RefinED Friends:

It's important to celebrate our students' accomplishments. Although I'm no longer in the classroom, I received a heartwarming e-mail last week from a former student. A poem she wrote was chosen from among thousands of entries as a distinguished winner in the 6th Annual "Pets Add Life" Children's Poetry Contest. She sent it to me because she says I inspired her to write more. I'm beaming with teacher pride and wanted to share with you, the readers. Without further ado, here is ...
Continue reading ...

RefinED Friends,

Whether you are student or teacher, these past few weeks have been rather taxing (at least in Pennsylvania). The dreaded four-letter word. PSSA. The Pennsylvania State Standardized Assessment (don't worry Keystone Exam-takers, you are included as well). 

Surprisingly, I look back fondly on this time of year when I was a classroom teacher. Standardized test time also meant our poetry unit. We studied all types of poetry forms, experimented with free verse, and even conducted a p...
Continue reading ...