3 Questions #SOL23 #Day3

On (some) Tuesdays I write about education and then post to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts Every day in March I will blog and post for the Two Writing Teacher challenge.

Today my inspiration comes from the Tracking Wonder website which I discovered from Monna’s Ease Lessons podcast. The podcast is extremely inspirational to me!

3 Questions to Change My Perspective

These questions came from a newsletter from the author of Tracking Wonder. I have been working with these questions over the course of a week. I am not sure I am happy with my responses, but it has been an interesting exercise.

The process is to ask the same 3 questions every morning for two weeks, and then track your responses. The purpose is to feel a new sense of purpose and mission. It is a way to reset by reminding yourself what you are devoted to.

I chose a Google Doc and put a reminder into my calendar so I get a notification. I also linked the doc in the reminder.

Question 1: The Devotion Question

What am I devoted to today? 

The Devotion Question is one key tool not just to fall in love with a fantasy of a big idea but to stand in wonder with making it real.

Keep the devotion to seven words or less. That way you can remember it when you need it.

To think about what I am devoted to on a daily basis sets a tone for the day. It is interesting to pare down what I am devoted to in seven words.

Question 2: The Curiosity Question

What am I curious about today?

Curiosity, wonder’s rebel facet, boosts our mood and propels us into action. Curiosity helps us persist because we have fun along the way.

If you’re not sure about your curiosity, ask yourself one of these questions to get behind your curiosity “What skills do I want to learn? What piece of knowledge do I want or need answered? “

Start your day with this question, and the day becomes more of a quest, even if the quest is mostly internal as you pursue new discoveries. 

When you let The Curiosity Question frame your meetings or other chance encounters with people during the day, then every conversation becomes a curiosity conversation. 

Some ask themselves, “Who am I curious about today?” to remind themselves that genuine curiosity builds genuine rapport and connection.

I am curious about a lot things and input is my jam, but when I have to write it down and think about it the answer does not come as easily as I would have thought. I allow ideas to come to be organically and then pursue them, so this approach is different.

Question 3: The Possibility Question

What if we______?

This question cannot help but open you up to a little possibility for the day. 

>>> What if we found a new way to write a story? 

>>> What if we could sync up as a remote writing group once a week for a creative coffee break? 

>>> What if we rotated who led the meeting, even if it wasn’t the most obvious person? 

Why “we”? It reminds you that pursuing possibility is rarely if ever a solely solo endeavor. Do it together beats do it yourself.

Maybe you already have a question or morning rhythm that sets your day off right. If so, hit “Reply” and let me know.

A life of meaning and possibility is within your reach. Today.

I think moving forward, I am going to think of these questions are more of freewrites and then take all my ideas and make the simple sentences to record. It is still something I am playing with.

Let me know if you try them out!

What are you devoted to and curious about today? What if you tried the questions??

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4-4-4 #SOL23 #Day2

On (some) Tuesdays I write about education and then post to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts Every day in March I will blog and post for the Two Writing Teacher challenge.

[Prompt: Look around and choose 4 things within 4 ft. of you and 4 minutes to write about them.]

One sentence each

Inspiration from : https://thecollective257774336.wordpress.com/2022/03/24/4-4-4/

What 4 things are in your immediate area?

My journal from home sits next to me with my favorite pens and I recorded the unsettling dream that woke me up several times during the night.

A pillow is used as a screen to shield the light from devices as I write before I start the day – no coffee yet.

Light starts to peek in the shades and I hear a bird tweet outside which is something I have not heard for months.

My husband’s green t-shirt that I borrowed from him before I left to take my son on a trip to help me bridge missing him.

What would your 4 things be today?

Text Set by Accident #SOL23

On (some) Tuesdays I write about education and then post to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts Every day in March I will blog and post for the Two Writing Teacher challenge.

Last night I hosted my writing group and I always provide space and a prompt for co-writing. There are various ways of sharing that are available for the group that was similar to my classroom sharing rules.

The group of women is varied by age and profession. One friend is a former teacher like me. She taught high school English so the conversation around books is always rich in her company.

Lesson planning is still an everyday activity for me. It is centered around adults now but had been for many years since I was a coach. No matter how long we are out of the classroom setting, we are still thinking about lesson plans and how reading and writing fit together.

I shared the poem BRIDE by Maggie Smith which was recently published in The New Yorker. (I also attended a workshop with her yesterday!)

I read it and then we wrote for 4 minutes. The directions are simple: write what it reminds you of, pull a line or an idea from the text. Write what comes, even if it doesn’t seem to make sense.

I also shared a micro fiction, Ars Poetica, age 4, from The Offing.

The same rules applied. I added they could write two separate pieces or continue the first one.

As always as a teacher of writing, I was blown away by the ideas that emerged from these pieces.

After one writer talked about how she had written about her dad and how he accomplished so much because he had a wife my teacher friend said, ” I have a story that I used to teach to my high schoolers that reminds me of that idea!” and shared it.

