The Monumental Hat
In my guild, fall is Person I Admire season. This year I had an anniversary—five students including my eldest son, who had participated in Person I Admire once a year for ten years in a row. I gave them each…
Poetry to Enliven Prose
Holding up a red box adorned with a red satin bow I remind my students, “Great writing is a gift.” I’ve discovered that the Japanese form of poetry, haiku, is a perfect way to teach students that practicing poetry will…
I’m Me 101
Today seven-year-old Mikayla, the youngest girl in our school, watched me climb on a countertop in high heels to fetch a pot for tea and observed, “My mom would never do that.” “I’m me,” I replied. This gave me an…
A Closer Look – Pt 2
Here is how to begin an Observation Journal: Materials: A binder to collect completed observations Cardstock for drawing Lined paper for writing Pencil Colored Pencils Chalk Pastel Thick and thin waterproof markers Watercolor Pencils Watercolor Magnifying Glass 1. Look at…
A Closer Look – Pt 1
One morning as students began streaming in under the weight of backpacks popping at the seams. I recognized immediately that I would have to start scheduling time slots so that hours on end were not consumed with Show and Tell.…
Ideas First
Just got home from Waiting for Superman. Great film. I am reminded that the recipe for academic success still lies with the individual. When I first saw the trailer, Sherman Alexie’s essay, “Superman and Me” came to mind. After viewing…
Very First iModinarri
I’m not sure how many years have passed since Sara, Evelyn, Hannah and I participated in iMadonnari but I will never forget the experience. We packed a picnic, slathered on the sunscreen, and set out with our bucket of chalk…
Making Our Teepee
Since my daughter was a wee one, we've always made a summer wishlist—places to visit, things to make, people to see. Every idea gets put down on paper to hold us accountable to some good memory-making and to have a…
Inside Søren’s Sketchbook
Keeping a sketchbook is very important for the burgeoning artist. Some sketchbooks should be dedicated to imaginative spontaneous drawing. Some should be dedicated to the work of learning the skill of drawing. I call this the “directive drawing” sketchbook. At…