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The first week of school was always one of my favorite weeks to teach. We created routines, talked about what we were going to learn, shared our interests, and got to know each other. It was important my students and I used our first days together to set the stage for what was to come. […]
Summertime! Let’s grab our journals and see where our ideas take us! Creative writing prompts for summer can help us get started. Choose one or write about anything you want. The sunshine, summer rains, heat, and our summertime adventures can inspire us. The places we want to visit or things we’d like to are great […]
This post was originally published in 2019. Summertime seems to be when Mom Guilt* gets the loudest. At least, it does for me. When I was a teacher, I’d start daydreaming in February about what summer was going to look like. We’d go to the pool, take swimming lessons, play at the park, do […]
My teenager loves to create. There’s rarely a day when she’s not making digital art, clay figurines, or doodling. When she’s in her art zone, life is good! When she’s not, boredom often sets in, and there is nothing to do becomes her mantra. Yesterday was one of these days. My daughter’s muse was on […]
No longer posting on IG or FB, I want a place to hold a few photos and thought you, Reader, might like to see what we’ve been up to. Here’s an old fashion blog post and a few updates. In March, we drove up to Lisle, IL, to check out Universal Technical Institute, where Clark […]
Two of the hardest parts of the writing process are revision and editing. We’re taught at an early age to do things the “right” way the first time, and in school, we’re taught the fewer corrections or red marks, the better. Revision feels personal. Something we’ve created needs fixing. What one person thinks is wrong […]
One of the best places to learn is outside. Whether kids are doing homework, exploring, or just taking it all in, decent weather and a good place to sit are all you need to create a perfect classroom. Our family heads outside whenever we can. We play games, relax and spend time as a family. […]
Spring is one of our favorite times to pull out the craft bins. Plants and critters inspire us, and to be perfectly honest, I like messy things to happen outside as much as possible. The woods and yard also offer all sorts of free materials. There are no directions or rules. Nature crafts invite us […]
Homeschooling in spring can feel exciting- the world is waking up around us! Springtime can also feel LONG. We’ve learned a lot already this school year, and a good long break is needed. Looking for a new activity, want to take learning outdoors, or need a few more lessons to round out the year? These […]
How do we encourage our children to write? Here are ten tried and true ways I help my kids and students write and enjoy writing.
Do your kids like poetry? Are you a fan? Poetry games are a wonderful way to learn about poetry, no matter your feelings on the genre. You’re not alone if you or one of your kids loathe it. Of all the writing genres, I think poetry gets the worst rap. Why? Poetry isn’t straightforward. Poems […]
One of the things I love about leading creative writing circles and classes actually happens before class when I create the agenda we’ll follow to inspire reflection, truth-telling, and storytelling. My classes always include writing prompts. These prompts, usually created around a theme, author, or genre, may emerge thanks to a poem or a specific […]
Here’s a question I often ask students- Have you ever started to read, flipped page after page, tracked each word, maybe even spoken the words out loud, only to realize at the end of a passage or chapter you have no idea what you just read? You might be surprised how many students nod their […]
When my children were little, we celebrated Christmas much like my husband and I did when we were growing up. Presents, food, travel, and (limited) time together were the focus. While we definitely have some special memories, what I remember most about those early years is feeling overwhelmed. We didn’t have a lot of extra […]
Writing can give our brains a workout; there’s a lot to learn and remember. It’s why whenever I teach writing, I encourage my kids and students to focus on their interests. It is also why I love using creative writing activities. Not only does creative writing make writing more fun, but it also gets kids […]
