Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Practicing What I Teach

After reading and discussing Write Beside Them by Penny Kittle this summer with a group of blogging friends, I vowed I would write more WITH my Creative Writing students. Today's prompt I really like ("stolen" Diana at One Literacy Coach)

Things I Didn't Do This Summer:

I didn't go to the hospital when I rolled my ankle (although I think I should have)

I didn't get to see Los Lonely Boys in concert in Arnold's Park (although we went to another concert and saw them.

I didn't enjoy the excessive heat we had for much of the last part of the summer (although I found ways to beat it)

I didn't miss my grandchildren ( I saw them a lot)

I didn't read near enough books

I didn't break any records in golf

I didn't write all I wanted

I didn't catch the bouquet at one of the weddings I attended this summer

I didn't cry when school started

Something Just for Fun
I found this video through Pinterest this morning and thought I would share. It just made me happy:



11 comments:

  1. Your list speaks volumes of the summer you had. I'm sure you will learn so much about your students through this writing. Video is great. I love the joy the children showed. That should be the goal for all teachers to evoke that response. Thanks for sharing it Deb.

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  2. "I didn't miss my grandchildren" - this one is the best. Lucky you. Lucky them. Thank you for the little gift in the end of your slice.

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  3. Sounds like you had an enjoyable summer, but I got worried about "I didn't miss my grandchildren" until read the rest of the line. The video was so cute - the expressions on their faces was adorable. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Yet you did a lot - I am sure! The idea of list poems to describe what we did and didn't do this summer is a good one for kids too as it allows them to think of the little things we do and make them significant. I didn't clean all my closets and most likely never will! I did, however, pay the bills, on the night before school!

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  5. Ah, you had a great summer! And not even having to miss the grand kids because you saw them so much over the us more...that's just, the best!

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  6. Love your list! I think this is a perfect writing prompt for kids because when I asked my kiddos what they did over the summer they say, "Nothing." So, now I can say what didn't you do? Oh, the looks of confusion and let the creativity begin! Hope you share some of your students' writing!

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    Replies
    1. Good idea, Michelle. When I gather their notebooks on Friday, I'll have to share a few !

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  7. "I didn't write all I wanted" I wonder if any of us could ever say "I wrote as much as I wanted??" Still, it sure sounds like your summer had many fun moments and good times.

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  8. You'll see a deleted comment from me on the previous post because I commented on it
    instead of this one. I love Diana's, & yours too Deb. I'm going to have to share this with the others. Too fun! Glad you're starting with Kittle's ideas.

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  9. Deb,
    Love your share of what you didnt do-I also love the poem video you shared your something just for fun was fun!

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  10. What a fun prompt! I can't wait to share it with my students.
    I can't wait to pair the video with the one I already use with this poem. It will be fun to show both videos to my sixth graders, let them choose their favorite and explain why.
    Here's the link:
    http://www.poetryfoundation.org/features/video/6
    Sorry, but I haven't figured out how to embed a video yet. But the link works if you copy and paste it.

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