{a whole new world} #sol15

The Slice of Life is

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join in and share a slice of your life.

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I've been thinking a lot lately about this whole new world we will be entering in a short couple of weeks. My daughters will begin their schooling educational journey this fall as they begin kindergarten. I'm thinking more and more about school from a parent perspective, and I have come to realize that I have high expectations accompanied by many wonders.

I wonder if they will love their time at their new school. Not just like it. But LOVE it. Kindergarten should be magical and fun with continuous opportunities to learn and grow. School should inhale the dreams of all children and exhale all the possibilities of life.

I wonder if they will continue to love books. Will they continue to look at books as a new world of wonder? Will they continue to intensely look at each page thinking about the characters as friends? I wonder if they will share their love of Todd Parr and Fancy Nancy and Mo Willems.

I wonder if they will make good choices at school. Usually I hear about how sweet and quiet they are, but this summer I've seen my fair share of sibling rivalry. Not pretty. I wonder if they will choose kind and be a friend -- to each other and every other child.

I wonder if the girls will depend on each other too much. Will they seek others to connect with? Will one feel left out? I wonder if keeping them together is best for them or best for me. I wonder if they will grow closer, yet grow in their independence.

I wonder if they will continue to be creative and curious and ask questions and make things. Just yesterday I heard: "I know Mommy! This [garbage bag box] can be a mailbox! I'm going to make a flag!" I wonder if they will set up a store and play with their pretend money. I wonder if they will continue to love to draw, doodle in notebooks, and create their own books.

Now more than ever I'm fully understanding the importance of the transformation of schools. Real school should be like real life. Full of opportunities to be curious, create, and be inspired. And time. Time to play and use their imaginations. Without squashing hopes and dreams for compliance and fake engagement.

My whole world -- my two amazing five year olds -- will be entrusted to teachers I do not know yet with students and families that I know nothing about ... and I worry. Of course, I don't show my worry face or express my fears to my girls, but I've been thinking about life in our house in the next three weeks.

There will be many conversations and life lessons. I pray that God continues to give me the right words to share and eases any of our concerns.

I want try my best to be hopeful and excited ... But then I wonder what else there is to wonder about. I'm sure there will be more as we enter this whole new world.

A Conversation with My Writer Self

I don't know what to write about today. [Scratching head. Bulging eyes staring at the blank screen.] Write about the ordinary. Write about the little things. Just write and write. I know, I know. But I don't know what to write. [Shoulder shrug. Clicking fingertips on the keyboard.] Open your writer's notebook. Search for an idea, a seed, a spark. Let it grow, ignite and you will write. My writer's notebook? Oh, that little book that has been ignored? Unattended? Left blank? [Digging and searching for my notebook.] Live the life of a writer. Ideas breathe all around you every day. In and out. In and out. I know. I know. [Dusting the notebook off. Cracking it open as if it hasn't been opened in years.] It's time to revive the notebook. Open your eyes and ears to your world that's waiting to be captured and shared. I know what to write about today., but first, let me write down a few ideas. [Bringing my wr...

{bedtime stories} 2/31 #sol16

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted at the Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! _________________________________________________________ "Time to head upstairs. PJs on and let's brush teeth!" My very favorite time of the day is bedtime with the girls. I hurry and hustle and bustle them along, so that we have plenty of time to settle into a bedtime story or two (or more like three). Each girl picks out a book and then one usually snags a third. "Mommy, this is one that you want to read. Right?" When the girls are completely ready for bed, we meet in my bedroom to snuggle in the big bed. I'm in the middle, sandwiched between the two girls. Heads resting close by, slowly slithering closer, they each nestle on my shoulder to get a closer look at every ...

sols: a gift of words

Slice of Life hosted at the Two Writing Teachers . Join in and share a slice of your life. One of the best gifts I give myself is time to write Monday evenings for the Tuesday Slice of Life. That writing time allows me the opportunity to think about the little moments in my life. Sometimes those moments are big and important. Other times it's a funny moment that made me laugh. Or a celebration, a word, a poem about the ordinary life. I'm still amazed that I have been writing each week for over three years! Yet, there is another gift . . . My mom and dad have published my writing. Just this past Christmas, I received volume five of my blog writing. Yes, I have five books f...

BernadetteAugust 4, 2015 at 1:32 PM
It is very difficult to allow another person to have an important part of the formation of your children's character. But don't forget you will always be their most important teacher
Glenda FunkAugust 4, 2015 at 2:59 PM
Will your girls be in your building? If so, I suspect you needn't worry. During my long career, I've tried to make a special effort for the children of teachers, whether the teacher is in my building or not, as I know so much is expected from those teachers, and sometimes it's hard to be the kid of a teacher.

As a parent who took the journey you're getting ready to embark upon, I can say that I wish I had trusted my instincts more. I thought it was my responsibility to support my kids' teachers, and sadly there are a couple of times when I should not have done so.
TaraAugust 4, 2015 at 7:16 PM
It is an adventure...and your girls are lucky to have you, Michelle, to return to day after day, to sort through what they've learned and enrich that experience.
TaraAugust 4, 2015 at 7:16 PM
It is an adventure...and your girls are lucky to have you, Michelle, to return to day after day, to sort through what they've learned and enrich that experience.
JudyAugust 4, 2015 at 7:38 PM
So many wonders and concerns. Trust in God and let him be your guide. Because of your love and guidance they will learn and spread their wings. Yes there will be some bumps along the way, but they will be and do all that they can be. Hugs. Love ya, Mom
MandyAugust 4, 2015 at 10:46 PM
Michelle, you have wonderful wonders and hopes for your girls. You will find the right words to ease their concerns and you will laugh a little bit as they figure out their role in kindergarten and share stories at home. It's exciting and a worry but you've had those feelings before kindergarten, I'm sure.
Terje August 5, 2015 at 10:22 AM
The wondering and worry - that's what mom's do. Being a knowledgeable and caring teacher you know what could and should be possible. I hope your daughters will get a magical teacher!
Lisa August 11, 2015 at 9:01 PM
I love this line: "School should inhale the dreams of all children and exhale all the possibilities of life." Students come to school with so many hopes, desires, and expectations. This line reminded me of how important it is to help students maintain the love of learning that they naturally bring with them to school.
LoraleeJanuary 7, 2018 at 5:41 AM
So amazing to read this now.

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