Service Learning. Is It Good Enough?

This past Tuesday, my students took the best kind of test after reading a book: they brought its theme to life. After reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, we went through the typical conversation of squeezing out the recurring themes of the book. Over and over, Junior--the fictionalized version of Sherman Alexie--is pushed aside, marginalized. It isn't until people start filling him with hope (including himself) that he finally realizes his potential.

So, I asked a very simple question: Who can we provide with hope who might not already have it? 

Then, my 16/17-year-old kids (yes, kids--I love them like my own) started to plan:

• First, the idea. They bounced around plans of giving hope to our special education department and to incoming freshmen and to senior citizens--all of them, good ideas. But they landed, finally, on serving the people in our community who are in need of food. 
• Second, the fundraising. Students gathered the necessary $545 to sponsor a food truck in all kind of wonderful ways: straight parent donations, collections around their lunch tables, taking out change from their pockets. In just a week, we had the money.
• Third, the planning. My students had to do the work of the food truck as well. Initially, they were running into roadblocks with lots of different calls to different companies. Then, we got smart about it. They connected themselves to a group of people who do this on a regular basis in our community: All Shores Wesleyan. Once we were connected, the the volunteers of All Shores Wesleyan took us in. They guided us along the way. 
• Fourth, the execution. On Tuesday, the food truck arrived, the people in need arrived, and the students served.

But I must end this post with a question: is this ending project of a book as good as a test? Certainly, this project did not ask for the plot points of the novel. It did not ask for character analysis. (While we read, we did have a halfway quiz that did ask for these things.) But, it did get students who are not members of service groups at the school to get out in the community. It did give them real experience of working and listening to adults and empathy to community members. 

It did provide us all with an experience we'll never forget.

ELEVATE EMPATHY: The Power of Kindness--RELEASED!

Two-thirds of my life has been spent in Spring Lake, Michigan. It was the home of my adolescence and it's my home again as an adult. Spring Lake has helped to make me who I am. 

Last year, our community discussed a critical issue: bullying and, more importantly, empathy. By reading Emily Bazelon's book, Sticks and Stones, we raised difficult questions. We reflected. We came to an understanding and we wanted to continue the conversation. 

It means everything that I can give back to it--with this book: Elevate Empathy: The Power of Kindness.

Elevate Empathy: The Power of Kindness was written with help from eighteen other contributors, Carlyn Arteaga (a high school senior who directly inserted herself into the success of the book club). Local book publisher, Dan Ireland and his company, Three Leaf Press, agreed to publish under the most rare terms: not for profit. Anything we earn with these printed words will be given back to the community in order to raise empathy.

Empathy is powerful. It makes all involved elevate. It makes all involved--the one who gives empathy and the one who receives empathy--better. Empathy allows us to reach our potential while bullying keeps us from it.

As we learned through our book club last fall, empathy--understanding each other--is the way to a better community, a better nation, a better world. 

Emily Bazelon, herself, wrote the introduction for our book. In it, she writes, "These pieces are full of insight and wisdom, writ small and writ large, and I'm honored to have played a small part in spurring this project."

For those in the West Michigan area, please note that The Bookman in Grand Haven, Michigan will be hosting a one-hour event where some of the contributors will read from the book and where we will all engage in a short discussion on the state of bullying and empathy in our community. Elevate Empathy: The Power of Kindness will be on sale during that event or through Amazon. 

There are too many people to thank, but, mostly, I need to thank the community. It has raised me in many ways. Now, I'm just glad I can give back.

Not Only Is Stratford Beautiful...

Just a couple hours ago, 21 of us got home from our school's 8th annual trip to Stratford, Ontario. It's so refreshing there. It's beautiful: the river running through the town and the quaint shops lining the main street. The economics of the town are what they are because of the theatre. The town is what it is because of the theatre. Its economy is based on art.

