A Clean Desk #SOLC19

Read more Slice of Life stories at
Two Writing Teachers

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.

Purge? Keep? Sigh. #SOL18

Need a slice to match your mood?
Visit Two Writing Teachers

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

Join the Slice of Life Challenge
Write every day in March.
Be a "planner" or a "pantser"
Two Writing Teachers

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.

Tackling a Classroom Library #SOLC17

Join the Slice of Life Challenge
Write every day in March
Got an idea?  Just write!

This week I've assisted our new-to-teaching third grade teacher, Sarah, administer the PARCC assessment.  (Why yes, my legs and feet are sore!  How did you know?)

It's been neat to be part of a classroom community for three days.  Today I decided to spend the entire day with the class and help out Sarah organize her classroom library.

"Do you mind if I cause some chaos?" I asked Sarah.  She was game because she has LOTS of books and wasn't sure where to start.

With an hour between testing and lunch, I invited the class to grab a stack of books and divide them between fiction and non fiction.  After a few minutes of struggle and confusion, I clarified the difference.  We then organized fiction into chapter books, picture books and series.

Next came non fiction.
"Is that real or fake?" someone piped up.

We clarified non fiction and decided to have three big categories:  people, science and animals.

Lunch time and specials came and went.

The kids returned to class and started another PARCC session.  I moved a few books and made more of a mess in non fiction (sorry, Sarah!) 

Today's reflection on our work:  It wasn't very quiet.  It wasn't totally productive, but it was a great effort.  I am seriously impressed by the size of Sarah's library.  She is quite the book finder!

Twitter, slicing, paperwork... OH MY #SOL16 3/31

It's the annual Slice of Life Story Challenge!

Read other slices, join our community of writers at

Two Writing Teachers

Most people like to be busy, we like to be involved, and some of us thrive in the chaos!

Some of us think we thrive in chaos, but really, we are simply surviving.

I'm #NEW (only 50-some days left of that hashtag!) to my school and district.  I've taken on a few too many initiatives this month.  Then I added slicing and a twitter class.  Yup - rolling in the deep chaos.  I slipped and missed a bus request.  I apologized profusely, but it's still a slip.

In two weeks, we will have a schoolwide literacy night.  I have shared some of my vision with the staff, and they are completely on board.  Now I just need to convince the linear thinkers to help me make a project plan.... then we will be all set!

In the midst of all this busy-business, I had a pretty productive day at school.  One of our fave subs covered for my colleague.  He ran a few reading groups, and I had some precious time one-on-one with some first graders with high needs.  I could not be more at peace to see the steps and jumps of progress they are making.  

I tried to focus on doing one thing well today.  It worked with lots of support and a good system of piles.  Hahahahaha - you can always count on me for a decorated desk. 

My usual decorated desk.  On this day, a student REALLY needed me to bring a book.
 He used sticky notes to help me remember!

Balance SOLC #15

Read more Slice of Life stories and

join the March Challenge at

Two Writing Teachers

It's SO sunny and WARMish outside today, but I've got papers to organize and plans to write.

Time for some balance!

My plan: 

1) Set the timer for 45 minutes.  Type, think, write, sort, brainstorm, plan.

2) Spend 15 minutes on activity.  Switch laundry, read book outside, walk, scrub dishes.

3) Repeat.

Before I start this cycle, a morning bike ride or walk is being considered to get my heart pumping and my brain nourished.

I wonder if my plan will work.

An attempt at backwards planning

Read more Slice of Life stories at
Two Writing Teachers

A concept that I'm trying to even attempt is backwards planning.  As I face the month of May with a graduating high school senior, an involved sophomore, a traveling husband, and a case load of 18 developing readers, I have no choice but to try this.

My husband recommended using a calendar.  I explained to him that there is no way that I am ready for a calendar in my planning process.  I have yet to even discover what needs to be done for each event, let alone figure out what day I needed to do it!  (After 23 years of marriage, he should know I can't find my way out of a paper bag!)

I sat down Sunday night with my daughters, a Sharpie, and a stack of colorful notebook paper.  I started a page for every upcoming event.  I dumped our thinking on the paper.  I listed things we needed to do.  I listed what was already done just so I could check some things off!  (See "date" on Prom paper... tee hee)

Here's my brainstorming.  It's far from a backwards plan, but it's something.

