sols: clothing concerns

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

I woke up to the click of the light switch.  I thought to myself, "It is way too early."  Grabbing my glasses from my nightstand, I rolled over to face the clock, squinting at the fuzzy green glowing numbers.

5:24 AM.  "No," I whispered out loud.  I quickly threw the blankets off and climbed out of bed.

I walked down the hall to see the girls' bedroom light glowing beneath the door.  I quietly opened it to see P. slip beneath her covers and close her eyes.

I tiptoed over to her bed, noticing that M. was curled in a ball, still sleeping.

"P., honey, it's too early to be up.  Mommy and Daddy are still sleeping.  You need to go back to sleep for a little bit longer," I whispered in her ear as I ran my hand over her hair and slipped it behind her ear.  As she nodded in agreement, I stood up and kicked something on the floor by her bed.

"P.?  Did you take off your diaper?" I asked.  "Do you need to go potty?"

She whispered a yes, climbed out of bed, and followed me to the bathroom.  "Oh, and Mommy, I did all the buttons on the aqua shirt all by myself too," she told me proudly.

As we unzipped the new jammies with feet, she stopped me to explain why she was wearing a shirt underneath.  A hand-me-down shirt that was stuck in the back of the closet with three other shirts that were extras to keep on hand.  Yesterday they were discovered in the closet.  The newness was prevalent.  The girls wanted those shirts out of the closet, even if they were just extras.  They each coveted two of the shirts to wear this week.

P. was now wearing one of them under her pajamas.  I also realized that she has been awake for some time to accomplish so much.

"I want to wear this shirt today, not M.  So I put it on.  And Mommy!  I did it all by myself over my head!"  P. exclaimed.  (We are growing in our independence to dress ourselves, but sometimes putting the shirt on over our heads can be challenging, especially when you try to put your face through the hole first.)

"Is this why you are up so early?  Because you are worried about the clothes you want to wear?" I wondered out loud as I shook my head in disbelief.  "We can't be thinking about the clothes, and that reminds me, we should go back to our routine of picking out our clothes the night before school.  Let's take off the shirt."

"No!!!  I want it on!"  I was not going to fight this battle early in the morning.  I let it be.

P. settled back into bed for a little longer.  I was now up and awake.  I might as well use my time wisely, so for the second day in a row, I hopped on the treadmill and read more of Allegiant by Veronica Roth. (A celebration, right?)

A little later, as I was getting ready for the day, I pondered what this little story means for our future . . .

And was brought right back to reality when I heard M. screaming, "Mommeeeeeeeee!!!!  P. has my shirt on!!! Mommy!"

sols: release

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

I'm in need of a mind release
just quickly writing
what's weighing heavily
on my mind, body, and soul.

But so much is personal --

Between the struggles of
being a giving and nurturing wife
trying to be a patient mother
wanting to be there as a friend
striving to be a supportive colleague
hoping to be an inspiring teacher.

And because it's personal --

I am so good about keeping

all that stuff bottled inside,

where it's safe between

only me and God.

sols: want to write

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

I want to write but
my brain is heavy
with all that
needs to be done.

I want to write but
those report card
comments and graphs
need to be completed.

I want to write but
the binders of running records
and conferring notes
need to be analyzed.

I want to write but
the two chapters of
our district book study
needs to be reviewed.

I want to write but
that big black bag that
I drag home every night
needs to be organized.

I want to write but
Twitter and Pinterest
easily distract my
need to be connected.

I want to write but
the stack of books
(waiting patiently)
need to be read.

But, the truth is --

I need to be creating
a Tuesday slice
all because
I want to write.

sols: a book to remember

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

In celebration of Picture Book Month, we are reading picture books.  Picture books to remember.

I shared the title of a recently published book with our school librarian.  I shared it with our school social worker and psychologist.  I shared it with a teacher who mentioned she had a student crying every day at recess because she was feeling ignored. This is a picture book to remember.

My second grade group of four boys spotted the new book on the whiteboard ledge first.

"Oooo, can you read that book?  Pleeeease!"

