Morning, all. Thought I’d share our activity today. Our work has been a bit “heavy” this week, so I wanted to lighten it up some.

On a whim, I created this assignment yesterday afternoon. I wanted something that still related to what we have been working on topically, but I also wanted something that would get us started on the right foot with writing this year. Many kids fear and thus hate writing by the time they get to me. Too often it’s a stale, sterile, strict, and structured experience that maligns kids’ mindsets about writing. So, I try to change that.

Writing is creating. It’s a messy affair that takes lots of practice. And I think that practice can be play. We don’t have to take everything so seriously all the time. In truth–if we want to be serious about this–most kids will never ever write again as we teach them outside the institution of education. That is not to say that writing isn’t an important part of their growth–it’s vital. But I believe the vitality of it lies in the process and practice, not the polish and publish. And so we process, we practice, we play. And as we do, we grow. But it takes time for kids to trust. So, we make and take the time. And though many will certainly not trust my call for “play” today, I believe we are taking an important first step together as we try to repaint the picture of writing.

And that’s our day of play.

Happy Thursday, all. Stay safe.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.