The Slice of Life Challenge

This is a repost of a slice I wrote last February. I was going to write a new one this year about why teachers should join this challenge, but I said it best with this. Writing for me was always a private act. I kept journals and diaries and wrote my life. I wrote poetry. I composed short stories and the beginnings of novels, sometimes in my head, sometimes on paper. But I never, ever shared. Until I joined the Slice of Life challenge last March. Teaching writing for me was a private act. I assigned journal entries. I assigned poetry. I assigned short stories. But they never, ever shared. Until I joined the Slice of Life challenge last March. I can honestly say I am a better writer and a better teacher of writers and readers than I was at this time last year. I take chances with my own writing and in my classroom that I wouldn't have taken before last year. I encourage myself and my students to play around with words, to discover new genres,