Data are information. We rely on data throughout every day of our lives. They guide even the simplest decisions we make. I find that sometimes, misperceptions about what data are and how we might use them best prevent us from understanding ourselves, our world, and those we serve to our fullest potential. The power of [...]
Category Archives: Seeking Understanding
When Young Writers Seek Understanding
December 1, 2011 – 7:17 pm
Recent posts have focused on the Dispositions of Practice, the role the play in our writing community, and the influence of courage, specifically. Writers who are courageous will often write about important topics that may make others feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, their work will require them to grapple with powerful and conflicting emotions. They will find [...]
Flip the Script
November 18, 2011 – 7:36 am
This sign usually sits high on a shelf in my living room, above a tidy row of windows. I bought it years ago, at a craft show. At the time, I wanted it as a reminder for myself. Over the years, it’s become something of an anchor for me as a parent and a teacher, [...]
Beyond Venting: Journaling for Solutions
November 17, 2011 – 7:18 am
Young people often use their journals to write about their struggles and the disappointments they face in life, and while I don’t ever want to discourage someone from writing or from facing their pain, I have to wonder if this practice is always a good thing. I often wonder: when does venting our frustrations help [...]
Using Our Words to Reframe a Negative Experience
November 16, 2011 – 9:10 am
When young writers use their words to reframe a negative experience, they may find themselves better able to process it, learn from it, shape positive solutions, and move beyond it. Inviting kids to use their journals to work through and reframe experiences that cause them anxiety, grief, or pain is important work. As I began [...]
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