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B: Hey! You are late again!
S: Sorry, boss. I needed to take care of my children. My wife was on a trip.
B: You need to manage it because there are other people around who arrive at the office on time.
S: I guess they have no children.
B: Some do. So, please try to be punctual next time.
S: Sure, boss. I will discuss with my wife and come up with a good plan. I apologize for today.

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Something crazy that happend to you!

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Gorgeous last lines in this poem!

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This month, I'm tagging along with Christie, Margaret, Jone, Mary Lee, and other writers to play with poetry for National Poetry Writing Month. I'll be creating poems using haikubes, metaphor dice, magnet poetry, paint chips and anything else that catches my fancy.

I'm always sad when the end of March comes around, and it's time to stop the daily slice. But I'm always relieved when the end of April comes around, and it's time to wrap up the daily poem challenge. National Poetry Writing Month turned out to be a lot more fun and surprising than I expected, thanks to metaphor dice, magnet poetry kits, paint chips, and nail polish colors (and yes, even the dreaded haikubes). It wasn't until the last week of the challenge that the constraints started to fell, well, constraining.

The last few days have been especially hard, though yesterday's paint chip list poem telling the story of what I saw on my hike is one of my favorites of the month. That's mostly because it turns out there are paint colors called Dakota Trail and Prairie Dog. I will never run out of paint chip poems to write as long as there is Dakota Trail and Prairie Dog.

Today's task was my final magnet poem. I got the idea for it yesterday when a colleague said something about writing a list poem about enthusiasms. I thought a poem about enthusiasms sounded perfect for what would no doubt be a cranky and uninspired final day of the poetry challenge. But I couldn't find the word enthusiasm in my set. I had happiness three times, however, so that's what this poem ended up being called.

happiness
the soft purring body of a cat
the smell of earth after rain
the comfort of grass beneath blue sky
bird song in the gray light of snow
a slow day that promises silence
the moment you begin to write this poem

To be honest, happiness on Day 30 of a thirty day poetry challenge is really the moment you finish writing this poem. Also, Chipotle has discovered that he likes magnet poetry at least as well as haikubes, and I spent most of the writing of this poem fending off a cat who was determined to do violence to the magnet strips. This sweet napping lap cat photo was taken on a day when I was not writing magnet poetry and sending him into a frenzy.

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Magnet Poetry: Playing with Poetry #playingwithpoetryNPM 30/30 #sol19

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This month, I'm tagging along with Christie, Margaret, Jone, Mary Lee, and other writers to play with poetry for National Poetry Writing Month. I'll be creating poems using haikubes, metaphor dice, magnet poetry, paint chips and anything else that catches my fancy.

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Such a great, simple poetry prompt for all ages! This from Lynne Dorfman.

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Ever try the slideshow function in Wordpress? Sally includes directions in her comments.

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From Paula Bourque, the Lit Coach Lady.

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For the month of March I will be participating in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by The Two Writing Teachers Blog. Each day I will be sharing a Quick Write as my way of slicing. The idea is to offer a SPARK that will kindle thinking and then write as quickly as you can for 5-10 minutes. No filters, no revisions. I've been curating a collection of Sparks and will share some with you all month. It's a great way to ignite your writing life.

Gratitude to Fellow Slicers

None of my slices will be stories( in a strictly small moment way) this month. Perhaps they are more pieces than slices and I may have to reconsider future participation in the story challenge. Because even though I love that genre, I am on a bit of a mission to expand our definition of writing so that every one finds a place at the writer's table. There are many ways to tell a story. I am also passionate about encouraging fellow writing teachers to be teachers who write. I want them to find their voices and share their ideas creatively, authentically, and passionately. The Slice of Life has been such a great way for teachers to do this and share with one another and I am filled with admiration and gratitude for everyone who shares.

I have learned so much, and continue to learn so much each time I click on the permalink to a blog post and enter the world of that slicer for a few moments. I love that we support one another without judgement or an assessment of our abilities, but with appreciation for our courageous acts of writing and sharing. As we hit the 12th day I wanted to share 12 Pieces of Gratitude for SPARK ing my writing life this month. I'll try to quick write them if I can!

Thank you for...

The book spine poetry to remind me how connected reading and writing can be.

The haikus that remind me how a few choice words can convey such big, bold ideas.

The streams of consciousness that let me walk around inside the head of someone who probably gets where I'm coming from but sees with different lenses.

The passionate posts of advocacy that raise my awareness about the concerns that others have, some that I share and others for which I am unaware.

The snapshot in words capturing special moments cuddling kids, caring for parents, or cozying up with pets.

The doodles and comics reinforcing that writing is, at its essence, a series of lines and squiggles that convey meaning to a reader.

The personal photos that remind us a picture worth a thousand words sometimes.

The Rules for life, love, and other meaningful circumstances.

The Recipes for life, love, and favorite family foods that tie tradition with narration.

The free verse poetry that liberates our lines from fixed convention and emancipates our ideas in free spirited fashion.

For quick writes that courageously put pen to paper or fingers to keyboards without filters or fears: often surprising writers with thoughts they didn't know they 'thunk'.

For any band-aid, format, or form that gets people writing and walking the talk of writing teachers. Voice and choice are at the heart of living a writerly life.

You have all re-affirmed for me the importance expanding our definitions for writing and legitimizing the many ways humans can convey their experiences in writing. I am so grateful for all of you, stepping up to take on this huge challenge this month.

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#SOL19 Day 12 Spark! 12 Pieces of Gratitude

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For the month of March I will be participating in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by The Two Writing Teachers Blog. Each day I will be sharing a Quick Write as my way of slicing. The idea is to offer a SPARK that will kindle thinking and then write as quickly as you can...

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Jama Rattigan explores the color blue in poetry and artwork.

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Across the valley, it waits for you,
a place they call The Land of Blue.

It's far and near, it's strange yet known -
and in this land, you'll feel alone,
you might feel tears roll down your cheek,
you might feel wobbly, weary, weak.

I know this won't sound fun to you -
it's not - this is The Land of Blue.
It's blue - not gold or tangerine,
it's dark - not light, not bright or clean.

It's blue - and when you leave, you'll see
the crackly branches of the tree,
the golden skies, the purring cat,
the piercing eyes, the feathered hat
and all the other things that come
when you escape from feeling glum.

Across the valley, it waits for you,
a place they call The Land of Blue
and going there will help you know
how others feel when they feel low.
~ from A Poem for Every Day of the Year, edited by Allie Esiri (Macmillan, 2017) *
As the poet explains at her website, this poem was written for a poetry workshop in response to a painting she saw at the National Gallery in London. The painting featured two mountains with a "land of blue" in the distance. She thought perhaps people went there when they were sad.

Though initially written as a children's poem, Mucha's observations about sorrow - that experiencing it ultimately helps us develop compassion and empathy - certainly applies to adults as well. I was also reminded of how Mr Rogers stressed the importance of honoring children's emotions and encouraging them to speak freely about what they were experiencing.

I do love how art begets more art (which is why I've always enjoyed ekphrastic poetry). In Mucha's case, her emotional reaction to the painting inspired her to explore often untalked-about-feelings within the safe space of a poem.

Every day I look at a lot of art, listen to music, and read inspiring words, both poetry and prose. How effectively a piece is able to instantly make me feel something is a good gauge of its worth.

I agree with William Gass that blue is most suitable as the color of interior life. Picasso comes to mind, with his famous Blue Period. He was going through a profound depression after the suicide of his friend, but just as Mucha suggests about the nature of despondency, he was eventually able to move past his dark mood in a few years.

coldness and melancholy, we see through the works of other artists that the "land of blue" may also be one of peace, serenity, calmness, reflection, and deep, abiding beauty.
*
Do any of the following paintings speak to you? Maybe you'd like to write a poem about it. If so, leave it in the comments, or email it to me later (I might share it in a future post). Would love to visit your personal land of blue. 🙂

*If you're a Chagall fan, see my post, "Marc Chagall's Blue World" for lots more.
Listen to Helena Bonham Carter read Laura Mucha's poem: *
The lovely, lithe, and lyrical Linda Baie is hosting the Roundup at TeacherDance. Leap over there to check out the full menu of poetic goodness being shared in the bloggy world this week. Perhaps this is a good weekend to lollygag.
* "A certain blue enters your soul." ~ Henri Matisse Copyright © 2019 Jama Rattigan of Jama's Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

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"Blue is therefore most suitable as the color of interior life." ~ William H. Gass THE LAND OF BLUE by Laura Mucha Across the valley, it waits for you, a place they call The Land of Blue. It's far and near, it's strange yet known - and in this land, you'll feel alone,...

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Inspired by the final segments of NPR's "Pop Culture Happy Hour" and "It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders" podcasts, join the #HappyParty by sharing what's making you happy this week in a blog post. It could become your once-a-week "go to."

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Podcasts are often a highlight of my day. Why not share your favorites in a Slice like  readingteachsu did.

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Fellow teacher writer and Kindergarten teacher Dani Burtsfield share a great twist on a bio poem. Would you believe it was inspired by Daenerys Targaryen?

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Late last year I stumbled upon the podcast, " The Popcast with Knox and Jamie." The hosts, Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden are a unique duo who I believe may know more about pop culture than any anchor who has ever sat in the lead seat on Entertainment Tonight. Their spunky approach to anything pop culture from dissecting the last season of The Bachelor, to ranking Girl Scout Cookies, to dissing the latest Kardashian scandal is flat-out hilarious.

