Since a few of you expressed interest, here's a link to the "This I Believe" student podcasts I shared after Seth's tech session. I know others in the group have done this with students as well, and I think I'll try it again next year and have students actually submit them to the NPR program. Authentic audience—check!

Hi folks,

Here's another feature of the New York Times online that you might enjoy, just personally as writers. It's the "Draft" section of the Times's Opinionator, which showcases opinion pieces about the craft of writing. To find it, go to the "Opinion" section of the NY Times. Then click on the drop-down menu under "Opinionator" (further down the Opinion home page), and then click on "Draft." You'll find good food for thought this summer, including the following article titled "The Right to Write."

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/28/the-right-to-write/

Her final paragraph reads:

"A writer is like a tuning fork: We respond when we’re struck by something. The thing is to pay attention, to be ready for radical empathy. If we empty ourselves of ourselves we’ll be able to vibrate in synchrony with something deep and powerful. If we’re lucky we’ll transmit a strong pure note, one that isn’t ours, but which passes through us. If we’re lucky, it will be a note that reverberates and expands, one that other people will hear and understand."

Wishing you all a vibrant summer!

Emily

Spilling Ink

The website:

http://www.spillinginkthebook.com

And the book:

http://www.spillinginkthebook.com/the-book/

Here is the main page for OpDocs from the NY Times.

Great for thinking about writing modes, examples of description, argument, narrative, etc, meaningful filler, a longer term assignment.

Pecha Kucha

If you are interested in seeing "pecha kucha" in the flesh - the next one is in Portland July 24 at Asylum.  Here is the link:

http://pechakuchaportland.org/events/

I know some were interested in hearing more about Anne's recommendation of Louder Than A Bomb, a mind-blowing documentary following four teams' attempts to win the world's largest youth poetry slam in Chicago.   Prepare to cry your eyes out in front of your students and see students engaged who might otherwise not be.  When I surveyed my students this year about their favorite in-class activities, two mentioned watching this film.  Yes, yes, I know that doesn't speak well of my teaching....but watch the trailer and you will be hard pressed to design a more compelling lesson on the value of finding your voice:

Teachers Write

I just wanted to share a resource. 
I participated in Teachers Write last summer and it was great. There are mini lessons, a platform for receiving feedback and periodic writing prompts. It is FREE and you participate in any way you'd like (or you can just stalk). The event is hosted by Author Kate Messner, but visit the site to check out the AMAZING lineup of guest authors. 

Teachers Write