The marvelous part about waiting for children,
and helping them to teach us is what we learn ourselves...
The top teachers, I've found, whether in the center of the city,
or a rural school, have an insatiable appetite for learning.
When teachers learn, the children learn.
Donald Graves
Along with so many writing teachers this week, I am very sad that Donald Graves, mentor and mentor to my mentors, has died. You can read a notice about his passing at the Heinemann website.
This is my favorite book by Donald Graves. Many children's voices have taken flight through the decades due to Donald's kind spirit and wise teaching of teachers. While I never had the chance to meet or see him, his written words echo inside me as I try to become a better teacher and person each day.
Students - sometimes we write because something is too important not to write about. This is how I felt about the death of Donald Graves and why I wrote about his passing last night.
Teachers - I encourage you to take one minute and a half to listen to this YouTube clip in which Donald Graves tells us how to begin a writing workshop. Yes, it is the writing and the sharing that begin it all.
It is still Banned Books Week. Surprise! Surprise! Even the dictionary has been banned. You can read about "The Eleven Most Surprising Banned Books" at The Huffington Post.
Shop Indie Bookstores
May this Poetry Friday bring you good thoughts of the inspiring work of Donald Graves. Jennie over at Biblio File is hosting today's roundup, so mosey on over to find out what is happening poetry-wise in the blogosphere today.
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