Knox recently published a book titled The Wondering Years where he shares how pop culture helped him make sense of his upbringing in the world of evangelical Christianity. In the introduction, he talks about how we as a society really don't do introductions well. Simply stating our name and our job does not suffice. Instead, he shares how we could learn a lot from who does introductions right: characters in Game of Thrones.
Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons.
Now I know absolutely nothing about Game of Thrones, but that introduction mesmerized me. It made me instantly start crafting my own introduction, which I will share with you today, on this second day of the Slice of Life Challenge. Maybe it will prompt you to try one yourself!
I am Dani, October born, of the House Graham, First of Her Name, Last Born After Two Brothers, Self Professed Plate Spinner Extraordinaire, Co-Learner & Cat Herder of Twenty Kindergartners, Year Round Montana Mountain Climber, Confectionery Creator of Fudge Delights, Coffee Snob & Fanatic for Fine Espresso Beverages and Lover of High Quality Sheets.

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Late last year I stumbled upon the podcast, "The Popcast with Knox and Jamie." The hosts, Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden are a unique duo who I believe may know more about pop culture than any anchor who has ever sat in the lead seat on Entertainment Tonight.

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You've probably heard of flash fiction, but flash non-fiction? Brevity is a great source of 500 words-or-less pieces of writing. Here's a great example from January 2019 -- "String, Too Short" by Bryn Chancellor.

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We are a house of notes. My husband, a night-owl artist, writes to me in the dark of the quiet house as I fall into dreams. I awake to fluorescent sticky squares, legal pads, and junk mail envelopes on which he has jotted doodles and reminders, jokes and nicknames, references to art and news, proclamations of love. As he sleeps, I make coffee and write him back-about taking a walk, errands, how I love him more than our gigantic sweet gum trees, and p.s. we need stamps. He emails a link to an article about a movie he'd referenced at dinner. We text in nonsensical emojis.

I stash these scraps in large envelopes that burst with fourteen years' worth from four houses across four states. I file the digital ones in a folder marked with his initials. I tape the drawings to the sides of my computer screen.

*

In my desk drawer, I keep a note from my father, humdrum details of an out-of-town trip he'd dashed off on yellow legal paper. I don't remember when he wrote it, only that it's one of the few I have in his hand, though I suspect more may be clustered among the sundry cards and letters I've saved. His spidery scrawl more and more matches mine.

My father, a mechanical engineer-turned-repairman-my small town's "Mr. Fix-It"-died suddenly at age fifty-two after three days of what we thought was the flu. In the ICU hours before he died, when he no longer recognized me, he reached into the air and turned imaginary knobs, mumbled gibberish numbers and calculations-a final repair. But he couldn't be fixed.

When my husband, creator of fantastical creatures and worlds, recently turned fifty-three, I let out a long, uneasy breath. Along with stockpiling his notes, I track the shape-shifting color of his eyes (today, the enigmatic blue of twilight). I watch his steady hands.

*

My father's mother's scrapbooks, bound with boards and leather straps, bulge with photos and letters and cards, tickets and brochures and taped-down foreign coins; her mother apparently saved everything, too-one sewing box in her belongings was labeled String, Too Short. These albums and stories are all I have to reconstruct my grandmother's life, one shaped by losses: her first husband in an elevator accident, her thirteen-year-old son in what newspapers deemed an "accidental hanging," her second husband to cancer.

I return often to photos of my grandmother and my young father the summer after my uncle was found hanging on the jungle gym at school. They traveled across the country, posed at campsites and roadside attractions. I look for signs of the howling grief that must have been burning in their lungs. I imagine her pasting down these remnants, tracing the corners, reviving the dead through the alchemy of memory and touch.

*

My father had his own version of too-short string: several motors in boxes labeled Doesn't Work in his legendary crammed-to-the-roof garage, which took us weeks, including a three-day yard sale and a giant rented trash bin, to wrangle. A complicated kind of hoarding. He wasn't planning to keep these things; he wanted to bring them back to life.

I kept a red step stool, a dustpan, and a tape measure. I liked their retro metal heft, their clangs and chipped paint. When I hold his belongings, of course I think of him. "Memento" means "to remember" after all. Yet I don't need objects to conjure my father. The image of his scrabbling fingers, those hallucinatory calculations, comes unbidden, burned behind my eyes. I do my own math: I am a complex sum of my own memories and of others' memories of me. When I subtract him, who of me remains? Who are we when the people we love are gone?

*

Another morning, another note in handwriting I know by heart. I squint and grab my glasses. Updates about our Netflix queue, an inside joke we won't remember the next day, smiley doodles galore. All these useless strings and faulty motors. Still, I will tuck this one in with the others. I'll cradle the envelope, marvel at its heft. I'll ward off thoughts of a time when all I may have is what lies between the lines.

The coffee brews. I open the blinds, his words in my hand. I'm more awake each moment. Down the hall, he sleeps. Soon, I'll write him about the day.
___
is the author of the novel a Southwest Book of the Year, and the story collection When Are You Coming Home?, which won the Prairie Schooner Book Prize. Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared or are forthcoming in NELLE, Blackbird, Colorado Review, Crazyhorse, The Common, Publishers Weekly, and elsewhere. A native of California raised in Arizona and transplanted to the South, she is a grateful recipient of fellowships from the Alabama, Arizona, and North Carolina arts councils and the Poets and Writers Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University's M.F.A. program and teaches at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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We are a house of notes. My husband, a night-owl artist, writes to me in the dark of the quiet house as I fall into dreams. I awake to fluorescent sticky squares, legal pads, and junk mail envelopes on which he has jotted doodles and reminders, jokes and nicknames, references to art and news, proclamations of love.

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In celebration of her new book of poetry, Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations, poet/author Laura Purdie Salas challenged the Poetry Friday community to write their own equation poem. What would you write?

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Well, I bet you came here expecting to READ a poem, but I'm going to ask you to write one. A fast one! A simple one!

This past Tuesday, my newest book came out, Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations (illus by Micha Archer, Charlesbridge). I'm so excited! I shared it here a couple of Fridays ago, but only one person put a poem in the Padlet. So, I'm trying again. Will you please write an equation poem about anything you want and share it in the Padlet below? It can be simple text-you don't have to do anything fancy! You'll see a few new examples from the Books for Breakfast event I attended last week, where I shared this book. Thank you, teachers at my table, for sharing your poems! Thank you so much! And here's the one I made a couple of weeks ago when the temperature here in Minnesota was 47 below with wind chill.

Your equation poems can be related to science, seasons, friendship, history, love, poetry-whatever you like! Thanks so much for playing! Just click on the pink + sign in the bottom right of the Padlet to add yours. [Edited to add: You guys, these are fabulous!!!]

I've been snowed in the past couple of days, so my WW meeting, post office run, etc., have all been delayed until today. I will visit everyone's posts, but it will probably take all weekend:>)

If you're interested in writing for children or you're already a children's writer, I've gathered all my best resources on my website, as well as starting a Patreon blog for those interested in supporting my efforts to share great info with kidlit writers. Thanks for considering!

Mr. Linky is rounding us up today, so please fill in the blanks below to both leave your link and to check out all the other links you can explore. Thanks for being part of Poetry Friday, and I look forward to reading all of your posts throughout the weekend!

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Write an Equation Poem? [Poetry Friday] * Laura Purdie Salas

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Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Well, I bet you came here expecting to READ a poem, but I'm going to ask you to write one. A fast one! A simple one! This past Tuesday, my newest book came out, Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations (illus by Micha Archer, Charlesbridge).

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Poet/author Irene Latham has the most adorable new puppy, Rosie, and wrote a promise poem for her. I wonder who you could write a promise poem for?

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Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Laura at Writing the World for Kids for Roundup! The big news around here is that we got a new puppy! Her name is Rosie. She's the second Aussie we've owned, and she is such a sweetheart. Among all the usual things, we've successfully introduced her to our daily walk (she went the entire way without a problem!); the stairs down to the dock (she was a little scared at first, but as soon as we put her little feet on the first stair, she was good to go); the lake (she put her paws in and got a drink; a boat ride (she let the wind ruffle her fur then curled up next to my feet for the rest of the ride). She's just an easy-going, friendly, doll of a puppy. I'm in love with her! And I want to do the best I can for her. And so, I give you "The New Puppy Promise."

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Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Laura at Writing the World for Kids for Roundup! The big news around here is that we got a new puppy! Her name is Rosie. She's the second Aussie we've owned, and she is such a sweetheart.

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5 Things I Would Like to Do More Often: Slice of Life #sol18

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Thinking about five things I would like to do more often is very different from thinking about five things I should do more often. The "shoulds" come so easily. I should eat more leafy greens. I should clean my house more often (or at all). I should reply to all those emails I've been ignoring....

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Two new poetry forms created by 5th Graders.

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Two new poetry forms created by 5th Graders.

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"Harmony attempted a haiku, but counted words instead of syllables, so we named this form the Harmoniku. On Wednesday, Monta reversed the word count to 7-5-7, inventing the Montaiku."

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I was so inspired by the 30 poems Amy wrote about Orion for her NPM18 project. I thought, " What a perfect way to end the year--with an engaging, choice-filled writing workshop!"

We're studying the similarities and differences between first- and second-hand accounts of immigrants, so I put the names of about 15 countries whose people have emigrated to the US in one bag, and, knowing that countries and people wouldn't be everyone's first choice, the names of about 15 animals that migrate into another bag. After the choosing (and liberal numbers of trades), we spent some time gathering information from the encyclopedias. (It's what you do when all of the computer carts are being used for MAP testing.)

