It's Monday #SOL16 21/31

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Two Writing Teachers

It's Monday.  My students were pretty calm today.  I got some of my toughest customers to read today.  I had a great conversation with my 4th graders, activating their schema on U.S. monuments and symbols (kids were leaping out of their chairs!).

It's Monday.  My youngest daughter doesn't feel well.  She was on an emotional roller coaster yesterday.  Up early, didn't sleep.  I'm almost as tired.

It's Monday.  I got up a tiny bit late (see above), but I left the house near 7:00 a.m. and flew past two high schools, their parking lots completely empty.  The local schools are on spring break.

It's Monday.  I had to go to the grocery store after work.  Must. Get. Coffee.  I look up and see that the moon is full.  "It's a silly wives tale," you say.  Perhaps you don't work at an elementary school.

It's Monday.  A beautiful pot roast was in the oven when I got home.  MMMMMMMM.  So grateful for my Chef Jeff!

It's Monday.  My students requested books from the public library.  I spent 30 minutes browsing the non fiction section.  Who knew there were books on zombies in 001.49??

It's Monday.  I'm finished with my slice.  Now I'm off to read and comment on other slices.  Not a bad way to end a Monday!

Sometimes SOLC #11

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Two Writing Teachers

Sometimes I wish I was an introvert.

Someone who would think first, talk later.

Someone who would have filters.

Someone who could wait her turn to talk 

And not be so quick to respond

And then ask for forgiveness.

Sometimes it's hard to be who you are

And not worried about

What everyone else is thinking 

And how they might want you to be different

Quieter, more thoughtful

More in tune with the world around you

And just less loud.

Sometimes it's hard to be

Who you are

Because you are wired that way

And no amount of training

Or coaching

Or advice

Will change you.

Sometimes you have to decide

That you are okay

Just the way you are.

I do, I do it for you, You do... Really!

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Two Writing Teachers

I'm trying something tried and true at my house this week.  I'm not jumping in and saving my teens from their poor choices (note:  no harmful choices were made).  It's been an interesting couple of days as I work from being an enabler to more of an observer and coach.

One daughter was ticked off when I didn't provide any help for a major assignment that she started at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday night.  (No dear, you can't blame procrastination on me.)  The other was astounded that she had to "pay" for a ride to school with her phone after she missed the bus.

I'm not dropping off gym clothes at school.  I'm not giving the time in 5 minute increments in the morning any more.

All of this is against every grain of my being.  I know my purpose in life is to help others -- I've always done it.  But enabling and coaching are different.

In the classroom I've been pressing my mouth closed and encouraging my students to talk more about their reading and thinking.  I've asked them, "What do you think?" more than I offer my ideas.  I'm trying to push them to their highest levels of thinking and sharing.  There are no excuses for not reading outside of my class.  I simply ask them to set a goal they can manage.

Enabling, coaching, caring, helping.  I'm trying to find a balance while helping the kids around me (at home, at school) find their way.

Exercise SOLC #25

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Two Writing Teachers

Exercise.  A necessary evil when you're trying to drop a few many pounds.

Can't we find a way to make it more appealing?  I hate it.

I spent 30 minutes on the XBox this morning, coached by Bob from the Biggest Loser.  I figured he would be more caring and kind than Jillian (she's mean!).  Alas, even when Bob called out encouragement, "I know you can do this.  You need to dig deeper!" I couldn't help but scowl at his virtual reality face.

Shut up, video game guy!

I tried 8 weeks of Yogalates and discovered that I like yoga, but I abhor pilates.  I have no core and I look ridiculous.

I enjoy walking outside, but it's been cold and blustery and my shoes don't fit correctly.

I look like a sausage in my capris and sports bra.  My Nike shirt clings to every bump and roll.

Even though I feel better after it's over....  Exercise.  I hate it.  

Late Start SOLC #12

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Two Writing Teachers

It's late start at the high school today.  My school starts at 9:00 a.m.

Teens:

Stay up late
Remind mom it's late start
Ignore pleas to get to bed and turn off phones
History notes
Sending texts
Set alarm for 8:15
Need a wake up body shake at 8:20
No rush to get out of bed

Adults:

Call "all phones off" at 10:00 - get response, "It's late start, mom!"
Remind oldest at 11:15 that she needs to go to bed - get response, "It's late start, mom!"
Fall asleep - really crash - at 11:30
Alarm beeps and screams at 6:30
Pound alarm button
Decide you need a late start, too
Roll over
7:45 wake up
Decide you can take a really quick shower
7:51 finally get up
Ready at 8:25
Hair doesn't look that bad
Arrive at school 8:50

Sometimes we all need a late start to our day.

Excuses for Not Reading

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Two Writing Teachers

Many of my students (and lots of adults I've met) have lots of excuses for not reading.  

I was on FIRE this summer, burning through lots of books and adding them on Goodreads.  In the past two weeks, I've found myself in a reading slump.

Here's my current list of excuses.  

I haven't been reading because....

I haven't been to the library in a month.

Every time I try to download an ebook from the library, I don't finish the process, exit my cart and lose all my books.

It gets dark at 5:00 now.  After coming home and waving the dinner wand, I reallllly don't want to go out again.

I've read nearly all the books on my shelf.  If I haven't read them, those books aren't interesting to me.

I haven't had time to read my usual book-loving blogs to add new titles to Goodreads.

I haven't been to the library in a MONTH!
(My husband joked that he expected them to call me and check that I was okay.)

I've been working hard on keeping my classroom papers in order.  When I look up at the clock, there's no time left to read.

I'm looking for a new book, author or genre to get me excited.

<sigh>

I've run out of excuses.  Time to find something to read....and quick!