Writing Done Right

I'm excited to announce my writing curriculum is now on Amazon.  The book is available in paperback or on Kindle.

Writing Done Right is suited for teachers, parents, homeschoolers, or anybody that would like a comprehensive writing curriculum that teaches students to meet the rigor of current writing standards with flair and style.

Successful Summer Writing Camp

I'd like to thank the amazing parents and students for a successful Killeen Up Your Writing Summer Camp!

We covered opinion, informational, and narrative text types.  In addition, the students learned about author's craft, descriptive writing, and so much more.

The informational piece on "Pokemon Go" was a huge hit!

I am proud of what they accomplished.  They rocked!

I look forward to more sessions next summer!

The First Draft is From the Heart

I was flipping through the channels a few weeks back and noticed we had free HBO. You heard me! I'm sure I'm paying for it in one way, shape, or form, but I figured I'd scroll through to see what was on. I stumbled upon Finding Forrester with Sean Connery.  I'm no movie buff, but I watched this years ago and found myself glued again for some reason. There were a few spoken lines that resonated with me. In fact, I ran over to my post-its and wrote them down.  

"The first draft is written from the heart and the second draft is written from the head!" These words sent goose bumps down my arms.  I missed this the first time through, but this makes total sense.  

How often do we just write about what we are feeling on a particular day? Sometimes my pen seems to do the thinking while my head plays catch up.  Has this happened to you?  

I have a quick challenge. Write what comes to mind for five minutes and see where it leads.  I bet you'll tap into something you never imagined.  You can do this as a parent, teacher, individually, or with your class.

Coming Soon...

Coming soon...Writing Done Right!  I’m happy to announce my writing curriculum is finished…at least on my end! I hit some bumps in the road, but that is typical for writing a book. The book should be on Amazon in about a month. Many of you have been quite supportive along this journey and I can’t thank you enough. 
Details to follow...

Memorial Day

The aroma from charcoal briquettes, lighter fluid, hamburgers, and sausages, wafting across countless backyard grills this weekend, coupled with laughter, and reunions, sets the tone for a fun-filled Memorial Day.  Simultaneously, whispering winds silently push across this vast nation we call home, as “Old Glory” adorns museums, fields, schools, buildings, and homes. 

As we celebrate this Memorial Day weekend, let’s think of those who have lost their voice, as they rest peacefully, in marked and unmarked monuments throughout this nation, as well as overseas. The fallen… names obscure, subtlety scrolls across our screens each night, or on local news channels, but trust me… entire communities and families know the sacrifice and their names. Tears cling to swollen cheeks, hugs last a little longer, memories fade, years roll along, and memorials are erected, but we wouldn’t sleep peacefully in our warm, secure beds without these heroes. 

Thank you to all the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make our country what it is today!

God Bless America!

Summer Writing Academy

Hello,

The flyer, and registration/questionnaire form are now available for my Summer Writing Academy in Hermosa Beach. Please follow the link below to register.

Summer Writing Academy Registration and Parent Questionnaire

Students Want You to Read What they Write

Why do we write?  If you reflect for a moment, what are some reasons you write?  What form does your writing come in?  Do you write letters, emails, notes, texts, poetry, short stories, novels, or IOU's? If you answered yes to all the above, then you must be really busy. But, I do tip my hat to you.

More often than not, we write for the following reasons: to inform, to entertain, persuade, and to heal. Most of our writing fits into one of these categories.  If your students are writing each, and every single day, then they will more than likely touch on all of these reasons.

Students want you to read what they write.  There is never a day when a student doesn’t ask me to read something he/she wrote.  They want to see your reaction.  They will get excited!  Yes, they will be open to feedback because we have created that safe environment to share, therefore; students are more open to reading a piece, or a portion of their piece, with the class.

Have you experienced this?   I am guessing you have.  I know there aren't enough minutes in a school day to read every single thing students write.  Try to skim just one piece of writing.  If you can't offer feedback on each and every piece, then a smile, or nod, will do wonders.  

If you show excitement in what they write, then they will likely continue to share!