Today was the first day of our state writing test, or STAAR. We've spent nearly 8 months together -- reading, writing, thinking, questio...

Indecision. That's where I have been sitting for the last week month or so, trying to decide what I want to say in this first slice...

November is definitely my favorite month of the year. Why, you ask? Well... It begins one day after Halloween (candy and  costumes, guys -...

I've learned a lot in the past six weeks, but mostly, I've (re)learned this: I believe in a reader’s right to choose. ...

z ZIPLINE In 2005 I was fortunate enough to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica. We spent several days working with kids at a s...

It's April, and my students are elbow-deep in their #scriptfrenzy writing. When I announce it's time to work on our scripts, ...

This post started here , moved forward here , and has landed rather quietly on the doorstep of today's Slice of Life post. I hadn't ...

When the previews for Mirror Mirror  came out, I may have bounced and giggled more than most normal, sane adults. After all, I have a...

Today I heard the news for our district's new technology plan. Hold on to your hats, friends, because this one is hard to believe: ...

When I was little, mom sang me to sleep. I love my Kelly, oh this is true... I love my Kelly, oh yes I do... I was raised on a mix o...

I'm really digging these mini-writing updates. They help me be accountable and the feedback I'm getting makes me feel like maybe...

It's Monday, so I'm popping in on Teach Mentor Text's meme. Click the graphic above to join the fun! Last week I rea...

It took me exactly two days to move out after graduating from high school. I was 17 years old. There's a lot of backstory leading to...

Remember how I promised my kids I would actively seek out publication for some of my writing? (And then threw a big hissy fit, positive...

Possibility. That's my one little word for 2012. It's interesting to me how one word can wrap itself around you and take on...

Each year, same thing: a special meeting to train us to have the wherewithal to undergo the precise measures that must be taken on this v...

After reading Laura's post over at Camp Read-a-Lot, I decided to postpone my planned post on possibility (whew, say THAT 3 time...

It's 11pm, but I'm hurriedly doing a once-over on the house because we have friends coming over first thing in the morning. My h...

I grew up with Molly McGuire singing Wild Rover  as a backdrop to many a family dinner. I can still smell the sweet scent of Dad's ...

I'd been to this service center many times before. Inspections. Oil changes. Air filters. You know the drill. Every time I go, ...