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

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.

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.

Crazy for origami #SOLC

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My fellow reading interventionist, Elisa, and I are hosting a group of fourth graders for standardized testing this week.  Congratulate us - they've completed 4 of 7 assessments and we are all still friends.

I realized today that I have a pet peeve.  I didn't realize how much the sound of folding paper can unnerve me during testing.  Especially when the friends keep getting up to get more paper.

These kids have gone crazy for folding origami shapes.

They just. can't. stop.

I tried to encourage them to read or even draw quietly.  It didn't work.

They have made boats, swans, hats and "creative" items (can't call them mistakes).

This afternoon I finally gave in once all students had completed their tests...

I connected my computer to the SmartBoard and found an origami for kids website.

The kids were so excited!

Guess we will need more paper in our room.

Purge? Keep? Sigh. #SOL18

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In a few months, my oldest daughter will graduate from college.  (WOW, time flies!)

Her plan is to stay at home until she finds a full-time job and a city apartment with friends.

In the mean time, I'm working on purging the basement, family room and garage of all non-essential items.  Unfortunately, this means I'm pretty emotional each time I work on this never-ending project.

As I dig out Christmas decor, unused appliances and stuffed animals, I must come to terms that my one-little girls are now young adults.  I also have to decide what stuff has true sentimental value, and what stuff can move on to others who can use it.

We are shifting and donating furniture, assessing what DVDs and CDs we need ("None! We have streaming video & audio!" claims dear husband.) and just dealing with 20 years of accumulation.

My strategy for keeping my sanity is to only work on this purging project on Saturday mornings.  Once I've put in a couple of hours, I stop and move to homework, writing! or fun outside of the house.

One bright spot through all this organizing?  I'm less likely to bring anything home that isn't clothing, food or something to read!

Crazy productive...kind of #SOLC17

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Be a "planner" or a "pantser"
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So it's Monday of my spring break staycation.  I have a big list of what I need to do.  A LOT of it is phone calls and paperwork related, so that's a bummer.  I get it.  We own a house, we have two college kids. There is going to be paperwork.  I'm an adult.  (SIGH)

I started the day in my pajamas (then put on some sweats).  I made breakfast for myself and then Allison when she got out of bed (MIRACLE).

Then I jumped between a few million different activities (I even fixed my bike and made a mini compost bin!) 

I'm beginning to realize that my younger daughter's lack of focus came directly from me.

I started making a list of all the different things I accomplished before lunch.  I'm not very good at crossing anything off lists, but this list was different.  I FINISHED THESE THINGS!

Finally, this afternoon, I slid some fuzzy socks on and went down to the office.  I made the financial planner phone call (not that bad).  I helped oldest with her tax return online.  I did some of the paperwork.

Maybe the next time you want to feel crazy productive, you could try my silly idea.  Simply write everything down that you do one day.  Fuzzy socks don't hurt either.

Pressing Pause #SOLC17

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I pressed pause on slicing for two days.  If were a different, earlier year, I would have booted up the computer and typed, convinced I had to slice, no matter what.

This year I'm giving myself more grace.  I spin a few plates and sometimes one crashes.

Friday I went to the pet expo with my daughter and her friend to pet dogs, interact with birds and just wander along.  We came home and watched The Edge of Seventeen, laughing and gasping.

Saturday was spent cleaning the car, crafing a paper, spending time with my parents, and attending my nephew's Boy Scout crossover ceremony.

I couldn't bring myself to slice for two days because I had to get away from the computer.
I've been spending TOO much time working on my final paper for my final ESL class.  I've been over thinking and not typing enough.

And now I'm faced with a deadline of 12:00 midnight.

So I offer this little peek into my brain with this slice.  It's not a tidy place.

I'm in the big green chair, window open to listen to the birds.  I'm determined to finish the paper and send it on its way to be graded.  No more overthinking.  Just typing.

Put your butt in the chair #SOLC17

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I think I have found the key.

The key to finishing homework, assessments, lesson plans, emails, slices and other paperwork:

Put your butt in the chair.  Then do it.

It isn't as easy as it sounds.

I'd rather be doing anything than sit and work for longer than 15 minutes.  My brain races and spins and tries to come up with an excuse to get up and move.

Dishes?  Laundry?  I'll take care of both and then I'll get back to work.