But the town isn't the only wonderful part of this trip. The students--when given the opportunity to be awesome--are just that: awesome. Over and over this weekend, I was reminded about the energy of youth--as well as the kindness, ingenuity, excitement, and gratitude.

When students doing something they love--they'll work together to create a wonderful experience. They'll want to show themselves as responsible, caring people--even to strangers.

When we give students opportunities to shine in something they like and want to do, they'll do it beautifully.

Now, how do the same principles work in the classroom? Do they? Can they?

Getting My Sea Legs Back

I used to get seasick. I'd rock on those waves, stagger back and forth a bit, and then--finally--settle myself by looking at the horizon, the distant spot where the water meets the sky.

That's what my first week back to school was like.

• I was rocked: good, but long, PD days got me thinking about new strategies and tools. 
• I staggered: still can't sleep well the few nights before school starts.
• I settled: I looked on the horizon and could envision these current students improving their literacy skills.

I look forward to a year filled with literacy, critical thinking, and purposeful creation. 

This pirate has his sea legs back. Ahoy!

Brown-Nosing? Or Giving Thanks?

When I was a young kid, my "showing respect" to a teacher was sometimes called 'brown-nosing'. I always thought that shiny apple I gave on the first day as a peace offering. I always thought having the stapler positioned just as the teacher wanted it was following directions. I always thought the end-of-school-year thank you card was just that--a big old thank you.

Now, as I'm about to blog what I'm about to blog about...I get all concerned that I'll be called a brown-noser again. (I never did like that term and always tried to justify it in order to toss it away. I mean, I don't do nice things to be given something. Karma often works that way, but it's not my purpose.)

But, I'll risk the name calling, knowing this is nothing more than a big old thank you.

***

Kevin Honeycutt is the man.

Last Tuesday, I attended (and spoke) at a conference in Zeeland, Michigan. Great conference, by the way. Good #MichEd folk there. Lots of good learning from West Michigan educators.

But Kevin Honeycutt was the draw. I don't know too much about him, but I know this: he has, after 10+ years in an art classroom and now 10+ years of speaking on education internationally, developed quite a following--allowing his message to spread to thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of educators and, through them, countless students.

What's his message? He's got too many to name. On Tuesday, though, my take away was that creativity still matters in our profession. And so does technology. And so does sharing this with the world. And all of those can work together. At the keynote, Kevin allowed all 100+ participants to try on his GoogleGlass. Then, this paraphrased exchange:

• Participant: Why get GoogleGlass at all?
• Honeycutt: To stay relevant. If I'm not staying with or ahead of the technological curve, then I'm going to fall behind quickly and lose my relevance in the classroom.

He then went on to show us some incredible apps and external tools that allowed students of all ability and language to play music. As he demonstrated, music is a common language for people. Music, especially of this handy and efficient technological kind, has connected him to students when language and physical ability could not otherwise. Technology might just be the tie that binds educators and their students. But once it does, he reminded me that we must share that connection.

If we, as educators, do not share the messages and stories of the incredible things that are happening in our schools, then we are allowing others to do that for us. In a time when funding is hard to come by, we must work harder at showing our value. He encouraged social media to share that message. I'm so proud to see Spring Lake Public Schools (and foundations and parent organizations and individual teachers) have a greater presence over the last year or two. My hope is that it will continue.

But more than any of that gadgetry, I remember this statement: "None of this matters (pointing to his awesome presentation), if we don't have relationships." Everything begins with relationships and, while I know that, it's critical to hear again and again as it can get lost in the other demands of the job. It all comes back to relationships.

I live by that. I know that.

So--call it what you will: a shout out, a thank you, or even one heck of a brown-nosing job. This man deserves a lot of credit for inspiring educators and their students.

You, Kevin Honeycutt, were exactly what I needed a month before starting the new school year.

Thank you!

