Posts Tagged ‘advice’
Friday, February 28th, 2014
Head & Heart to Hand & Page:
Inspiring Kids to Write
By W.O.R.D. Ink Founder & Executive Director, Vanessa Ziff Lasdon
There’s a writer in all of us because there’s language in each of us.
Have we not all shared the same spark of joy in first learning to write our very own name?
Writing is self-discovery and self-expression.
We begin with a spark.
To inspire a child to write we must reignite that very first wonder and delight, and we must hold the spark steadfast with the intention of kindling a long lasting love of language within the child.
Tags: advice, course catalog, inspiration, motivation, parents, practice, self-expression, technique, workshops
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
Guest post co-written by W.O.R.D. Ink team members, Jaya Mukherjee & Vanessa Ziff Lasdon
I love the revision process because in writing and life, to revise our process can signify more about us than the art we create. The challenge we must pose to ourselves is to revisit something familiar with completely new eyes. Whether it’s an essay, a facet of our own identity, or our perspective on the world, if we approach revision with an open mind, the process can be an opportunity of discovery and exploration. I find this notion of revision to be particularly pertinent during the holiday season.
(more…)
Tags: advice, advocacy, celebrate, challenges, DISCOVER, holiday, inspiration, life, literature, motivation, parents, practice, process, purpose, responsibility, REVISE, self-expression, storytelling, strategy, students
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Sunday, November 10th, 2013
Guest post written by W.O.R.D. Ink team member, Gannon Daniels
My brief introduction of the first installment back in September considers how students don’t always know how to approach analysis of literature and often are not as familiar with the terms used by instructors when asked to write an essay about literature. The lesson I propose minimizes terms, empowers students, and creates a clear path to student-based discovery and learning.
(more…)
Tags: advice, educators, essays, literature, parents, reading, storytelling, students, teachers, technique, WRITE, writer’s toolbox, writing process
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Friday, September 27th, 2013
Guest post written by W.O.R.D. Ink team member, Dr. Susan Kawell
“Let’s start with my newest story,” suggests Tasha. “The second one I wrote.”
So I begin to read her story –-
“No, no, I’ll read it.” And she does – perfectly. Why?
Because it is her story, and Tasha is becoming a better reader by learning to read her own words. That’s what LEA does – LEA, Language Experience Approach, teaches young children or reluctant readers, whatever their age, to read.
(more…)
Tags: activities, advice, language, learning styles, motivation, OBSERVE, parents, process, reading, self-expression, storytelling, students, success, teachers, technique
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 11th, 2013
Guest post written by W.O.R.D. Ink team member, Gannon Daniels
Writing about literature can be daunting, no matter what grade or skill level. Before writing begins, students need to have a general understanding of literary elements in order to feel confident when they encounter the language of fiction often found in literature essay prompts. Early in my teaching career, I shared a lengthy literary devices handout with my students. It covers everything from alliteration to leitmotif, and the author kindly uses color-coding to clarify which terms are “elements” of fiction and which are authorial “techniques.” I thought at the time I was doing my students a great favor by providing this comprehensive resource, but I was only causing more confusion. A case of “more is too much.”
(more…)
Tags: advice, essays, literature, parents, storytelling, students, teachers, technique, WRITE, writer’s toolbox
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013
Today’s WRITE Post is dedicated to six-word memoirs, a reminder that an entire story lays hidden within a single sentence. (And a brief marvel at how the whole of our personal existence might fold neatly into six well-chosen words.)
“For sale: baby shoes, never used.” — Ernest Hemingway
(more…)
Tags: advice, educators, life, sentences, storytelling, technique, WRITE, writers
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
Keep Calm and Read On. That’s the theme for this year’s California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) Convention, taking place February 8 – 10 in Santa Clara. W.O.R.D. Ink is devoting our week’s blog post to considering this theme, with a slight variation extended to all learning:
Why is it important for a teacher to keep calm and teach on?
(more…)
Tags: advice, DISCOVER, educators, inspiration, literature, motivation, OBSERVE, parents, practice, reading, reflection, responsibility, REVISE, success, teachers, technique, W.O.R.D. of the Week, word lovers, WRITE, writers, writing process
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 8th, 2013
 |
Last week I made a plan to write and I did not stick to it. At least, not the way I’d intended.
|
Life got in the way again, and I just let it barge right through my carefully carved-out quiet time. Then I spent the rest of the week feeling terrible about not having kept the promise to myself. Well, today, I’ve decided to shorten my post in OBSERVANCE of the writing I must complete.
You will find Silas House’s observations on The Art of Being Still quite apropos for creators of all kinds. Please take a look, if only to press the “reconnect” button within yourself as an artist. The essence of House’s reflection boils down to this:
Stop talking about writing or not writing, and Just Do It already.
(more…)
Tags: advice, commitment, creativity, imagine, inspiration, life, listen, live like a writer, motivation, OBSERVE, parents, practice, process, responsibility, sensory details, serendipity, stillness, success, technique, wonder, WRITE, writers, writing process
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 4th, 2012
Amidst sensory overload, the holidays provide valuable details for authentic storytelling. Have a journal handy, because proof of holiday writing inspiration is in the Figgy Pudding!
