Little Library Rebuild #SOLC19

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Our little library at school was delivered two years ago.  "When they asked me if we wanted one," my principal explained, "I said yes!"

The little library was simply built with a plexiglass door.  It seemed pretty solid and was painted a greenish-gray.  We decided to place it near the edge of the blacktop, near the buddy bench.

Over the past two years, I've tried to encourage its use, placing books inside after school as the car-riders waited in line.  I set up tables and bookshelves filled with books near it during our end-of-year celebration. 

"Visit the little library ANY time!" I shouted.  "Keep any book you find inside!"

Sometimes the library gets cleaned out of books and then the students start filling the inside with rocks.  Other days I find grown-up books that are clearly past their life, pages ripped out and covers torn.

This winter, the maintenance crew asked if we could relocate the little library to a new spot, away from where they plow all the snow into a gigantic pile at the edge of the blacktop.  I took the opportunity to have them load the little library into my SUV so I could take it home for some TLC.

Yesterday I tried using a scraper and sander from my husband's tool collection to scrape off some delaminated pieces of plywood.  Unfortunately my hands and shoulders are just not strong enough.

Today my husband took matters into his hands.  He spent the day giving the little library a fresh start.  He cut new wood for the roof and side, he shingled the roof with redwood pieces, and he trimmed the edge of the roof.  The library looks amazing.  I plan to paint it cobalt blue with gold trim to match our school colors.

I truly appreciate all the work my husband put into this little library.  He has so much woodworking skill and knowledge.  What a gift to the students of my school!

Push and pull #SOLC19

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"I need a new job!" Allison entered the room in a whirlwind.

We fixed her resume yesterday.  Her tank is empty.  My usually patient and kind daughter is on edge, anxious and feeling incompetent.

We write her cover letter ... more like I type, calling out words, as she lies on the couch covered in a blanket.  It's a coping mechanism.

When she returns from work today, she relates stories of feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.  I start her application for a new job.  She answers questions, I type.

Push, pull... I don't know what I'm supposed to do, so I just help.

Anxious Mind #SOLC19

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I woke with an anxious mind at 3:00 p.m.  The events of the day before played over and over in my mind.  Had I said the right things?  Was I helpful?  Did I just make the problem worse.

Digging through the drawer, I found my earplugs.  The sound of swirling air filled my ears.  Sleep came again.

When I woke, I helped one daughter rush off to work.  I made breakfast, pushing down the anxious feelings.  I tried to tell myself, the decisions are not yours.  You offered help.  

As breakfast settled in my stomach, I charged into high gear.  Cleaning, vacuuming, chatting with the bird.  Then I decided to try a new yoga routine, "For Change and Drain."

Adriene's calm words and encouragement helped me calm my anxious mind.  "Be mindful," she coached.  "Notice the tightness in your body."

I grounded myself to the earth, setting my intentions.  Breathing.  Accepting that I had done all I could in a tough situation.  I would continue to offer support.

Namaste.

Sunny Days #SOLC19

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The sun is shining in the windows today.

We need no coat.

I actually have neighbors,

sitting or walking and waving hello.

Errands aren't as bad

as I drive around,

windows down

and sunglasses on my face.

Sunny days help my brain

feel more in charge and productive.

Let's clean the car,

pick up pinecones and sticks.

How I love a sunny day

even if's it's cold.

Sunny days are hopeful

and make me smile.

Reader's Theater #SOLC19

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We were invited by the fourth graders to watch their reader's theater performances, three in all.  Last week, to help fill their brains with schema (and do something different and intentional during state testing, the fourth grade class studied Greek myths.  Jenna, their teacher, chose three scripts that helped tell the stories of Persephone & Demeter, Arachne & Athena and Pandora's box.

The fifteen students were separated into three groups of mixed abilities and genders.  The students learned about the Greek myths in small groups with the teacher.  Then they had time to practice.  Each group was allowed one prop or scenery, and no more.

