Magical Moments

Read more Slice of Life stories at
Two Writing Teachers

It was tough to get up on Monday.  I overindulged on the Oscars (Lady Gaga + Sound of Music = surprisingly awesome!) so I already was tired.  I really wanted to stay under the covers, but I brewed a strong cup of coffee and ventured to school.

Our day was already scattered, so I tried to keep an even head.  Specials moved to the morning, lunch time delayed by a lunch delivery dilemma.  Indoor recess, again.  I kept moving the students between the carpet and desks as we completed a writing lesson, talked science, worked through math rotations, guided reading and Daily 5 (with one major student meltdown).

Then it happened.  I introduced the essential question of the week from our reading series ... "how do animal's bodies help them?"

You would have thought that I had a classroom of zoologists.
I'm not kidding.

These first graders were tossing words like camouflage, acacia leaves, muscular legs.
Some were discussing at their tables the difference between cheetahs, jaguars and leopards.
They talked about snakes, birds, elephants, and giraffes.
I couldn't keep up with all the conversations.
I knew I had a few animal experts, but this was amazing.

At it all happened 20 minutes before we had to get ready to go home.

What an inspiring way to finish our day.  I can only guess which book basket will be empty by first bell tomorrow morning!

Inspired by Texts

Read more Slice of Life stories at
Two Writing Teachers

Karen and Michelle and I have an ongoing group text message.
These ladies are my reading resource buddies at work.
They are my friends.
This year they are my lifelines.

If I need...
a book
an idea
a minute to whine
or
to celebrate,

they are there.

Sharing
Listening
Thinking
Typing as fast as they can.

It's pretty awesome
to have two coaches at my fingertips.

Friends.
Confidantes.
Book lovers.
Learners.
Thinkers.
Silly emoji users. (That's the best).

Last week I found this quote on Pinterest.  It sums up how I feel about Karen and Michelle.
They are my tribe.

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.  

Stop and celebrate

We are in the second week of winter break.  Ahhhh.  I figured out it's Tuesday and I could actually get a Slice of Life post blogged for the first time in months.  Hooray!

Today I think I'll focus on the positive.  In the past I've been a glass-half-full person, but this fall I'm especially prone to the negative.  Yes, my whole world was shifted when I was moved from reading resource to a classroom.  I really wanted to be positive and think it would be easy.  It isn't.  I have high expectations for myself and I need to cut myself some slack.  I'm always telling my students and children that I have never met anyone who is perfect.  I need to listen to myself.

So... today I give myself permission to celebrate all that has been fun and exciting around here!

Cookie Baking Fest

My girls and five friends helped bake and decorate many varieties of cookies.  My husband played holiday and Broadway songs on the piano.  Everyone was laughing and making messes until midnight.  What fun!

Most Energetic and Sweetest Class

I have 19 sweet, kind and energetic students this year.  We are learning along together, every day.  One of my sprites, G, told me before break, "I told my dad that all you want for Christmas is for the kids to listen."  Yup, G, you get it!

A is one of our more reserved and gentle boys.  His favorite Friday tag line is, "I wish we didn't have weekends.  Then we could stay at school."  Maybe we are becoming the school family I hoped for!

Rest, Relaxation and Family Time Highlights

• Not one alarm clock has been set during winter break
• Only one school-related nightmare
• Family game night with my best friend from grade school and her family
• Enjoying holiday lights in our neighborhood and the arboretum
• Time to blog, pin on pinterest, and read like crazy!

Wishing you a wonderful 2015!  May we all find the positive in all situations.

Tales from the classroom

Yesterday was the 59th day of school with my first first grade classroom.  We have been working so very hard to become a community of learners, thinkers, writers, scientists and classmates.

It hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been impossible.

The students come every day with smiles.  They bounce into the room with rosy cheeks (it's been freezing!), bright eyes and pure excitement.  They can't wait to see what we will do today.

I try to keep the morning moving.  We are working on an integrated unit comparing the past to the present.  We are talking about pictures, writing our ideas, and learning from historians.

Sharing our ideas is noisy.  There are those that don't wait their turn.  There are arguments and tattling.  They demand personal attention.  Some are shy.  Some are bold.

We talk it out.  We unfold our arms.  We sigh.  We cry.  We dance it out.  We snack.
We read aloud.  We share our thinking.  We calm ourselves.

Then we tackle reading, writing, word work... independently.  Students treasure this time to work on their own.  Notebooks are filled, books are devoured.  Not everyone understands that it's independent work time, but we are getting there.

LUNCHTIME arrives... woo hoo!

After lunch students line up to share their complaints.  Left out at recess.  Scraped knees, frozen hands.  Scowls and tears.  We take long drinks and run hands under water.  We come to the carpet and talk about goals.

More work, more reading, more learning.  Kids whine and groan when the timer rings and it's time to change centers.  They are building their stamina.  They are hitting a groove.

BUT THEN IT'S SPECIALS TIME  (excitement ensues:  stop pick that up I can't wait for gym I have library I have to change my shoes let's go let's go)

When they leave, I sit.  I eat a piece of chocolate.  I breathe deeply. I regroup.

WE ARE BACK!  It's math!!!  Calendar, number of days in school, number of the day.  "Can we PLEASE play mystery number again!?"  Let's talk decomposing numbers, number bonds, turn around facts.  Lots of math games, individual help, I KNOW HOW TO DO THAT!  Counting, learning.

WHAT?  It's time to go home?

Groans.  Clean up, find folders, pick up gloves, herd kids to the bus, chairs go up, tie shoes, find lunchboxes.

BYE!  SEE YOU TOMORROW!!

Yesterday was the 59th day of school with my first first grade classroom.
What a roller coaster of awesome.

Thanking My Village

Read more Slice of Life stories
at Two Writing Teachers

It takes a village to run a classroom.

It's important to thank the members of your village.
Today I take a minute to do just that.

From the custodians who sweep up the scraps and talk football and home improvement,
to the resource friends who make sure
you have the best read alouds,
the best classroom setup,
and are the best support system
a girl could ask for
(including emergency pie on Saturday nights).

From the family and friends
who are patient and willing to help,
to the parents
who write notes like
"no worries" and "thank you."

From the teammates who say
today is the day
you step outside 
the building to get some lunch
to the secretaries and nurse that tell me
"No question is too silly.  Thanks for asking.  I'll help you."

From the support team
who brainstorms and brings fidgets
and puppets and posters

to the students,
the energetic
enthusiastic
smiling
students
who forgive my mistakes
("You said meet me on the table instead of carpet!")
and draw me beautiful pictures
and remind me
why I come to school
each day.

P.S. Thanks to Lynn for the writing nudge

Snail's Pace

Read more Slice of Life stories at
Two Writing Teachers

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.