At NCTE this year I took part in the run/walk/jog organized by Kate Messner. One of the best parts of that experience was having the opportunity to spend some time talking with Ruth Ayers. As we made our way through the Boston Commons we talked about many different things - family, celebrations, new projects, and writing. I knew I wasn't doing enough writing, so Ruth suggested scheduling writing time into my schedule at the start of every week, like making an appointment. It was a great suggestion that I knew would help me, but I just hadn't acted on it yet. Until this morning.
While waiting at the Firestone Care Car Center for my inspection to be completed (being there for three hours gave me lots of time to read, think, and write), I stumbled upon #nerdlution on Twitter. Simple - set some goals and commit to them from Dec. 2 to Jan 20. I knew the encouragement I could get from the Twitter community would be just the thing to help me get started on some writing goals and more. So I'm in.
Here’s my plan:
1. Write every day. On Sunday I'll examine my schedule and make writiappointments for the week.
2. Read every day for at least 30 min. As co-chair of the Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award Committee,
I have a ton of children's books to sift through and a pile of professional and pleasure reading waiting on my to- be
- read shelf. So this will be a combination of all of that - something for the book awards and something else
from a professional or pleasure read.
3. Practice intentional kindness. While I consider myself a fairly kind and compassionate person, I think I could do
more. At the end of every day I want to be able to verbalize an act of kindness - a kind word or gesture or even
thought that I accomplished with intention. It’s probably easier to practice this sort of kindness during the holiday
season, which is great, because hopefully by the end of January it will be a habit.
As I read through the goals others were posting, I was struck by the variety, but at the same time, the similarity among them. Many are centered around reading, writing, and living a more healthy lifestyle, but they are all about being the best people – teachers, spouses, parents, friends – that we can be. Being a part of the Twitter community never ceases to amaze me. I know I have friends out there who I may never meet in person, but who I continually learn from and celebrate with. Thank you all for your advice, encouragement, and friendship.
While waiting at the Firestone Care Car Center for my inspection to be completed (being there for three hours gave me lots of time to read, think, and write), I stumbled upon #nerdlution on Twitter. Simple - set some goals and commit to them from Dec. 2 to Jan 20. I knew the encouragement I could get from the Twitter community would be just the thing to help me get started on some writing goals and more. So I'm in.
Here’s my plan:
1. Write every day. On Sunday I'll examine my schedule and make writiappointments for the week.
2. Read every day for at least 30 min. As co-chair of the Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award Committee,
I have a ton of children's books to sift through and a pile of professional and pleasure reading waiting on my to- be
- read shelf. So this will be a combination of all of that - something for the book awards and something else
from a professional or pleasure read.
3. Practice intentional kindness. While I consider myself a fairly kind and compassionate person, I think I could do
more. At the end of every day I want to be able to verbalize an act of kindness - a kind word or gesture or even
thought that I accomplished with intention. It’s probably easier to practice this sort of kindness during the holiday
season, which is great, because hopefully by the end of January it will be a habit.
As I read through the goals others were posting, I was struck by the variety, but at the same time, the similarity among them. Many are centered around reading, writing, and living a more healthy lifestyle, but they are all about being the best people – teachers, spouses, parents, friends – that we can be. Being a part of the Twitter community never ceases to amaze me. I know I have friends out there who I may never meet in person, but who I continually learn from and celebrate with. Thank you all for your advice, encouragement, and friendship.
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