"I'm sorry, our time together is up.  It's time to go--"

"C'mon!  Just read the first page!"

"Ok! Ok!  I can't say no to that, especially because it is one of my newest favorite books!"

And the story began about The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig.

I couldn't read just the first page.  I had to read the first two pages and they could not wait to hear more.

I was ecstatic over their response to the book and shared their excitement with the author on Twitter.

I was finally able to read aloud the book to three of my developing reading intervention groups, and their words could not be contained in 140 characters.  Here are some of their thoughts and words:

"I love her book because she showed us friendship."

"I liked how the illustrator made Brian black and white to make him look invisible."

"I'm starting to see color.  He's not invisible to Justin, his teacher, maybe everybody!"  

"I learned to be like Justin.  Be a friend, be nice, be kind."


One of my favorite questions on the resource/discussion page in the back of the book is "How many people did it take to make Brian not feel invisible?"  Many students quickly responded, "Two."  I repeated the question and we had a thoughtful discussion that it only takes YOU.

"I learned from the book that anyone can feel invisible, but it takes one person to feel better."


But Ms. Ludwig asked us to think about this BIG question:

"I think being laughed at is worse.  I get laughed at, but I try to ignore it." - Lavar

"I think being laughed at is worse.  What if you were that person?" - Rachel

"I think being laughed at is worse because it's like bullying." - Evelin

"I think both because they are both horrible." - Chris

"I think being laughed at is worse because they are making fun of you and it's embarrassing." - Nathaniel

"I think being laughed at is worse because it's a sad feeling." - John

"I think feeling invisible because no one will notice you or play with you or invite you." - Saachi

"I think being laughed at because even if you feel invisible, you could always make a friend like Bluebird." - Luke  (We just read this book a day before.  Love his thinking and the connection!)


Ms. Ludwig, Rachel has one question for YOU:  "What do YOU think is worse?"

A must read.  A book to remember.  All my students said:

"Thank you for sharing this book!  Write another!"

__________________________________________________________

Additional notes and resources:

Stacey shared this book at the Two Writing Teachers

Trudy Ludwig discussed using literature to address bullying to foster empathy

Comprehensive educator's guide about bullying

Trudy Ludwig's website

sols: writing to learn

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

Have you ever had a comment that made you stop and think?  Or a post that you can easily connect to? It happens quite often here in this writing community, but I rarely take the time to share my thoughts and reflections beyond my comments.  Today, I am.  I am writing to learn.  To learn more about me.

I've thought a lot about Terje's comment:

Also, her SOL post about learning about herself through her writing has me thinking too.  I can relate to her reflections:

"Blogging and being part of SOL community has helped me to learn about myself.  Deciding what to write about and how to write has helped me to see what really matters in my life.  Sometimes people who comment see things in me that have gone unnoticed to myself or they bring out the best in me."

My slice of life writing rhythm has been interrupted.  I used to write religiously on Monday evenings on my couch after the girls were tucked into bed.  Then school started.

And I'm exhausted.

No thoughts of a story.  No hopes of creating a little magic.  My brain was, is, and always seems to be tired.

So I did what I could do best:  Write in the moment late Tuesday nights.  Or as Terje stated, "what really matters in my life" right now.

But I learned about myself as a writer, even in the late, tired nights.

1. My stories still mattered.  
2. My words still created a little magic. 
3. It's important to JUST WRITE.
4. Writing in the now is as important as capturing little moments because that is what really matters in my life right now. 
5. I could not and would not miss a Tuesday Slice of Life.  (I actually felt a sense of guilt waiting into the late Tuesday evening!) 
6. I did not want to miss the connection of words and support from those readers that stumbled into my little world to read my posts...
7. because those comments teach me more about me and give my words weight.
8. I did not want to worry my Mom and Dad if I didn't write! 

I wish I had more time to write, but with two three-and-a-half year olds and teaching and learning full time, life is quite, shall we say, super-duper busy.  Balancing and doing-it-all is difficult.

I still need to get my priorities straight.  I need to dedicate the time appropriately.  I need to be patient and understand that I can't do it all right now.

