Creativity SOLC #10

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Two Writing Teachers

When I play a Go Noodle brain break for the kiddos, I stay near my computer.  I have a clear view of all the dancing kiddos, and it's the few minutes of the day I'm anywhere near my desk.  My student R likes to sidle right next to me.  If she could, I think she wouldn't mind crawling in one of my pockets!

One day she noticed that I had a poster hanging above my desk with "a lot of Cs."  I read them to her:  collaboration, creativity, communication, courage (from our building) and critical thinking.  We are trying to keep these ideas in mind when planning instruction.  I explained that I could show her what these are throughout our day.

During partner work I reminded the students to collaborate.

During math she needed courage to keep trying (math is not her favorite subject).

I asked the students to use their critical thinking skills 

When students turned and talked I labeled it communication.

I realized we have been missing creativity in our first grade classroom.

Then Day 120 of school came about.  BINGO!

Today we created necklaces of 120 Froot Loops (the classroom smelled so sweet!), kids were able to build creations with our 3D shapes (triangles, hexagons, etc) and a few fantastic 120 hats were glued and stapled.

They were awesome.  They were creators.  There was minimal off-task behavior.

Yes, I will remind myself to provide more opportunities for kids to use their critical thinking, collaboration and communication skills.  I will definitely remember that this class craves time to show their creativity.

Reignited SOLC #9

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In our district it's been a year of BIG changes for everyone.  Everything in the district was adjusted, from the curriculum approach to the schedule.  The biggest change for me was my switch into first grade.  I was a reading intervention teacher for thirteen years until program changes brought me to the door of Room 107.

It's been a year of learning, roller coaster emotions and me wanting to use all the best practices I've learned over the years all the time in my classroom.  Let me tell you from experience, it's not best practice to try everything.

Today I attended a grade-level symposium at my school district.  I realized what I've been missing this year.  Today I had the opportunity to learn and teach and share resources with my teammates, my grade level colleagues and the instructional coaches.

YES!  I love to talk and collaborate and share!

I've tried to be helpful to my teammates, but I've really had to lean on them (they are the best team!) and I feel like I've emotionally drained my resource pals, Michelle and Karen.  I'm not used to getting help.  I prefer to help others find resources and solutions.  I have been very, very needy this year.  It's not a feeling I like.

Today reminded me what I am really passionate about.  Today I was helpful to others.

• I love to match kids and teachers with books.
• I love to teach teachers about Twitter and how to find resources and who to follow.
• I love to share resources (websites, mentor texts, who's who in reading & writing).
• I love to think big and out of the box and far-reaching and short-term (and in a circular fashion!) (my blog does have "chaos in the title!").

Tomorrow I return to my classroom with a lighter heart.  I have so much to share with my students about my learning with other teachers.  I want to know what they discovered about the books I left with the guest teacher.  

I guess I just needed a day to really share and smile and feel confident.

I needed my learning fire

reignited.

The Couch SOLC #8

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The Couch is the favorite place in our house for my daughters and their friends to hang out.  Of course, the two groups are never in the basement at the same time.  One group (usually youngest and friends) will get relegated to the great room (with no TV) to watch a movie on a laptop.

I would like to replace The Couch.  To me it's worn out, the cushions are all squished and it has it's share of spots that won't come out.  When I posed the idea of media chairs to the girls, they responded with a resounding, "Oh, no, mom! Don't get rid of The Couch!"

I sent a text to my older daughter, Lindsey, and friends why they love The Couch.

Lindsey:  Mom, I'm not sure you could capture the essence of The Couch in just words.

Katie:  It's so much more than a couch.

Lindsey:  It doubles as a bed, a couch and a living area.

Me:  It's a comfortable, safe place to share your hopes, dreams and fears with your friends?

Lindsey:  That's deep.

Katie:  You can build forts with it!

Emily:  Because it symbolizes friendship, rainbows and hugs.

Lindsey: BOOM.  Nailed it.

I guess we will be keeping The Couch for a long while.  It's very important to these kids, and it's pretty comfy, too!

Reset SOLC #7

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Sometimes 

you just need to press 

the reset button

so you 

take a walk

soak up the sunshine

drink some coffee

fold socks

take a long shower

eat quesadillas for lunch

then you 

find a comfy space

put on your slippers

find your computer 

and write

Now you can tackle 

the report cards

that have been nagging on your brain.

Make the plans

that must be made

So later

you can watch a movie

take another walk

drink a glass of wine

and

relax.

Some Days SOLC #6

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I watched the movie "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" tonight.  The book is near and dear to my heart as a reader, a parent and a teacher.  

I read the book as a kid and really loved how grumpy Alexander was about everything.  I was a very dramatic yet happy child (can you say, "mood swing?") so I could totally relate.

I remember reading about Alexander to my daughters.  Then they both had Mrs. A for 5th grade, two different years.  In her room, you could escape to "Australia" (a corner full of pillows) when the day was just too much for you.

This school year I'm finding it hard not to be Alexander.  I'm constantly running the highlight film of my teaching day in my head and I can only find the faults.  It's something I really need to work on. 

Loved this quote from the movie.  

"I think you just gotta have the bad days so you can love the good days even more."

Way to frame it, Alexander!

Reason number 1,578,903 SOLC #5

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School ended at 3:50 p.m.

4:00 meeting with principal

4:20 chat with math resource teacher (she grounds me so well)

5:00 run back to the room to create 1/2 day sub plans

5:15 text from hubby that he's landed at the airport

oh

I'm not finished.  

Typical.

I ask via text if we can grab food then come back to school.

I have to finish.

He agrees.

Surprising, but typical.

My reply text, 

"Reason 1,578,903 

I love you"

Priorities (Feelings) SOLC #4

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Science kit repacking (frustrated)

Headed for home at nearly 7 (exhausted)

Talked with college daughter (uplifted)

Hot dinner in the crock pot (impressed)

Younger daughter helping friend (proud)

Laundry, garbage, kitchen duty (bored)

Planning (inspired)

Planning (stuck)

Ask friend for help (hopeful)

Planning (refocused)

Nag younger daughter to get in the shower (annoyed)

Remember to slice (anxious)

Read a comment (calmed)

Eat a mini cheesecake (satiated)

Put computer away until tomorrow (sleepy)