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!
Reflections on the Teche 