How I Scaffold a Shakespeare Close Read for Freshmen

My freshmen are currently reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, and for many, this is their first exposure to his writing style. Reading Shakespeare can be really overwhelming, but when my students had an especially successful lesson this week, I wanted to capture it here in case it's helpful for anyone else. I'm also linking all my…

Allergy-Safe Snacks and Swaps

This past fall we learned that Will is severely allergic to tree nuts, sesame, dog, and peanuts. We've gone through a pretty intense lifestyle overhaul since then, and the food we keep in the house was something we needed to address immediately. Given the severity of his allergies, we also shop from facilities that are…

French Toast Bake

I love this recipe because it's delicious, feeds a crowd, and requires no babysitting. When it comes to hosting, isn't it true that we don't really get to sit back and take in the fun of being surrounded by people we care about? There's always creamer that needs to be refilled or never enough cups…

When I look back a year from now

A few weeks ago in my Instagram stories I asked people to share what they'll be proud of themselves for when they look back a year from now. Today I'm sharing my thoughts behind the question and your responses. Thank you so much for sharing them with me. I asked this question because when you're…

Tips for Having a Toddler at a Wedding

Exhibit 1: Having a toddler at a wedding This past Sunday my brother-in-law got married at the beautiful Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, Rhode Island. It was such a special day to see him marry Katie and to hear my husband, Mike, make such a heartfelt best man speech. The Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, RI The…

What It Means to “Deserve”

I didn't want to work out this morning. On the weekend when Will naps, I run through The List and try to decide what to do in what order: work out, eat, dishes, shower, rest? Eat, dishes, shower, makeup, tv? Rest, read, shower, laundry, eat? Typically, rest wins and everything else gets dropped for the…

My Partnership with Forget Me Not Candles

So two summer ago Insta ads got the best of me (as they do) and I wound up buying 3 candles from this company I'd never heard of: Forget Me Not Candles Co. They were beautiful, smelled great, burned for a long time, came from a new, small, woman-owned company, and were made without any…

January Fresh Start Giveaway

Hi there! Happy Sunday. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend and, if you live in the North East, are staying warm in this frigid weather! If you missed it, I recently posted "4 Tips to Simplify Clean Living", and to help you kickstart 2022 with some clean, sustainable options, I'm giving away this set…

4 Tips to Simplify Clean Living

Happy New Year, everyone! How is it 2022? I hope you all had restful, joyful holidays and are staying safe and healthy through this omicron surge. I wanted to take some time to simplify how to start bringing cleaner products into your life, since I know that while many are interested in this, the process…

What I Want to Tell Teachers in Training

I had to get this down before the ideas left me. Your identity is going to become intertwined with your job. I don't think it's avoidable, so just brace yourself. That means that when you have good days, you'll feel powerful, empowered, confident, and motivated. When you have bad days, and you will, you might…