Follow Kevin in his social media places here:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevinhoneycuttplace
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinhoneycutt
• Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114991039924853145862/posts

The Calm Before The Storm--Good Thing I LOVE Storms

Today, I read for leisure. Yesterday, I took an hour and a half kayak trip through some local waterways. Last week, I had three dinners with friends, a round of golf with extended family, and a hike in the woods with my dog. The three weeks prior--the greatest calm of my life--my family took a three-week road trip where we covered natural beauties, man-made phenomenons, and 7,058.5 miles. I take many things from that particular moment of calm: 

1. I LOVE my family more now than I ever thought I could. We tackled unlikely excursions with each other's support. When we found ourselves in unique, uncertain situations, we did not tear each other down; we lifted each other up. With my family, I'm willing to risk more, to do more, to be more.
2. I live in a magnificent place. While driving across the country, my wife and I kept wondering where "that" place would be where we felt we'd have to go--a place that made us feel we were in the "wrong" place. It never happened. West Michigan has it all: beautiful landscapes, beautiful weather, and beautiful people.
3. This calm is necessary because the storm is coming. I've said it for years now: teaching is hard work, really hard work. While I have the ability and time to create calm in my life, I will. And I will not regret enjoying the calm.

Now, the storm is coming. 

Thing is--I LOVE storms. If I'm not dancing in the rain, I can be found on my front porch taking in the sights and sounds. When a storm hits, I go to the heart of it; I don't distance myself from it.

The storm

• The standard teacher work which, by the way, is more than enough in and of itself though MOST teachers I know take on a storm much like mine. This includes planning lessons, grading, managing student behavior, etc.
• A new adjunct position at Muskegon Community College which is ENG 101--their entry-level composition. I'm so excited to be teaching a new type of student two nights a week.
• I'm particularly excited about one of the turns my career has taken: speaking to fellow educators at Michigan conferences. At this point, I have about six lined up and will be applying for more throughout the year. These conferences allow me to hone my skills, to focus on the things I find most important in teaching, and to learn from others.
• In the spring, I'll be teaching a couple of sophomore classes at Spring Lake and it's been a while since I've done that. I'm very excited to dig back into that curriculum.
• Thanks to our community passing a school bond, every teacher and every student will receive a personal learning device. For the past two years, I've been piloting device use in my classroom and it has helped tremendously in my teacher transformation. Now, I very much want to share that with my colleagues and students. I want to be a person who is available for questions.
• I intend to keep up with my personal writing of this blog and of other projects. These skills keep me sharp in my classroom observations and reflections. They keep me in the writing game. It's good to be doing it when I'm trying to teach it to others.
• I'll be maintaining, with plenty of colleague help, the ski club and Stratford Shakespeare Festival trip while adding a new student group called The Task Force which is charged with raising money to support school/student initiatives.
• I will be promoting a book that a student, Carlyn Arteaga, and I edited by using 20 stories on empathy written by various contributors--both local and across the nation. This is meant to continue the empathy discussion that our community started by using Emily Bazelon's Sticks and Stones. I'm proud of the book and look forward to every opportunity that might come from it.
• Then, of course, there are all of those things that I don't even know about yet, but will surely pop up. The unexpected shower, if you will. 

The rains of this storm will be heavy. But you can find me in them without an umbrella.

Outlaws, Hooligans, and Writers

What a great week it's been. I've surrounded myself with my kind of people: some of them my very good friends for ages and some of them strangers. All of them, though, surrounded by wonderful activities.

For those of you who read my previous post, Summer Goals 2014, this is me knocking a couple of those goals out of the park--mainly my reading and writing and my having fun with friends.

Outlaws
I've had such great fun joining friends at their homes for the U.S. Men's National Team games in FIFA's World Cup. We've created our own small Outlaw cheering section. Each match has been surrounded by loud cheering, conversation, food and drink. And children laughing. And the sun. It's been great to join the Outlaw movement.

