Mentor Text: the series of poems about turning different ages from Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renee Watson Techniques: Memoir Background – This post almost didn’t happen. Between different events, field trips and weather closures, I’m in one of those times where as a teacher you feel absolutely overwhelmed and ineffective. I’m pretty flexible, but […]
When I read nonfiction, I usually read through two lenses: a reader interested in the topic and a writer interested in the craft. I’m pretty much always on the hunt for those little gems that give both student and teacher writers a glimpse at what writing for authentic audiences and purposes can look like. The […]
Mentor Text: Tuning In by Rick Rubin Techniques: Introduction Background – When you’re talking to friends, and that old hypothetical classic, “What would you do if could have any career in the world?” comes up, I’m pretty boring. There’s not much I think I want to do except what I do. I know it’s cliched to […]
Mentor Text: Things to do Around Winnipeg when you’re Black by Michael Fraser Techniques: Titling Pieces Using theme to make a statement Background – I’m drafting this at the end of the second day of the second semester. That means I’ve survived the madness of the end of the first semester, exam week, marking everything and […]
Mentor Text: Emile Nelligan by Carmine Starnino Techniques: Poetry Analysis Background – Whenever I’m near a magazine rack that carries it, I grab a copy of The Feathertale Review. Though I grabbed my first issue because the cover illustration featuring a monkey was silly, I’ve come to love the offbeat approach to being a literary magazine […]
Mentor Text: from Empty Spaces by Jordan Abel Techniques: Drafting Editing and revision Background – I’m stepping out of holiday mode long enough to drop this here for you. Both a colleague and I picked up Jordan Abel’s Empty Spaces to read early in December. It’s a hell of a text, an effort to explore modern […]
Mentor Text: Excuse Me As I Kiss The Sky by Rudy Francisco Techniques: Poetic form Background – I am one of the teachers that teaches right until December 22nd. And we’ve got our provincial assessment back this year, which takes place the week we return from the holiday break. And I’m a parent with a couple […]
Mentor Text: McSweeney’s Bingo Cards by various Techniques: Brainstorming and Idea Generation Analytical writing Background – So, I often take a quick social media brain break at lunch. And today, after discussing the initial planning stages of some essay work with two of my classes, McSweeney’s sharing the “NIMBY Public Comment Bingo” card got me thinking […]
Mentor Text: dedications of poems I cannot write by Joseph Fasano Techniques: Idea generation Dedications in poetry Background – I am very much lamenting the slow decline of Twitter as a teaching resource and community. Yet, as frustrating as it is, I hang on. Honestly, what I’m sharing this week is part of the reason. I’ve […]
Nancie Atwell calls theme “the chilliest mind Popsicle” of all the writing lessons that young writers need to learn, and I couldn’t agree more. (Atwell, 2015, 101) Theme is one of the toughest lessons I have had to learn to teach in both reading and writing and by the time I did, I not only […]
