It’s Picture Prompt Monday.
This prompt may be used as a writing warm up or as a writing prompt for a classroom assignment.
Photo/Suzanne Pitner
What’s the best story you can write about this picture?
If you’d like to share, you may post the link to your story in a comment to this post or on Twitter using the #teacherwriter hashtag.
If it’s Flash Fiction, less than 750 words, and rated PG-13 or below, it’s fine to post the entire story in a comment.
I just learned about One Forty Fiction this week on Twitter. They accept well written stories in 140 characters or less.
The theme right now is Back to School. They have an upcoming Autumnal Equinox theme and a Halloween theme. Surprisingly, in 140 characters, it’s possible to evoke strong imagery and emotion. It’s a great way to practice clarity in writing; obviously, you cannot waste words here.
Need a boost? Try using one of the pictures from Picture Prompt Monday to get you started.
Happy writing!
Photo/Fadil Basymeleh on Flickr
It’s Picture Prompt Monday.
This prompt may be used as a writing warm up or as a writing prompt for a classroom assignment.
What’s the best story you can write about this picture?
If you’d like to share, you may post the link to your story in a comment to this post or on Twitter using the #teacherwriter hashtag.
If it’s Flash Fiction, less than 750 words, and rated PG-13 or below, it’s fine to post the entire story in a comment.
It will be interesting to see what we create.
How do you back up your teaching and writing files? See if one of these describes you.
I did all of those except for #3. (Notice the use of past tense.) I use three different computers, my laptop, a desktop, and my work computer at school. I hate it when I’m at school, but the file I need is on a thumb drive at home. Last year, I washed and dried my thumb drive in the pocket of my pants. Gradebook, letters, lesson plans, everything for school was gone in the time it took to wash and dry. A friend of mine lost her thumb drive. It was like losing a diamond engagement ring. All the teachers at our school were hunting for it. It was never found.
Then I’ve had nightmares that I forget to take the thumb drive out of my computer and my house burns down, taking the novels I’ve worked so hard o into the ashes. Yep, that’s a nightmare.
That’s why, when I found out about Dropbox, it was as if the heavens opened up and the sun shone down. I actually heard the Hallelujah chorus. Well, maybe just in my head.
Dropbox is simple to use and takes about 1 minute to set up. You download the app from Dropbox, then move the files you want to save into a Dropbox on your computer. Then you download the app to all the computers you use. Now, whenever you use any of those computers, all of those files will be available to you. No more worries about thumb drives. No more worries about the house burning down and taking my computers with it, because you can also access your Dropbox online.
This has to be the best app for organizing a teacherwriter’s files since the thumb drive came along. Check it out. I think you’ll like it. Dropbox.
Yes, you read that title correctly.
From the horse’s mouth:
“However, for a limited three-month period from the beginning of August until the end of October 2010, we will be inviting submissions to be sent in electronically to the following address: submissions@uk.penguingroup.com.”
Of course, you’ll want to read the full instructions about submitting at the Penguin Books website.
If you have a completed manuscript, publisher ready, you’ve polished, you’ve perfected, you’ve pimped your novel, then why not give it a go? Good luck submitting, everyone.
Thanks to @JohnBetcher for supplying this tidbit of information.
It’s Picture Prompt Monday.
Use this picture as a writing warm-up for yourself, or as a classroom prompt.
Photo/Ana C. Golpe on Morguefile
What’s the best story you can write about this picture?
If you’d like to share, you may post the link to your story in a comment to this post or on Twitter using the #teacherwriter hashtag.
If it’s Flash Fiction, less than 750 words, and rated PG-13 or below, it’s fine to post the entire story in a comment.
It will be interesting to see what we create.
So just what do teachers do to get ready for school? This video may enlighten you.
#TeacherWriter Photo/Clevercupcakes on Flickr
WriteonCon, the amazing online conference for PB, MG, and YA authors, agents, and editors is ending in about two hours. These past three days have been a whirlwind of the glued-to-my-computer type of activities.
I even forgot to eat a couple of times. I completely forgot about school.
My family just giggles when I say, “I can’t talk now, I’ve got an online conference going on!”
I’ve met so many wonderful writers, so many of them teachers. It seems a shame to lose that camaraderie after the conference. Once we all head back to the classrooms, we’ll get so busy that writing might get moved to the back burner.
So, to encourage teachers who write to keep in touch, keep us accountable, and keep supporting one another, I’m starting a #teacherwriter hashtag on Twitter. If you write and teach, or if you love someone who does, or if you’re just curious and want to lurk, please join.
I’m on Twitter most school day mornings as @suzannelilly between 4 & 6 am PST. I’ll check in to see if anyone from the #teacherwriter group is on and chat. Of course, anyone can use the hashtag anytime. That’s just my schedule.
Okay?
#teacherwriter
I’ll be keeping an eye out for you!
Red Light, Green Light. It's more than just a game. It's a teaching strategy.
As the school year begins again, it’s time to review classroom management strategies and rev up for the incoming classes. To help you with that, I’m posting links to my most popular classroom management articles. If you’re a new teacher, they’re packed with ideas that really work. If you’ve been in the trenches for a few years or more, it’s good to see what other teachers are doing.
What’s the worst discipline problem you ever had and how did you solve it? I could tell you nightmares from my first year teaching. I wasn’t prepared for the vast and imaginative ways kids can disrupt a classroom. My second year, I was prepared with a plan, procedures, and routines in place. Since then, management has been a breeze.
This article gives a plan of attack for getting the classroom ready for school in the least amount of time. Because who wants to spend two weeks setting up? You can do it in three days or less. Follow up with Three Things to Do to Set up a Classroom and How to Plan a Classroom Seating Arrangement.
Where to Get Cheap Student Whiteboards
Don’t buy whiteboards from a school supply that costs well over $100. You can get them at the hardware store for around $15 if you know what to do.
Classroom Ideas for Quiet Signs that Work
The name says it all. None of them involve shouting, thank goodness.
Five Strategies for Effective Classroom Management
Follow these five strategies and you’ll never have to worry about an out-of-control classroom.
This goes along with the previous article.
Curriculum Planning with Backward Design
When your building your curriculum map and lesson plans, think backward to see the greatest results.
First Day of School Icebreaker Activities
Have fun getting to know your students.
Me bags are one of my favorite ways of finding out about my students.
There you have it. The ten most read articles about getting ready for the new school year. Have a great time getting ready for the new school year!
