Skip to content

Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education

Exploring Curiosity, Imagination, and Wonder

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • MARCH SOL – 2025 – Poems about Nourishment

Category: teaching

Kitchen Literacy: Luck of the Irish

March 17, 2022March 17, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 11 Comments

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!  For years, I would bake Irish soda bread and read leprechaun stories with my young students.  There is nothing like the smell of fresh-baked bread while listening to fanciful tales. 

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

Consider the Pomegranate

March 16, 2022March 16, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 4 Comments

Then my mom introduced me to the pomegranate, which we called a Chinese apple back then.  Pomegranates were actually native to Iran and Northern India.  They were so exotic to me. 

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

March Snow

March 13, 2022March 13, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 6 Comments

I was hoping to escape spring snow this year. This year, I desperately need spring to come early.  I am through with gray, cold, and drudge. 

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

What Girls are Made of – Part 2

March 12, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 1 Comment

In each poem, I want to create a snapshot of childhood and how girls navigate in the world. I’m going to take time to think back on what was important to me back then.

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

What Little Girls are Made of

March 11, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 7 Comments

When I walk down the corridors, I am greeted by a variety of girls, ages three to eleven. They wear colorful leggings, light-up sneakers, unicorn headbands, wild curls and long twisted braids. They come in all shapes, shades, and sizes. And they are the hope we need in this world, especially right now.

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

Writing to Entertain

March 10, 2022March 10, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 3 Comments

It's Wednesday, time for Kindergarten writing workshop. I have a hop in my step as I walk down the hall towards the Kindergarten classroom. I open the door, and the teacher rushes over to tell me that she desperately needs my help.

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

Problem Solver

March 9, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 2 Comments

Problem solver. That is who I am.  That is who I am at the core of my being, of my soul.  I’m not sure if that’s because I faced daunting problems in my childhood that I felt compelled to fix. 

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

Fly Like a Bird

March 8, 2022March 7, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 2 Comments

March is on the verge of bestowing full green upon the world.  I can hear it in the birds that perch above my feeder, bright flashes of blue and red, wonderful displays of white-tipped browns and grays. 

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

Sacred Trees

March 7, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 1 Comment

In my search of rest, I often find solace in trees.  I find comfort in their sturdy trunks and the variations of their bark – molted gray-green, bumpy brown, spectacular white.  Their branches reach high to the heaven and bend with the wind. 

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

The Most Beautiful Thing

March 5, 2022March 5, 2022 ~ wordancerblog ~ 4 Comments

I know that when Deborah tells me that I will love a book, I need to take her seriously.  In the nineteen years I’ve known her, she has never steered me wrong.  She has a unique gift for being able to match books to readers. 

Share this:

  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
Like Loading...

Posts navigation

Older posts
Newer posts
  • Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th Grader
  • Safe, Seen, and Heard: Why I Teach for the Stories
  • September Nourishment
  • Strengthening School Community
  • Connection: Only One You!
October 2026
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  
« Sep    
  • October 2026
  • September 2026
  • August 2026
  • July 2026
  • June 2026
  • May 2026
  • April 2026
  • March 2026
  • February 2026
  • January 2026
  • December 2025
  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2016
  1. Awakening Wonders's avatar
    Awakening Wonders on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 17, 2026

    Yes, yes, yes to "polka-dots of joy!

  2. sallydonnelly11's avatar
    sallydonnelly11 on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 16, 2026

    I am so glad I took time to return to Tuesday's postings as I didn't have lots of time on…

  3. Fran McCrackin's avatar
    Fran McCrackin on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 14, 2026

    Connection is joyful, right?! I will remember your and Ellie’s gray sky with glowing-circled, colored polka dots :)

  4. Debbie Lynn's avatar
    Debbie Lynn on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 14, 2026

    Your story is filled with pure joy, and I am definitely going to remember Ellie's polka dots. :)

  5. arjeha's avatar
    arjeha on Polka-dots of Joy: Mindfulness & Resilience of a 5th GraderOctober 14, 2026

    I love this. We all need to look for those polka dots.

Follow Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education on WordPress.com

4 responses to “The Most Beautiful Thing”

  1. Karen Avatar
    Karen
    March 5, 2022

    What a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing it. I am going to look for this book. It sounds very special!

    LikeLike

    Reply
  2. Ramona Avatar
    Ramona
    March 6, 2022

    Requesting the book to share with the grands! Love your poem that honors your grandfather. Maybe I’ll use some poetry in my memory posts this year.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  3. sallydonnelly11 Avatar
    sallydonnelly11
    March 6, 2022

    I’m so glad you commented on my slice so I’d click your name and read this slice of yours. You are a master at book talking a book. Giving just enough to make me want to read it. But then you allowed me to meet your grandfather. I love how you describe him by sharing all that his hands did. I’ve gathered photos of my daughter’s grandparents and great-grandparents to place in am album for them to remember. You’re inspiring me to add a poem to help the photos come alive. Thank you. I think I may use this book and your poem as a mentor text.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  4. majfoil Avatar
    majfoil
    March 6, 2022

    Thanks for sharing the beauty of a life lived well … bringing life to others.

    LikeLike

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Dribbble
Blog at WordPress.com.
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education
    Join 247 other subscribers

    Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.

  • Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education
    View site in Reader
    Manage subscriptionsSign upLog in
    Report this content
    Collapse this bar
Loading Comments...
%d