Summer Plans #SOL

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Two Writing Teachers

This summer I'm trying something new.

I told people that I was open and available for volunteer opportunities.

They took me seriously.

I'm a new member of the Monarch Butterfly program at the local nature center.

Sounds impressive? You betcha!  One two-hour training felt like a graduate-level course.

Next week I'll be helping clients with special needs at a day-long fun fair.

I get to play carnival games with a buddy, then enjoy a karaoke party.  I'm super pumped!

This nearly-empty-nester-teacher who thought she would have LOADS of time to fill this summer...

...was wrong!

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!

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!

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.

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

We Got a Grant! #SOLC19

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Two Writing Teachers

"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.  :) 

Working to keep routines #SOL19

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We have had our share of crazy winter weather in 2019.  I expected snow days, but we've had three (unprecedented) late start days to deal with ice storms.  This is four-day week may turn into a three-days-and-a-late-start.  There's a full moon tonight.  State testing is scheduled for mid-March. 
Some Most All teachers are stressed.

I know I can't wave a magic wand (I used to have one!) and make my developing readers have amazing stamina, instant book love and grade-level text understanding.  I do think I can help my readers improve, day by day, by keeping our routines in place:

• Checking in with each other (What's new?  How are you feeling?  I like your new shoes/shirt/haircut.)
• Previewing vocabulary, text and photos (What do you notice? What questions do you have?)
• Reading (Read that part to me.  Read these sections to yourself.)
• Thinking & Discussion (What are you thinking?  What evidence can you find?)
• Writing (Summarize your learning.  What was the theme?)
• Wrap up (Choose a stopping point. Plan for tomorrow.)

We try to follow our routine every day, even if some steps are short.  I work to ask deeper questions during our discussions, but I try to push my students to lead the talks.  Some days are better than others.

I hope spring will be here soon.  I know I'm not alone.  This winter has been a roller coaster!

One Little Word 2019 #SOL19

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Today I did a little inventory on my One Little Words that I have chosen over the years:

finish - listen - thrive - hope - spark - peace.

When I first started picking an OLW in 2011, I picked words that would encourage me to improve. (I have a hard time finishing projects; I tend to talk more than listen). Then I went through a job change and watched my daughters graduate high school and make life decisions (thrive was really survive; hope was for a new job). Spark represented all the new ideas I brought to my new school, and peace was my big goal for myself and the world.

Today I see myself as someone who juggles flaws and fabulous ideas. Someone who can spark a smile in someone who isn't feeling great. Someone who is trying to figure out how to parent young adults (so different!) while getting back to hobbies and habits I had before my husband and I became parents.

After many visits to an online thesaurus, I have decided my word of 2019 is ....

cultivate

(v) to plant, to educate, to encourage

My goals for 2019 include:

• read lots of books to cultivate my knowledge of current kid lit
• help my students find books they can & will read and cultivate their love of reading
• encourage my colleagues to refine their craft by cultivating positive relationships and learning alongside them
• cultivate new hobbies (lettering, bullet journaling) and revisit former hobbies (playing violin, knitting)
• Figure out how to cultivate an interest in exercising and continue to eat well

Sounds easy enough, right?  Happy New Year!

Dear Chris #SOL18

Dear Chris,

It's been awhile since you've typed on the blog.  I like the new layout.  Sure, the original orange background was snappy, but the new blue is soothing.

Source

It's December, and you know what that means.  Undue stress for you as you manage your expectations compared to reality.  Luckily over the years you have learned to accept and appreciate help with decor, baking and events.  You are making lists and getting started on your shopping and card writing (Thank YOU, early Thanksgiving!).  The holidays will be magical if you let them.

As far as work, your students are gems this year, even though you have thirty-five and you are using a cart to visit them in class.  You will figure out ways to share Flashlight Friday and Hot Chocolate Snowy Day Reading with the classrooms you visit.  In fact, the teachers may love the extra fun that you bring.  Be patient with them and yourself.

Dearest Chris, center yourself, collect your markers and cards as you participate in 12 Days of Love Letter Writing.  Some of the stories are heartbreaking, but you have the power to send positive messages to people who need them.  You'll also write to two acquaintances who have lost loved ones, and a family member or two.  May lots of comfort pour from your cards into their hearts, even if it's just a small gesture.

Now go and do your best.  Make sure you take time to relax and laugh and enjoy this month.

From your friend, yourself,
Chris

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Two Writing Teachers

Finale #SOLC

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Join the league of slicers
every Tuesday at
Two Writing Teachers

What?  Today is March 31st?
Already?

This year I sliced many days, but not all.  I gave myself grace and realized that this challenge 
(for me) is more about...

• a yearly "dusting off" of my blog
• reigniting my love of writing
• reconnecting with Slice of Life e-friends
• making new e-friends
• reading LOTS of inspiring slices

...than writing every day.

