Summer is equated with a freedom of schedule. There just seems to be more time during summer break.
For years, I have written goals for myself and this summer is no different. To be an effective teacher of writing I have to navigate through my own process. This includes self-imposed goals and schedules to use as models for my students as well as personal gain.
This summer I have a three-pronged goal:
- Work through Natalie Goldberg’s memoir book Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir
- Set aside daily time to write - or a writing-related activity including Moving Writer’s 100 Days of Summer Writing slides for inspiration!
- Work on sketchnotes for professional resources including 180 Days by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle to use in the fall with teachers.
Writing and reading are always my learning focus! I have a mix of personal writing and professional goals as you can see from the above list.
Summer break is the time to replenish my creative well which is also a portion of the writing-related activities. Running, sleeping, reading, playing outside, swimming and podcasts are all parts of this process.
Intentional writing practice has to be lived to later translate to students. I am grateful for the time in between professional development sessions this summer to write and play!
Happy Writing!
Tammy L. Breitweiser is a curriculum coach in Northwest Indiana where she is currently dedicated to impacting student achievement in grades 7 and 8. With more than 22 years of experience, she is a reading advocate who believes in the reading and writing connection. She is working a collection of short stories and poems and a book about teaching writing. You can connect with Tammy on Twitter (@tlbreit) or through her blog Tammy’s Reading/Writing Life: https://tammysreadinglife.wordpress.com/
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The more you write, the happier I am!:)
ReplyDelete"...replenish my creative well" is such a wonderful metaphor. There are many times when I think my well has run dry...like for the last two months! Summer is certainly a time to do that. Intentional writing practice is so important for teachers, as that is what we need to take back to our classrooms! Thank you for writing with us this month!
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