Hooligans
A week and a half ago, my wife joined about a dozen other friends out on the town for a Bruno Mars concert--that is, he and his back up singers, the Hooligans. A couple of us decided to take advantage of the booming downtown Grand Rapids area and enjoy the food, drink, and views a few hours earlier. It was pure bliss for my wife and I who love our friends and love a great time.

Writers

Then, to finish the week, I was able to reunite with some writer friends by participating in Lake Michigan Writing Project's Writing Marathon--the time when the fellows (the alumni) get to mingle with the current students and to write: forty-five minutes in three spots. I've learned that it's straight-up challenging to get time to write at home (the dishes need to get done, the laundry needs to be folded--and the children need some parental engagement, I suppose). When I told people in my neighborhood that I was going to spend the afternoon writing, they responded with, "How much are you getting paid?" or "You chose to do this?" The answer? Absolutely. That's time well spent.

I ended up writing a lot about my soon-to-be eleven-year-old twins. They're getting older and their needs from me are changing--from entertainment guy to food provider. I'm holding on to every moment tightly--like one of the great bear hugs I give. Here's something I wrote, when I spotted an adorable, what I'm guessing, six-year-old with her father. 

     This wide-eyed girl--blonde, adorable--was staring at me. Was it because I dropped the F-bomb twice during the U.S. game? Or was there something else?

     All kinds of insecurities came up when this six-year-old gave me a sideways glance:

-"Look at that fat guy!" I've dropped twenty pounds, yo!

-"That man swore, Daddy!" Yeah, the U.S. is playing. You shouldn't even be here.

-"Look at his funny hair!" I'm trying to grow it out one last time before the receding hairlines connect in the back, okay?

-"That guy keeps looking at me!" That's because I see my own in you--inquisitive, fun, beautiful. Can you blame me? They're going to be eleven soon. And they don't look at me anymore--not the way you just did, anyway.

I guess what I'm saying is--this has been an awesome start to the summer. It's good to be an Outlaw, Hooligan, and Writer.

Summer Goals 2014

So, it's been two weeks since the end of school and it's been two weeks since I've last blogged. That was intentional. I needed some time off. I've still been tweeting, I've been working on a new Schedule B school position, and I've been reading. So, it's not that I've needed time OFF. I just needed a small respite from blogging.

And I needed to revamp. I've been spending time finding a new look for my blog and I think I'm finally happy with it--and ready to share.

But the look is not all I want to share.

I want to share my summer's goals. I've found, by making my goals public, I have a different level of accountability. If I make my network of friends and colleagues aware, they can continue to push me.

So, five goals for two and a half months:

1. Have fun with my family. Every open house I attend for a graduating senior, the parents instruct me to take advantage of the time I have with my children. "It doesn't last," they say. I'm already feeling that. My oldest daughters are on the verge of pre-teendom and I need to squeeze the most out of my "cool" as I can.
2. Write--it's time to finish the ELEVATE EMPATHY community writing project. The stories have been collected and edited, but there are still some finishing touches. It's been a great joy to receive these stories and work with my co-editor, Carlyn Arteaga, and publisher, Dan Ireland. The book is scheduled for an early fall release, but some final touches need to be made.
3. READ--at least three "for fun" books (though this one, I can report, is already done--Smile and Persepolis and Dad is Fat have been unique and quick reads) and three professional books. I have two selected: How Children Succeed and Mindset. I'm looking for the perfect third book. Any suggestions?
4. Time to restart the community book club. Last fall, our community went on a great literary journey by reading Emily Bazelon's Sticks and Stones. I want to present the community with a new challenge. Mostly, though, I want to include the student voice even more. It will be fun to plan this again over the summer months.
5. Connect with friends. During the school months, my wife and I work hard to make this happen, but it isn't always easy. Lives, as children are growing, get busier and busier. The summer months are a great time to reconnect. And, over Nikki and my fifteen years of marriage, we have said repeatedly that what matters are the people with whom we surround ourselves. It reminds me of David Brooks's TedTalk "Should You Live For Your Resume...Or For Your Eulogy?" Take five minutes and give it a watch.

