Don't look at the snow!

I thought of this story when it started to snow on Thursday last week--and then I thought of all three of you in your classrooms with kids who would certainly (and rightfully) be excited to look outside. Here's one of my favorite stories about teaching and writing. Maybe it will make you smile, too. “It’s starting to snow!” the teacher said to her class. The fourth graders looked up. “Come over to the windows. We’ll open the blinds and take a good look at it.” The kids hurried over, eager to eyeball the year’s first snowfall. One boy held back and stayed at his desk. “Come on, Brent,” the teacher urged. “Join us.” But Brent was adamant. “Don’t do it!” he cried to the other kids. “Don’t look! She’ll make us write!” From What a Writer Needs by Ralph Fletcher