Perfectly Imperfect

Ruth's words were probably still in my head as the first graders swirled around me last Friday.  The objective was writing "words and phrases that describe" and I had modeled (with their help) describing words and phrases about our principal and about my own mom in the form of a poem.  (Our writing workshops are wrapping up a poetry focus!)

Perhaps it was the looming holiday or perhaps it was my words still in their heads as they began to eagerly write personally meaningful texts about their own moms. No one would have suspected that these students were with me for reading and writing support!  The energy in the room was palpable!  The word "beautiful" may have been overused; however, there was also evidence of similes (my mom is like cake!) and negation (my mom is not crazy!). All of the poems were evidence of beginning writers attempting to put love into words.

On a whim (or perhaps because of Ruth's words buzzing in my ear) as they finished drafts, I saved them all by taking quick pictures with my "epad."  I saved them all (the great ones and the attempts) and we celebrated "instantly" by watching an "instantly published" Smart-board slide show of their ideas. The "finished products" reflected the diversity of the writers in the room as well as the diversity of mothers!  The day was a powerful reminder that we all have something to say and that we all appreciate recognition of our work (feedback)!