Skip to main content

Writing Wednesdays Begin


Writing makes sense of my world. When I sit down, with my notebook or at a keyboard, things make sense. That's not to say that writing is easy! It's not. Writing is necessary for me, like breathing or eating. When I go without for awhile, I feel out of sorts.

This year, I'm part of an inaugural staff in a brand new middle school. New beginnings. I decided to take a risk and invite other teachers to join me in my writing practice. I sent an email last week to invite teachers. Here's what I said:



I worried that no one would respond. I was wrong. Teachers from all content areas responded with interest. More than a dozen teachers replied and I'm hoping more show up to write. Math teachers, science teachers, and English teachers...getting together to write.

Tomorrow we begin. We will gather together and write. Reflect. There will be quiet and thinking and a little bit of chocolate. I can't wait to spend an hour writing with other educators. If this goes well, I may expand it to Mondays too. 

My notebook and pens are ready! Writing Wednesdays are almost here!

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.

Comments

  1. This is so great. I love that you put out the invite and they showed up. I wish we did that at my school (Well, I guess I could do it but I wish our admin would see the value of it and do it)
    Kevin

    ReplyDelete
  2. How exciting! You're building a community of writers. Your school is so lucky. I hope to read more about this soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is fantastic! I love your poem about the notebook as a "gift." We celebrated writing on Day 1 with a Dance Party and wrapped notebooks! You are extending this celebration to the adults who care for the children needing inspiration. Well done and have fun tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great practice to establish in your school. Wish I was there to join! I will write with you in spirit ...

    ReplyDelete
  5. this is fabulous! we,too, have started a writing/teacher research group thanks to Ralph Fletcher's, Joy Write! Looking forward to the stories and writing that emerge from your group!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love that your new school is making you feel brave and empowered to do such a wonderful thing for yourself and your colleagues. People who write together form a community and connect in much deeper ways. I can't wait to hear how the experience goes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I find you to be incredibly inspiring, Michelle. I know I've said this before, but you are one wise soul in addition to being one grateful teacher. Thank you for shining your light in this world. (No wonder your favorite color is yellow!) xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bravo, Michelle! What a gift you are to your school and colleagues. Keep us posted!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So exciting! What a wonderful thing to spearhead in your school. I'd love to hear how it goes!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please share your thoughts. I love comments!

Popular posts from this blog

Whatever Happened To...

Sharing this post on Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Do you ever wonder whatever happened to your students after the year you spend together? I imagine how my students are finding life...are they happy? Successful? Do they still read? Write? What is going on with them?   I taught fifth grade for eight years. Fifth grade was such a fun year to teach because the students were still young enough that school was something they loved and old enough that they could show some real signs of independence. Fifth grade is the oldest grade in our elementary schools, so the students enjoyed their final year before moving onto middle school and the challenges that came with that new adventure.  2007 was a tough year for me personally. My dad collapsed in September of that year and then died in March of that same school year. He lived thousands of miles away, so my mind was definitely unfocused that year...but that year, Catie was in my class.  Catie was a quiet stude...

Storms

Last night there was a thunderstorm. It was loud. It was bright. The rain was pouring from the sky. Everything stopped. I sat in bed with all of the blinds opened and watched the flashing lightning paint the sky over and over and over again. The thunder boomed and my poor Bella ran under the bed. The rain poured and poured and poured.  I thought about how cleansing a storm can be. While it's happening, it can be scary...just ask my dog...but after it's over, I wake up and feel renewed. Maybe we need to storm sometimes too. Let it all out and see what's left and how it feels. I storm...on the pages my notebook. When I'm frustrated or worried or ecstatic, I open the pages and let it all out. The emotions paint the pages of my notebook...it's all left there. And after, I feel renewed. I breathe more deeply, think more clearly, and feel better. Without thunderstorms, what would spring be? Without writing, who would I be?  I have always been deeply connected to th...

Chasing My Dream

I'm doing it. I'm chasing my dream. I've always wanted to run writing retreats and workshops for people, but I've always been too scared to do anything about it...until now. I don't know what's changed...maybe I've changed. I'm not allowing the fear to stop me anymore. I've started Selah Writing Retreats.  The past couple of weeks I've been getting the business end in order. I thought I would hate that...I don't. It's scary, but I am surprising myself with how efficient I am. Yesterday I went to a bank to set up a bank account. The woman I met with was kind and helpful and so enthusiastic about my dream. My website is set up. I've done lots of work on it. I hope you stop by and let me know what you think. It's  selahwritingretreats.com . Balancing creative with business has been challenging but fun. Creating the website, getting a federal tax id, making business cards, planning dates... My favorite voxer group is called Butt Ki...