NOLA and Writing GNOWP, six word memoir, Writing 1:24 pm
So, in the Writing Project this summer, we worked on Six Word Memoirs. I’ve been playing with them the last few days and here are a couple that I came up with. Share some of yours if you’d like. It’s simple; six words ONLY to describe you!
Life in general and Louisiana and School and The Cats and Writing cats, GNOWP, Kids, summer, Writing 10:55 am
So, summer is off and running… I’m still working, sort of. I’m helping out with the Greater New Orleans Writing Project, voluntarily 😀 It ends on July 9th, then I’ll have two weeks off before the Advanced GNOWP Institue starts, which I’m taking as a student… Yay! That lasts two weeks, then school starts back for me on August 6th. So much for summer, huh?! I have had some fun though. Tuesday night I took my eldest daughter (going on 12 -going on 30-) to see Carrie Underwood. By some sheer luck I snagged floor seats right next to the ramp where she walks out on the day of the concert! Fantastic show! It was her last date of the tour. Then, last night hubby and I took the entire brood, plus our son’s best friend, to see the Ringling Bros. Circus. They had a blast (as did I!) We’re planning on taking them to the brand new Audubon Institute Insectarium that opened a few weeks ago. It’s in the U.S. Customs House, which was sitting empty on Canal Street. Since I last blogged we have also gained a new family member, a kitten we rescued from a lunatic teenager that was trying to drown him in a bucket of water. Hubby came to the rescue and Gus now rules the house, even though he weighs not 2 pounds soaking wet! Charlie has again taken on the “Baby Daddy” role. Such a great Dad!
I’ll check back in as my super summer progresses…
Gus-Gus
Carrie Underwood
Big Kitties at the Circus
NaBloPoMo and NOLA and The Books and Writing books, Dedra Johnson, NaBloPoMo, NOLA authors, Sandrine's Letters to Tomorrow 6:58 pm
My dear friend Dedra has published her first novel. She is being hailed as the Toni Morrison of our time. And to think, I sat next to her all summer!! Her book is now on sale at bookstores near you, check it out!
Here is the review from the Times-Picayune today: Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow.
Check it out on Amazon!
If you’re a NOLA reader, join us tomorrow for a reading with author Preston Allen.
Life in general and Places to Visit and School and Teaching and The Books and Travel and Writing GNOWP, National Writing Project, NCTE, teaching conferences 5:24 pm
I am so excited. I never travel… ever. The last real vacation I had was my honeymoon (and I’m about to celebrate my 13th anniversary!) and those Ivan and Katrina evacuations had hotel stays with pools… so I guess you can count those if you want. So, my only form of travel ever comes in the way of conferences. Now– most people would groan at the thought of going out of town for a conference and sitting in meetings all day. But, you’re looking at a bonafide geek here. C’mon, I have 117 graduate hours for what… it sure doesn’t increase my pay. So, I’m ecstatic that I got selected to represent the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the National Writing Project at the National Council of Teachers of English Conference in NYC. Woot!
Just a small list of the authors and presenters that I will get to hear…. Johnathon Kozol, Jerry Spinelli, Allen Say, Dave Barry, Lucy Calkins, and Ishmael Beah. Wow, I am such a lucky lady. It’s the Wednesday through Sunday before Thanksgiving, so as a bonus I get an extended holiday break! 🙂
Manic Monday and Writing 11:32 am
GRAPHIC
Hmmm… this is tough one. This week’s Manic Monday is in honor of Janna and her wonderful graphic talents. I’m not very graphically inclined, so I decided to go with the definition of written, inscribed, or drawn.
I am embarking on a great challenge this summer in being a part of the National Writing Project. It will take a lot of creativity on my part, and will hopefully make me a better teacher of writing and a better writer myself. The Greater New Orleans chapter takes only 20 teachers per summer institute. I have been lucky to be selected as one of those teachers. However, now I am completely petrified. I like to think that I am humorous, witty, and have a lot to say. But, when faced with the idea that when I show up at the door on June 4th I have to have a written piece to submit for critique by my other 19 colleagues…. I’m frozen. I don’t know what to write. I don’t know if I should write a serious piece, a funny piece, a poem…. I just don’t know. We also have to submit graphic representations of our literacy learning. What will I bring? I still have my own books from childhood that I voraciously read over and over. I have my copy of The Thorn Birds, which was the first “grown up” book that I read at nine. I have all of the favorite books that I love to teach to my students. But, do I just bring books as my graphic representation? I’m sure I’ll figure it all out by June 4th, but at the moment I have hit a graphic roadblock.
Visit Morgen for more Manic Monday with Mo Janna posts.
School and Teaching and Writing 10:17 pm
I am so excited! I found out today that I got accepted to the GNO Writing Project. This is such a big deal. It’s an invitation only project and only 20 people get accepted, and I’m ONE OF THEM!!!
It will be intense, it’s 5 weeks from 8-3 every day, but I am ready for it. Not only do I get to collaborate with 19 other teachers, but we are given time to work on our own writing and have our peers critique it. For about the last year I have been toying with the idea of writing a YA book. This could be my kick in the ass that I needed.
Now, if I could only get over this head cold and finish my final projects for my classes, I would feel a hundred times better.
My StumbleUpon Page
Kids, Cats, & Books- What Else Is There? 