I'm returning home from an amazing trip to Arizona to see my best friend, Beth, and her family.

There's so many ideas swirling in my head, and so many photos to share.

But today I will just write a little post about writing.

Writing can be as easy or as hard as you make it.  I've learned to not worry (too much) about what others think of my writing, and if my slices will be "good enough" to post.

I hope you feel the same way about your writing.  If you don't feel as confident yet, know that this feeling will eventually come as you keep writing and sharing your ideas.

Thanks to Stacey and her team at Two Writing Teachers for making March all about writing, connecting and stretching.  You are appreciated!

Thanks to all the slicers who wrote and commented and grew as writers.  

Wasn't March fun??

Up and At 'Em #SOLC

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Two Writing Teachers

Last week a small miracle occurred on Thursday morning.

I got out of the shower and my younger daughter (19 years old) was dressed and packing a bag.

I had to take a double-take.

She is taking the first course in the early childhood track at our community college.  It's an online course, but it still requires 15 hours of observation.  Our preK teacher (a wonderful person) generously invited Allison to hang out in her classroom.  She went on Valentine's Day and had a blast, but she hasn't been back since for a number of reasons.

Back to Thursday, and I was excited to see Allison getting ready in enough time to join our Party Bus carpool.

The PreK class is known for some kiddos with spunk.  Allison's day went well, and she was proud of how much she could help out the teacher compared to a teacher assistant that was assigned as a sub.

I'm hoping this dose of fun and productivity will help Allison stay on track with school.  I would hate for her to try this class, not finish, and then be back at square one.  She has to figure out what she is good at and what she is passionate about (maybe it's the same thing, if she's lucky) and then decide how she will follow a path to employment.

For now, I'm happy she was up with the birds for TWO days last week, and she had some fun and PreK love.

One little word

It's hard to choose a word, especially my One Little Word.  I usually take a while, but it's nearly the end of March!

This year I'm looking to make slight changes (ok, I also need to lose a boatload of weight, as if...)

How can I put into words that I'm doing ok with food, exercise, stress, work and relationships.  I just want to choose better food, exercise more often, keep my stress level down at work, and continue to nurture my relationships.

Better?  I'm not doing too badly.  Improve?  I've already been trying.

Next stop?  The thesaurus.

I try many different words on for size:  grow, thrive, rise, persist, uplift.  Nothing fits right.

I click synonyms, avoid antonyms... until I find it.  The word I need right now.

peace

I'm always looking to find peaceful moments to calm my spinning brain.
I strive for my family to get along and be kind and calm.
I hope the world will work together to reduce violence towards one another.
I want to give myself peaceful grace for doing my best and being enough.

There. I found my word.  Now I get to work towards achieving it.

Click here for more information at Two Writing Teachers and here for info from Alli Edwards 
about One Little Word (OLW).

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mother_teresa_107846?src=t_peace

We bring the fun #SOLC18

All month we are writing slices of life!
Read some at Two Writing Teachers

Today we visited my uncle and his family.  My uncle (just four years older than me) has been in treatment for colon cancer over the past two years.  It's been an uphill battle and really crappy at times (yes, we are all about the puns).  Last week he battled an infection as well as the side of effects of chemo.  No. Fun. At. All.

My husband Jeff and I wanted to bring a care package to our visit.  We researched and thought about all the "appropriate" and "caring" things we could bring.  We walked around Target for inspiration.

What did we pick?  A remote control helicopter, a mini basketball and door-hanging hoop, and a Play-Dough ice cream kit.

In our family, we bring the fun.

Were the presents really necessary?  Nope, not at all.  Were they appreciated?  You betcha.

We were happy to visit, share some quality time with the family (we haven't connected in awhile) and enjoy some smiles and laughs.

Helping with smooth transitions #SOL17

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I spent yesterday visiting three schools.  When I pulled up to the first school, I was early.  I drove around the neighborhood, just to calm my nerves.

Two of my friends are transferring schools after many years at one building.  Their plans were to check in with the office staffs, scope out classrooms and walk their new buildings.  I was just along as a support person, but I couldn't help feeling jittery for my friends.

Once we got to the office, my first friend introduced herself to the secretaries and sounded confident. The two of us stood behind her smiling.  "Brought an entourage, huh!?" laughed the secretary.

"We're her team, her tribe!" I chuckled.

We toured, we checked out rooms, we compared schools.  We relaxed.  We eventually were brave enough to knock on the conference room door and introduce ourselves to the new administration. 

After smiles, introductions and handshakes, we left school number one.  We decided the visit was a little awkward but worth the time.  We then drove over to school number two.

At school two, we reconnected with staff members from other schools and checked in with the office staff.  The second school was fun to tour because we had more confidence.  We shared some laughs and jokes with the custodial staff.  My friend who will be moving to this school began planning furniture placement.  

