One of the second grade teachers in my building decided to join the SOLC this year (See her posts at Standingtall47.) so we decided that it might be fun to do some writing together. Our second graders are about to embark on a poetry unit, so we decided that our first joint writing experience would be to try our hand at poetry. Our plan is to write a poem and then try to revise it in a few different ways (just like we are going to ask our kids to do).
We found this task challenging, but fun. Here’s my poem:
Our second graders are starting a poetry unit this week. One of our second grade teachers has joined this writing challenge this year (See her posts at Standingtall47) so we decided to try out our own poetry together. Our plan is to write a poem and then try to revise it in a few different ways (just like we are going to ask our kids to do).
We found this task challenging, but fun. Here’s my poem:
The Writing Caddy
Once bright yellow
Now stained with smudges and pencil marks.
A busy writing classroom.
Twistables, Pencils, Crayola Markers
Choice
The pencils need sharpening.
Hard Work.
Let’s see what my revisions look like!
Writing to Learn, Learning to Write 
Loved writing with you! Can’t wait to see where our poems go with revision. Come in to share yours anytime.
I would love to be a part of a writing group and it sounds like this is what you two have created! I do have a few colleagues who are slicing this year- maybe we should write together! I like your caddy poem.
What fun. I hope you’ll post the revisions, too. And I’d love to hear about your students’ reactions.
So fun! Love reading Elena’s perspective the other morning – and now yours! You two are modeling and expanding a writing community beyond Elena’s classroom! Thanks for sharing!
I think this is so powerful. Not only are you trying the work that you are asking of kids, but you’re creating a community of writers. This is where the work sticks.
I love that you try the work out. It’s so important to know what we are asking of our kids, and if we, as adults, can even do it. You’ll be able to get inside the kid-brain and understand the struggles and joys of the work. So wonderful to be able to do this work with a colleague.
I’m looking forward to the revision!