Copies?  Chocolate?  I think I'll go print and grab a snack before I start on that paperwork.

Friends?  Coworkers?  I just go ask her in person.

Phone ping?  Chocolate craving?  I'll start that homework later.

Yup.  It's true.

I have comfy chairs and rolling chairs.

I have an office, a big table, a clear desk and a laptop.

But I don't have

stamina

perserverance

motivation

the ability to prioritize.

Huh.  Makes me feel for the kiddos who feel the same way, day in and day out, at school.

Here We Go (YEAR 6 ?!?!) #SOLC17

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Holy moly, guacamole!

I just zipped to the SOLC data form and had to count on my fingers
 (HEY - it's a strategy)
to figure out this is year six for me.

Huh.  I didn't realize how time has FLOWN by!

Because I have not been a weekly slicer for a while
(you did see the name of my blog, right?  The subheading should be Life of a Super Procrastinator)
theres LOTS of topics to write about!

Here's a sneak peek for March, friends:

• The Sherwood Lane Little Free Library is O P E N  (*throws confetti*)
• I will have Spring Break all to myself
• I {heart} chocolate, books, and coffee
• Grad school (halfway through 2nd masters)
• college-aged daughters
• stress, ramblings, silliness
• making vacation plans (San Diego in May)
• anything my brain churns up

So welcome to the chaos, the stress and the F U N of slicing!!

So glad you're here, and I made it in time to write!

Nearly Calm #SOL16

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This weekend I was a soggy, weepy mess.

There wasn't a reason in particular, but I guess you could say it's been pretty stressful since August.

Lindsey (oldest daughter) went back to U of Iowa for her junior year.  She has lots of committments (RA, UISG senator, student!)

I have a new principal.  She's an instructional leader with clear expectations.

Interventions started weeks of assessment, meetings and data collection, 

Allison (youngest daughter) started freshman year at ILStU and has collected new friends and has lots of opportunities for growth (read:  oversleeps!)

Jeff started building my Little Free Library in between weekly trips to the east coast.  He's been away more than home, so the LFL is only half built.

I started a new grad class and twice! my book order was canceled.  My assignments are late.

WHEW.

Then tonight I took a walk.  My phone hasn't pinged with any "Mom help!" messages. 

The sky was a beautiful pink.  Data meetings are finished, I can focus on teaching.

I worked on the door of my LFLibrary.  I breathed.  I had a piece of chocolate (and another).

I realized that I don't need to stress. 

I just need to stretch 
and do my best.
and eat more chocolate
and breathe.

Toast #SOL16 10/31

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I'm thankful it's Thursday.

At 12:00 a.m. took a call from the oldest (she's feeling overwhelmed)

At 5:00 a.m. the birds were happily chirping.  Woke up.  Draggggggged out of bed.

Arrived at school, taught, ran around, read, wrote, updated Google docs

DRANK 3 CUPS OF COFFEE!

Hosted afterschool club - couldn't find snack, one crying child, nine excited newbies

Dinner, groceries, Twitter chat, laundry.

Time to SLICE!

I will catch up on comments tomorrow... I promise!

(Thanks for letting me vent.)

Hello Kids.com

I'm TOAST!

Finding the groove #SOL15

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It's November.  Time for the air to get chilly, the sun to set early, and my head to 

explode! 

Now don't get me wrong, my head exploding can be a good thing, a bad thing, or a bit of both.

It's the feeling of wanting to jump on EVERY SINGLE good idea I hear and wanting to be part of

all the cooooool

                    learning

                                       and new books

                                                         and shared reading experiences 

                                            in classrooms around my building.

But, I have my own programs and students and testing and reading and learning to do as well.

Hmpf.

It's a good problem to have.  

*********************
In other news....

I'm finally finding my groove.  I've got a mess of data and notes that need to be organized

 (same mess, new school!)

 I have a rhythm to my day.

(and there's a few minutes for a bathroom break!)

My students are gems

and my coworkers have accepted me into the tribe.

It's November. Time to make sure we all take care of ourselves, soak up ALL the sunshine we can, 

and take time to smell the Mr. Sketch markers.

Two Very Different Days

Monday

One teacher, full of ideas for the day, welcomed her class.

Students flew into the classroom

Many made more than one trip back to their locker

One didn't want to read, or do math, or do anything

but talk with his buddy at the top of his lungs.

