Slice of Life March Challenge #5

Feeling slightly overwhelmed with all the things I have piling up, so I figured I’d make a list to sort it all out. 

My to-do list:

• Type up my observation lesson plan
• Walk the dogs
• Start training for the triathlon I signed up for this summer—go for a run
• Put together packets for book clubs
• Grade a stack of tests
• Relax and have a glass of wine
• Start studying for another Praxis exam
• Finish Delirium
• Write letters back to my students in their reading journals
• Figure out my life
• Plan my weekend trip to the Finger Lakes
• Write my slice
• Book a flight to see my sister
• Plan a summer trip to Italy
• Watch the news, because I’m feeling uninformed
• Call my best friend and catch up on life

Now, if only I could get it all done tonight. I better get started. Time to prioritize.

Slice of Life March Challenge #4

One of my favorite parts of the day is my drive to work. Fifteen minutes of almost straight highway with nothing particularly special to look at. But there’s something about that quick, blissful drive that clears my mind.  For those few minutes, I’m in my own world. I get to roll down the windows, feel the cool air, and listen to a sweet song.

As I drove to work this morning, I smiled as one of my favorite country songs came on. There’s something about country music that always puts me in good mood. Listening to the lyrics made me wish I was driving along some back road and blasting the radio… maybe even in a beat-up, old pickup truck.

                                                         

Even though I probably won’t be driving down a road like this anytime soon, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s drive all the same.  Looking forward to hearing a new song to brighten up my morning.

Slice of Life March Challenge #3

Mornings and I— we've never really gotten along and I’m not sure if we ever will. 

6:00: My eyes reluctantly open and I look at the clock.  6 a.m. on a Sunday morning. No! I must be dreaming.  Close your eyes. Pretend this never happened. Go back to sleep!

6:15: Great, I can’t fall back asleep.  Let’s try this one more time.  Close your eyes and drift back to the pleasant dream you were having—the one where you had the most amazing day ever because you slept until 11 a.m. and awoke refreshed and ready to start your day.

6:30: Alright, this going back to sleep thing isn't working.  Grrr, I muster the strength to pull myself from the warmth of the cozy bed and groggily stumble down the stairs. My legs feel heavy and my eyes cloudy.  Should I just go and climb back into bed?

6:45: I make it the kitchen…finally.  First cup of coffee.  Yumm…blueberry coffee with lots of milk and sugar.  I could be a morning person if it means that I have an excuse to drink several cups of these before noon.

7:15: Second cup of coffee.  Still groggy. Is there even caffeine in this? Why isn't it working!?

8:00: Feeling a little more awake…and I mean a little. Alright, that’s it.  I’m going back to bed.  Wait, no, I can do this.

9:00: Okay, it’s been three hours since I woke up.  I’m feeling grouchy… still don’t want to talk to anyone. Should I have a third cup of coffee?

9:30: I need to do something productive.  I guess I’ll write my slice!

10:00: Finished my slice! I should reward myself for being so productive already.  I know exactly how…I think it’s time for a mid-morning nap! 

Slice of Life March Challenge #2

I remember telling my class how obsessed I was with Veronica Roth’s Divergent series and how I didn't think I would be able to make it until October 22, 2013 for the third book to come out! 

After recommending the series, one particular student immediately checked out Divergent  from our classroom library.  Two days later, Insurgent was in his hands. For the next few days, whenever there was even a second to read, he did.  Even during social studies class, he hid the book under his desk so that he could read. I felt a little bad about asking him to put the book away and to pay attention to the lesson. I knew how hard it was to put that book down.  I'd been there.

The next week, he stopped in at lunch to tell me how he had finished the second book and how obsessed he was with the series too.  How would he make it through seven, long months for the third book to come out?

That night, he sent me an email that made my day.

Dear Ms. S.,

I found this awesome Divergent website that I thought you’d like!!!  I wonder who will play Tris and Four in the movie. What is that new book you are reading and said was really good? So far I've learned you have the best taste in books of anyone I know. Please write back today. I really need to go to the library and get a new book!

http://thedivergent.net/

Naturally, I thought it was so “cool,” as my sixth graders would say, that he sent me this note. So, I emailed him back telling him about all of the new books I was reading and asked him if he had any suggestions of books I should read next.  And after that, I have to admit, I went onto the fansite to find out for myself who was going to play Tris and Four in the movie!

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.