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“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” -Harry S. Truman

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” -Harry S. Truman

The last quarter of the school year signals a time of mixed feelings – the year is almost over,  and even though we look forward to restful summer days, there is the sadness… Continue reading →

The last quarter of the school year signals a time of mixed feelings – the year is almost over,  and even though we look forward to restful summer days, there is the sadness… Continue reading →

“Everybody–even monsters–needed a little attention once in a while.”  ― Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief {Care} WRITE. Each day in March write a slice on your own blog. SHARE. Link your post here (using the… Read More →

I was watching or listening or reading something this week — I don’t remember what — but the message was: You can’t be a writer if you’re not a reader. True. (And probably the reason I don’t remember who said it since this little tid-bit is fairly common knowledge.) The person went on to say: [...]

I was watching or listening or reading something this week — I don’t remember what — but the message was: You can’t be a writer if you’re not a reader. True. (And probably the reason I don’t remember who said it since this little tid-bit is fairly common knowledge.) The person went on to say: [...]

Ten years have passed since September 11th, 2001.  In 2001, I lived in Manhattan when the planes hit the Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, PA.  Today I live in Central Pennsylvania where the Susquehanna River has crested and has flooded the streets displacing many people from their homes. While natural disasters are [...]

Last week… Stacey blogged about updating heart maps. (See everything we’ve blogged about heart maps here.) B. blogged about hand lists. I was reminded about writing close to the bones. I kept thinking about my slice of life pepperoni pizza. Aren’t these just fancy lists? you may be wondering. The short answer is yes. But [...]

I collect the letter A. I think it’s fun to hide them throughout the house and in my office at school. I like to tuck them into unexpected places. On top of a picture frame, above a door, beside a table lamp. Recently I gathered several of them and placed them on our mantel. I [...]

My third grade daughter came home yesterday after school upset because she was: Kicked out of the Horse Lover’s Club at recess. One girl told another girl I don’t love horses enough and they don’t want me in it. But they don’t know what’s in my heart and that I love horses more than almost [...]

This afternoon Stacey said to me, “You don’t know what to do with yourself, do you?” She was right, I had no clue. Afternoons are the busiest part of my day. When I walk in my door at 4:30 I am completely consumed with family life. The afternoons with Stacey have been quiet and relaxing. [...]

If you teach eighth grade or younger, it is highly unlikely that your students personally remember the events of September 11; many of our students weren’t alive when the attacks occurred. For me, that’s tough to get my mind around. The day burned a vivid memory on my brain. As teachers, it is our duty to [...]

For many, today marked the start of a new school year. For my son, it marked the start of a school career. He went to school for the very first time today. I went with him. I was excited and nervous; happy and sad; looking back and looking forward — all rolled into one big [...]

Slice 1: All morning I waited for Laurie Halse Anderson’s post about the writing challenge for today. Although a little apprehensive about whether this would be worthwhile, I found myself writing interview questions and then answering them in the voice of a dad. Well past the required fifteen minutes, I was still writing, learning all [...]

Less than 24 hours after eating gummy worm brownies with Nate, Andy and I found ourselves standing in a hospital room with his family. Although Nate was young and strong, he had a weak heart. On Saturday he was doing some back flips off a boat and had a hard time catching his breath. He [...]

Hello March: I’m glad you’re here — even though you are filled with blustery weather and even a bit of snow, I’ve been waiting for you.  Waiting for the hope that is in the crisp blue of your skies and in the new green of your buds.  I’m waiting for the bursts of sunshine which [...]

This weekend I went to a bridal shower and I was reminded of my own wedding preparations.  Isn’t it strange the way time plays with your mind? It seems like it was just a few months ago that I was the one opening presents, making final preparations, and counting down the days to be Mrs. Ayres.  [...]

This is a common scene in my life right now.  The shirt changes and the track changes and the length of train changes . . . the the hat + the hobby + the sounds all stay the same.  Sometimes I get tired of stepping over tracks.  Sometimes I want to play something other than trains.  Sometimes I’m [...]

I am fortunate for so many reasons, but for today’s slice it is because I get to be a mom. Just like every morning I gave Sam and Stephanie, Mom and Dad hugs good bye.  I fed the dog an exorbitant amount of puppy treats and I grabbed my tea-to-go.  Unlike every other morning, Sam and Steph [...]

I spend a lot of time in the car.   Not only do I drive fifty minutes to get to the school where I’m currently working, but I also drive during the day, between schools.  Not to mention driving home and then any extra that happens in the evenings.  (Though I must admit, once home, it’s [...]

His loud wailing sobs broke into the serene morning.  Our mornings are peaceful.  Always.  (Usually.)  Right now it isn’t quiet.  The sobs are echoing through the entire house — bouncing off of the  floor; binging off of the walls; filling the house.  In my mind I growl my five year old’s name.  Certainly she did [...]

When I giggle at my goal as a fifth grader to write a story a day, collecting thick purple folders of words and pictures, stapled into books, I remember the process of learning to live a creative life.  It was then that I realized the more I wrote, the more I had to write.  The more [...]

There’s a kid in my class that I’m continually impressed by.  His answers are straight-out honest and typically thoughtful.  He participates, even though at first glance I didn’t think he would.  And yesterday he asked me to help him with the dialogue in his writing. “I took your advice and worked in some dialogue in this,” [...]

I walk into my favorite class of the day, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are floating through the air, She grew up in an Indiana town, with a good lookin’ mama who was never ’round, I took my usual seat, far from the door, on the inside of the table.  I loved this spot because I could [...]