I'm happy to say that, if I'm doing life right--like I plan to this summer--I'll be busy connecting with family and friends. I'll be reading, writing, and connecting with community. I'll be thinking deeply about my job. 

I'll be doing all the things I care about.

And that makes for a pretty great summer.

Rewarding, NOT Easy: The 2013-2014 School Year

As the 2013-2014 school year fades, I can't help but look back on it as the best year in my professional career. Teaching has become doing and creating with students and community. It is my zone. But it is NOT easy. This teaching thing is hard work and my colleagues and I are deserving of our upcoming time to read professionally, to create new ideas, and to work on implementation. Truth be told, if I didn't have last summer, I wouldn't have accomplished much of what my students, community, colleagues, and I did this summer.

For a personal recap, here's the Top Five List of Accomplishments in 2013-2014:

5. Speaking Engagements at Mattawan, Jackson, Whitehall, MACUL, and More. By engaging in these conferences, I get to reflect so much in my preparation. Through it, I get to question my own practices and strengthen my convictions in them, too. Along the way, I hope what I present makes a difference in other educators' practices. During these talks, I've been able to meet phenomenal, motivated educators in other districts, people who are keeping Michigan education strong. Conversations with Brad Wilson, Andy Losik, Rebecca Wildman, and Aaron Koleda have kept me motivated to get better at my craft.

4. This Weekly Blog. Now in its second year, this blog has been a beacon of professional development for me. Publishing my thoughts keeps me accountable. Like I express to my students, words matter. Whether the audience is small or big (one post hit upwards of 500 views), someone is reading my words, so I need to make them matter.

3. Creative Writing. The first time, officially "having" the Creative Writing class has led to some wonderful surprises and some phenomenal work from my students. Between our hybrid blogs, our public readings, and our soon-to-be published book, we've done real work--real writer's work. It's been so much fun leading these young writers in what writers do: think, revise, write, struggle, celebrate.

2. WORDS HAVE POWER. The past summer allowed me to set up the WORDS HAVE POWER essay among my fall Advanced Composition classes. We used our words and research to argue on behalf of local non-profits. With the generous gift of the local community foundation, we were even able to award cash prizes (which had to be given to the non-profits) to essays that classmates thought were best.

1. The Community Book Club. This fall, our community--with the support of the entire school district--worked through an important book: Emily Bazelon's Sticks and Stones. Through great online and face-to-face conversations, we traveled to a place of more empathy. And that is never wrong.

So, the work was not easy. But invigorating, important, rewarding work never is.

My Students--Incredible!

When you've had the week I've had, the blog post for the week becomes a piece of cake: just share the students' work.

In my Creative Writing course (three sections, ninety-one students), the culmination of my students' work took form in two varieties: a required public reading and the completion of their hybrid (multi-genre) blogs.

To be short, my students' words--and bravery and vulnerability, too--inspired me.

Please, check out their work here: Public Readings & Hybrid Blogs

THE WORKS--Creative Writing Final Projects

This term, I assigned my first ever hybrid blog. In short, each student in Creative Writing had to use his/her favorite pieces of the term and push them into a blog.

Here they are.

The Writing Recital--Tuesday Night: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/47816712
The Writing Recital--Wednesday Night: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/47857569
The Writing Recital--Thursday Night: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/47898092

1st Hour

David Theune

In this blog, I walk through the journey of education--as I see it and experience it. I hope others can grab an idea and run with it.

http://educationaltransformer.blogspot.com/

Dakota Olsen

In this blog, revealed; a fine art masterpiece derived from the thoughts and experiences of D-bone!

http://olsenrant.blogspot.com/

Christian VanVelzen

This blog is just pure awesome so watch out.

http://amazingblogcv.blogspot.com/

Emma France

Just some stuff I’ve written throughout the tri. Enjoy.