Tuesday we started our digital collections in either Google Docs or Google Slides. On Tuesday, the anchor poems/strategies we looked at from Poems Are Teachers were write from first person, start with a question, and use repetition. On Wednesday, the anchors/strategies were write from facts, write from a photo, and ask What if?.

A new poetry form was invented on Tuesday. Harmony attempted a haiku, but counted words instead of syllables, so we named this form the Harmoniku. On Wednesday, Monta reversed the word count to 7-5-7, inventing the Montaiku.

Here is a selection of poems from my students:

Why We Left

When I asked my mother why we left,

she said, " We couldn't worship freely."

When I asked my father why we left,

he said, " It was the government's will."

When I asked my sister why we left,

she said, " For a chance."

Harmoniku

Storks

Why is this baby so heavy! I am flying at 60 mph because I'm late.
Why is this baby so heavy? I betcha her parents are worried.

Why is this baby so heavy! I'm almost there!
Why is this baby so heavy? I'm getting tired!
Why is this-AHHHHHHH!!!
BONK!
Why is this baby so----HEAVY!
At least the baby made it when I threw her!
Wait.
I ate that big bass for lunch
So that means.....
I'm the heavy one!

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I was so inspired by the 30 poems Amy wrote about Orion for her NPM18 project. I thought, " What a perfect way to end the year--with an engaging, choice-filled writing workshop!"

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Have you tried a "10 Things Thursday?" Neither had I! (I bet it could be "10 Things Tuesday," too!)

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Have you tried a "10 Things Thursday?" Neither had I! (I bet it could be "10 Things Tuesday," too!)

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Great idea from Jone at Deowriter.

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Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for holding space for us to sharing our writing every day in March. I had tears yesterday talking about the students who are my frequent flyers in the library. I feel so helpless sometimes as one student will be in the library paralyzed with anxiety.

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Writing a Letter to An Inanimate Object, like Spring Break

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Writing a Letter to An Inanimate Object, like Spring Break

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from Doing the Work That Matters

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Dear Spring Break,

You officially started on Saturday, but I could not celebrate your arrival fully until today, my first actual weekday staying home. I am now looking squarely at the next 7 days, contemplating all that you might have for me.

Bring me later, more relaxed evenings with no pressure to be asleep by 9:30.

Bring me relaxed mornings, with at least one extra cup of coffee that I actually finish instead of pouring down the drain in haste on my way out the door.

Bring me time to make my winter-to-spring wardrobe transition, and the brave I need to weed out pieces from both seasons. If it doesn't bring me true joy, it has to go.

Bring me time to prepare for my month of poetry instruction with my kinders. I am so eager to launch them into being poets!

Bring me opportunities to take hikes with the dogs.

Bring me a fun night of cooking Indian food and eating together with family and friends.

Bring me time with my daughters to shop, eat out, see a movie, or any other outing that calls.

Bring me a day to snowshoe with my husband. Spring on the mountain is glorious!

Bring me refreshment and restoration to my teacher soul to prepare me for the rapid close to this school year that will happen before my very eyes.

Are you on spring break? Is it around the corner, perhaps? What do you want spring break to bring you this year?

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Dear Spring Break, You officially started on Saturday, but I could not celebrate your arrival fully until today, my first actual weekday staying home. I am now looking squarely at the next 7 days, contemplating all that you might have for me. Bring me later, more relaxed evenings with no pressure to be asleep by...

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Fun retrospective idea from Live, Love, Teach

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So many slices, so many titles. So many connections to bring together. The list Keeping the magic alive, lest we forget: The polka dotted pillow, Johnny Snapshot, beast hammie say bye bye, a neighborhood erased. Too. Much. Heart. Plan almost achieved, tap out. When things get real.

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Writing about the here and now -- what's right in front of you

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Writing about the here and now -- what's right in front of you

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like Chris at Horizon 51

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I am sitting on the porch, journal in my lap.
My husband is clattering about in our driveway while he changes the oil in my car.
The fire truck leaves.
There are voices of children playing around the corner, down the street.
A man stops on the sidewalk, his dog waiting on a leash while he checks his phone.
A woman waits in her driveway, with the ambulance still parked out front, doors closed, patient inside.
An unseen airplane roars quietly overhead.
The sun is setting, leaving gray, drawn-out clouds in its wake.
The woman still waits, leaning against her tan minivan.
A motorcycle rumbles past.
A large white pickup truck rounds the corner, slows as it passes the ambulance, but doesn't stop.
Why isn't the ambulance leaving?
What is the woman waiting for?
Our neighbor across the street takes out her trash.
Another airplane flies overhead.
The ambulance leaves, no lights, no sirens blaring.
The woman watches the ambulance go, then walks slowly over to a large pile of brush by her mailbox.
She bends slightly,inspects something, then turns and walks back into her house.
The white pickup truck from before passes our house.
The children are still playing down the street, quieter now.
My husband still clatters in the driveway.
I return to my journal writing, with more questions than answers.

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SOLSC '18 Day Eleven: Saturday, around 530p

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I am sitting on the porch, journal in my lap. My husband is clattering about in our driveway while he changes the oil in my car. The fire truck leaves. There are voices of children playing around the corner, down the street.

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like Confessions of a Real Teacher

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I read an awesome blog, found here, where they wrote 10 fun facts about themselves. I thought that would be an awesome idea, so here I am. Here are 10 fun facts about me.

I LOVE all things pink and glittery. Those are my two favorite things.

Taylor Swift is my favorite. I've been to her tour twice and a music festival she performed at. I'll be at 3 of her shows this year too! I can't wait!

My intern position last year was originally going to be in fourth grade. I spent 2 of my 3 last weeks of field work in fourth grade. Week 3, they moved me to second grade. They were thinking my field work would be in 2nd instead. I was really upset at first, I had fallen in love with fourth grade. Now, I wouldn't change a thing! This is my second year in second grade and I don't know how I would have taught fourth grade. Second grade is hands down my favorite grade!

My classroom is THAT classroom. You know the one that is noisy and always doing crazy things? I believe that second graders should be able to move during the day. We rarely spend longer then 20 minutes without taking a movement break. We're also a fully flexible seating classroom. I will blog more about that later.

I sing all day to my students. About nothing. I sing to them during transitions or to explain a concept. I don't know if they love or hate it, but I love it.

Last year for teacher appreciation a child brought me an amazon gift card and a Dr. Pepper. He said, "When my mom asked you what you liked to do, I told her online shop and drink Dr. Pepper and that was it." Well he definitely isn't all the way wrong. I LOVE getting things on the internet. I prefer it to shopping at the store. I just love getting a package in the mail. It's like a present to me from me! If I need something, and can wait the 2 days for shipping, I will buy it online.

I am probably the pickiest eater you will ever know. I've got weird tastes when it comes to food. I like some foods on their own, but not with other items. Like peanut. I like peanuts on their own but not on anything else. To top it all off, my favorite vegetable is lima beans. They are delicious!

I get my best teaching ideas spur of the moment. I think my best ideas happen when a lesson I planned, isn't working out. Also, when my class isn't engaged with a current lesson, I get good ideas then. I have created some of the most fun games when we needed something quick to fill time!

I get told that I'm funny all the time. I definitely don't think that's true though. I am only funny when I lack sleep. Most of the time, I try to be funny and no one laughs but, I crack myself up. I guess that is what happens to most people anyway.

I am a big believer in teacher self care. I try my best not to work on weekends. I usually bring home my work on the weekends and leave it in my car or at the top of the stairs all weekend. I think the work enjoys the little outing they go on every weekend. If I have a lot to do, I will work for maybe a half hour to an hour on the weekends. Most of the time, though, you can find me binging on Netflix and taking a bubble bath with the most amazing bath bombs! Click here to see the bath bombs I buy. They are heavenly. Plenty of scents to choose from them. They are also incredibly priced. Affordable even on a teacher budget!

Okay. This post is a day late because I could NOT come up with 10 fun facts. Writing these down was like pulling teeth. Read about it here. I challenge you all to list 10 fun facts about yourself. Good luck.

Second grade teacher trying her best to get by. View all posts by confessionsofarealteacher

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View all posts by confessionsofarealteacher

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I read an awesome blog, found here, where they wrote 10 fun facts about themselves. I thought that would be an awesome idea, so here I am. Here are 10 fun facts about me. I LOVE all things pink and...

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A Korean form of poetry shared by Trina at Trinrrative.

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I yearn for easy days - extra sleep, taking time to read, breathe.

Reprieve from busy day chaos (sans rush). Time to simply be.

Looming headache, body aches, stuffy nose...provides forced lengthy rest.

Above is my first attempt at a sijo poem. Sijo is a Korean poetic form, reported to be even older than Haiku. A sijo poem is three lines long and each line ranges from 14-16 syllables long. In all, a sijo poem ranges from 44-46 syllables.

Below is the basic structure of a sijo poem:

Line one is the introduction to the idea or theme of the poem.

Line two develops the idea or theme or topic more into depth. It can also be a line where there is a "turn."

Line three is how the poem concludes, but there is usually some sort of a twist or even a joke. This can be irony or humor, a play on words, or a pun.

