Pen and Pages

 writing goal: Keep reader engaged through out i can see it all but no one knows me i can see it all but no one knows me i can see it all the smiling faces the tears the laughter the good times the hard times i watch the children grow and the teachers nurture i can see it all but no one knows me i can see it all the friendships the growth the struggles the learning the joy i can see it all but no one knows me my doors open to welcome and close to protect my roof keeps everyone dry and safe my walls hold work and master pieces my windows watch the seasons pass and the children play do you know me now...?

Writing goal: Use various sentence types (not sure if that applies to this type of writing) One of the books I enjoyed the most from this summer was Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann.  One of Candace Fleming goals in writing this book was to allow kids to gain empathy and turn that empathy into action. After reading this text it sparked my curiosity  as to how can we use informational text like Honeybee to build empathy within our students? How can we help our students see the perspective  of living things around them to help them understand their worth?  Informational texts are often used to teach about topics. Why can't we use them to help build empathy and understanding the value of the world around us? Something I notice recently with kids is how quickly they are to step on a bug to "get rid" of it without even thinking about what they just did. I have watched kids destroy plants on purpose or eve...

I sit and hold you and watch you sleep in my arms. Your little chest moving up and down and your tiny fingers clamped around my necklace. You are just three months old. I sit here and admire your sweet red hair and soft skin. Tears roll down my face knowing how short this time is since you are my third. I want to bottle you up and keep you this little forever, but I know what a gift it is to watch you grow into your own little self. I hear your brother and sister playing in the background and once again I am reminded how fast this precious time goes. I close my eyes and let time stand still for just a little bit and think how lucky I am to have had just one more baby. I soak it in and as your eyes open and you look up at me... I am reminded once again time does not stop and to enjoy each moment.