http://emmadfrance.blogspot.com/

Olivia Pavlin

My blog is about the Flower of Life and everything that came from it. I hope everyone understands it.

http://thefloweroflifeolivia.blogspot.com/

Davis Allison

This is just the random thoughts that roamed through my head during this tri.

http://creativewritingdavis.blogspot.com/

Kayce Goll

This is a blog full of pieces written by me!

http://kaycegollscreativewritingblog.blogspot.com/

Abby Allman

This is a blog about things I have done while I was in high school. I dance, I sail and I have crazy family memories. My intro is at the way bottom!

http://abicanbecreative.blogspot.com/

Karissa Raschke

This is a blog about different people who inspire me

http://classblogcreativewriting.blogspot.com/

Wesley Dews
This blog basically a bunch of random things that i have written so enjoy.

http://hipsterlifeguard.blogspot.com/

Kyle Houts

This blog has words and writing pieces in it (title is: If You Got the Money…. I Got The Stuff). It is filled with random thoughts as well.

http://khouts.blogspot.com/

Cameron Amaya

In this blog, I have posted my best writing pieces from this trimester, as well as a bit about myself.

http://cameroncreativewrite.blogspot.com/

Lydia Suchecki

This blog is random as I just write about what I want so yeah.

http://lydsuch21.blogspot.com/

Morgan Boeve

This blog holds words that run through my mind.

http://pisspeebumblebeeyo.blogspot.com/

Dani Rhem

This blog is a reflection of the things that give me happiness and saddness in life.

http://stugglesandsuccess.blogspot.com/

Baileigh Yeager

My blog consists of writing pieces that reflect my life and strength

http://baileighyeager.blogspot.com/

Joey Bowen

My blog is several writing pieces that reflect me as a person.

http://joeysblogforcw.blogspot.com

Sam Thornsen

This blog is a collection of thoughts and ideas I have encountered over the trimester.

http://thoughtsandfeelingsofsam.blogspot.com/

Josh Roberge

This is basically a bunch of random things I wrote. Have fun.

http://joshroberge.blogspot.com/

Katie Sinn

This blog is about moments and memories of my childhood

http://katiesinncreativewrite.blogspot.com/

Mitch Davis

This blog is about my life and fun stuff like that. follow me on twitter @mitch_davis7

http://creativewritingblog7.blogspot.com/

Connor Foster

This blog is an insite to my life. There are a few writing pieces that are deep so don’t hurt my feelings, because that is not nice. #flightofthecondor

http://connorfoster5.blogspot.com/

Maggie Nietering:  

This is just the blog of random writings that i was absolutely in love with.

http://magsniet.blogspot.com/

Alexiss Ferrell

um heres my blog, it has deep thoughts and amazing creative writing pieces from me.

http://ultraalexissferrellslblog.tumblr.com/

Ali Kilbry

a blog of feelings anf thoughts from killa

http://aliciakilbry.blogspot.com/

Emily Van Wingen

This is a blog of some of the things that I am.

http://helloiamem.blogspot.com/

Max Ingersoll

Take the journey through my mind and get ready for a wild ride

http://indidemaxsmind.blogspot.com

Austin Griggs

5 very unique pieces that each have something new to offer.

https://sites.google.com/a/springlakestudents.org/austin-s-creative-writing-blog/

Maggie Roll

My blog was inspired by a hard time in my life that I had over come this past year.

http://insideahealingmind.blogspot.com/

Jori Henderson

This blog is called "welcome to my mind" simply because I typed what I thought and turned them into pieces and fixed them up.

http://jhcreativewriting.blogspot.com/

Sarah Corgan

This blog is about me as a child and some homeschooling problems.

http://obscurelifeofhomeschooler.blogspot.com/

Antonio Reeves

“Decisions” because that’s what it was based around--decisions.

http://antonioreeves.blogspot.com

Alexandria Carter

This blog is some thinking about a book I’m working on.