The final school I visited was the one I left two years ago.  It was really sweet to catch up with the secretaries and AP.  As I closed the door firmly behind me, I confirmed that my decision to leave was right for me.  

Now I'm ready to help my friends transition to new schools, new staff, new students.  They are both bringing their vast collection of books, which they will find to be a bridge to making new connections and friends.  I will be there for them when they have celebrations and struggles, just like they have for me.  

As one chapter ends, another begins!

Music-minded #SOLC17

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Write every day in March.
Crank up the music and write!
Two Writing Teachers

Michelle Haseltine's post, "What is your theme song?" took me down a wonderful path of music this week, and I'm so thankful for it!

I'm a huge music fan.  I will listen to nearly any type of music, but mostly pop, rock, hip hop, Disney soundtracks and Broadway musicals.  My daughters will sometimes tease me about my crushes on boy band music (there, I said it) but I don't care.  Even though I don't have a decent singing voice (my husband does!), I will sing along loudly to songs when the spirit moves me.

This week I've enjoyed entering some new genres into Pandora (like country) and blasting music through the house.  It's been fun to dance around and sing as I wash dishes, cook, and work on paperwork.

All this music fun makes me realize... I need to figure out a way to mesh music into my reading instruction.  I think some of my developing readers are driven by music as well:

• A good number of my younger students will randomly break into song (especially if they attend their music special before my class), and many of them like to dance.
• My fourth grade group figured out they could imbed YouTube music videos into a Google document.  They like told me they like to listen to music during centers.
• Sometimes my classroom is too quiet and needs some background music to fill the silence.

Perhaps song lyrics will be our poetry for April?  I'm excited to try something new in my classroom.

And by the way, Michelle, my theme song is "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield.

Drench yourself in words unspoken, live your life with arms wide open 

Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten

(Lyrics from Google play music)

Create your own adventure #SOLC17

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Writing becomes a good habit!
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I'm not totally hating my staycation.  I've turned it into more of a "create your own adventure" week.

Sure, there's been boring stuff like phone calls, appointments, cleaning, laundry and cooking.

But there's also been some fun!

Reading books, sleeping late, visiting friends, watching movies, no schedule.

Today I went to the library and pulled a couple random, grown-up fiction books in addition to some about gardening and eating well.

I went to Home Depot and bought my garden seeds and a seed starter pack.  (Let's grow!)

I'm heading to my friend's house for "puppy therapy"  (hang out and pet her dogs) and game night.

Am I jealous of my friends on the beach, in the canyons and at the House of Mouse?  

Yes, but I'm also having some fun of my own.  

Sunshine intervention #SOLC17

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Write every day in March.
Write to make your own sunshine.
Two Writing Teachers

We had sunshine on Friday.  Clouds on Saturday, Sunday, Monday.  This week calls for nothing but 

gloomy

cloudy

rainy

cold

days.

Hmpf.

I left my "happy light" at school.

Double hmpf.

Since I can't force the sun to come out, I am trying to create my own "sunshine" and setting myself up for a "sunny" day.  My steps:

• Streaming music (loudly!) from Pandora - trying some new genres
• Dancing around to the music (it's not pretty)
• Typing my slice to set my intentions for the day
• Planning a trip to the library, lunch out with Allison and errands
• Turning on every light in the kitchen
• Drinking another cup of coffee
• Adding books recommended by my Twitter peeps to GoodReads
• Celebrating that today is a gift, no matter what the weather.

Wishing you a SUNNY day!

Crazy productive...kind of #SOLC17

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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.

Thanks for your inspiration, Juliette! #SOLC17

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Write every day in March.
Sometimes you will be an inspiration!
Two Writing Teachers

First, I must tell you, my cheeks were a little pink on Sunday.  Betsy used one of my slices as the example on the call to slice link.

Next, you should know, I usually construct my slices on the fly (I plan nothing) and I write as I go.

Furthermore, I admit, my heart jumped when I saw my name connected to a slice on Sunday.

I immediately clicked on Juliette's Gifts.  I believe Juliette lives in another country from what I can gather from her slices.  She got inspiration from my Spring is Approaching slice and blogged about her summer.

Juliette mentioned traveling to Mallorca.  I love geography and searching for places, so I had to look it up.  Just LOOK at this gorgeous place!

Cal Boquer Beach, North Mallorca

Image from See Mallorca

I've always been a guppy** when it comes to travel.  My husband went to Europe with our high school choir for his first airplane trip.  I've only traveled the US with white knuckles on the airplane and restless legs in the car.

But Juliette's slice got me thinking.  There's a whole world out there that I need to see.  I may need some more coaching when it comes to cross-country and overseas travel, but I think it would be worth it.  I can picture myself standing at the top of Cal Boquer Beach in North Mallorca, staring out into the blue, clear ocean, 

Thanks for your inspiration, Juliette!

** ("Flounder, don't be such a guppy!" The Little Mermaid)