We Were All New Once by James Coats I am a new teacher – like, fresh out of the box new. I finished my student teaching in March, received my MAT soon after, and started my career in August. I have a whopping 5 weeks’ …
Psst: Hey, Bud. C’mere. How Would You Like to Buy. . .an A?
Psst: Hey, Bud. C’mere. How Would You Like to Buy. . .an A? by Paul Hankins (cue the “sneaky” music) Today’s post is an attempt to square up what an A means. And how we might come to an agreement that the distinction tied to …
I believe in joyful and celebratory dancing.
As part of the Oklahoma State University’s Writing Project Advanced Summer Institute, teacher consultants crafted “This I Believe” essays inspired by the organization’s call for people to write and share essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. At a time when teachers’ …
Barbie You
Welcome to Day 5 of the September Open Write. Deepest gratitude to our poetry hosts: Stacey Joy, Barb Edler, and Glenda Funk. If you have written with us before, welcome back. If you are joining us for the first time, you are in the kind, …
How to Triumph
Host Barbara Edler taught English Language Arts, Speech & Drama, and TAG students for forty-two and a half years. Although she misses the classroom, she keeps busy as The Keokuk Art Center’s Executive Director where she enjoys planning artistic endeavors and hosting artist receptions. She …
For the Love of Words
Host Barbara Edler taught English Language Arts, Speech & Drama, and TAG students for forty-two and a half years. Although she misses the classroom, she keeps busy as The Keokuk Art Center’s Executive Director where she enjoys planning artistic endeavors and hosting artist receptions. She …
There’s a Diamond in My Soup: Diamonte Poems
Our Host Stacey L. Joy is a National Board Certified Teacher with 38 years of teaching in the elementary classroom. Teaching her Joyteam scholars the power of knowledge, self-advocacy and justice are at the core of her practice. Stacey is a poetry lover, a creator …
Recuerdos de Comida y Amor / Memories of Food and Love
Our Host Stacey L. Joy is a National Board Certified Teacher with 38 years of teaching in the elementary classroom. Teaching her Joyteam scholars the power of knowledge, self-advocacy and justice are at the core of her practice. Stacey is a poetry lover, a creator …
From Picture Books to Profound Insights: The Power of Storytime in High School
From Picture Books to Profound Insights: The Power of Storytime in High School by Kyri Hester It’s Friday, I’m sitting in my special chair at the front of the class, picture book in hand, as my students stare transfixed. We take time to look at …
Building Relationships to Discover Reading Identity
Building Relationships to Discover Reading Identity by Kimberly H. Johnson, Ed.D. When I looped up from teaching primary and elementary students to teaching middle and high school students, I felt a gut punch when I discovered students’ reluctance to read in secondary grades. Young children, …