http://mysimplelifelol.blogspot.com

3rd Hour

David Theune

In this blog, I walk through the journey of education--as I see it and experience it. I hope others can grab an idea and run with it.

http://educationaltransformer.blogspot.com/

McCulla Kosch

My blog is purely blackout poems. Occasionally I will change a blackout poem into a regular poem and will add a picture with it. Hope you enjoy:)

http://206411.tumblr.com/

Tirzah Schmuker

In my blog, I explore what a kidnapping situation does to a family, splintering relationships, and festering regrets.

http://supportandinformationnetworkkhilberling.wordpress.com/

George Ferguson

My Blog is simplistic. My senior Picture and my writing pieces. What you see is what you get. Enjoy!

http://creativegrobferg.tumblr.com/

Kyle Recker

If you want to see the ramblings and work of a cynical artist who loves his craft, check out my blog.

http://paintisdelicious.tumblr.com/

Elise McGannon

I’m the definition of an amatuer writer, but here’s my blog. I worked hard on it, and it shows some of my art. You’re free to be anyone you want on it, despite the level of craziness.

http://theprotagonist4.blogspot.com/

Rianne Plattner

Works that captures the connection of the mind with the cosmos. Its some pretty weird shit.

thenumberthree3.blogspot.com

Caleb Sumney

This blog  is based on emotion. It contains love, loss, humor and belonging. A lot of it is based off of emotions and events that have transpired in my own life, so it’s rather personal.

http://voxinmentes.blogspot.com/

Darby Sepulveda-

My blog is just a collection of fiction stories of different genres.

darbyjs.tumblr.com

Derek Holmes

This blog details a character experiencing abuse at home, by his father.

http://coexpr.blogspot.com/

Justin Cyr

In this blog, its about how I feel in my own way. So check out my feels!

http://hybridpropublishing.blogspot.com/

Augusta Bailey

My blog is pretty random: it includes weird pieces of literature that you might find in the library of my island, Augustralia. gussie ur so cool

http://lostandfoundlibraryofaug.blogspot.com/

Emily Vasquez

My blog is about my life and my experiences i learned or had.

http://writer-evasquez.tumblr.com/

Anna Denslow

My blog is about just about escaping from everyday life in many different ways.

http://escapeintothestarss.tumblr.com/

Sophie Kleinheksel

My blog explains my love for traveling and how it has flourished as I go from place to place and it really catches my passion

http://swt1010.blogspot.com/

Carlyn Arteaga

My blog is about trying to stay afloat in life. “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

http://afloatinlife.tumblr.com/

Jonny Stalzer

This blog has been my little place for my little stories that have big meanings, to me anyway. Feel free to peruse it and enjoy as you may.

http://sherbyx.blogspot.com

Gabby Coates

My blog is about some random things that have occurred in my life and fiery rants.

http://gabbycoates1234.tumblr.com/

Chance Lambert

In this blog, I share poems, stories, anvulnerabilityty of my brain i really let my brain juices leak all over this blog. Tales of love, courage, friendship, food, love, and food.

http://virginmaryjblige.tumblr.com

Leah Vander Laan

My blog is really awko, but it’s a variety of pieces squeezing the guts out of the little things in life that can be the most beautiful. It’s called “Simple Things”.

http://leahscreativewritingblog.blogspot.com/

Zac Chartrand

In my blog I write about the things that I love.

http://zachartrand.blogspot.com/

Kelcea Wilson

Random rants about emotion and feelings.

http://kelceawilson.blogspot.com/

Shelby Arends

My blog isn’t really much about anything, It basically just has my opinions on life.

http://createthroughyou.tumblr.com/

Emily Sumney

My blog is full of random ‘brain doodles’, things I spurted out during this tri. I dont really know what else to say about it other than each thing I wrote has a little piece of me in it.

http://sumday123.tumblr.com/

Brooke Carrier

In my blog everything is a separate story but they are all related because I used the idea of fire or ice. The Reason is my favorite piece because it says a lot about what I believe in and it is very special to me.

http://carriergent.blogspot.com/

Julia Keckeis

My blog is about a short travelling story.

http://julikx.wordpress.com/

Maxwell Flagler

If you would like to read the work of an almost lost boy who wrote by the light of the moon. This is your blog.  http://lunarletters.tumblr.com/

Callan Willey

If you like description and I think you’ll find my blog very fun to read!

http://cwdescription.blogspot.com/

Nathan Batts

The creative mind of a child.

