January 19, 2019 - Michael Salinger

Eastern Middle School, Greenwich, CT

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Before writing about an emotion with objective detail – we try it on.

12 years – that’s how long Sara and I have been coming to Eastern Middle School in Greenwich, CT.

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All of Eastern’s 6th grade English teachers co-teach when we are there – they’re not in the back of the room checking Instagram!

We love this little public school with its art covered walls and rambling old building and we really do have friends here. Eastern used to be traditionally our last school of the year but overseas scheduling caused us to bump them into January last year and we kept this time of year again this year (leaving a second snow week open after our scheduled date.)

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More happy writers.

Working with Eastern’s staff is a breeze – they know us, and we know them – they ask for specific workshops that they have seen us present before or we come up with something new depending on the class. It’s a collaboration for sure.

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All the classes presented their work aloud during our writing sessions – many before they had reached their final version. This is a great way to revise.

Our main contact – Bridget, is a go to educator whenever we are working on something new – she is a great first reader and a recent recipient of a Teacher of the Year award. We don’t hang out with slouches. If we need a new lesson tested in the wild she’s one of our eager first adopters willing to give something a shot and then report back with improvements.

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Sara goes through PIPES before our sharing session.

So this year was no different – the sessions went great – we hit our favorite restaurants in nearby Stamford – it was a beautiful thing all around.

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Writing is thinking.

What used to be a great way to end our season has become a rewarding way to start our new year. Eastern Middle – we’re ready for lucky number 13!

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See you next year Greenwich!

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Testimonials

“Sara and Michael bring infectious energy and joy leavened with deep knowledge of best practices in literacy to their work with children and teachers.” Ellin Keene – Author of Mosaic of Thought and The Teacher You Want to Be
“Sara and Michael bring magic, and a contagious love of words to both students and teachers alike!” Georgia Heard - Author of Awakening the Heart: Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School More testimonials...