Slice of Life March Challenge #1

To slice, or not to slice, that was today’s question.

As I sat with a teacher-friend at work this morning, she excitedly shared that today was the first day of a marathon of slicing that she was participating in.  Thirty-one days of daily writing!  Wait, had I heard her correctly? Thirty-one days of writing—no breaks, no days in between—every single day in March?

And with her ever-cheerful demeanor, she prompted, “You should participate! You should create a blog!”   Then I thought, I could do that. It couldn't be so hard, right? 

So, we sat together and created my blog—my very own blog, my very own space to write and to share a part of myself.  I felt a thrill of excitement as I started to create my page, but then I had to think of a title for my blog.  A title? I needed to think of a title? Oh no, my very first challenge! And choosing a background? There were just too many options.  And what would be the perfect font!? How could I ever decide? Such big decisions to be made!

Finally, my page looked complete.  The hard part was over—the designing was done.  The rest would be a breeze.   Of course I would be able to do the writing part—I am a writing teacher, after all. 

As the periods raced by, I began to rethink what I had done. Would I be able to do this? What would I write about? What would I say? What would my first slice be about?

And then as I conferenced with a student during writing, I realized something.  I teach writing, yet I don't make enough time to write myself anymore.  How can this teaching thing be authentic if I’m not going through the motions myself?

As I’ve scrambled to gather my thoughts, my ideas, my musings, I get it.  I really get it. I understand how challenging it can be for an 11-year old to get their ideas across, to be vulnerable, to be a writer.

I’m excited for this challenge, excited to practice what I teach.  I’m excited for 30 more days of slicing, excited for 30 more opportunities to put myself in my students’ shoes. I owe it to myself, but more importantly, I owe it to my students.