That story is I Want a Wife by Judy Brady.

I love it so much that we made a text set right then and there, accidentally from the discussion.

***

I am so looking forward to jumping into the March Challenge pool with Two Writing Teachers!

4-4-4

Photo by Victor Freitas on Pexels.com

The challenge: Look around and choose 4 things within 4 ft. of you and 4 minutes to write about them with one sentence.

The inspiration comes from here.

4-4-4

A carport full of discards that are being upcycled to wondrous treasures, including my 1923 school desk with the scroll inside!

My computer I will be turning in next week that I have been writing and sending submissions on all day.

The Maine Coon cat who jumps at the screen door and has earned the name, “Dancing Kitty”.

The “Raise the Dead” water glass that is the perfect shape for me and makes the water taste better.

What 4 things are in your immediate area?

Thank you to My Life in My Father’s World who reminded me to use this format today!

One Day MAYbe… #SOL22

On Tuesdays I write about education and then link to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts.

For more years than I can count I have a tradition on the first school day of May.

I invite students to finish the sentence stem: One day MAYbe…

Grade level or age does not matter for this prompt. It is universal and always applies.

My students wrote with this prompt today and we discussed if they would travel somewhere or what they wanted to be when they grew up.

One day MAYbe the weather will even out and it will actually look like spring.

One day MAYbe I will be a full time writer.

One day MAYbe I will be a princess.

I am always looking for the magic in teaching. Some days are easier to find it than others but it usually is in writing!

I invite you to finish the phrase –

One day MAYbe…

#happywriting

Illustrators #SOL22

On Tuesdays I write about education and then link to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts.

Reading and writing have always been taught together in my classroom. There is also lots of bookmaking for students and for me.

I used to take all the words they needed to know and would make books of text for them to practice reading before there were sites like Teacher Pay Teacher and Pinterest.

When teaching about what the author does in writing a book we also talk about illustrators. Throughout the years as I have met countless children’s book authors. I was surprised to learn that the writer often does not get to choose the illustrator for their books. They are sometimes randomly assigned. Sometimes requests are made but they are not always honored by the publisher.

Several authors talked about how the placement of words on the page is also chosen by the illustrator and sometimes will change the way the story is read. The illustrator has more power than I once thought.

I have always modeled how to draw certain things simply since I cannot just ask students to do something when I haven’t given them an example. I have used stick people to show how to make people more “fleshy”.

Yesterday I read Mo Willems book: The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!

I learned years ago when I saw him speak at an International Reading Association conference that he drew the pigeon the way he did on purpose so even young children could write their own pigeon books.

Today one of my individual students wrote about sheep using the book she just read as a model. I showed her how to use swirls to make it look fuzzy. Then she said to me, “I’m going to make the curlies up to the neck!”

I was reminded of the joy of drawing with my students today!

What brought you joy today?

Ten On Tuesday #SOL22

On Tuesdays I write about education and then link to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts.

Ten On Tuesday…Out of Order

  1. Ten on Tuesday used to be a writing prompt I would give to my students. Sometimes lists are easier to write for adults and kids.
  2. Today I presented at the staff meeting and was observed by my direct boss. I have lost count of the times I have presented to a variety of audiences. The numbers of people and the varied backgrounds. There is always an energy to presenting but a layer of anxiety when I know someone is listening to everything I say!
  3. Today sushi was what was for dinner tonight and it was delicious.
  4. Today I gave the standardized state test to students in the morning.
  5. Today I had a lovely coaching meeting at the beginning of the day which is going to be a great way to end the school year.
  6. Today I wrote a story and posted it on the Sarah Selecky Centered community and received from feedback and read several poems.
  7. Today I spoke to someone important.
  8. Today I started my day with coffee and writing – just how I like it.
  9. Today I avoided going grocery shopping.
  10. Today I wrote a slice later than normal!

What list of 10 would you write today?

Yesterday Was… #SOL22 #Day31

On (some) Tuesdays I write about education and then post to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts Every day in March I will blog and post for the Two Writing Teacher challenge.

Today is the last day of March and it is hard to believe. In some ways the time went quickly and in others it was slow – as it seems to work with time!

Over the month, I have been inspired by so many fantastic posts. I have been able to catch up on the lives of teachers all over the world who I admire and look forward to reading this whole month.

Yesterday Was…

Yesterday was for getting up naturally at 5am.

Yesterday was for writing all morning with coffee.

Yesterday was for lots of back and forth audio messages between friends.

Yesterday was for chopping my hair off.

Yesterday was for taking a writing workshop and texting with a writing friend the whole time to make it even better.

Yesterday was for making a new recipe of black bean soup.

Yesterday was for dancing in the kitchen to Michael Buble, Aerosmith, and AC/DC.

Yesterday was for having a business call for a new opportunity I am thrilled about.

Yesterday was about telling someone important the news about the call first.