According to Writer's Digest, I learned that Sijos are meant to be songs. They can also be funny or personal or something about the mind. Each line is supposed to have some sort of a break or pause in the middle of the line. Finally, the last line needs some sort of a twist in meaning. Some sijo poems are six lines long. According to the Poetry Foundation, a six line sijo is more common for modern sijo poems. This is especially true for those written in English.

I first heard of sijo poems when I read Linda Sue Park's Tap Dancing on the Roof (Clarion Books, 2007). However, it wasn't until today that I tried one out. I found writing a sijo to be more challenging than it looked, but these kind of writing challenges entice me. (And yes, if you are wondering, dear reader, I really have been sick. My daughter was sick last week, gifted her cold to me, and I spent most of last weekend in bed. I am ready to feel healthy again.)

Perhaps you will try your pen at writing a sijo and share it with me!

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I yearn for easy days - extra sleep, taking time to read, breathe. Reprieve from busy day chaos (sans rush). Time to simply be. Looming headache, body aches, stuffy nose...provides forced lengthy rest. Above is my first attempt at a sijo poem. Sijo is a Korean poetic form, reported to be even older than Haiku.

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What's happened in your life since last March? Leigh Anne shares her year on A Day in the Life.

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Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

A popular slice has been one where the slicer shares things that have happened since last March. I thought I would use this idea today.

Since last March...

I have written 51 ones blog posts (that's about 25 behind the previous year)

My son left for college

My daughter began her 3rd year of teaching

I celebrated 27 years of marriage

My sister became a cancer survivor

I lost my 92 year old grandmother

I organized a one book, one district, one community reading of the book Wonder

I began working toward my Master's degree

I presented at two conferences

I co-created a Twitter chat, a Facebook group, and a supportive tribe of teacher-writers

I was asked to help submit a proposal for NCTE this fall (if accepted, it will be my first one!)

I chose STEP as my one little word

because every journey begins with a single step.

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Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March. A popular slice has been one where the slicer shares things that have happened since last March. I thought I would use this idea today. Since last March...

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A fun exercise suggested by Catherine at Reading to the Core

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Last week, Slicer Christie Wyman of Wondering and Wandering realized she was writing about a topic she'd written about last year. (Another nor'easter; my New England friends don't even want to think about the new one brewing for next week!) Christie wondered, "do you have a slice from last year's SOLC you could revisit because some...

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One-lined haiku from Robyn Hood Black

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Poetry Friday - Monoku Times Two (or Three...) - Robyn Hood Black - children's author, poet, artist

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The website maintained by children's author, poet, and artist Robyn Hood Black.

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from Michelle at One Grateful Teacher

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Waking up to this sweet face every day. She sleeps in a pile of blankets, surrounded by her toys.

Morning pages is how I begin my day. A candle. Quiet. My notebook and me. What a way to begin the day.

We take a walk. Every day when I walk Bella, I call my mom. It's a chance for us to chat about life. Getting to talk to my mom every day is such a gift and I treasure it.

The sky humbles me with the overwhelming sunrise.

Coffee. Really? Do I need any explanation?

A quick snuggle with Bella before the day begins. This is rare, but she leapt into the chair. That's a reason to stop for a moment. My dog teaches me such important lessons about life.

B-AM News. This is how each day begins. My communications classes create a daily news show. It rocks. They rock. I LOVE it!

Our class mantra. Every day it's written on the board for all to see. We live this.

After a long day at school, look at who's waiting for me. I'm so lucky!

MAIL!!!!! From my niece! Wow!!!

She drew me a picture of Abraham Lincoln. Awesome!

Another day is over. Busy with students and teaching...it's a good life.

March is the Slice of Life Challenge.

I'll be sharing a post each day in the month of March.

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Waking up to this sweet face every day. She sleeps in a pile of blankets, surrounded by her toys. Morning pages is how I begin my day. A candle. Quiet. My notebook and me. What a way to begin the day. We take a walk. Every day when I walk Bella, I call my mom.

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from Dawn @ Let's Observe

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"Mom, can you come upstairs when you are done?'

"Yup. Let me just put this in the DW."

"I want you to tell me if these jeans still fit."

Megan is 11. Megan has always been quite happy in athletic shorts, leggings and a shirt. Megan has two sisters. Hannah, 17, and Grace,15. Megan has never worn jeans. We've always joked around with her - "Hey Meg, that shirt would look so cute with a pair of jeans." Her response has been consistent over the years "I don't like jeans." We'd let it go and let her be.

Last fall, she actually let me buy her a pair of jean jeggings - that denim with loads of spandex so they feel more like a legging than a traditional stiff jean. "It's good to have them." I said as we walked out of Justice with our purchases in hand. "I'll probably never wear them." She said quite matter-of -factly as we walked out. Her tone said, "Mom you just wasted 22.99."

I finish loading the DW and I head upstairs.

"I can't find those jeans we bought last year."

"Go check in the dresser in my closet."

She returns empty handed. I watch as she begins to dig through the drawers in her own dresser. "Are they in here with the shorts?" she asks her self as she lifts and sorts the clothes.

"Try your closet. Are they in one of the cubbies?"

I sit on her bed and watch her search her closet and cubbies.

She turns to me "Where are they?" It's obvious. She's not giving up. "They still have the tags on them. They were from Justice." She remembers.

"Let me be the second set of eyes." I get up and head to the closet cubbies. I reach in to a pile of fuzzy socks and grab a dark colored material. I have found the jeans.

"There they are!" she exclaims.

The fitting begins. She pulls on the jeans. "Oh good! No zippers! I hate zippers!" She jumps up down pulling on the pants. She looks at herself in the mirror. "These are OK."

"Try these." I hand her a pair of jeans from the attic. Hannah had worn them. Grace had worn them. Despite the fact that Megan was never a fan of jeans, I held on to them... just in case.

"Ugh. Zippers." She pulls them on. "These skinny jeans. They are so difficult to put on." she cackles. Accentuating the word difficult. I watch as she pulls the tight ankle over her heal. "Ohhh! I like these."

"Put this on." I hand her an old lightweight hoodie. The hoodie exchanges hands. "Grace LOVED that shirt. She wore it all the time. I think she even wore it with those exact jeans." I'm sitting there in the moment while simultaneously my mind is reliving a memory.

Megan slips the shirt over her head. Adjusts the hood and the sleeves. Hops on her bed to get a good look at her self head to toe.

"I really like this!"

"Go show Hannah."

Hannah pauses from her homework "Aww, Meg. That looks so cute."

I watch Megan exit Hannah's room and head down to Grace. Grace looks up from whatever Netflix show is on her computer. I can hear the sentimentality in her voice. "Ohh Megan! I remember wearing that! I love it!"

I hear Megan's feet dance up the stairs. She enters the room and looks at herself in the mirror one more time. "I really like this."

Megan is now in middle school. I know the next three years are going to be full of discovery - for her and for me. I remember the middle school years - the good, the bad, and the ugly, - with Hannah and Grace. Their personalities, their likes and dislikes, their willingness to test out their independence and identity played itself out during these years. During the fitting I was thankful that Megan was allowing me to be part of the discovery and identity play.

Gotta love shopping in the attic.

Reader, writer, runner, observer of all things, artist and journal keeper! Mom of three crazy girls and wife to one fun guy! Still a curious teacher after 25 years! View all posts by dmsherriff

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"Mom, can you come upstairs when you are done?' "Yup. Let me just put this in the DW." "I want you to tell me if these jeans still fit." Megan is 11. Megan has always been quite happy in athletic shorts, leggings and a shirt. Megan has two sisters.

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From fabulous Fran at Resource-Full

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From the brilliant Leigh Ann at A Day in the Life

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Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

I am kicking off this year's challenge the same way as last year - with a party!
This is the slice that keeps on sharing. Sometime this month when you need a slice, (and yes, you know it WILL happen!) accept this invitation to my party. The best part is that you can stop by anytime during the month, but here is the catch. You have to bring five items that are listed on the invitation below.

Favorite book: This is a difficult one for me because I have so many favorite books. I will have to go with my favorite book I have read so far this year, and that would be
What a great way for us introduce ourselves and get to know each other a little bit better as the month moves along. Imagine a big party full of
Here is what I am bringing:

Scythe by Neal Shusterman. This book has been spreading through my room almost as fast as the flu virus! Favorite person: I would bring my sister, Janis. She is a fellow teacher, a cancer survivor, and one of the most positive people I know, and she brings life to any party she attends. Although we are nothing alike, I know you will love her!
Favorite food or beverage: We have a local pizza place, Bobe's, that has been around since the 1950's. We have people who have lived here and moved away, and Bobe's is always a stopping place when they come back to visit. Some people even have these pizzas mailed to them! They are that good.
Favorite song: When I was in high school, our basketball team won the state championship. And if you know anything about Indiana basketball, then you know basketball is king. Those four weeks of high school are some of my fondest memories. The song Celebrate by Kool and the Gang was played at every pep session and became our theme song. And since it's a party, why not CELEBRATE!
Surprise: I would bring each of you a notebook to record our laughs and memories of our time together. What a great party this would be!

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you consider joining me sometime this month and bring along a few friends. Don't forget to RSVP when you post by either commenting here or tweeting me @Teachr4. That way I can include you in this post and we can all share in the party fun! Last year we had 24 slicers join us, and I can't wait to see who all attends this year!

Let's get this party started!

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Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March. I am kicking off this year's challenge the same way as last year - with a party! This is the slice that keeps on sharing.

