As Good as Gold

What's good as gold for me is my family.
They are what keeps me going. I'm sure
every newlywed can relate to walking into
a new home for the first time and thinking
"what did I get myself into?!" The first year my husband and I were our own little family.

My new life away from my mom didn't hit me that hard until I held my firstborn child 22 years ago. When I held that helpless little baby who was cooing ever so softly and had her eyes on me, I melted. To think that God had entrusted this little person into my care was such an awesome feeling. I wasn't sure I could do it. But 2 children later and 23 years of
marriage, I believe I did something right.

It has been hard, but worth it. They are as good (better) than gold for me.

Farewell, My Friend

R- diary
A- writer
F- e-mail
T - friendship
I really hate good-byes, so in honor
of one of my favorite past-times...

From: Diary
To: Teresa

You may not remember me, but I surely remember you.
There you were, your first day at summer camp when
you were nine, remember? There was no one to talk
to so you took me out of your little pink psychedelic
suitcase and poured your little heart out.

I was sure we had formed a bond that no one could
break. I was there when Rosemary (who called you
her best friend) slapped you, remember? You were
eleven years old. I still have the words that crossed
your mind, but couldn't come to say, locked away.
I would never, ever tell. I thought I was your best friend.

That was also the year that your parents divorced. Even
though it was a tough time for you. It was the best for
me. You let me know all your feelings daily. You hardly
put me down. That's what I was there for. I couldn't wait!
It lasted a couple of years. Then you became a teenager.
I waited patiently until you went through a tough time.
I knew you'd come back to me.

Then, you grew up, got married, and became a mother.
You took me out once a month. I was still waiting, patiently.
It wasn't until you got involved with someone else that you
totally disappointed me. You know who I'm talking about:
Mr. E-Mail. How could you?

He wasn't there when your then boyfriend proposed.
He doesn't even know how you felt when you held your
first child in your arms. I was there. How could you have
forgotten? Well, I'll be waiting. I'm still at the bottom drawer
of your mom's china cabinet, waiting.

Love Always,
Your Diary

Writing Process (EDRG 3344 T/R)

What makes a great writer? Author James Michener said, "I'm not a very good writer, but an excellent rewriter." Michener found his niche in rewriting, but have we found ours? As future teachers it is essential that we know the five steps in the writing process to help our future students develop their writing voice:

1. Stage 1- Prewriting- This step, which is overlooked many times, is when brainstorming takes place. A topic may be chosen and maps may be used.
2. Stage 2- Drafting- Here a student may put down ideas and make a rough draft or an outline.
3. Stage 3- Revising- In this stage, the writer may add/delete, share, and reread the rough draft.
4. Stage 4- Editing - This stage is mainly used to check for errors in mechanics such as misspellings, punctuation, etc. and correcting those errors.
   
5. Stage 5- Publishing - At the end of the writing process, the writer makes final copies of the writing and may make a book or share it with an audience.
   
   By making these five stages a part of our regular writing routine, writing will not be a chore for our students but another way to make their voices heard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christmas 1975
After giving the hoola hoop a twirl and failing miserably, I knew something

unexpected was about to happen. I was five years old and loved playing outside,
but I knew something was going on. My dad came home from work whistling,
"Jingle Bells." That's it! I followed him inside and started getting anxious when
he went to the attic and pulled out our silver-foiled aluminum tree and all the
red glass balls. Christmas, oh yeah, my favorite time of year. I was got so
excited. My sister heard me run down the hall shouting, "Christmas is coming!"
She ran out of her room and asked me, "What do you want for Christmas?" That
ended it. What do I want for Christmas? I thought in my mind, what, what, what, do I want?
The next few days I was filled with worry. Sure a five year old kid's dream
day next to their birthday is Christmas. But I could not figure out what I wanted.
I loved going to the candy store and buying all the candy I could get for five cents:
bubble gum, sour balls, red licorice. I couldn't make up my mind. Heading to kinder-
garten I thought my life would get easier. The teacher announced we would be
exchanging gifts and all I thought was, "I don't want to pick a boy." Sure enough,
I drew James' name and that was rotten! Good thing my dad bought him a red
fire truck because I didn't want to even touch anything that a boy touched ( I
might have gotten the cooties really bad and probably missed Christmas).
During Christmas break I figured I had to write down what I wanted for
Christmas, but forget it, I couldn't write yet. Well, I just drew a skinny doll and
hoped that my dad knew I wanted a Barbie. Things got worse for me when my
sister broke my record player. We only had one 45 and it was the Jackson Five's
"ABC, 123" song. How I loved jumping and singing to that song! My sister ruined my
Christmas.
When Christmas morning came and I smelled the orange spice that my
mom had put on the stove I felt a little bit better. When we ran to the Christmas tree
in our flannel pajamas and fluffy socks, the world was well. Under that beautiful,
enormous tree was a long skinny wrapped box with my name on it. It was a Barbie!
A shiny bigger box without a name was waiting to be opened and when my mom
said, "That's for you and your sister," I squealed with excitment! It was a brand new
white, record player! Yep, my world was a whole lot better.

What are Some Examples of Pre/Dur/Post Strategies? EDRG 3344 T/R

This week's language arts topic was about emergent literacy. As a teacher, there are many strategies that can be used not only to help children enter into the literary world but to get them enthusiastic about the words on a page. Books that are circle stories are very beneficial in helping children emerge into literacy.
Pre-before the teacher begins reading the actual pages, showing the front of the book and asking the students to predict what the story is about is a great activity. With the help of a large, poster-sized replica of the book it will be easier to capture the students' attention.
During-shared reading can be done while reading the book. Students can repeat the words after the teacher reads or they can join in when they can.
After- Children can create their own circle story or give their own account of what happened.
By observing and participating in the classroom where reading and writing is used, students learn how literacy works. Reading and writing abilities are developed at the same time that they experience literature. These strategies build the students' understanding of reading and writing by getting them actively involved with the literacy materials. If students are successful at the onset, their enthusiasm with literacy may last a lifetime.