Jenna is a teacher who is always thinking.  She's not brash or outspoken.  She's doesn't put on a teacher show for the kids every day.  She teaches well, and her students grow.

The students posed for pictures before the performances began.  I coached them from the audience, "Pretend you are reading.  Keep scripts down away from your face.  We don't know what words are on your script, so we won't know if you mess up!"

Our math interventionist and principal also came to watch.  We were all so excited to be part of this exciting learning experience.

I sat back and watched my intervention students read alongside their peers.  None of them stood out.  Sure, their voices tended to be quieter, but all of them were brave, fluent readers.  The students helped each other stay on track, especially when a line was chorally read by two or three students.  You could tell they had practiced multiple times.

What an amazing time we had in fourth grade today!

Missing the Music #SOLC19

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On Sunday afternoon a text came through from my uncle, "Join us at the Prairie Center if you're not busy.  Hannah is part of a mixed-age orchestra performing the New World Symphony."

Have I played that?

I was excited to see my aunt and uncle to catch up.  A free symphony performance was just what I needed.  I was extra restless this weekend (just ask my husband how much laundry I did), so a Sunday night concert was welcome.

When is the last time I opened my violin case?

The concert was an effort by the local youth symphony to promote their program.  Private music instructors, alums of the symphony and young people combined force.  They were provided their parts earlier and were to play together for only one rehearsal before the concert.  

I wonder what playing will feel like now that I've repaired my shoulder.

Our concert-going group chatted for a bit in the lobby.  News of new jobs, spring break trips, health and loss were all covered.  We decided we should find seats for the concert.

Should I think about joining the community orchestra again?

The concert was introduced.  I noted the strong number of string players and scanned the players for familiar faces.  The piece was well-played, especially due to the balance of expert and novice musicians.  My cousin produced smooth, melodic lines from her flute, leading her section with poise and rhythm.

Do I have the stamina?  Will I appreciate the new conductor?  Will anyone remember me?

As the concert finished, we applauded the full orchestra, rising from our seats for a standing ovation.  We met up with Hannah afterwards, complimenting her on the performance.  We said our goodbyes.

I think I'm missing music.  Maybe I need to consider going back to playing 2nd violin in our community college orchestra.  

Mystery Reader #SOLC19

I arrive in the parking lot and take a big breath.  I've arrived at the school I used to teach at.  My former first graders (now fourth graders!) have talked about me to to their current teacher.  She invited me to be a mystery reader.  They don't know I'm coming.

I take a minute to calm my nerves.  I haven't been back to see students in a couple of years.  My former principal has moved on to another job.  The rest of the office staff remains.

"OH MY GOODNESS!" one secretary yells.  She then wraps her arms around me.

"Look who's here!" calls out the other.  "I'll let Jaclyn know you are here."

I sit outside the new principal's office, feeling out of place yet right where I belong.  I did work here for 12 years.

Numerous former co-workers walk by, doing a double-take as they see me.  The custodian (who usually works nights) teases, "Back to teach first grade again?  I'm sure they could use your help with the plant unit!"

I'm finally given the signal that it's clear to walk down the hallway towards the fourth grade room.  As I enter, 30+ kiddos are sitting on the rug with their eyes covered.  After I'm seated in the mystery reader chair,  Jaclyn signals to them they can open their eyes.

"OH WOW!" "Look who's here!" "Hey!"  I can't figure out who said what as I see their faces light up.

It's so good to see my former firsties in these lanky, long fourth grade bodies.

I read a favorite book from first grade:  Sam and Dave Dig a Hole.  A new student wants to provide commentary as I read.  I show patience even though my students get annoyed.

We laugh, we reminisce.  A few are convinced that I don't remember their names, but I surprise them with telling them stories about themselves from first grade.  We snap a picture with the whole group of students, and then take pictures of the eight students (of my 18 original first grade class) who still attend the school.

