The Sunrise Story

If you're a long time reader, you'll know this.  If you know me IRL, you'll know this.  If you're related to me, you'll know this... I'm a nerd.  from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerd https://www.dictionary.com/browse/nerd https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/nerd WAIT a minute! I reject each and every one of these definitions. Unstylish? Unattractive? Socially awkward? Foolish or contemptible?!?! NO! That's not what a nerd is...that's not what I am. It's time for the definition (dictionary definition) of this word to change. What am I? I can accept that I have a single-minded focus. Writing. Yes, I am a writing nerd. I love all things writing. My notebook is my constant companion. It goes more places with me than my dog. I can always be counted on to have a fancy pen or two stashed away in my purse or my pocket. When something happens in my family and we need something written...

As a new school year is on the horizon, I begin the process to set up my classroom. This is the twenty-third time I'm doing this and it's always a challenge. Move furniture around. Unpack books. Arrange. Rearrange. Move again. It’s exhausting, but it’s mostly exhilarating. Let’s start at the beginning. After a summer away from this space, I return to my classroom. This will be my second year in room 734. I find it takes me three or four (maybe five) years to figure out the best way a space works for me. Whenever I first walk in, I stop and take it all in...breathe it all in. Before anything else, I turn on some fun music. I curated a playlist called Teacher Theme Songs inspired by Gravity Goldberg ’s new book, Teach Like Yourself. Music sets the mood and I’m off… Moving furniture to just the right spot is something that is a challenge. I can’t figure out which is the best Tupperware to use for leftovers, so designing an entire room is not easy for me, but I’ve lea...

This week I finished my 76th notebook and started in on my 77th. I love my notebooks. I treasure the time I spend writing inside the blank pages. I value the reflection it provides. A question I've been asked a lot about notebooks is why? Why do I prefer notebooks to digital writing?  First let me confess, that I respect all kinds of writing. It's all important. It's all helpful. It's all worthy...but notebook writing tops them all for me.  1. Connecting. The connection to the page. There's something about the physical connection of pen (or pencil or marker) to a page that feels like coming home to me. I can be anywhere in the world, but the connection to the notebook and the pages inside ground me. I feel closer to the page. I trust it so I write things in my notebook that I wouldn't write anywhere else.  2. Messy. Notebooks are messy. Harvesting the messy and keeping it reminds me to cherish the mess. Writing is messy. Crossing out. Arrows. Sma...