The whining started early - "She's ON my DESK!"

A friendship was rekindled with one who was away.

Books were written, markers broken, pencil tips snapped.

Arguments about who was first and who cut in line.

Lunch time couldn't come fast enough

Three ice packs after recess.

Many clothespins shifted from green light to yellow light.

No matter what we tried, someone was left out or bothered or 

sad...sad... sad.

Two emails and one phone call home.

One exhausted teacher.

Tuesday

One reflective teacher, working on only 4 hours sleep, welcomed her class.

Students remembered their folders and made only one trip to the classroom.

Kids asked about the schedule... "Just like yesterday? Good!"

Books were read, turn and talk was fine, EEKK buddies were helpful.

The little bit of whining was redirected.

Only a few bandages needed for paper cuts - lots of authors today

One discussion about one collaborative scary story (please, no blood, okay?)

Children remembering to raise their hands

Sifting of rocks, gravel and sand in science (overheard: "Mrs. R is SO COOL!")

One chocolate bar to the custodian who swept up the mess

One tired and calm teacher.

Lessons learned:  When you stay calm, they stay calm.  Take your time.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  

Snail's Pace

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It's the start of week 3 in the new classroom.  The big, disorganized, can't remember where anything is, classroom.

I've decided to take a snail's pace when it comes to the cabinets and shelves.  I inherited many materials from last year's teacher (thank you to J!) but there are also YEARS of books and other materials from previous teachers who left many "treasures" behind.

I'm not discouraged by a classroom full of supplies.  Really.  I just wish I had the time to sort, purge and organize.  (Don't laugh at that last word!)

Instead, I'm spending time really thinking about instruction.  I'm being mindful when it comes to reader's workshop, writing time and math. I'm taking my time in launching the Daily 5.  We are going slow to grow, as my friends Michelle and Karen always say.

I'm trying to find one-on-one time with each student each week. I'm complimenting good behavior more than I'm correcting mistakes.  I'm letting students explain directions to each other.  I'm asking students for feedback.  I'm apologizing for misplacing the timer (for the 5th time!!!!) and forgetting to bring the cushions (I fixed that today.)

I'm trying to keep a snail's pace.  I'm building relationships and trust with my students.  I'm taking each day as they come.

I'm asking my colleagues for help.  I'm trying not to whine (it's hard!).  I'm trying to smile and get lots of sleep.

Taking a snail's pace is new for me.  I think I like it.

Spinning head = motivation

Oldest daughter is trying to make her college decision before the end of 2013.  She wants to put this huge, adult decision -- one that weighs on her heavily -- behind her so she can actually enjoy the remainder of senior year.

As we walked the first of the two final candidate campuses this weekend, I let the senior daughter walk ahead with her friend, taking in all the sights and information.  I lagged behind with my sophomore daughter.

We have focused much time and energy on my youngest daughter, helping her to be a confident person and student.  She has quite the "staff" at school (as we joke, but it's true) to help her be successful.  She dreams of nursing, or helping people in some way.  We dream that she will have independent academic and social skills to be able to study at a 4-year university, perhaps even far from home.

It's November, so it's prime time for me to be stressed and preoccupied.  I wasn't talking much during our campus walk.  Youngest daughter can talk about anything and everything, filling any dead air around (yes, she did inherit this skill from me!)

As we crunched the leaves on the path, youngest started to tell me how she plans to study nursing and dance at a medium or large school.  The conversation was fast-paced and all over the place.  She wants to have our trust that she will do her best.  She wants there to be lots of clubs and people going to football games.  She knows that the people at the disability office have to give her help. (I reminded her that she needs to seek accommodations). She also plans to make lots of friends and eat at all the different cafeterias and have a cool dorm room with lights.

Is your head spinning?  Mine was.  Her head was spinning, but her mixed up thoughts have turned into a spurt of motivation.

Yesterday we saw a campus that her sister liked, but youngest adored.  She begged for a sweatshirt.  "I can go here. This can be my college.  I need to do my work and focus in high school. College starts now," she explained.

Someone's highly motivated.  I'll take it!

Trying to contain the chaos

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I know, I know.

It's always been part of my life.

I bring it on myself. I claim that I can't find time to organize.

Well... that's not true.  I have the time, but

I do other (more fun!) things instead.

But then it starts to get to me.