***
This school year my students are fifth graders.  They will be leaving the school in June, bound for middle school.  I plan to contact my other friends, their fifth grade teachers, to see if I can join them for a fifth grade send-off.  I never thought this class would imprint themselves on my heart like they did.  We survived and thrived during my first and only year (of my career) as a classroom teacher.  I will not forget them.

When Paul met Nancy #SOLC19

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The story goes something like this…

Nancy lived on Brook Road, and Paul lived on School Lane in the same neighborhood.  They attended different schools.  In his early teen years, Paul thought he was pretty amazing on a bike.  Nancy liked spending time outside.  As Paul rode by Nancy's house on his bike, he tried to do a wheelie.  Nancy was impressed until he landed in the ditch.

I don’t know when Nancy and Paul decided to start dating during high school.  He was a “greaser” who was totally into cars.  She worked retail and had a fantastic bouffant hairdo.  Two proms were attended and Nancy wore a green dress to both.  Nancy and Paul decided to get married.  My brother and I rounded out the family a couple years later.

Nancy and Paul are celebrating 50 years of marriage today. They married fairly young at just 20 years old, but that wasn’t out of the ordinary for the time.  Nancy was a homemaker who altered clothes for a few clients.  Paul worked in production control for manufacturing firms for his entire career.  They figured out how to stretch dad’s earnings to buy new houses and new cars.  They taught my younger brother and I the importance of giving 100% at your job but still keeping family first.

Nancy and Paul spend time traveling in their RV.  They are determined to see all of the national parks.  They spend four to six weeks on the road per trip.  So far there have been no calamities or big quarrels on the road.  They are happy travel companions who have figured out how to navigate the high roads and valleys of marriage.  I’m excited to see where their travels will lead them together.

You're welcome! #SOLC19

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Last year, all the interventionists and I (reading and math) shared a classroom.  We were in the last room down the primary hallway, so many people didn't venture down to see us.  The students LOVED that room, with it's bookshelves for dividers, puffy pillows on the floor and some days (gasp!) we used the SMART board. 

This year, our kindergarten population POPPED and our intervention team (including me!) moved all the stuff (not the pillows) to our former-computer-lab-then-STEM-lab-now-open-room in the middle of the library media center.  We set up the middle tables as "mission control" - a workspace for each of us, facing each other.  We designated the outside tables as "visitor parking" for our OT, PT, math coach, orchestra teacher and band teacher.  The now-open-room is now called ...

The LIT lab.

Now don't stress about our math interventionist.  She's a big reader, too, and LIT lab sounds way cooler than the calculation lab or the equation lab.  See what I mean?

This year has been a challenge as we are all traveling on carts.  The math and dual language interventionists went with push-down-the-hall, two-shelf carts.  I ordered a rolling crate on Amazon.  When it's nearing 8:10 and it's time to head to the classrooms we work in (thank you to all who host us!), we roll three across the hallway to our destinations.

The LIT lab is a place of safety.  We can close the door and talk openly.  There are rarely students in the LIT lab ... only for one-on-one testing or OT time, if needed.  It's a purely grown-up space for stuff and us.  

Have you heard the song from Moana, "You're Welcome!" sung by Dwayne Johnson?  It's become the unofficial song of the LIT lab.  We are a pretty accommodating bunch (especially if you ask us!) and we do our best to help out classroom teachers, the library staff (who buys us chocolate!) and each other.  When we express gratitude to each other, it's almost always in song.

As much as I hated the idea of pushing in to classrooms (I am a LOUD teacher), it's working.  I bring my bookshelf to my students every couple of weeks, or I drag a box of graphic novels with me.  I'm forced to stay organized and on top of my materials because my cart is very small.

The LIT lab gives us a place to let out a bit of stress steam, and has made our relationships stronger on the intervention team.  You're welcome!

From: https://youtu.be/79DijItQXMM

Second favorite teacher #SOLC19

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(DING!) 