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Classroom Slice of Life Story Challenge-Student Badges (SOLSC)

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Great idea from Writing and Laughing

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In an effort of solidarity, I am jumping in. Feet first. Head first? Nah. Feet first sounds safer.

I taught my first and second graders about bio poems this week. They'll be drawing self-portraits to accompany their thoughtful and heartwarming poems, but as an introductory attempt, I will just share mine here:

Playful, smart, athletic.

Wishes to spread knowledge and smiles.

Dreams of a peaceful world.

Wants to build and move into her dream house with her other half.

Who wonders about the state of Colorado's summertime with this super low snowpack.

Who fears being left behind.

Who is afraid of ticks.

Who believes that everybody has goodness in their heart.

Who loves Mike, her other half.

Who plans to make a difference.

When you live a giggly life, good things will come your way.

As I learn more about this Slice of Life challenge, I realize how daunting it feels to publicly offer my own words on a daily basis. Then, of course, I feel like the meanest writing teacher in the world because this is exactly what I ask of my students. Every day.

Okay, kiddos. I'm in. I'm in this with you.

Let's write.

It isn't the world that makes us think, it's words that we can't come up with. - Bill Manhire

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In an effort of solidarity, I am jumping in. Feet first. Head first? Nah. Feet first sounds safer. I taught my first and second graders about bio poems this week. They'll be drawing self-portraits to accompany their thoughtful and heartwarming poems, but as an introductory attempt, I will just share mine here: Kristina Playful, smart,...

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Another goodie from the Lit Coach Lady, Paula Bourque!

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Getting ready to write (The March writing challenge starts in 2 Days) Getting ready to host (Our District Literacy Nights are this week) Getting ready to present (I'll be presenting to fellow writing teachers on Saturday) Getting ready to rest! (Sunday I think I will collapse)

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Micropoetry.com - The Micropoets Society

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Micropoetry is a genre of poetic verse which is characterized by its extreme brevity. In other words, a micropoem is a short poem.

Micropoetry is a collective term for a variety of different forms of short poetry. As a poetic artform, it doesn't really have any rules. Although it does consists of certain forms of short poetry with fixed rules such as haiku, tanka, senryu and gogyohka. There are also no real character length limitations either. The limits are set by the medium with which they are being shared, and also that invisible line where micropoetry becomes a regular length poem. This is why the majority of poems on this site are less than 140 characters (twitter limit), with a maximum of 160 characters (mobile phone limit). UPDATE: Twitter has now increase to 280 Characters so we will accept poems of this length.
MICROPOETRY ON TWITTER
Twitter is probably the most popular place to discover micropoetry online. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of twitter micropoets who share their '140 characters or less' poetry online. The problem is that it can be hard to discover the poets and their micropoetry from the billions of messages shared on twitter. Poets do sometimes label their work with hashtags to help. But as there are so many forms/styles of micropoetry, and with the limited twitter space, tags can vary wildly and sometimes poems are not tagged at all. This makes discovering poetry on twitter quite a task.
MICROPOETRY DESCRIPTIONS & THEIR HASHTAGS
In this section of Micropoetry.com, I have tried to list all the different types of micropoetry that you'll discover on twitter, with descriptions, hashtag variants and examples. Below is a huge list. To make sense of these hastags I have broken them into three categories. Certain tags may appear more than once. Please click on a hashtag to find out more.

NOTE: I also list twitter poets who post regular micropoetry on twitter.

One to six lines: #monostich/#1line/#oneline, #distich/#2lines/#twolines, #tristich/#3lines/#threelines, #tetrastich/#4lines/#fourlines, #pentastich/#5lines/#fivelines/#cinquain, #hexastich/#6lines/#sixlines

Three to ten words: #3words/#threewords, #4words/#fourwords, #5words/#fivewords, #6words/#sixwords, #7words/#sevenwords/#sixwordsplusone, #8words/#eightwords, #9words/#ninewords, #10words/#tenwords/#tenwordpoem

NOTE: On twitter the accounts @SemperSum and @thewritelist do an amazing job of retweeting all of the word prompt games.

LIVE MICROPOETRY FROM TWITTER
Below is a selection of micropoetry that use a variety of hash tags. For a more detailed description of each tag, or see examples above:

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Micropoetry is a genre of poetic verse which is characterized by its extreme brevity. In other words... a micropoem is a short poem.

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This time from Paula Bourque, the Lit Coach Lady.

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Starting March 1st I will be participating the The Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge for the 3rd year. (#SOL) The goal is to post a 'slice of life' on your blog every day for the entire month of March. What is a slice? A slice can be a snippet of your day, a moment in your life, a poem in your heart, or a memory on your mind. It is a chance for us to live a writerly life and contemplate story all around us.

Each time I have participated, I have found that small moments take on greater meaning. I realize the power I have to shape my own narrative. It really changes how I experience life for that month (and beyond).

I almost decided not to do it this month, however. I have so many commitments, especially in writing. I have a looming deadline for my book manuscript and multiple workshop presentations to prepare, but rather than make it an all-or-nothing proposition, I have decided that I will take the challenge again, but set reasonable expectations for myself.

Lately I have been fascinated by micropoetry. This is simply a genre of poetic verse that is characterized by its extreme brevity. It isn't limited by any rules other than constraints of any digital platforms you might post to (Twitter, for example has 280 characters). Some forms such as haiku, tanka, senryu and gogyohka are quite appealing to micropoets, but so is free verse.

My goal this month is to boil my slices down to their essence and extract meaning in a few well-chosen words and/or images and to post each day to this blog. I may even play around with Canva to integrate words and images on some days.

So if you are looking for my regular educational blog posts, you will have to wait until April. I won't be sharing "What's On My Book Radar", but I'll continue to post my reads on Facebook and Goodreads. I certainly won't take offense for those who unsubscribe from my blog or turn off notifications for the month of March. You'll see this logo on all of my #SOL posts for March.

For those who stay, I'd welcome any feedback. I'll be reading and commenting on others' as well so, I would also encourage ALL teachers to try the Slice of Life this month. Here is the link to sign up
https://twowritingteachers.org/2018/02/18/info-form-sol18/
And if you are interested in the Classroom Slice of Life Challenge you can get started here
https://twowritingteachers.org/2018/01/24/overview-of-the-2018-march-classroom-slice-of-life-story-challenge/
What's On My Book Radar?

LONG WAY DOWN by Jason Reynolds

I knew Jason Reynolds was a brilliant writer, but I wasn't ready for this. Jason's impressive story telling is coupled with his luminous writing style in this tragic tale of a boy just trying to follow the rules handed down in his family.
THE RULES:
1. Crying: Don't. No matter what.
2. Snitching: Don't. No matter what.
3. Revenge: Do. No matter what.
When Will's brother Shawn is shot dead in front of him, Will knows what he has to do. At least he thinks he does. He retrieves his brother's gun and takes the elevator down from his apartment, with plans to follow the rules. However, the elevator makes unexpected stops on the long way down and Will is confronted with those whose lives were forever changed by the rules. Told in powerful verse and authentic dialect this book will grab you and take you for a wild ride. Reynolds is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite authors. Check out all the awards that are accumulating on this jacket! 12+

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Starting March 1st I will be participating the The Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge for the 3rd year. (#SOL) The goal is to post a 'slice of life' on your blog every day for the entire month of March. What is a slice? A slice can be a snippet of your day, a...

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from our good writing friend, Kate Messner

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Such a wonderfully supportive community for teacher writers.

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A meeting place for a world of reflective writers.

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Amazing Resources from our friends at TeachWrite

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Amazing Resources from our friends at TeachWrite

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Writing Round Up, Blogs, the #DWHabit, and so much more!

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from Literacy Learning Zone

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Discover recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas to try.

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When you can't think of what to write, any form of "Currently" works!

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today: grandma was so helpful with the girls -- playing, reading, singing, crocheting and happy
want to be: slowing down time this week (it's Thursday already?) and taking more naps

blessings: for this time together with my parents and my girls -- i love when they can see on a daily basis why i love them so much

thinking: i'm accomplishing some on my list, but i am enjoying deep breaths and my time more

planning: the last couple days of spring break, including my birthday

writing: the twenty-seventh day this month--27 stories, 27 moments captured, 27 wow

loving: the conversations and my parents hearing every day living with the girls

grateful: for time with family, time for a break from the everyday routine, and time to rejuvenate

and today {again}: i treasure time with family

{This go-to easy-format quick-thinking in-the-moment writing idea is compliments to

"It's a single print out of the busy cycle of life, a pause, a way to plan,

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today : grandma was so helpful with the girls -- playing, reading, singing, crocheting and happy want to be: slowing down time this week (it's Thursday already?)

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Such great ideas from Michelle at Literacy Learning Zone!

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Last Saturday morning, I didn't need to wake up early. I wanted to go back to sleep. But instead my brain was awake and thinking. Creating this list. Writing this post.
Many of us are embarking on an adventure - the Slice of Life Story Challenge. Writing, sharing, and commenting for thirty-one days in March. Want to learn more about the SOLSC? Check out Stacey's post about the challenge hosted by the "Fab Six" over at the blog.
I hope you find these tips for the challenge helpful whether you are a first-time slicer (cue confetti!) or a year five slicer like me.

1. Before the challenge begins ... set up all 31 blank blog posts, one for each day of the challenge and save! I include the number day (i.e. 1/31, 2/31, 3/31, 31/31, etc.) and include the #sol15 hashtag in the title (for my "If This Then That" recipe connected to Twitter). I also copy and paste onto each blog post the official "Slice of Life" logo. This will save you so much time during the challenge that you can focus on just writing and commenting.