CHAOS:  In the classroom

• student materials in need of reorganizing (did take care of that today)
• library ... half at home, most on shelves, most labeled, not quite in boxes... barely even touched
• papers for a binder laying on top of the binder

CHAOS:  At home

• the drawer full of bills and papers to be filed
• the socks that need pairing and rolling 
• the pile of sheets pulled from beds on Thursday

Since we survived a crazy homecoming week with two teenage girls,

I'll take every drop of sympathy I can get this week....

(can you hear the violin music in the background?)

• "You need more sleep!"
• "It's not that bad!"
• "You've had a lot going on!"
• "Do you feel okay?  You seem out of it."

Maybe after a cold beverage, a funny sitcom, a soak in the tub and a full night of sleep....

I'll feel a little better

Less whiny 

and more 

motivated

to clear a little bit of the chaos.

Keeping busy

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Whew!  I think I need a vacation from my summer vacation!

I've been a crazy cleaning machine this summer:

1. Open closet.  
2. Purge.  
3. Organize (sort of...)
4. Put some stuff back.  
5. Repeat.

It helps that my youngest, who likes to keep things, is at summer school and poms camp for most of the day.  She came home to a leaner closet the other day.  Too bad my oldest wants to deal with her own stuff, on her own time.  (She is our most organized family member)

I haven't called many friends to get together because I've been too busy trying to dig out my house from the school year.  Of course, the office and the bookshelf haven't been touched.  I think I have selective procrastination!

When will I run out of steam?  I'm not sure.  I wish I could handle some of the things on my husband's honey-do list, but I think he's a much more capable carpenter.  I still have to leave him a few things. (Sorry, Jeff!)

How many weeks of summer left?  I'm sure I won't run out of projects!

Friday. Finally. -SOLC #23

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Friday. Finally. 

We released our students an hour early. I waved to all the teachers and students leaving, and then I stayed for an hour and a half past dismissal time. I hid in my room and cleared all the papers from my desk (yes, I did put some back in a neat pile). 

I put all my intervention materials away. The books that were haphazardly tossed on the shelves were lined back up, spines facing out. 

I left for spring break with just one school bag full of random papers and progress monitoring packets. I came home to a clean house, ate dinner, and planted myself in my comfy chair. 

Friday. Finally.

To Do Lists - SOLC #16

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I made three to-do lists today.  One on my desk, one in my day planner (an oxymoron when you're me!) and one in my car. I'm a big fan of random lists on left in many places.

How many things did I get to cross off?  None.

I'm a compulsive list maker, and I'm excellent at writing things down.
I'm terrible at doing what I've listed.

I can remember the dry cleaners once in a while (thank you, pink receipt) and the library books floating around my car eventually make it back (this week I owe $ for late books).

The lists I always forget are the lists of items I want to bring to school to add to my students' schema.  These lists reflect what we're reading and learning about, and I've had some unusual items listed lately.

Yesterday's list, which I left on my desk, included the following:

• piece of tree branch showing rings
• pinecone
• Life Magazine - moon landing
• Natalie Merchant CD

Well look at that.  I remembered my list from yesterday!  If I can just focus for five minutes, I might be able to collect a few of these items.  Wouldn't that be something!

Book "Collectors" SOLC #10

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I have a few book collectors this year.  These are the students who check out books from my library and aren't the best at returning them so other students can have a turn.

Now, I should remind you (and myself) about the title of this blog ... Reading Amid the Chaos.  Yes, I have the   resource room library that is a mish-mosh of books, magazines and graphic novels.  I have only sorted books by fiction/non-fiction, AR vs. not AR (I'm sorry - my kids begged me... that's a whole other post).  I haven't taken the time or bought the supplies to properly sort out the books to make them kid friendly, and grouped by topics or authors.  I'm hoping to do this sooner versus later.  

I also have a terrible check out system:  none.  <Sigh>

So, my dilemma is now how to get books back from the students who have them at home.  I do realize that they have similar organizational challenges that I face.  I'm thinking that if I hand each of them a canvas shopping bag with a cute note stapled to it, I might recoup some of the books.  I'm also thinking of giving each student a friendly call that evening to remind them to fill up the bag.  Wish me luck!

I've been teaching nearly 10 years now.  I've learned that the more proactive you are, the less reactive you have to be, but I'm still not very good at it!