Monthly Archives: January 2016

Anger 28 January 2016

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Sally Gerard

What happens when you are so angry about things that have happened in your life that you can’t see your way clear to anything. And when you feel that way and you’re only fifteen, wow, is there any hope? Of … Continue reading →

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Inner Writing Life 27 January 2016

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Sally Gerard

I had a little CTJ meeting with one of my classes after my whole contemplation of respect. I’d written that day, during writing time, about respect and how when there isn’t respect, it diminishes the writing community we’ve established in … Continue reading →

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Respect 26 January 2016

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Sally Gerard

I think a lot about the word respect, what it means and what it looks like. The definition reads: “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.” Some of the synonyms are: … Continue reading →

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Tribulation and hope 25 January 2016

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Sally Gerard

It is said that tribulation produces perseverance and that builds character. And if you have built character then you’ll have hope. I’m not sure how that all works to bring hope though. I get that trouble in life, at least … Continue reading →

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Tiger 21 January 2016

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Sally Gerard

We wrote poetry yesterday using Blake and others as models. During the course of class, we enjoyed another teacher’s recitation of If by Rudyard Kipling. This poem was published in 1895 and the message still holds true today. It is … Continue reading →

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Recitation 20 January 2016

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Sally Gerard

There is something to be said for memorizing beauty, whether it is in words or mind pictures. We’ve been practicing reading our poetry out loud for a couple of weeks. Students each chose two poems to memorize and recite for … Continue reading →

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Alive and Well 19 January 2016

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Sally Gerard

Poetry is alive and well, no matter how much my students groan. They write the most amazing lines about football, basketball, wrestling, tractors, farming, cheerleading, video gaming, friends, family and even dinner. Poetry should be a short lyrical response to … Continue reading →

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A Burning Star 18 January 2016

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Sally Gerard

Do you live your life like a burning star? The stars don’t care who is watching or what their opinion is, they simple burn with a shining kind of grace, beautiful to see. Our lives maybe aren’t as long as … Continue reading →

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Farm Tales 14 January 2016

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Sally Gerard

Sometimes my life brings me sweet surprises and this morning’s adventure still has me laughing. Of course, it could have been a completely different outcome, including chasing, colorful language, and eventual capture. I like to run in the very early … Continue reading →

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Teaching 13 January 2016

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Sally Gerard

My students teach me lessons on a daily basis. They are not always lessons I enjoy learning. What is it that builds a kid into belligerence and the constant put down of others? It is one of the most difficult … Continue reading →

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