202156.blogspot.com

Stuart Velarde

My blog is quite simple. Just a collection of literary works I have created this Tri. Most of my writing has something to do with cognitive thinking and self reflection. Enjoy!

stucheck.tumblr.com

4th Hour

David Theune 
In this blog, I walk through the journey of education--as I see it and experience it. I hope others can grab an idea and run with it.
http://educationaltransformer.blogspot.com/

Maddy Dekker
Everything on here is true.
http://bookworm207246.blogspot.com/

Katie Slajus

Each piece is influenced by some outside source

http://hybridinfluences.tumblr.com/

Dan Hogan

NFL related pieces with a twist

everydayjoefootball.wordpress.com

Emma Leech

Things That Start With L

lstartingwith.blogspot.com

RICHARD RHEM

Deep thoughts, quotes and poems about life--abstract ideas inspired by many/all original.   

philosophicalcreativewriting.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Lee

This is my story. After years of silence, I am finally speaking.

http://smileyliz10.tumblr.com/

Toree Burrell

The Voiceless. This blog is about animal abuse, my personal photos, and my reflection

http://theanimalabuser.weebly.com/

Becca Tober

A place to put my thoughts.

http://themindofanaveragegirl.tumblr.com/

Ian Johnson

I thought of these things in the shower

http://ianscreativewritingblog.tumblr.com/

Josie Winter

http://ajo-zblog.tumblr.com/

Jacob Orling

mine is just random stories I wrote in this class.

http://orlingj.blogspot.com/

Hanna Swenor

Here is my blog it’s about random things about my life so there ya go.

http://hannaswenor.weebly.com/about-me.html

Mia Kamp

my life this past year with friends.

http://justbreathe616.weebly.com

Katie Wells

A place to reflect my self

http://fragmentsofmyessence.blogspot.com/

Maya Denslow

My blog is about a character I created named Harper Bearheart

http://thelifeofharperbearheart.tumblr.com/

Ellen Lauinger

My blog has a lot to do with my family and how being around them has shaped me.

http://elauhybridblog.weebly.com

Alyssa Goericke

My blog is all about reflecting on my past school years and childhood. Nostalgia-like.

http://thewriterdiaries.weebly.com/

Bre Burns

This blog is just my random pieces I’ve written during this class

http://averageteenagegirlthoughts.blogspot.com/

Ted Thomas

My blog is about what has been on my mind when I thought about my past.

http://insidethemindofted.blogspot.com/

April Lucas

My blog is centered around my family.Each piece is about one specific member.

http://creativelywritingrn.blogspot.com/

Ethan York

My blog is focused on the truth and darker side of things.

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2366584985396435347#allposts

Zachary Goosen

My blog is about getting that strong emotion out of the reader, or by placing a deep thought into the reader for them to ponder.http://bteht.blogspot.com/

Brittany Dawson

My blog is about my love for cross country.

http://bbosson15.tumblr.com/

Kyra Butler

My blog is humorous, that’s about it… It’s also awkward.

http://welllthisisawkward.weebly.com/

Justin Taylor

My blog is just pieces that I have written during this class

http://206416.blogspot.com/

Sydney DeCator

This is my blog where I have written my best pieces during this class and at home.

www.sydneydecator.blogspot.com

Maxx Kriger

sorry everyone. If you want to see a nice blog, just come back in a few weeks haha.

http://maxxsbrainnectar.blogspot.com/