So it's summer...

And I'm making my daughters write.  Yes, I'm mean like that.  I'm a high school English teacher, and I'll passionately argue that there isn't a more certain indicator of college success than strong reading and writing abilities. I'm also a writer - a playwright. So I love writing for the very art of it, and think that it  is an activity that feeds the human soul. So as we enter the summer, once again I find myself looking for ways to integrate writing into our routine, trying to make this work as fun as possible.  I want my nine year old-girls to be strong readers and writers. And that requires practice. Even in summer.  How Tiger Mom of me, I know.

Now, we've got plans to do lots of fun things this summer - don't let them say we don't. They've got multiple camps lined up (including their first stay overnight) and a family sojourn to Disneyland next week.  But I hope to also get a little bit of work in as well.  I want them to continue their reading and writing, so that they are developing their voice and style and enter 4th grade with kick butt skills, impressing their new teachers with their writing prowess. I've got lots of motivators, you can tell.

So that is the impetus for the blog.  My daughters, Ali and Molly, like to write on the computer. It adds a certain panache to the creative process as far as they're concerned, and I'm more than happy to let them write on the computer for their summer writing when possible.  I've asked them to write here once a week. They have freedom to write about whatever they like, as long as it's not disrespectful.  And hopefully, one of these days, someone will wander by and read a bit of this, providing an authentic audience for their work.  So here we go. Here are their general musings about daily life (their title) and all things.  I hope they don't complain about me too much ;)