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Tuesday, July 14, 2015

My First Slice of Life

Two Writing Teachers

Although it's mid-July and I'm still focusing on decompressing from the school year, I find myself excited and motivated as I plan for the upcoming academic year by attending "Get Your Blog On" with Michelle Haseltine. I've threatened to start a blog for quite a few years now, but that desire never quite made it off the "To Do" list ... until now. This two day professional development has been inspiring, interesting, and informative. I'm officially ready to enter the blogging world and to make connections to other bloggers, particularly in the Middle School Language Arts world.
The most fascinating part of this experience has been to fully understand that blogging is simply an extension of my personal writing. Prior to this training, I categorized it as a "classroom only activity". I believed my role in the blog was to instruct and guide students, not to simply write. It never occurred to me that I could, and should, blog about topics of interest, blog on a weekly basis, and take the time to fully immerse myself in this experience before attempting to extend this practice into the classroom at some point in the future.
One more important piece of information is the knowledge that blogging is often described as "first draft writing" which allows me the freedom to simply write without fear of judgment about my grammar errors or incoherent thoughts. This is a completely new experience for me and one I'm ready to embrace.  Stay tuned for further updates on this journey.

11 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. I like how you expressed your thoughts about blogging. I am excited about sharing the journey as we navigate the blogging path with our classes.

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  3. Glad to be sharing in this experience with you.

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  4. Thanks for sharing. I've found that keeping a blog is a great space for brain dumping, getting my words out of my head, before I continue with my other writing. I look forward to reading about what you're doing with your middle schoolers.

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  5. YAY!!! Thanks for your kind words! I'm so glad you're here. Can't wait to read more about your journey!!!!

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  6. So exciting that you're now a blogger! I've been blogging for a few years now, and introduced it to a few students because I was a lit coach, but this past year I took over a class and was able to blog with my students for the first time, a marvelous experience. I hope you will enjoy every bit, personally and professionally! Welcome!

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  7. Yikes! Typo - should say www.schoolteachersuperhero.com

    I meant to finish by saying I've blogged there about starting as a teacher-blogger and how that connects to classroom practice. In any case, welcome!

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  8. Ok - having trouble posting from an IPad. Anyhow - welcome to blogging! I just started a few weeks ago. I love that you are connecting to your teaching practice. Y trying something first hand, not just asking students to do it. This is so important as education changes, not just to jump on a band-wagon, but to see why it's important.

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  9. Welcome! So glad Michelle inspired you to join us here! I've always believed that doing something as a teacher really helps you have a better sense of how to help the students. Blogging in this community has been so uplifting and life changing for me. So happy you are here!

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  10. Welcome to blogging, particularly Slice of Life. Here is the best place to be a writer. Sharing a slice of your life will teach you so much about what we ask kids to do. Lucky you to have Michelle nearby as a consultant.

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  11. I'm delighted you're here, blogging with us as part of the Slice of Life Challenge. How wonderful that Michelle helped you take the plunge! I hope you'll join us on Tuesdays year-round.

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