The messaging software made my phone ding and buzz.  I got a message from my friend, and former coworker, Jaclyn, a 4th grade teacher.

(DING!)

Jaclyn wrote, "Guess who found out they are S's SECOND favorite teacher today?  ME!"

Back in 2014-2015 I taught a high-energy, creative bunch of first graders.  It was my first (and last) year in a general education classroom.  That year we learned about building a community (the hard way) together.  Through the ups and downs of that year, kids moved in and out, and we did our best to learn.  I say we because the whole rest of my career has been in reading intervention.  Small groups, all grade levels, short bursts of time spent together.

(DING!)

I wrote back, "Second favorite teacher?  You are so cool.  Who got first place?"

(DING!)

Jaclyn replied, "You did! Come be a mystery reader!"

Oh my dear S, the most struggling reader in my class who managed to make friends with EVERYONE that year.  She had a smile that filled the room and more perseverance than ALL of the other kids.  I was so touched that S even remembered me.  I had moved on to another school in a different district when my students went to 2nd grade.

(DING!)

"I would love to read to the class,"  I replied.

It's a pretty amazing feeling to be someone's favorite teacher.

C'mon spring #SOLC19

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The mountains of ice remain.

High of 39 degrees today, with some sunshine.

The wind blows across the yard, shaking the tree boughs.

Our trees are growing tiny stems for future leaves.

The grass is a dull shade of brown.

In March it's hard to be patient,

The warmth doesn't come soon enough.

C'mon spring!

We Got a Grant! #SOLC19

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"Why can't their be Boys on the Run?" asked T.

"Well, I don't think there's a program like that," I replied.

"Would you make a program for the boys?" T pressed on.

"You know if I ran a club, you'd have to read, too," I chuckled.

"We would read.  Just let us run first," T asserted.

I filled out my first-ever grant proposal this year.  The idea was easy... get kids active first -- running, jumping rope, or doing yoga.  Then connect choosing an exercise, sticking with it and charting progress to reading (choose a book, stick with it, etc).  Then kids would find books and read.

My colleague, Elisa, was totally on board.  

"I love running.  I'll get those kids and you running a mile or two!" Elisa promised.

"Running?  No thanks," I thought.

Fast forward to this past Friday.  We had a surprise delivery of a very LARGE check from our district foundation for our new after-school club, Kids Run and Read.

What did I learn?  I learned that I can take an idea and follow through with the help of my students, my colleagues, and hard deadlines.

P.S.  I still won't choose to run, Elisa.  :) 

This week #SOLC19

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The grownups got unexpected news and did not want to hear it.

The kids had indoor recess again and again.

The grownups prepared to give a state test.

The kids practiced taking the state test.

The grownups collected headphones and computer chargers.

The kids reluctantly left their computers at school.

The grownups are stressed.

The kids are grumpy.

What a week.

Spilled Coffee #SOLC19

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Yesterday afternoon, I helped a student by cleaning out her desk.  I wrote about it in this slice:  A Clean Desk.

This morning, the student came looking for me. 
"Thanks so much," she said as she gave me a big hug. 
"You are very welcome," I replied.  "I was happy to help."

About fifteen minutes later, I met the same student and her four classmates for reading intervention. 
I gave each student a book, and we started previewing vocabulary and activating their schema.  At this point, I knocked over my venti latte.

I was able to grab a roll of paper towels and contain the mess.  Luckily I did not end up with a lap full of coffee, and the student next to me only had a few drips on his book.

As this was all happening, my student with the freshly cleaned desk grabbed a wad of paper towels and jumped in to help. 
"Stop laughing and help us!" she chided her classmates.

The rest of the lesson was a wash, including one student's stinging remark, "I thought grownups were supposed to be responsible."

I sighed and responded, "Yes, but sometimes we are clumsy humans."

I'm grateful for the kindness showed to me by my student who I helped yesterday.
Yes, friends, spreading kindness is worth your time.

