Literacy Learning Zone

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.

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.

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers What could I write about?  Hmmm. . . let me count the ways: Time.  There is just never enough.  Social media.  Sucks up my time. Timers.  To control my time? Celebrations .  Need to notice more. Sickness.  Being sick is icky. Tired.  Need an uninterrupted night of sleep. Surfing .  Still swimming the waters. Reading.  Snuggled with my girls. Three.  Not an easy age. But three.  Such a fun age. And three.  Really opinionated age. Good days.  Playing in the leaves. Bad days.  Lack of patience. Mom .  A waiting email with snippets of stories. Prayer.  It's powerful.   Story.  Each idea holds a memory, a moment, a story of right now.

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

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers I enjoy the drive between daycare drop off and my school.  The quietness in the car.  The muffled sounds of the outside.  My brain thinking in high gear, creating that mental to-do list of all the things I need to do as soon as I step foot inside of school. However, to occasionally curb my thinking, I listen to an audio book.  I never thought I could stay focused to listen to a book being read to me.  (Yes, I have moments of lapse where I need to rewind.)  My audio book listening goes in phases, all depending on the book and the narrator. Truly the narrator sells the book.  If it's a good one, I'll pick up another from the library.  If it's a not-so-good-one, I turn it all off and return to the hum of the car. Last week I star