3. Do not stress about what to write about. Our ordinary lives are filled with stories! Keep your eyes and ears open ... and the stories will whisper to be shared. Trust me on this one. It's amazing how your story radar beeps all day long with slices of possibility.

4. Throughout the day, you will notice those slices ... Carry a notebook (or your phone) with you at all times! Jot down a couple words to remind yourself later of the possibilities. Otherwise the stories may be lost ...

5. Remember to share a"slice" -- a sliver, a taste, even just a nibble. You are encouraged to write for thirty-one days ( and you WILL!), but don't feel that every slice needs to be a lengthy post, novel or a final draft masterpiece! Break longer stories into parts -- enticing readers to come back for more the next day and the next day!

6. Shorter slices allow me (and other slicers) the opportunity to read more slices and leave more comments. Read. Comment. Repeat. Sometimes if I see a slice is too long ... I click the back button quickly. I usually end up feeling guilty, and I return to read and comment. I love reading my "old favorite" year five slicers and also new slicers joining in. I also usually try to return the favor. When someone leaves a comment on my blog, I try and reciprocate and leave a comment on their blog, if I can find it. I can read more slices when the slices are just that -- a slice of life!

7. Comments encourage us to keep writing. Comments are the foundation of this writing community. Comments connect us. If you take the time to read a slice (with or without guilt, see #6), leave a comment ... even if it's as simple as "Thanks for sharing" or "Keep writing!" Comments don't have to be wordy. But write something -- especially for a fellow slicer who may not have many comments.

8. There will be days where you may feel stuck or in a writing rut or -- Smack! Hit the writer's block. Push through ... just write. Just open up that laptop and write. It is inevitable that every year I write a blog post about not knowing what to write about -- and a slice emerges and everyone can connect with that post!

9. Play with your words. Use a mentor text. It could be a book that you emulate or even better, use another slicer's idea or format. I created a "Slice of Life Story Challenge" Pinterest board to pin favorite slices and ideas to refer back to when I'm looking for some inspiration.

And a bonus tip ...

11. Enjoy the process! Reflect on the process too. The process of writing daily is energizing and exhausting. Yet, writing every day forms a newfound writing habit. You will want to write more and more and more. Enjoy. This. Challenge.

I know. I've been there.

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Last Saturday morning, I didn't need to wake up early. I wanted to go back to sleep. But instead my brain was awake and thinking. Creating this list. Writing this post. Many of us are embarking on an adventure - the Slice of Life Story Challenge.

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Short and fun, and a great challenge!

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Welcome to Poetry Friday. I am really excited (and also slightly nervous) because, for the first time ever, I am hosting the Poetry Friday round up here on my blog. What does that mean? It means that other poetry enthusiasts from around the blogosphere will drop in here over the course of today and leave their links at the end of this post. You can then click through on each link and see ALL the poetry goodness on offer.

I mentioned being nervous about hosting (because I do like to do things right, and this is, as I said, my first time). I was also pretty nervous earlier this week, because I had to go to the dentist and get started on a root canal, something I had not been looking forward to, but which was necessary to get me out of the pain I was in.

The dentist was lovely, and tried hard to keep me calm and as comfortable as was possible while he was needling and drilling and prodding and whatever else he was doing. Me? I decided I would keep my mind busy with thoughts of anything other than what was happening in my mouth.

Maybe I could count backwards from a hundred? Nope. I kept losing count.

Maybe I could recite a poem in my head? Nope. My mind was blank.

Maybe I could make up a poem? Noooope. Actually, yes! But it would have to be a short one.

Haiku? Limerick? Ooooh. I had it! Terse Verse. Seemed to match both my mood (definitely terse) and the length of my concentration. My mind got very busy very quickly and, before I knew it I had ideas filling my mind (oooh, there's a dental play on words), and had (almost) forgotten what the dentist was doing to me.

Almost, because unbeknownst to him, he was inspiring the verses. Afterwards, I couldn't wait to get home and jot down what I'd come up with. So, here you have it, a series of Terse Verse in honour of my dentist:
To the Dentist Asking Me Questions While He Probes My Mouth
Mmmmfff grmmmmmf
To the Dentist Telling Me this is Going to Sting
No Joke, Poke
To the Dentist Making My Skull Vibrate With the Drill
Drilling's Killing!
To the Dentist Telling Me I'm Doing Reaaaally Well
Why Cry?
To the Dentist Telling Me He'll See Me Next Week for Another Round of Treatment
Great, mate!

(Insert sarcasm in the first word of that one!)

Goes to show you can write poetry about anything, anywhere. There is a form for every occasion, too.

If you are new to Terse Verse, my efforts might give you the idea - but if not, it's simple. A Terse Verse has a generally quite long title (sometimes posed as a question), and then uses as few as two rhyming words to sum up the sentiment, or answer the question. Does it have to be as negative as mine? No And, just to prove that here's a happier one
To the Snail I Met on My Morning Walk:
Swell shell!

Have you ever tried to write terse verse? Would love to see what you come up with. In the meantime, if you have a poetry post please share it in the Mr Linky below, and, whether you do or not, click through to see what my Poetry Friday friends are up to.
To My Friends on Poetry Friday
Rhyme time!

(All verses copyright Sally Murphy, 2018)

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Welcome to Poetry Friday. I am really excited (and also slightly nervous) because, for the first time ever, I am hosting the Poetry Friday round up here on my blog. What does that mean? It means that other poetry enthusiasts from around the blogosphere will drop in here over the course of today and leave their links at the end of this post.

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You never know where reflecting on three good things that happened to you each day could lead.

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Time Required

10 minutes/day for at least one week.

How to Do It

Each day for at least one week, write down three things that went well for you today, and provide an explanation for why they went well. It is important to create a physical record of your items by writing them down; this can be more helpful than simply doing this exercise in your head. The items can be small, everyday events or more important milestones (e.g., "my partner made the coffee today," "My grandparents were happy when I brought them groceries," or "I earned a big promotion"). To make this exercise part of your daily routine, some find that writing before bed is helpful.

As you write, follow these instructions:

Give the event a title (e.g., "I received a compliment on something I've been working hard on").

Write down exactly what happened in as much detail as possible, including where you were, what you did or said, and, if others were involved, what they did or said.

Include how this event made you feel at the time and how this event made you feel later (including now, as you remember it).

Explain what you think caused this event-why it happened.

Use whatever writing style you please, and don't worry about grammar or spelling. Use as much detail as you'd like.

If you find yourself focusing on negative feelings, try to refocus your mind on the good event and the positive feelings that came with it. This can take effort but gets easier with practice and can make a real difference in how you feel.

Why You Should Try It

In our day-to-day lives, it's easy to get caught up in the things that go wrong and feel like we're living under our own private rain cloud; at the same time, we tend to adapt to the good things and people in our lives, taking them for granted. As a result, we often overlook everyday beauty and goodness-a kind gesture from a stranger, say, or the warmth of the sun on a chilly morning. In the process, we frequently miss opportunities for happiness and connection.

This practice can help counterbalance those tendencies. Although emotions like disappointment are natural and serve an important purpose, it can be draining to focus all our attention on them. By remembering and listing three positive things that happened in your day-and considering what caused them-you tune into the sources of goodness in your life. It's a habit that can change the emotional tone of your life, energizing you with positive feelings of gratitude-which may be why this practice is associated with significant increases in happiness.

Why It Works

By giving you the space to focus on the positive, this practice teaches you to notice, remember, and savor the better things in life. It may prompt you to pay closer attention to positive events down the road and engage in them more fully-both in the moment and later on, when you can reminisce and share these experiences with others. Reflecting on the cause of the event may help attune you to the deeper sources of goodness in your life, fostering a mindset of gratitude.

Evidence That It Works

Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410.

Visitors to a website received instructions for performing Three Good Things. They showed increased happiness immediately afterward, as well as one week, one month, three months, and six months later.
Who Has Tried the Practice?
Participants in the above study were mostly white Americans with postsecondary education and average income or above. Additional research has engaged members of other groups:

Israeli adults showed less pessimism and reduced negative emotions one month after doing Three Good Things for five minutes daily across six days.

Indian adolescents reported greater well-being after doing the exercise daily for one week.

Kenyan teens in a Nairobi slum improved in anxiety, depression, and perceived social support through a community-based program that included one week of Three Good Things.

Many different groups of people in China, including school teachers, nurses, methadone users, male prisoners, and cervical cancer patients, have been found to benefit from Three Good Things.

More research is needed to explore whether, and how, the impact of this practice extends to other groups and cultures.

References

Bahník, Š., Vranka, M., & Dlouhá, J. (2015). X good things in life: Processing fluency effects in the "Three good things in life" exercise. Journal of Research in Personality, 55, 91-97.

Baumsteiger, R., Mangan, S, Bronk, K.C. & Bono, G. (2019). An integrative intervention for cultivating gratitude among adolescents and young adults. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(6), 807-819.

Chan, D. W. (2010). Gratitude, gratitude intervention and subjective well-being among Chinese school teachers in Hong Kong. Educational Psychology, 30(2), 139-153.

Guo, Y., Lam, L., Plummer, V., Cross, W., & Zhang, J. (2020). A WeChat‐based "Three good things" positive psychotherapy for the improvement of job performance and self‐efficacy in nurses with burnout symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(3), 480-487.

