Craft in the Real World – Some Takeaways

Craft in the Real World – Some Takeaways

  I just finished reading Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses. The book examines how stories are told, who tells them and how…
A List of Visual Design Tools

A List of Visual Design Tools

  I’m often asked which tools I use to create the graphics and visuals for the Four O’Clock Faculty website. Over the years, I explored different tools, but I have…
Classroom Jobs, Part 2

Classroom Jobs, Part 2

  Earlier this week, I wrote about a podcast I listened to about using classroom jobs to motivate and engage students remotely. I had the chance after I posted to…
Let the Writers Write

Let the Writers Write

  Have you ever had that student in your class, the one who can’t stop writing? Each day, it’s a new story. Or a continuation of a story. The student…
Classroom Jobs

Classroom Jobs

  I recently listened to a Cult of Pedagogy podcast episode about Classroom Jobs. As a former 5th grade teacher, I implemented a system of jobs/credits/debits to motivate students and…
Unproductive

Unproductive

  Being unproductive can often lead to being productive. Leaving yourself time to do nothing can help you find time to create. Take time to do nothing but daydream, fiddle,…
Wrestling an Octopus

Wrestling an Octopus

  Why does every day feel like I’m wrestling an octopus? At some point, I feel like I’ve gotten a grip on an arm and prepare to defeat the monster.…
Artificial Hardships

Artificial Hardships

  Do you sometimes make things more difficult for yourself? Do you sometimes build walls between yourself and others? Do you sometimes invent obstacles that you need to overcome? Do…
Powerless

Powerless

  You can’t get rid of the feeling. You can try to do more, except exhaustion has already set in. You know that your colleagues expect more of you. You…
Full Throttle

Full Throttle

  If I’ve learned one thing in the last year, it’s that we don’t need to go full throttle at all times. In fact, we may not need to go…