This was waiting on my doorstep when I came home today… It is a treasure — an entire book of poems by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater. You know Amy, right? She hosts two remarkable blogs, The Poem Farm and Sharing Our Notebooks. You’re going to want Forest Has a Song for your poetry collection. Spend some time over at The Poem Farm and you’ll understand why. I’m going to read Amy’s words again, savoring as poetry is meant to be enjoyed. The first time I read it I devoured it as… Read more You’re going to wish this was waiting for you… →
First thing this morning I was talking with seven 8th graders about reading. We were waiting to begin our state testing, because of late buses. “Teachers just make us read books they want us to read. None of them are ever good,” one student said. She was quickly supported by other students. In the middle of the room sat a boy with a Christopher Paolini book. “Hunter’s a reader,” I said. He nodded. “I remember the year you became a reader. Third grade, right?” He nodded again. “How?!?” the girl next… Read more when i grow up →
This week I’d like to share a couple of videos with you. First is a must see book trailer for the series. It is perfect to show in classrooms to… Read more ivy + bean take care of the babysitter: videos →
These two books are complete and total gems for all writing workshop teachers. Trust me, you’ll want to add them to your collection to help you teach narrative and informative… Read more 2 gems →
One thing I was struck by in Ivy + Bean and the Ghost that had to Go was the way Annie Barrows crafted action throughout the book. The opening scene… Read more ivy + bean: book 2 (minilesson possibilities) →
I now have another author that I must read everything he’s ever written. BRUISER by Neal Shusterman, Harper Collins Publishers, 2010. Christy Rush-Levine nudged me to read Bruiser, since it… Read more the book stack →
I can’t believe it’s August and I forgot.{deep breath}WFMAD.{an experience that made me believe I could maybe, perhaps, actually write fiction}Write Fifteen Minutes a Day, a writing challenge hosted by Laurie Halse Anderson on her blog, Mad Woman in the Forest, is something I’ve participated in for several years. I love it. In an effort to embrace what I can do and let go of the things I don’t do, I’m going to be excited that I remembered and happy to have TWO fifteen minute writing experiences for the next week,… Read more gasp! →
Click on the image to find out more. Tickets.On a Thursday night.Nearly 5 hours away.Andy agreed to miss work, too, in order to go with me.I just had to figure… Read more guess what i just bought →
One of the things I’ve been struggling to get a handle on as a writer is weaving a number of plot threads together in an interesting and clear way for the reader, while at the same time remembering and balancing them as a writer. Laura Resau’s The Jade Notebook is an exceptional example of the weaving many plot threads together into a beautiful story. In this final part of the interview with Laura Resau, she shares some insights into plot. I love the way you wove many different story threads… Read more laura resau interview (part 3 of 3): plot threads →
Ruth Ayres Writes 