Jiao, M., Chen, W., Gu, J., Li, J., Liu, D., Lau, J. T. F., . . . Hao, Y. (2020). Efficacy of a positive psychological intervention in improving mental health status among methadone maintenance treatment users in Guangzhou, China-a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, ​​19, 971-985.

Khanna, P., & Singh, K. (2019). Do all positive psychology exercises work for everyone? replication of Seligman et al.'s (2005) interventions among adolescents. Psychological Studies, 64(1), 1-10.

Killen, A. & Macaskill, A. (2015). Using a gratitude intervention to enhance wellbeing in older adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 16(4), 947-964.

Littman-Ovadia, H., & Nir, D. (2014). Looking forward to tomorrow: The buffering effect of a daily optimism intervention. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(2), 122-136.

Luo, Y., Li, H., Plummer, V., Cross, W. M., Lam, L., Guo, Y., . . . Zhang, J. (2019). An evaluation of a positive psychological intervention to reduce burnout among nurses. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 33(6), 186-191.

Odou, N., & Vella-Brodrick, D. (2013). The efficacy of positive psychology interventions to increase well-being and the role of mental imagery ability. Social Indicators Research, 110(1), 111-129.

Osborn, T. L., Wasil, A. R., Venturo-Conerly, K., Schleider, J. L., & Weisz, J. R. (2020). Group intervention for adolescent anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a randomized trial with adolescents in Kenya. Behavior Therapy, 51(4), 601-615.

Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Wellenzohn, S., & Ruch, W. (2014). Positive psychology interventions in people aged 50-79 years: Long-term effects of placebo-controlled online interventions on well-being and depression. Aging & Mental Health, 18(8), 997-1005.

Shao, D., Gao, W., & Cao, F. (2016). Brief psychological intervention in patients with cervical cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Health Psychology, 35(12), 1383-1391.

Yang, Y., Zhao, H., Aidi, M., & Kou, Y. (2018). Three good deeds and three blessings: The kindness and gratitude interventions with Chinese prisoners. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 28(5), 433-441.

Reflecting on Three Good Things can spotlight the good in your life and boost your feelings of thankfulness. Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Take our Gratitude quiz to find out:

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Three Good Things (Greater Good in Action)

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A way to tune into the positive events in your life.

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What's so magical about the number three?

It's no accident that the number three is pervasive throughout some of our greatest stories, fairy tales, and myths.

It's also no coincidence that some of the most famous quotes from throughout history are structured in three parts, nor is it surprising that the Rule of Three also works wonders in the world of comedy.

It all comes down to the way we humans process information. We have become proficient at pattern recognition by necessity, and three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern.

This combination of pattern and brevity results in memorable content, and that's why the Rule of Three will make you a more engaging writer.

Storytelling

Have you ever wondered:

What the Three Little Pigs, the Three Blind Mice, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Musketeers, the Three Wise Men and the Three Stooges have in common?

Why the three-act structure is the dominant approach to screenwriting in Hollywood?

Why three bullet points are more effective than two or four?

The Rule of Three works in stories due to the presence of the concise, memorable patterns that I mentioned above.

But even if that wasn't the case, the number three has been used so widely throughout some of the most memorable works from our childhoods, it's likely that we are preconditioned to respond favorably to elements grouped in threes.

Think in terms of three when crafting your content, and you'll likely end up with a more engaging outcome. If at first you don't succeed, remember: the third time's the charm.

Sticky ideas

You see the Rule of Three used all the time across diverse areas of life. Why?

Because information presented in groups of three sticks in our heads better than other clusters of items. For example:

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people"

"Friends, Romans, Countrymen"

"Blood, sweat, and tears"

"Location, location, location"

"Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"

"Faith, Hope, and Charity"

"Mind, body, spirit"

"Stop, Look, and Listen"

"Sex, Lies, and Videotape"

"I came, I saw, I conquered"

The United States Marines are big believers in the Rule of Three when it comes to getting things done and keeping people alive.

The Corps apparently experimented with a rule of four, and retention and effectiveness took a nose dive.

If you want something stuck in someone's head, put it in a sequence of three.

Humor

One of the best examples of the power of the Rule of Three is in the world of comedy.

Again, three is the smallest number of elements that can form a pattern, and comedians exploit the way our minds perceive expected patterns to throw you off track (and make you laugh) with the third element.

The Rule of Three fits the classic joke structure of set-up, anticipation, and punchline. The three-part grouping also allows for tension to build and then be released thanks to the surprise and absurdity contained in the third element.

Here are a couple of humorous examples that use a shocking third element within the Rule of Three structure. First up, Laura Kightlinger:

I can't think of anything worse after a night of drinking than waking up next to someone and not being able to remember their name, or how you met, or why they're dead.

Here's one from Jon Stewart:

I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.

Using humor in your writing can be risky since some people just won't get it, but using a Rule of Three approach is a safer way to make a funny. Professional comedians use it all the time, and that's simply because it works.

Other uses for the Rule of Three

I truly do believe that a set of three bullet points is the most effective use of the format.

You might also find that list posts with three items will draw people in, because you've boiled things down to the essence with no fluff. And there's a reason why people like to be presented with three choices rather than two or five.

When it comes to pleasing the human brain, it seems like three is simply a magic number. At least that's what Schoolhouse Rock taught us as kids.
Editor's note: This post was originally published on December 17, 2007.

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How to Use the 'Rule of Three' to Create Engaging Content - Copyblogger

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What's so magical about the number three? It's no accident that the number three is pervasive throughout some of our greatest stories, fairy tales, and myths. It's also no coincidence that some of the most famous quotes from throughout history are structured in three parts, nor is it surprising that the Rule of Three also works wonders in the world of comedy.

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From Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's The Poem Farm

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Poetry and lessons for children of all ages by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater for classrooms or homeschools to teach literacy and writing workshop instruction

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National Geographic's Photo of the Day. Fun to subscribe to and a great inspiration for writing.

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Virtual Ocean Image | National Geographic Your Shot Photo of the Day

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Visitors enjoy the view inside a simulated "bait ball" at the "National Geographic Encounter" in New York City in this National Geographic Your Shot Photo of the Day.

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A Year of Picture Prompts: Over 160 Images to Inspire Writing (Published 2017)

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These short, accessible, image-driven posts feature photographs and illustrations from The Times, and invite a variety of written or spoken responses.

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Fran McVeigh's musings on product vs. product. 

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Fran McVeigh's musings on product vs. product. 

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Lots of ideas to mine from in here!

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"I don't know what to write."

Is that a struggle with the process?

I don't have a beginning point, a topic, an idea, or even a glimmer of a slice growing in my brain.

I don't have an outline.

I don't have a plan (other than to publish a blog post).

I don't have a graphic organizer to fill in the blanks.
Is that a struggle with the product?
I know I need to produce a blog post,

but I had no idea percolating in my brain as I fell asleep.

No inspiration emerges from my sleep-heavy brain

as I peruse at least a dozen slices this morning.

And where, oh where, is my idea file?

You know, that list of, "ideas and topics" to write about!

Or my heart map?

The one with pretty colors and fancy word art,

that writing notebook,

Out in my work bag, in my car, in the freezing cold.

And I, snug in the house, barefoot, sipping my coffee.

"No words appear on the page (or screen). "
Is that a struggle with the process?
Just write.

Anything.

Rearrange and fix it later.

Begin something.

The clock is ticking.

Rewrite the prompt.

Repeat the quote.

Reread last week's post.

And still, no words appear on the page (or screen).
Is that a struggle with the product?
Am I really still stuck on "What should I write?"

Or is it fear that what I write will be unworthy?

My words will remain unread.

My thoughts will not be validated by comments.

Inside, my brain is cluttered with ideas, words, phrases,

but, YET, no clear starting point emerges.

What word should be first?

"My grammar and the conventions of language are atrocious."
Is that a struggle with the process?
Should I not have words on the page before I worry about spelling, subject/verb agreement, and writing a post with the same verb tense?

After all, wordpress will give me red underlines when it doesn't like my draft, my first revision, my second go, or my "O h, silly Word press, Now are you happy? "
Is that a struggle with the product?
As soon as a red line appears under a word, do I respond and immediately fix it?

Or do I let my fingers remain ever moving across the keyboard

in an attempt to quickly capture some words, any words,

because after all, in my mind . . .

I've missed my personal deadline to post my blog.

Production,

Grammar and the Conventions of Language

Is an intervention in order?

Do I need a writing intervention?

I'm dying here. I don't know what to write. My mind is fuzzy. More coffee please.

What do you notice when a student is sitting quietly and not producing "writing"? What do you name?

How do you use your own writing (process or product) to gently nudge the writer onward?

Just curious . . .

Is it black or white? Process or Product?

Or are there shades of gray? Shades of both?

Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here.

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"I don't know what to write." Is that a struggle with the process? I don't have a beginning point, a topic, an idea, or even a glimmer of a slice growing in my brain. I don't have an outline. I don't have a plan (other than to publish a blog post).

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Link several together and look what happens!

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1/23/2018

I attended a technology conference two weekends ago and the writing activity our presenter used was the Six Word Story. So I decided to add to the one I started at the conference to make my own collection of Six Word Stories.

Fall down seven, stand up eight

Teacher by day, mommy by night

Finding ways to make people laugh

Never goes to bed on time

Wanting to learn, all the time

Love to read, love to write

Not so good at math 🙂

Less stressed when walking to school

Falling asleep as I type this

Kids up all hours last night

Hard to keep my eyes open

Looking forward to the next holiday

Thankful and grateful for each day

What does your six word story say about you?

