Many people had their summer goals and plans in place several weeks ago. Actually, I did too. But today I feel like summer is really beginning.
Last week my husband, daughter and I, along with much of our extended family, made our yearly trip to the Twin Cities for my mother's birthday. This year she turned 95, a milestone requiring more than the average visit with a cake and visits to her favorite restaurants. So we planned a small party. We reserved a room at her assisted living place, invited some extra relatives and friends, and got two cakes. It was a lively party with lots of conversations. My brother, sister and I got to talk with cousins we hadn't seen in quite a few years and were reminded of what a nice family we have. My mom had a lovely time and did not not get exhausted.
We're now back in Illinois after 4 days in Minnesota. With no other trips on the horizon, it's time to actually do something about those goals.
The big one: writing. The other summer goals -- cleaning, organizing, updating some curriculum -- will all fall into place. Writing, though, is like the dark hill up ahead of you. You see it vaguely. Maybe it's even shrouded in fog. How will you approach it? Will you approach it? Is there a feeling of trepidation? For all of my thinking about my plan, there's still a lot of mystery involved. Will I be able to accomplish this goal?
I've been thinking about this project for a long time. Every year when my students research and write a report about some topic related to the American Revolution, I am struck by the lack of biographies about some interesting people of that time. Or sometimes I find that the biographies, in my opinion, don't fit the bill. So after mulling this over and considering the biographies I wish existed, I picked a person to research and write a biography of -- Eliza Lucas Pinckney. Highlights of her life include horticulture (experimenting and discovering how to grow indigo in South Carolina, thus creating the first really profitable crop for that colony), running three plantations at age 17, and raising two sons who were important in the American Revolution. She was obviously not what we think of as the typical colonial lady.
The challenges are finding enough information about her, as well as about Antigua, where she was born, in the 18th century. Another challenge will be writing an interesting biography for middle grade readers. And of course the ever-present challenge of sitting down and doing the work!
Time to take the plunge.
You are very brave for expressing your goal out loud. It's a great way to hold yourself accountable, but it's also scary for that very reason. And the way you described writing - wow. I bet that's how a lot of our students feel about it. One of the reasons I want to write more - and in different ways - is to try and figure out how to make writing more accessible for my students, so they can climb the dark hill. Enjoy the plunge!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! that is a great point -- when we struggle with writing it can teach us how to help our students who also struggle.
DeleteWow, Becky, good for you. Your students will love reading or listening to the biography that you wrote yourself. What an inspiration to them.
ReplyDeleteI too will be cleaning, organizing, and working on curriculum this summer, so well as reading and writing. I'm making it a career.
I hope you have success! Maybe we'll be able to read snippets of your biography of Eliza here on your blog.
All the best,
Denise
Thank you! I think that would be helpful to me to share bits of the biography or even write about the process. thank you for suggesting!
DeleteGreat! What a great project! I have often thought about the need for more middle grade biographies that are interesting, fun and sharing good information. Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree - we need more biographies that are interesting and fun to read and also accurate! I will report how it coming along from time to time.
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