New Philadelphia – Young Authors

Sara and I just spent a couple days down South. Just under a hundred miles South of our house that is. This required a couple early morning drives through some, at times, questionable weather. But the white knuckle driving was all with it once we got there. have I told you how much we love our little 4 wheel drive Subaru?

We worked with the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center who provides services to 22 school districts within its service region. Our first day down we provided a day of PD with a few of the honchos of the organization. Our group was small (inclement weather had caused a large portion of the signed up attendees to not be able to make it) but we were plucky.

In true problem solving style we recorded the session and it is going to be edited into video class that may be viewed by the folks who were literally – under the weather. We presented a dozen or so of our Writing Frameworks and a grand time was had by all.

The next day we got to meet a whole slew of 4th and 5th grade kids involved in the Young Authors Program. They literally bussed them in from all over the counties served by ECOESC. We did two assemblies and four rapid fire writing workshops where we wrote some definition poems about big concept words.

It was so great to be working in Ohio. as much as we love our international work (we leave for India in two days) we just adore our rural Ohio kids. You want to know how the teachers got the kids attention focused – by shouting O – H – which was dutifully answered with I – O!

We sure hope we get to come back and help nurture some of these little buckeyes again. We can plant some writing tips in them and they can spout warm feelings inside of a couple of chilled poets hearts.

Thank you Lori and Lisa for all the hard work getting us down there. You guys really help to make Ohio the heart of it all.