About legerboc

A learner, a teacher, a mom and a wife. Pretty good at the first two and working on the last two, every single day.

This entry was posted in Tuesday Slices. Bookmark the permalink.

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1/23/2018 I attended a technology conference two weekends ago and the writing activity our presenter used was the Six Word Story. So I decided to add to the one I started at the conference to make my own collection of Six Word Stories.

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Try Wonderopolis for a topic to wonder and write about!

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Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease

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From Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's The Poem Farm

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Poetry and lessons for children of all ages by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater for classrooms or homeschools to teach literacy and writing workshop instruction

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Words for writing inspiration, perhaps.

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Today I bring you the annual reading of the words ( collected from ) by my friend Liz Lamoreux.

If you are still thinking about a word for yourself in 2018 I definitely recommend closing your eyes and listening to this list of words. There's magic in hearing them read aloud.

Listen to Liz read a list of the words here.

There's also still time to jump into my One Little Word® workshop for 2018. Get all the details about this year-long class to help you make your word visible here.

Also, the word I'm holding in the image above is from my friend Colleen Attara. She's been supporting this project for a number of years and she is simply a light in the world. I continue to love sharing her work with this community. If you are interested in something in my handwriting we do also offer custom acrylic words here, as well as a new necklace offering.

If you don't see your word listed below feel free to add your word to the comment section of this post:

abundance

accept

Action

actualize

Actually

authentic

Aware

balance

Be

better

beYOUtiful

blue

Bold

Braving

breathe

broken

Build

calm

care

celebrate

change

Choose

clarify

clarity

clean

Clear

climb

commit

connect

constancy

Content

create

cultivate

Deep

design

discipline

Do

drive

Embody

Embrace

enjoy

enough

enthusiasm

Explore

fear-less

fearless

find

finish

flourish

flow

focus

forward

free

fruition

Gather

GELASSENHEIT - German for serenity

Gratitude

grey

grit

Grow

heal

Health

heart

home

hope

hygge

Intentional

invest

Journey

joy

Jump

Kind

Kindness

Less

Light

listen

live

Look

Love

Magic

make

manage

me

mindful

mountain

move

new

nourish

now

Nuture

observe

Open

Pause

peace

Plant

Pleasure

poetic

Pose

Practice

present

purpose

radiate

reach

Redefine

Refine

refresh

Release

Rise

Roots

Seek

Self

Self-care

shalom

shine

Simplify

slow

Spark

step

still

Stories

story

Strengthen

stretch

strong

time

together

transform

transformation

trust

Try

Us

venture

walk

Well

Whole

wholehearted

Wild

wonder

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One Little Word® 2018 | The Reading Of The Words

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Today I bring you the annual reading of the words ( collected from ) by my friend Liz Lamoreux. If you are still thinking about a word for yourself in 2018 I definitely recommend closing your eyes and listening to this list of words. There's magic in hearing them read aloud.

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5 Tips for Writing A Slice-of-Life Vignette

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5 Tips for Writing A Slice-of-Life Vignette

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Editors of contemporary literary journals love slice-of-life vignettes. According to Wikipedia, slice of life is:

"a storytelling technique that presents a seemingly arbitrary sample of a character's life, which often lacks a coherent plot, conflict, or ending. The story may have little plot progress and little character development, and often has no exposition, conflict, or dénouement, with an open ending."

So if slice-of-life prose features mundane characters, little or no plot or conflict, and no real conclusion-why are literary magazine editors so excited by these vignettes that they're scooping the manuscripts up left and right?

Here's why. Slice-of-life pieces are short (which editors love)...can encapsulate big ideas in small passages (also a win)...and often reflect the sensibilities of post-modern life (which many editors want to bring to the pages of their lit mags).

But writing a slice-of-life piece-whether fiction or nonfiction-isn't easy; in fact, making it look easy is one of the most challenging aspects of the exercise. If you're thinking about writing slice of life for submission to a literary journal, consider these tips.

How To Write A Slice-Of-Life Story

1. Read some slice-of-life stories before writing one. Great slice of life can be transporting; bad slice of life will be boring. A story where nothing much happens to an everyday, average person can be a recipe for disaster if you don't know what you're doing. Read slice-of-life pieces in literary journals to get a sense of the form before you take a stab at writing one.

2. Get real. Realism tends to be the focus of most slice-of-life stories. Use your narrative to examine those small, ordinary, yet often powerful moments of daily life. However, keep in mind there are no rules that say you couldn't do something wild-like write a slice of life about a dog, an alien, or a vampire.

3. Focus on character. A slice-of-life piece doesn't necessarily have to feature obvious, gripping conflict or larger-than-life actors. But the characters-their everyday desires, their disappointments, their emotional reactions to what's going on (or not going on)-must be well-developed. Though slice-of-life pieces may be "quiet," they still have to be interesting and worth the reader's time. Maybe the main character doesn't measurably change over the course of the piece, but the reader should be changed or affected by what he or she has read.

4. Focus on environment. Slice-of-life pieces don't necessarily need to be set in colorful, fascinating settings. Yet something about the characters' environment should be compelling. Great slice-of-life pieces offer insight into the small, common moments that might go unnoticed in bigger stories. So spend time thinking about your character's environment to learn what will make it interesting to your reader.

5. Keep it short. A slice-of-life piece that goes on too long can begin to feel like a prosaic short story that lacks focus and form. Though there are no hard and fast designated word counts for slice-of-life stories, a safe goal might be around 1,500 to 2,000 words if you're hoping to submit to literary journals for publication.

Photo via LaughingRaven

QUESTION: Think fast: Do you love slice of life, hate it, or just don't care?

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5 Tips For Writing A Slice-Of-Life Vignette - Writer's Relief, Inc.

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Editors of contemporary literary journals love slice-of-life vignettes. According to Wikipedia, slice of life is: "a storytelling technique that presents a seemingly arbitrary sample of a character's life, which often lacks a coherent plot, conflict, or ending. The story may have little plot progress and little character development, and often has no exposition, conflict, or dénouement, with an open ending."

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I recently attended a reading by Larry Smith, he of the "Six Word Memoir" phenomenon, and I've been thinking in sixes ever since.

If you're not familiar with this concept, it started with the idea of a piece of sudden fiction.Like this "novel," told in just six words:

For sale:Baby shoes.Never worn.

Ernest Hemingway is often credited with this particularly powerful story, though it has not been verified that he actually wrote it. Doesn't matter, to my heart and mind; I've thought of this teeny-tiny story hundreds of times, and each time I do, my eyes get fizzy and my insides twist.I imagine the face of the person selling the shoes; I go through all the events and feels that led up to the decision and the sale.

The six word memoir project grew from Smith's commitment to it, starting with his first compilation titled Not Quite What I was Planning.He has published several books since, each one filled with the six word memoirs of other people.Two of my favorites are I Can't Keep My Own Secrets, six-word memoirs written by teens, and Fresh Off the Boat:Stories of Immigration, Identity, and Coming to America.These books need digested slowly, carefully, sometimes just one or two at a time, because they force a depth of thought and imagination, and, more notably, oftentimes the text-to-self connections require a few minutes to breathe.

Smith and his people have developed a delightful website, too, that highlights stories, contests, and profiles of the memoirists who found significant value in using their six words.Be careful, though:It is easy to sink deeply into the website and not come back up for a long time. I know, because these things grab me by the throat and I get good and lost in reading them.

I love writing them, too, for the chapters of my so-far life.

The ones that flow easily are the sad ones, which is interesting to me, because I tend to slide old sadnesses into containers-with lids-because I know they would imprison me if I let them.But those sadnesses come out easily in six-word increments.

I never talk about the miscarriages.

My sister's anger holds us hostage.

I'm habitually hamstrung by self-doubt.

My grandfather's suicide lives beside me.

There are happy ones, too, the love letters to my life:

Sometimes I feel childhood joy, untethered.

This husband:my wise, wise choice.

Obliged to this precise, perfect life.

These children.Smells, smiles, tears, triumphs.

The coexistence of these six-word stories in my one single life is a miracle of sorts.How can struggle and angst live simultaneously with satisfaction and joy? I don't know-but it does.

Okay. So. Connection to teaching and learning-? Ah, yes.

Mannnnnnnny teachers have incorporated the six-word memoir idea into their classroom.It's a natural and effective teaching tool, and heaps of teachers have used it, with good reason: Having only six words forces you to tear away all the gobblygook that comes with writing, all the unnecessary phrases, sentences, and paragraphs that might gum up the message behind the essential words.

It also forces careful consideration of punctuation. No matter how hard we try, sometimes our six words don't float along without help; they need some starts and stops and pauses to work correctly.Suddenly, the power of a comma or semicolon takes on new meaning, because it enhances the connotation and significance of every.single.word.

Teachers can take a look at this site for a whole bunch of ideas, inspiration, and advice about making this project part of your teaching.

What chapters of your life might beget a six-word summary? Are there ways students in your class might be able to study this concept?

There is joy in writing well.

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I recently attended a reading by Larry Smith, he of the "Six Word Memoir" phenomenon, and I've been thinking in sixes ever since. If you're not familiar with this concept, it started with the idea of a piece of sudden fiction.Like this "novel," told in just six words: For sale:Baby shoes.Never worn.