Summer Learning

Writing quote card number twenty-five made to inspire my students during this
year's Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.

My friends that work in the corporate world get jealous of me this time of year. They see summer as eight weeks of vacation, no strings, no schedules, no business attire or makeup, all swimming, beach-going, sleeping in, summer. It used to annoy me. In nineteen years I only took a couple of summers "off"--one way or another I worked the others: consulting, teaching or writing. Even when I wasn't officially working (bringing home a paycheck), I was working in my mind. Any teacher will tell you that summer is a time to plan, to prepare, to read up on literature or methods; summer work is as important to students and teachers as is the work we do during the school year.

Join the community.
Details at Two Writing Teachers.

Summer gives teachers time to attend professional development (or trainings), often unpaid, to improve their practice. How many teachers spend time in their classroom during summer months? More than you may imagine. Summer gives us time to paint or remodel or just organize the book shelves, catalogue the classroom library. I give my corporate friends the open-ended schedule and casual dress, but summer does not mean teachers do not work.

The work we do with students is demanding, challenging, hard work. We don't often talk publicly about that. I don't like to complain either. Teaching IS  joyful, surprising, delightful; teaching breeds wonder, but it takes it out of a person. Summer gives us time to recoup, refresh and re-energize. 

Nothing re-energizes me like learning. This summer I'm learning about illustrated journaling with my Mom. If you've seen my journals, you know I doodle and draw my notes. This summer my family is celebrating my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary. We're spending a few weeks up north in a condo in the woods near Petoskey, Michigan. Mom equipped the grand kids with watercolors, ink pens, paper pads, paint brushes and more. I too packed art supplies. We're making our story and drawing new memories. Learning pen, ink, and perspective, together.

One thing that strikes me about Mom's process is that she
drafts her art journal pages in a small pocket-sized spiral. Shown here left of her watercolor page.

Next week the learning continues. I'll join teachers and librarians from around the world for Teachers Write, a summer writing camp hosted by Kate Messner, Gae Polisner, Jo Knowles and Jen Vincent. Want to learn with me? Find the details at Teachers Write. 

Join in on the writing fun. Visit Teachers Write for details!