I am hoping to add some dates to the to do lists.  I know I have deadlines.  Now I have to abide by them!

Wish us luck - we hope to thrive, not merely survive this crazy, exciting month and all the fun and joy May brings!

Sunday night struggle SOLC #3

Join the Slice of Life Challenge!
Write every day in March!
Two Writing Teachers

Sunday night.  Dinner was a mess, but I went to the backup plan (hello...BBQ chicken bites!) so no one starved.  I tried a new "recipe" (read:  read a recipe, didn't measure anything) for baked macaroni and cheese.  It was fine.

The fire in the fireplace roars.   Four book order packets for three classes lay undone on the table.  Report cards loom in my head.  Paperwork screams from the Drawer of Doom.  Jeff left for his weekly trek to Wisconsin, Allison parked in front of the Oscars in pajamas, and Lindsey crashed on the couch.

What should I do first?

I should get the calendar all set for lacrosse season. It starts tomorrow for both girls.

I really should just finish report cards so they don't keep me awake too late.

I want to check in with a friend.

I'd rather play a few rounds of Candy Crush or Ruzzle.

I should open the Drawer of Doom.  

I'd rather go check out some Oscar gowns and ooh and ahh with Allison (the fashionista)

I need to wake up Lindsey.  Tomorrow morning will be tricky!

So many choices.

Sunday night is always a struggle.  There's too much to do and not enough motivation!

But guess what?  My Slice is finished for Monday!

Progress

Read more Slice of Life stories at
Two Writing Teachers

Progress

We are all making progress in my house this June.  We have many different goals and dreams, but everyone is taking small and large steps.  

My youngest daughter (nearly 15) conquered her cluttered, tchochke-filled room and closet with just a little help.  She felt better about sending her stuffed animal collection to the basement or my classroom ("Mom, the kids need to have a Read With the Bears Day in your room!").

Her room is nearly ready for a fresh coat of paint, now that we've removed some furniture (*See my progress below) and cleared her space.

My oldest daughter (gulp, a senior) has been applying for a part-time job and deciding which colleges she needs to visit this summer before diving into the application progress.  I've tried my best to give her space and not nag her about the job apps (I'm failing miserably!).  She's asking lots of friends about where she should apply and has successfully answered hundreds of personality and work style questions on these 45-minute applications.

My husband is now at the 5-week mark after heart surgery.  He wasn't cleared to drive yet (UGH!) but he has helped me fix up a few items around the house with a screw gun and circular saw.  This week he plans to spend some time in his office and maybe work a touch on the basement.  He's determined to get into cardiac rehab ASAP so he can start working out.  

I took the bookshelf from my youngest's room and plan to house my home library collection in the basement.  I bought clear shoeboxes and started sorting a few shelves of books.  The basement floor is a total disaster, as I only work on this project when we have crummy weather.  I'm so glad that I've started to sort what I have - I didn't realize how many books need to be in my classroom library.  Once I can get back into school, I'll purge and organize there, too.  This project is long overdue, and I'm excited to finally be making progress.

Minutiae SOLC #26

Read more Slice of Life stories at
Two Writing Teachers

minutiae [mɪˈnjuːʃɪˌiː]

pl n sing -tia [-ʃɪə]

small, precise, or trifling details

I am a big picture kind of person.  I can't be relied on to make sure the day-to-day details and important information are in the right place.  I have math skills, but I am truly a right-brained individual.

Paperwork is the enemy.

My husband checked the date, and he reminded me that we need to get our taxes to the accountant.

In doing some research for my "teacher stuff", I found that I didn't renew my International Reading Association membership.  (I thought that was on auto renew!)  I can't remember when I bought my classroom bookshelves.  I always forget to keep track of classroom expenses separate from my household expenses (BOOKS FOR EVERYONE!).

Can I help a student find a great book?  Yes - I'm wired to remember book titles, authors and summaries.

Can I remember pieces I've played in orchestra?  Yes, when I hear them. Don't ask me who wrote the piece.

Today I will try not to feel guilty about what I can't find in the minutiae.  I will conquer the paperwork drawer so I can then celebrate my creativity and work on knitting, music, and reading!