflect on their own lives in this way. It's something I hope to help them develop. Once they got the hang of it, though, they were begging to share with the class what they wrote. One of my toughest boys, who has a terrible attitude normally, accidentally blurted out to the whole class that he was going to put "Having Mrs. Rhine as our teacher" on his best events list. He was being completely sincere when he said it. It absolutely melted my heart!
Tonight, I've been reading some more of Buckner's book. It's been excellent. I often have a hard time truly relaxing in the evenings. I end up browsing through the same old posts on Facebook when I really have all sorts of fun things I could be doing instead. I really want to improve this aspect of my life this school year. So tonight I brewed a cup of tea, grabbed my book and highlighter, created a piano solo station on Pandora, and sprawled out on the couch. It was divine. Much better than endlessly browsing Facebook! That's for sure!
Let me know if you've tried Writer's Notebook in your classroom. I'd love to hear your ideas!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Using a "Heart Map" in a Writer's Notebook
Lately I've been researching new methods for teaching writing. The main method that keeps coming back to me is the use of mentor texts with writing workshops and writing notebooks. I've been really challenged to start my own writing notebook so my students can see that I, too right even though no one is making me. Students love to imitate their teachers. I'm hoping by my students seeing me write, they will want to write as well.
Tonight I spent a good hour and a half in Panera alone reading the book A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher. It's written for kids with the hope that their teachers will read it first and apply the principles to their own lives before forcing their students to apply it to theirs.
Tonight I started my very first entry. I created a Heart Map as suggested by a couple different educators. Here she is (I must say, I did a pretty decent job.):
It's of course rather childish, but I love everything about my childhood and wish I could return all the time. My favorite part of the this map is the center. I drew Ben as a stick figure in cowboy boots holding his fishing pole and harmonica. Not much else has been on his mind this summer other than those three things.
The purpose of this heart map is to remind writers of what is near and dear to their hearts. Writers do best when they write about either what they know or what interests them. I hope to come back to this map when I need inspiration for my own writing.
Tonight I spent a good hour and a half in Panera alone reading the book A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher. It's written for kids with the hope that their teachers will read it first and apply the principles to their own lives before forcing their students to apply it to theirs.
The purpose of this heart map is to remind writers of what is near and dear to their hearts. Writers do best when they write about either what they know or what interests them. I hope to come back to this map when I need inspiration for my own writing.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Dream Job
I just read a post on another blog about how the author feels as if she missed her dream job. She feels stuck. She feels that life just swept by her. She wants to write, but feels there are too many hindrances in the way.
I'm fairly young. I'll be 25 in June. I have a lot of life ahead of me. There is still so much for me to experience and accomplish. I'm worried though that life is going to sweep right by me. I'm worried that I'm going to be too busy wallowing in self-pity over my life circumstances (which are not pitiful at all) that I miss my life's calling. I'm worried that I'm going to be too busy playing it safe that I don't take risks.
I've mentioned before here that I have planned my life "perfectly" thus far. I graduated on time, got married on time, started my career on time, didn't start a family too soon, etc.... Now, I know that I didn't really cause my life to work out this way. I know plenty of other people whose lives turned out completely different. God blessed me with my life path and helped me make wise choices. I don't really know why God has allowed me to follow my "special little path" so well up until this point. The problem is, I'm starting to doubt the wisdom of a certain part of my special little path: my career.
When I was in high school, I labored over my career decision. I was determined to stick with whatever path I chose. I wasn't entirely sold on being a teacher. I felt like I was selling myself short. I felt like I was capable of so much more. (This is not to say being a teacher is an easy, worthless job. Believe me, I know better now!) I started leaning towards teaching because I really liked the field of education and always enjoyed school. In college, I soaked up my education classes and could not wait to get into the classroom. I had a partially awesome student-teaching experience (one of my coop teachers was...well... nevermind). I enjoyed teaching for the most part my first two years. This year I've really enjoyed parts of teaching, and I've really loathed parts of teaching. Dealing with unreasonable parents really squelches your love of teaching.***
So, I started thinking back to my real passion in life: writing. The thing about writing is, it's risky. It doesn't carry a guaranteed paycheck. If your work gets rejected, it's like you are being rejected. It requires great discipline (and you already know what a lazy perfectionist I am). My husband is all for it. He is constantly encouraging me to write. My dad has been my biggest champion in my writing. He always edited my papers in high school and told me I was a good writer. So, I started this blog with hopes of really pursuing my future in writing. I figure that I need to write with some sort of audience if I'm ever going to get paid to do it in the future.
I hope I don't chicken out. I really want to write. I'm hoping this blog gives me the courage and practice I need in order to succeed in writing. I know it sounds cliche, and that everyone hopes their blog turns into a book. I'm not necessarily hoping for that. I just want to write, write, write.
***Note: I'm not planning on quitting my job anytime soon. A good long summer vacation will surely cure what ails me. Teaching really is a wonderful career. : )
I'm fairly young. I'll be 25 in June. I have a lot of life ahead of me. There is still so much for me to experience and accomplish. I'm worried though that life is going to sweep right by me. I'm worried that I'm going to be too busy wallowing in self-pity over my life circumstances (which are not pitiful at all) that I miss my life's calling. I'm worried that I'm going to be too busy playing it safe that I don't take risks.
I've mentioned before here that I have planned my life "perfectly" thus far. I graduated on time, got married on time, started my career on time, didn't start a family too soon, etc.... Now, I know that I didn't really cause my life to work out this way. I know plenty of other people whose lives turned out completely different. God blessed me with my life path and helped me make wise choices. I don't really know why God has allowed me to follow my "special little path" so well up until this point. The problem is, I'm starting to doubt the wisdom of a certain part of my special little path: my career.
When I was in high school, I labored over my career decision. I was determined to stick with whatever path I chose. I wasn't entirely sold on being a teacher. I felt like I was selling myself short. I felt like I was capable of so much more. (This is not to say being a teacher is an easy, worthless job. Believe me, I know better now!) I started leaning towards teaching because I really liked the field of education and always enjoyed school. In college, I soaked up my education classes and could not wait to get into the classroom. I had a partially awesome student-teaching experience (one of my coop teachers was...well... nevermind). I enjoyed teaching for the most part my first two years. This year I've really enjoyed parts of teaching, and I've really loathed parts of teaching. Dealing with unreasonable parents really squelches your love of teaching.***
So, I started thinking back to my real passion in life: writing. The thing about writing is, it's risky. It doesn't carry a guaranteed paycheck. If your work gets rejected, it's like you are being rejected. It requires great discipline (and you already know what a lazy perfectionist I am). My husband is all for it. He is constantly encouraging me to write. My dad has been my biggest champion in my writing. He always edited my papers in high school and told me I was a good writer. So, I started this blog with hopes of really pursuing my future in writing. I figure that I need to write with some sort of audience if I'm ever going to get paid to do it in the future.
I hope I don't chicken out. I really want to write. I'm hoping this blog gives me the courage and practice I need in order to succeed in writing. I know it sounds cliche, and that everyone hopes their blog turns into a book. I'm not necessarily hoping for that. I just want to write, write, write.
***Note: I'm not planning on quitting my job anytime soon. A good long summer vacation will surely cure what ails me. Teaching really is a wonderful career. : )
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