A Clean Desk #SOLC19

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When the student opened her desk, I winced as I looked inside.

"That desk has roaches," her classmate stated.

"No, it doesn't," replied the owner of the desk.

Since the bell rang, I asked the student if I could help with her desk.  

"You worked hard for me today," I told her.  "So I would like to help you."

I offered to stack her notebooks and books, and then place all the papers in a folder.

She said I could.

I started the deep dig into her desk.  I placed books and notebooks to the side.  I moved past paper, after paper, after paper, finding assignments and newsletters from long ago. 

I think about how discouraged she must be each time she opens her desk.  It got away from her.  

I find her folders and place important notes and classroom coupons and math charts inside.

Her classroom teacher helps me decide what papers should stay or go.

Books get returned.  Pencils sharpened.  The desk is wiped clean inside and out.

I didn't do this chore for praise.  I don't intend to berate the desk's owner tomorrow.

I just wanted to help this child have a chance to succeed tomorrow, with a clean desk.

Snapshots of a Wedding . #SOLC19

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I attended the wedding of a joyful, young couple on Sunday.  Here are my favorite "snapshots":

• The groom had a special handshake or hug for each of his groomsmen as they met him at the front of the room.
• When the groom saw his bride, his eyes shone and filled with happy tears.
• The groom took the bride's hands and didn't let them go through the entire ceremony.
• The couple raced down the aisle after the ceremony, in a moment of pure joy.
• The bride heartily greeted and hugged every guest.
• The bride's father, the bride's sister and the groom's brother gave heartfelt, amazing speeches.
• We enjoyed delicious food & snacks.
• We smushed four of us into a photo booth for fun pictures.
• The bride's family stormed the dance floor in some inflatable panda costumes!

What an amazing day of love, fun and laughter.

Spinning brain #SOLC19

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It's Saturday.  Time for the Spinning Brain Extravaganza!  On Saturdays, I linger in bed for awhile.  Then I make breakfast and brew coffee while my husband is at his weekly workout.  Laundry is washed, dishes are cleaned and I finally get around to taking a shower.

Then I become frazzled.

Faced with a day of no plans (usually), I have no idea what to do first.

Should we run errands?  Go shopping?  Figure out our taxes?
I need to order books.  Let's not forget the wedding gift.  Did you get the washer to work?

If my husband turns on a home improvement show, the spinning gets worse.

Did you see that cool front porch on Property Brothers?  Maybe we can build that one day.  Did you get the name of the guy who painted the neighbor's house?  Should we replace the windows first?

It doesn't help that we've done lots of construction on our home over the years.  I miss the drywall dust and fresh paint smells.

Saturdays are Spinning Brain days.

Introductions #SOLC19

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Two Writing Teachers

Whoa.  March 1st came QUICKLY this year, even though January and February dragged on.

It's my 8th year of writing, and I owe my participation to my friend and fellow reading teacher, Michelle at Literacy Learning Zone, who gave me a nudge and the bravery to write wayyy back in 2012.

Since it's my 8th year, here are 8 facts about me...

1) I've been married to Jeff for nearly 29 years.  We met in junior high.  As the story goes, I tried to shove him in a locker because he was annoying and would have fit back then.

2) I'm mom to Lindsey, 22 and Allison, 20.  I am working on transitioning from "all in" parenting to giving them space.  It's hard!

3) I serve as a Reading Specialist at an elementary school (K-5th).  I love my job!

4) I try to read across genres and book types (graphic novels, easy readers, YA) so I can talk books with nearly anyone.

5) Favorites:  cowl-neck sweatshirts, sneakers, dark chocolate, vanilla lattes, penguins.

6) If I must exercise, I enjoy walking outside, weather permitting!

7) I tend to talk A LOT and tell stories in a circular fashion.  

8) On September 8th, I will be 50!  

Nice to meet you!

Happy first day of the slicing challenge to all who participate!