John Schu has a gift for story, and he wants to share it with EVERYONE he meets. Throughout the hour, John drew us in and told us his story through the books he’s read. His mission is to connect readers to stories that will affect and change their lives.
Category: mindfulness
Show Some Love
The 10th also stands as a reminder for me to pause, take a step back and undo some of the knot of work projects. The work is important, but if I don’t take time for myself and show myself some love, the work will ultimately suffer. Here are 14 ways I'm intentionally showing myself some love this February.
A More Beautiful Question Revisited
Almost a decade after reading  Warren Berger’s A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas, I decided to re-read it, since it is such a thought-provoking book. I’m reading it in little pieces now, savoring each idea!  One nugget I read this week was about the amount of questions children ask. … Continue reading A More Beautiful Question Revisited
2nd Grade Poets: Stirring the Senses
I have been introducing young children to poetry for many decades, so I jumped at the chance to teach again and this time try a new approach. I spent the weekend thinking about ways to introduce sensory poems, which would engage these small, curious minds. I
OLW: Purpose
When you do something with purpose, you have a goal and determination to reach it. If you live your life with purpose, you are thoughtful, you execute plans, you reflect on your options. I was fortunate to have a passion which connected directly to my career. I think I was born a teacher, and I was able to put my passion into action.
Christmas Zen: Shed Some Holiday Cheer
During the weeks before Christmas, I enjoyed frequenting local garden shops to take in the smell of pine and look at all the holiday decorations. This year, one neighborhood garden shop had several sheds set up covering their extensive grounds.
The Conversation Connection
I knew that the way my students felt about themselves greatly affected their ability to persevere and learn. These teacher-student conversations were so rewarding; they built self-awareness, agency, and community. Most of the academic content might not be remembered, but I knew the social connections would be. Student would remember that someone listened to them and valued their opinions.
Good Morning, Little Writers!: Conferring in 1st Grade
Every Tuesday morning, I start my day in writing workshop with 1st graders. This week, they have been composing narratives about fall. Almost everyone is on their final drafts. Almost everyone, but M., who hasn’t even yet begun. These are the kind of writers I have the privilege to support. I love this challenge. I love to figure what these small writers need and build a road map with them to set them off on their long writing journey.
Crafting Kindness
Children need a strong, clear foundation of kindness and consideration, so they can appreciate other points of view and become fully functional, productive citizens. Slowing down, listening to students’ needs and concerns, and building in time for communication can make classrooms a model for a civil society.
Forest Bathing: Autumn Plunge
I could not wait to get into the woods, to surround myself with color, with the natural signs of the changing seasons. As I walked, I took photos and wrote poetry in my head. This is what my Autumn plunge created.
