Lifesaver

Every day, Mrs. Warner has them take out their journals and write.

And at one times or another, most of them unknowingly allow their fragile emotions to melt into words in a safe, private place.

In the frantic, stress-filled, high school day
Mrs. Warner hopes she's sound a way

To save some kids' lives.

I had a high school English teacher, Mrs. Weaver, who really sparked my desire to write. We didn't keep journals per se, but I know a lot of teachers today are asking high school kids to keep them. Our teens are under such pressure; journal writing is a good way to let them release what's churning around inside. It seems like the kind of thing Mrs. Warner would do, too.

This poem is excerpted, with publisher permission, from Lifes Literacy Lessons, by Steven L. Layne (Stenhouse Publishers, 2013). The book retails for $15 and is available on the Stenhouse Web site. Stenhouse publishes professional development books and videos by teachers and for teachers. Their titles cover a range of content areas -- from literacy and mathematics to science, social studies, the arts, and environmental education -- as well as a variety of topics, including classroom management, assessment, and differentiation.

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