Happy Easter to all those who celebrate. Have a wonderful day of rest and renewal with your family.
This beautiful illustration is from the classic storybook The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. It captures both the innocence and joy of youth & Springtime.
Hope makes my soul thing.
April is National Poetry Month. In honor of one of my favorite poets, here’s one of my favorite poems.
Emily was a very wise woman. Hope is always the thing. In education and in life!
What’s one of your favorite poems or poets? Let us know in the comments. It would be amazing to start a list of Word Artists here!
Getting to the “heart” of writing. Here’s why outsiders, rebels and mavericks make the best characters. Some advice from writer Isabel Allende, who knows a thing or two about good writing:
Students Need the Power of Belief to Soar to Their Potential
Teachers. It’s hard. We ask a lot of you. We ask you to keep getting up in the morning and showing up in that classroom and bringing your A Game.
We ask you to notice the students who need the extra help and notice the students who need the extra challenge. And to do it with a smile and a magical “Mary Poppins” like presence in a classroom. Do all that but do it with fairly little community support and for not that much financial compensation, either. But do it all the same
because
Every
Student
Needs a Hero.
Keep helping our students realize that their potential is unlimited. They can soar and achieve any dream as long as they have someone in their lives that supports them. Our goal at College Ready is simply to let all students know, regardless of socio-economic background, there’s no net around their future.
They can soar to unlimited heights.
The Zen of Writing:
Let go of fear of rejection.
Write Everyday. Get Feedback. When not Writing–READ. Read everyday. Full list:
“White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.” Roald Dahl
As we continue to push our students to become critical thinkers, we allow them to direct their learning, focus on their interests, and use their imaginations. This is more and more what we need to remember:
Imagination is Power.
Creativity leads to connection. Social-emotional learning, project-based learning and inquiry learning all come from an authentic, student-centered place. In each of these, for creativity & imagination to blossom, we must allow & encourage students to follow their natural curiosity.
Wishing you all the best for a 2014 that is filled with family, friendship, laughter, and new opportunities.
Thank you so much for supporting this blog for the past 6 months. It has truly been a labor of love. I have been so fortunate to have visitors from 47 countries and I appreciate each and every visitor here. I’ve also enjoyed reading your posts, and learning and growing from all of you!
I’m looking forward to a new year chock full o’ possibilities and opportunities to share and connect with all of you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!~
xo~Lisa
“Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow”
~~Kurt Vonnegut
8 Great Reads While Waiting for the Next Wimpy Kid to Come Out
These suggestions come from Scholastic Book Publishers and are kid-tested and (this) mother approved! 🙂 You can click the link to read a brief synopsis of each title. The books listed generally appeal to all kids, but especially reluctant readers, and of course, Wimpy Kid fans–young and old!
College Ready 