But I will continue to write.  And I took a step in the right direction:  I wrote this Monday evening.

sols: time

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

I stare at this blank page.

Not feeling anything to write.

Even though I'm finally feeling about 94% healthy.

Celebrating those that celebrate the BIG and little.

Reflecting on those that take time to reflect (and reflect publicly).

Wondering how I can do even more --

But I feel this sense of guilt.

Guilt not writing.  Guilt not slicing.

I can never give myself a break, a pass, an it's okay

To not be-all, do-all, super-mom-and-teacher.

I stare at this page now with words that hold more than one story.

But only time will allow for more stories to be shared.

When will that time come?

Patience.  The time will come.

And the writing, and the stories, and the captured moments will be there.

sols: be the BEST me

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

Sore throat.  Aches and pains.
Raspy voice.  Coughing fits.
Sinus pressure. Sniffles and ... sneeze!
Eleven days.  I am done.
Moms can't be sick for this long.

Unless I'm being reminded ...

that I can't do it all on my own
that I need to not stress about school
that I need to take care of myself first
that I need to exercise and eat healthy
that I need me-time above all

To be the best ME I can be.

sols: right now

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

What could I write about?  Hmmm. . . let me count the ways:

1. Time.  There is just never enough. 
2. Social media.  Sucks up my time.
3. Timers.  To control my time?
4. Celebrations.  Need to notice more.
5. Sickness.  Being sick is icky.
6. Tired.  Need an uninterrupted night of sleep.
7. Surfing.  Still swimming the waters.
8. Reading.  Snuggled with my girls.
9. Three.  Not an easy age.
10. But three.  Such a fun age.
11. And three.  Really opinionated age.
12. Good days.  Playing in the leaves.
13. Bad days.  Lack of patience.
14. Mom.  A waiting email with snippets of stories.
15. Prayer.  It's powerful.  
16. Story.  Each idea holds a memory, a moment, a story of right now.

sols: learning to surf

Slice of Life hosted at the 

Two Writing Teachers

Last week, I mentioned a little nugget of advice gleaned from the audiobook The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe.  In almost the same breath, as I was scribbling down the author's suggestion of the greatest gift, he quoted Jon Kabat Zinn:

Photo from http://monicahaughey.com

I. LOVE. This quote.  It has the power to fulfill so many metaphors and obstacles in life.

The waves.  We are currently making a huge transition in our teaching and student learning in my district.  It's an awesome shift focusing on 21st century learning skills and incorporating the Common Core State Standards.  There is so much promise and excitement.  

Yet, it can feel like all this new thinking and change is pounding like the waves.  Who is doing the talking? Who is doing the thinking?  Who owns the learning?  Less teacher talk, more student talk.  More teacher facilitating learning, less student busywork.  More engagement.  More thinking.  More doing and learning.  

As much as I'm all for change -- and for change that is great for kids, it still can be a bit scary.  Many questions tumble around like the pounding waves:  How will it look and sound different in my resource classroom?  What about meeting the needs of our most developing readers?  What supports can I provide my students to be successful in their classrooms?  How can I support classroom teachers to make these shifts?  What about balanced literacy in a 21st century classroom?  How can I incorporate technology to enhance learning?

I'm not going to STOP these waves.  I might as well learn to surf.

The surfing.  I'm taking copious notes during professional development opportunities.  I'm reading suggested books.  I'm online connecting with authors and researchers.  I'm learning and reading and reflecting and sharing and trying and doing more more more.

I'm exhausted.  It's only October and I'm feeling like I am drowning, barely keeping my head above the water as another wave pounds down upon me.  But I will get back up and try again.  Reflecting on my practices, improving my teaching, continually asking questions and searching for those that can provide insight and understanding.

We all have our own "waves" waiting to toss us around, perhaps making us seasick or the feeling of being drenched.  Yet, we know there is always more to learn.  So, let's learn to surf and ride these waves!

Surf's up, dude!  (That's what we say, right?)  

Or, perhaps our team mantra will work too:  We can do it . . . and we WILL!