Yesterday was for talking to writers in my community on Zoom and laughing about late hosts, childhood, finding people, and oh yeah…writing.

Yesterday was for reading poems and Aftershock for my memoir class.

Yesterday was for changing my mind about running errands and just staying home.

Yesterday was for rain…all day….again.

Yesterday was for commenting on writing within a writing community forum.

Yesterday was for watching season 2 of Bridgerton.

Yesterday was for going to bed early because I was up at 5am!

In April, I will be writing and reading poetry every day!

What are your plans for April? Rest? Continue the daily streak? A new challenge? I would love to hear.

I made it all 31 days!

The surprise for me is that I am fueled, and not tired of it this year. It didn’t seem as taxing over the course of the month this year. Considering the trauma of 2022 for me that was a welcome surprise.

By The Book #SOL22 #Day29

On (some) Tuesdays I write about education and then post to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts Every day in March I will blog and post for the Two Writing Teacher challenge.

This morning, another slicer and The Dirigible Plum (yes, again) inspired me with their take on the “By the Book” column in the Sunday Times.

What books are on your nightstand?
Seven Drafts (craft book), Little Weirds by Jenny Slate, Writing Begins with the Breath (craft book), Dearly (poetry by Atwood), Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass(poetry) – I won’t list the ones in a stack on the floor…

What is the last great book you read?
I have been reading chunks of books…I am enjoying Gallant by VE Schwab. I read Melissa Febos’ Body Work. There was another book I recently read all the way through and enjoyed it but cannot remember what it was! Isn’t that always how it goes? Someone asks you and then you forget the title…

Are there any classic novels you only recently read for the first time?
There are quite a few. Several summers I have assigned myself a high school reading list that wasn’t mine. To Kill A Mockingbird was one. I will have to revisit my list.

What’s your favorite book no one else has heard of?

I have reread this book several times (one time on a plane) and I do not reread often. There is something magical about this book and how he describes running.

How do you organize your books?
Piles and randomly shoved into the bookcases. Sometimes I group them together by topic. Usually it is grouped together by when the last time I touched it! I have stacks of books I do not want to “lose”. I have a pile for a writing class I begin on Thursday on my desk so I won’t forget where they are!

The word organize should not be used for this category for me…did I mention the pile of books on the floor next to the bed above???

Describe your ideal reading experience.
Sitting in front of a fire either inside on a cold day or outside on a cool day. Overlooking water in a comfy chair or sitting on a bench. There is that feeling when you are into a book and it sparks something in you – I love that feeling and crave it more!

What do you plan to read next?

Poetry since I am self imposing a challenge for myself for the month of April! That is why I pulled out the two books of poetry yesterday.

What is one thing about your reading life would you tell me?

Creative Toolkit #SOL22 #Day28

On (some) Tuesdays I write about education and then post to the Two Writing Teacher blog. and then comment on at least three other blog posts Every day in March I will blog and post for the Two Writing Teacher challenge.

Inspired by: The Dirigible Plum [who I have been inspired by A LOT this month!]

What if I had a creative toolkit I could bring with me where I am? What rituals, objects, or tools inspire you to create?

Here are a few things that help me create:

A spark, a mentor text, a mentor. Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones and class I am signed up for. I get to hear Natalie talk to me! Reading poetry during my morning writing sessions is always a must. Reading in general is a great practice for me. I heard on a podcast recently that an author doubled her reading and her writing output increased over 30%. This is something I want to experiment with for myself.

The right tools. My notebook and the pen I feel like using that morning. I have a purple pen, a black pen, and a fountain pen that I rotate depending on my mood. I can write anywhere but I like having the right tool for how I am feeling. Sometimes that means the KEEP app on my phone. I also need my laptop. I couldn’t publish anything without it! I also do a lot of drafting and revision work on the computer.

Podcasts. I have rotating favorites. I tend to listen to them on walks, runs, and when I drive. Driving always seems to spark ideas for me as well.

A walk or run. Walking makes it easier to make notes but there is never a time I walk or run and ideas do not come together.

Silence or white noise. I cannot listen to music with words and write. It just doesn’t work for me.

Talking to other writers. I love my various writing communities and they fuel me all in such a different way.

Prompts. I love writing to prompts. It allows me to enter a piece of writing from a different angle each time. I have my regular routines in the morning and it always sparks the right writing for the day.

Strong emotions. This has been a new one for me, but I have been working on paying attention to my emotions more and what triggers them. If I am feeling strongly about something I have been writing the way my body feels, the thoughts running through my head, or I allow the emotion to come through what I am writing that day. This can be love, anger, grief, restlessness, etc.

What would be in your toolkit?

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • What are some essentials you can’t write without?
  • Are there any reference books that you find useful when your writing, or that relate to your current work in progress?
  • Are there any books on the craft of writing you like to dip in and out of while writing?
  • Do you like to keep a planner for your writing?