In the new year, I’ve returned to a daily notebook practice with my students. Little did I know the Stafford Challenge would appear and reaffirm my commitment. I adopted this practice years ago after an NCTE panel I coordinated which included Naomi Shihab Nye. We talked about William Stafford’s daily writing, and I adapted the steps to fit with my young students. For whatever reason (maybe Covid) I haven’t been leading my students to write daily in their notebooks. Now I’m reminded of the importance of a daily writing practice. These first few days of the Stafford Challenge, I have opened up more and more on the blank page and worried less about perfection.
Our notebook steps:
- Date
- Quote
- What’s Up
- Poem-ish
Pretend Play Elfchen
Pretend
Margaret Simon, draft
no script
Play echoes life.
Their light, my delight
–Shine!
What a sweet pic of your grandchildren. And, what special time at your house. They will remember this forever. I really like your steps! They are easy for me to adapt to my notebook too! I have a handmade notebook for my 2024 word that I love. I’ll give your steps a try.
And, that last word in your elfchen is perfect! It pulls the quote, the photo and your poem together perfectly. I’m inspired. Thank you!
Margaret, shine indeed. These are precious moments! I am loving all of the elfchen poems you are writing. I find those short forms extra powerful and touching!
Margaret, “Play echoes life.” – love it and so true! I am mesmerized by the play factor that allows my grandgirls to reverse their roles from child to mommy and back. May your little ones continue to shine.
“Play echoes life”…yes, and “light” is the perfect word to describe the discovery, experimentation, and mastery of little ones’ play—and what I see in my granddaughter’s eyes on every visit and in every photo.
Your Elfchen is such a happy one.
The line “play echoes life” says so much. Free play brings light and delight, as your poem says. Play lights the way to learning, problem solving, and creativity (life!)…but its value has been forgotten (or largely ignored) in some schools. I saw this happening in my school in the last few years before I retired with more and more emphasis on testing and raising scores.
What a sweet photo and Elfchen, Margaret. Thanks for sharing.
Margaret, I’m so glad yours and your students’ daily notebooking world collided with The Stafford Challenge. Fun! I was really inspired by Kim Stafford, and so far I have kept up–three days! I’m looking forward to participating in the “genius” process. Your elfchen is just precious. I love the word choice, especially in that fourth line.
Leave it to toddlers to remind us the power of “no script.” They are the masters of improvisation. So much to teach us and so much delight for us!
I tried to video but when I did they just started giggling.
I do love how you take us into the classroom and the elfchen is perfect. I also really loved the Steinbeck quote. Thanks, Margaret!
Margaret, what wonderful guidance: date, quote, what’s up, poem-ish! I try to jot something down daily, but rarely get past date and what’s up! : ) I am going to try to add quote and poem-ish! Thank you!
I find quotes all the time and I think writing it down often inspires my own creativity. Like a magic formula.
Really, really love a daily poem practice. I do this with my photo/haiku each day. I really like the steps for your notebooks!
It never, never gets old to watch that ‘shine’, Margaret. Love this post & poem!
What a gift you are giving your students! I love how you set up your notebook. On New Year’s Day, I started writing a daily poem. I wish I’d known about the Stafford Challenge. I’ll keep it in mind for next year. Your grandchildren are adorable!
Play echoes life! This is the gift of the daily write. You’ve inspired me – again, Linda. TY!
LOL – I mean, Margaret!
It must be a great inspiration to your students to see you writing daily–and a gift to yourself. And “play echoes life” is a perfect mantra for kiddos!
Hmmm, my comment isn’t showing up. I love this post, Margaret, and I’m glad you’re back to your daily practice.
Little ones are megawatt ‘delights’, Margaret. And your elfchens keep getting shinier – keep up the inspiration. 🙂
Margaret, I can just see y’all in the classroom writing. I would have loved that as a kid. Thank you for sharing your poems and the notebook steps with us.
Precious PJ pictures! :0) Hats off to you for committing to a daily writing practice. Thank you for sharing some of its benefits with us through your own journal! Hope you stay warm (and as dry as you can) this week.