(more…)
Tags: advice, authenticity, creativity, details, holiday, inspiration, life, motivation, sensory details, storytelling, WRITE
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 20th, 2012
What is Voice?
In this 3-part revision series, we’ll debunk several mysteries behind the magical element within every great work of writing: Voice. It’s my hope that you’ll see Voice not as an elusive and unattainable ingredient, but rather, as a series of deliberate, layered choices made throughout the revision process, and as accessible to all who practice the craft–within every genre and for any purpose. May you walk away each week inspired to “Re-Vision” your writing with techniques that work!
(more…)
Tags: advice, communication, details, dialogue, editing, educators, grammar, inspiration, language, literature, pacing, poetry, practice, prose, punctuation, purpose, reading, REVISE, sensory details, sentences, sound, storytelling, students, style, subtext, syntax, technique, tension, tone, voice, W.O.R.D. of the Week, word lovers, WRITE, writer’s toolbox, writing process
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 13th, 2012
Have you OBSERVED your students’ online habits lately?
I first spotted this infographic created by KBSD Digital Marketing on Lisa Nielsen’s Innovative Educator site, and decided, along with Nielsen’s reference links, that it was a must-share with you all. The infographic does such a great job conveying the reasons and ways we can help our students (as educators and parents) manage their online reputation, that I have little need to add my own two cents. Except to say this: kids do not inherently understand the value and impact of their e-reputation. They are not necessarily tuned into the challenges they face each day in maintaining strength of character and in preserving the integrity of their digital identity, as they trawl their favorite social media platforms. While we have them in our sights, let’s be aware of our own obligation to teach and model responsible online engagement. Regardless, mistakes will happen. Boundaries will be crossed; lessons learned. Whether you are an educator, a parent, or both, share this post and reach across the proverbial aisle to observe how both schools and families can play key supporting roles in an ongoing dialogue about students managing their e-reputation.
(more…)
Tags: advice, communication, educators, infographic, life, OBSERVE, parents, reflection, responsibility, self-expression, students, teachers
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 6th, 2012
Today is a WRITE post, and that means providing you with the encouragement and opportunity to get your thoughts down on the blank page. Consider this Dear Luck post a spiritual pick-me-up quick-write that you’ll want to revisit time and again.
(more…)
Tags: accountability, advice, challenges, creativity, deadline, drafting, dreams, effort, goals, guidance, inspiration, inspire, journal, life, mentor, motivation, persistence, practice, process, publish, purpose, quick write, reflection, responsibility, self-expression, success, technique, vision, WRITE
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Monday, October 29th, 2012
A Team Ink guest blog special: Jenny on personal truths, Becky on self advocacy, a revision gallery by author Kate Messner, & Simona on CA Prop 30 versus 38.
Thank you to my three guest bloggers from the W.O.R.D. Ink tutoring & editorial team, who participated in this special, multi-topic W.O.R.D. of the Week post!
(more…)
Tags: adolescence, advice, advocacy, books, characters, communication, conflict, DISCOVER, early childhood education, education policy, educators, emotions, family, friendship, identity, imagery, inspiration, journal entries, language, learning difference, learning styles, literature, middle grade fiction, National Writing Day, OBSERVE, parents, plot, practice, reflection, REVISE, revision, schools, self-expression, students, teachers, technique, WRITE
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012
This is Grumble.
Grumble’s my Writer’s Block beast, and boy, he’s a moody one. A real monster of a problem, especially when the delicate creation stage of a project begins. Grumble can smell the sweet scent of hope and acrid stench of fear from a mile off. He squares off with The Muse on my left shoulder, perching on the right, just inches from my ear, and an arm’s length away from the DELETE button. There’s no finer victory for Grumble than a day without a word on the page. He delights in looming over me with his hairy eyeballs and doomsday expression, squashing seed ideas and spitting on sparks before either can lift off.
(more…)
Tags: advice, creativity, criticism, drafting, inspiration, motivation, muse, practice, revising, self-expression, technique, writer's block, writers, writing
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
Monday, September 24th, 2012
WRITE: Forget Magic Formulas. Find Your Unique Way.
Let’s pretend that writing derives from a mythic Magic Formula. I can’t imagine it being simple, for one thing (W = Butt-In-Chair x Heck-of-a-Great-Idea / 2 cups of coffee?) There are too many variables involved. This is more like it:
Now, on the surface of things, a formula is the process by which we’re able to spew out a solution on the other end. Formulas create order out of chaos, and that is why we gravitate toward them in every facet of our lives, even if you were to adamantly deny your affinity for math. Plug in the numbers, follow x, y, z, and Sha-zam! Success.
But with a formula as complicated as this (which, by the way, represents the calculation behind lacing an average shoe with six pairs of eyelets), you are bound to wind up with two trillion ways to success. (I’m not kidding. There are two trillion ways to lace a shoe.)
(more…)
Tags: advice, audiobooks, communication, DISCOVER, editing, Grammar Girl, Kindle Fire, learning styles, literature, multi-tasking, OBSERVE, parental controls, reading, REVISE, revision, self-expression, technique, tone, useful tech devices, voice, W.O.R.D. of the Week, WRITE, writing
Posted in Blog | No Comments »
