Ruth Ayres hosts the weekly Saturday Celebration blog round-up. She is also the co-author of Celebrating Writers. I received my copy this week. I have been using the writing workshop model for almost 20 years, so I wasn’t sure I would get more information from another book on writing. Of course, I was wrong. We are always growing and learning. Ruth has put into words so much of my own thinking I feel like we must be friends. Her writing style is like that, friendly, clear, and unpretentious.
Order Celebrating Writers
I am happy to report that without really knowing it, I celebrate writers daily. She writes about the importance of response in celebrating writing. Like Ruth, I love blog comments (hint, hint), but I didn’t realize that I need them, too. Comments nudge me and strengthen my writing. Response does this for my students, too. Comments are a necessary part of the writing process.
My students use kidblog. The last few weeks they have been working on writing a fiction story with nonfiction elements. They are posting chapters on the kidblog site. I encourage each student to comment to two students each week. Celebrating Writers helped me nudge them into more meaningful comments.
I talked to Matthew about the meaning of comments to his own writing. He said, “You are a great writer when a reader sees a mistake. It means they are really reading your story.”
Today, I want to celebrate writing. With two free days this week and the nudge of nerdlution, I wrote every day. I love to write poetry, but coming up with an idea can be difficult. I am celebrating all the prompts I got this week from these sites:
Clare Martin at Orphans of Rain and Dark posted this prompt just for me because I had to miss Acadiana Wordlab last weekend.
On Thursdays, Laura Purdie Salas posts 15 Words or Less writing prompt. She posts an image and her own response and calls for others to contribute. This stretches my writing muscles and connects me with other writers.
Poetry Friday is always a rich round-up of poetry to read and prompts to try. This week Amy Ludwig Vanderwater posted on Poem Farm an original poem and a prompt to begin with a line, “Once somebody asked me.” Then as I read further down, I discovered I won a book giveaway. (Do a happy dance!) Thanks to Amy and Jeannine Atkins for View from a Window Seat: Thoughts on the Writing Life. Can’t wait to get this wonderful surprise gift.
And last, but not least, my students are reading, reading, reading! Here’s a group of them, lined up side by side reading on Friday morning. What a wonderful site! And the room was so quiet!
Sounds like a lovely week, Margaret. I like hearing about all your celebrations. Seems like a long time ago that you had two days off, doesn’t it? I like seeing the pics of those reading kids-wonderful! Have a good weekend!
You are right! Things are picking up and getting busy again very quickly.
I, too, blog with my students and just yesterday we talked about comments and who likes comments…etc. I, too, love comments on my blog. It reminds me that I’m writing to a real audience. If your students blogs are open…we could have our students comment on each others blogs. Let me know if you’re interested. Our blogs are here: mshaseltine.edublogs.org Either way, I’m always so happy to read your posts. Thanks!
My class blog is private, but we go public for the March Slice of Life Challenge. We should definitely connect our classes.
Your celebratory spirit shines through, and the way you find inspiration in so many places. Wonderful. I also like that picture. Not just because I like the taste for bright sneakers in those two, which I also admire in my college students. Up here in snowy Mass. bright colors are most welcome. I hope you find some inspiration in my book — so kind of dear Amy to hold a contest!
Thanks for stopping by, Jeannine. I am excited to be the receiver of your gift.
You are so right about comments and Ruth’s Celebrate book. Both are instructive and supportive. I really like your student’s thought about comments. He has a point. If readers are reading closely they will notice those things. Your post got me thinking about my students and their relationship to blogging. I have one new student who is afraid to share. I’m hoping positive comments will lead him to venture into the world of blogging.
When students are fearful of sharing, a safe environment is also very important. This can take a while to build depending on the group you are working with.
I loved Celebrating Writers. So many small things to glean from the book that make such a huge difference. We started blogging this year too and my kids love it. Good luck with your writing nerdlution!
I have found that blogging has changed the way my students write, for the better. Their audience is larger than just me.
Sounds like a good week in your world. I loved the celebration concept in Ruth’s book too. You have much to celebrate!
And I’m learning the importance of doing so. Thanks.
Your week sounds so wonderful and I love the picture of your students. It always makes me so happy to see my students huddled together in little nooks and crannies with books in their hands. 🙂 I also agree wholeheartedly that those blog comments mean a lot (to the kids and us). I was thrilled when some of my students posted blogs on the snow days. One more thing to celebrate. I hope you have a wonderful week!