Monday, October 21, 2013

#Write2Connect


Here I sit, wrapped in my cuddly blanket, coffee in hand, Chloe beside me, thinking about writing, thinking about all the ways it appears in my life. It's the National Day on Writing (school edition) and it seems only natural that I write.

I write about my writing periodically.

I've written about what I write and why I write  and again, what I write.

I've written when I don't have anything to write about.

I've written about tough stuff.

At times I've written about the ugly times in a writing class, but usually I write about the fun stuff.

I reflect on what writer's need and more specifically, what boy writer's need.

And sometimes, I let Chloe write.

But as I said in a previous post, "And, now, I'm back. Writing for me. Writing because I can't imagine not writing. Writing about life so the world (well, mostly the grandkids) knows I was here. Writing so others know I cared."  

What has kept me writing this blog is the connections I have made. Wonderful readers who take the time to comment, who take the time to share with me. It's amazing the friends I have throughout the world just because of this little blog. And some, even drive hours to come and visit me (and my classroom). What could have been weird and awkward, wasn't. It felt like meeting with a long lost friend because we knew each other through our blogs.

I don't only connect through the blog. My Facebook feed is slowly turning into more than a game space. Connections I have made through my blog have become friends. Many groups and teachers have pages now where ideas are shared freely. Twitter and several Twitter chats also connect me to other teachers and their amazing ideas. 

In fact, it was through Twitter connections that a new writing project for my students came to be. We are now sharing our blogs with some high school students from two other high schools in other parts of the state. So far, we've read and commented on each others, but I think all the teachers involved have more in mind as we head through the school year. My freshmen also commented on the blogs of some third graders in our district one Monday, just for fun. 

Today, I will plead with my Creative Writing students to tweet out links to their digital storytelling projects. As I watched their videos last night, I laughed and cried and gasped aloud at the amazing things they shared. Some were so personal, I hurt for them. But I also cheered at their amazing spirits and their courage to continue on another day. Some shared stories of family members who impact their daily lives. Love came through those stories. They need to know their stories matter and those stories need to be shared. 

So we will talk about connecting with the world.

Because that's what writing can do. 


14 comments:

  1. Well, I have tried posting this three times...maybe this one is the charm.
    I loved reading your past posts. Reading about everyone's journeys to get to where they are is so inspiring. I am just a beginner on this leg of my journey, but I am loving every minute of it.

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  2. Love this post, Deb. I gathered so much about who you are from one post - adding that to the information I already had in my memory banks. :) I love what you are doing with your students and blogging. Can't wait to continue to follow their journey.

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    1. Thank you. Sometimes I think I "ignore" the "important" stuff too much. But I know my kids learn better when they have choice, when they read/write without pressure.

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  3. I love reading reflective posts about reasons of writing, beliefs about writing and growth as a writer. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. I know how much you care about writing through all these months (now years!), and hope you'll share some of the story projects. They sound awesome! And how great to have your students connect with others Deb. Great stuff here on your blog!

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    1. I am going to share the videos--at least some of them (there are 40, after all). Still amazing me

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  5. So cool to see how you are expanding the writing worlds of your students, Deb. And so glad that you are part of this writing community, too.

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  6. Deb, this is a beautiful post about how writing has changed your life (and your students). I'm also so glad I took the risk to start blogging and tweeting. I think it's just the beginning of my journey, too.

    And, please tell those kids to tweet their links! I would love to watch their videos too!

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    1. I'm going to share a few of them this weekend. Really, they are wonderful

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  7. I want to jump in a car and visit too! I treasure every connection I have made through writing, it's so fun to learn through stories. Your writing always is a joy to read.

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  8. Wonderful post, Deb. I like that you write for yourself and others, especially your grandkids. It's so important that they know you thru your writing. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. You write in such a passionate way--even while sitting wrapped in a blanket. I am looking forward to seeing your students' videos, and learning more about teaching writing while reading your blog.

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  10. I love when you write about writing. I can't wait until we meet in person. (Chloe too!)
    Ruth

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  11. I love how you take things and run with it Deb! It all started with a little blog, a slice of life about Chloe taking you for a walk . . . making connections to remind ourselves that we are not in this alone! What a precious gift to share with your students!

    I love this: "And, now, I'm back. Writing for me. Writing because I can't imagine not writing. Writing about life so the world (well, mostly the grandkids) knows I was here. Writing so others know I cared."

    You are amazing!

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