write.share.connect

Slice of Life 16: To Do List as Week Begins

By Janice Ewing

Expect to make mistakes

Acknowledge, forgive, keep going

Expect others to make mistakes

Acknowledge, forgive, keep going

Set plans Read more

Slice of Life 15: On Slices of Life and Slices of Pie

By Janice Ewing

Okay, so I’m a day late and a pie short for Pi Day, but here are some thoughts nonetheless, on the connection between a slice of life and a slice of pie.

A unique mix of ingredients

crafted with care

savory or sweet

often both

whether big or small

best shared with others

Read more

Slice of Life 14: A Rainy Saturday – No Problem!

By Janice Ewing

It’s a very rainy Saturday morning in the Philadelphia area. Not a problem. Everyone seems to be saying some version of “After all that snow, I don’t mind rain.” I’m right there with them. I can handle rain, especially when it that brings a hint of spring temperatures and new growth. Anyway, I have indoor plans today. I’m going to a local meeting of the Keystone State Reading Association (KSRA) at the home of one of the regional directors. She has lured us with the promise of brunch and collegial conversation. That’s a winning combination. Read more

Slice of Life 13: Weather or Not, the Sequel

By Janice Ewing

Last night we had our first face-to-face grad class of the semester, having had the first session online due to tons of snow in Philadelphia. I had been wondering what the effect would be of meeting on a discussion board before meeting in person. (This was the subject of Slice of Life 3: Weather or Not.) During our online conversation they had seemed to be a friendly and reflective group. Read more

Slice of Life 12: The Power of the Notebook — It’s Personal

By Janice Ewing

One of the strategies we’re focusing on in my grad class is the use of the writers’ notebook. This is a new concept to several teachers in the class, although most have used journals of one kind or another. I’m looking forward to learning along with them as they try out this practice in teaching situations that range from kindergarten to secondary, including an alternative secondary center for formerly incarcerated youth who are earning credits towards high school graduation. Read more

Slice of Life 11: Teacher Voice and Risk Taking

By Janice Ewing

Once again, the comments I received on my previous Slice of Life post have deepened my thinking. (I appreciate more and more how crucial the commenting component is to the SoL process.) Yesterday, I continued writing about the theme of teacher voice. One commenter noted that this is particularly challenging for teachers who are not in official leadership roles. Of course, that brings up a whole other set of issues about teacher leadership (the role versus the title), but her point is well taken. Many teachers might ask themselves, “Will others wonder why I’m speaking up?” “I’m not really an expert,” “There are so many others with more experience,” and similar thoughts. My thinking is that everyone should be speaking up when they have something to say, regardless of title or years under our belts. We’re all experts on our own experience. Read more