All posts by onathought

A selfish Celebration

April 3, 2016Celebrate, Reflections on coaching, Reflections on teachingonathought

This post is part of Ruth Ayres Celebrate Link up. Thanks, Ruth for this great opportunity to celebrate.

A selfish celebration. 

It’s April
and I’m not getting ready to proctor
state testing

I’m not
covering bulletin boards
reminding students that
testing days are different than normal day
and I won’t be able to help them
there will be no collaboration
no choice. 

I’m not whispering to kids that 
on testing days
I will seem mean, strict, stressed
but I will still love them. 

I don’t have a class. 
I’m not giving any speeches that
“This test 
doesn’t measure
your worth.”

I’m not reminding any 12-year-olds of all the work they’ve done
of how proud I am
of their 
daily
authentic
true
learning.

I’m not in charge of any students
I won’t be pacing my classroom
sending a not-so-subtle message: 
“I used to trust you, but today I’m not allowed to.” 

I haven’t had to roll my closed eyes
or take calming breaths
while listening to reminders to
cover posters
collect scrap paper
never open your computer
put up privacy screens
and a “testing in progress” sign.

I have this testing season “off.” 
No proctoring for me. 
That doesn’t mean I can 
be quiet.

To the teachers in the trenches:
It will be okay.
You have done so much.
Thank you. 

To the students:
It will be okay. 
You have learned so much.
I’m sorry the state is wasting your time.

To the state 
It. Is. Not. Okay.
Please spend your
money 
on something else 
Here are some ideas: 
books
more teachers
healthy food, clothing, shelter for those in need
art supplies, instruments, 
fill in the blank
Did I mention books?

Next year, I’ll be back in the classroom. 
I’ll follow the rules.
I always do. 
I’ll keep speaking out.
I always will.

#sol16 March 31 A Slice of a Writerly Life

March 31, 2016poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. It’s been fun! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing on Tuesdays!

March

I live my writerly life in March
I notice slices
slivers 
poems

Conversations are lessons in March
I think, I write
I write, I think

I read stories and slices in March
I comment
reach out
connect

I live my writerly life in March

#sol16 March 30 Find your tribe: A slice

March 30, 2016Family, Reflections on teaching, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

The teacher is sincere and she loves my son. “He’ll be fine when he finds his tribe,” she said matter-of-factly at a parent-teacher conference in the fall. I’ve been thinking about that comment ever since. I want him to find his tribe.

Some of his tribe is in this old commercial.

Some of his tribe can be found in picture books biographies about people who were different and made a difference. Albert Einstein in Odd Boy Out by Don Brown is a great example.

Today I read The Inventor’s Secret: What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford by Suzanne Slade and I can’t wait to read it to my own kids. I’m especially looking forward to sharing it with my son the inventor, who just this morning was mixing vinegar and baking soda on the hallway rug.

In this story, you meet Thomas Edison and Henry Ford as children. They are both curious. They both got in trouble. They both found each other, and others in their “tribe.” They both made a difference.

Image 3.jpg Image 2.jpg

Later in the story, Henry Ford is jealous of Thomas Edison’s success. He wants to know his secret. Finally he finds it out: “Keep at it.” Growth mindset anyone?

The other day, my son had his feelings hurt by people he considers friends at school. It was mean. It will probably forever stay with him and shake his confidence with friendships and kindness. I want to tell you the story, but it’s his slice not mine. So instead I will read him stories, and find ways to support his crazy ideas. I will try to help him keep at it, discover his way, and find his “tribe.”

#sol16 March 29: Confession Slices

March 29, 2016Family, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

Confession Slices

This morning I rushed around, shouted that I was late 
and then stopped for coffee
at my favorite place.

I hid my kids' Easter baskets in the trunk of my car
but my candy is in the cabinet
easy to reach.

Actually, the jelly beans are right here
on my desk,
very easy to reach.

I haven't finished a book in weeks
but I have started plenty
and there are books everywhere.

If I could, I'd wake up my daughter right now
and watch Gilmore girls
for a couple of hours.

I kind of miss playing King's Quest
on my old IBM
from when I was 8.

I helped my kids burn leaves
on the driveway today,
and tried to make a real fire.

I don't think this is a real slice
but I'm writing it anyway,
because it's all I have.

#sol16 March 28 The Slice you Didn’t Write

March 28, 2016poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

The Slice You Didn't Write

I'm the slice you didn't write
The moment you 
didn't 
see

You couldn't take me in

I'm one you'll 
never 
perceive

You skipped 
right 
by me

I'm the slice you didn't notice
I'm the story that doesn't belong to you
I'm the one you can't remember 
I'm the slice you missed 
I'm the slice you didn't write

#sol16 March 27 A slice of Easter

March 27, 2016Family, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

Happy Easter, friends
on this chilly Easter Day
your baskets are pretty, but 
the sky is too grey

Why did the bunny 
bring all that is sweet?
chocolate, peanut butter 
so much junk to eat

I thought bunnies ate carrots
and all sorts of greens
a salad sounds great, so
why, sir, all these jelly beans?

My kids asked if I helped the bunny
I've been accused of being a rabbit!
but that's crazy talk because I know 
sugar is a super bad habit

If I were in charge of these baskets
they wouldn't be full of junk food
all the yum, all the fun isn't worth
everyone's foul sugar-crash mood

We keep eating sugar,
and I'm not to be blamed
if you see that crazy rabbit,
tell him I won't be framed!

But, if you are looking for me
I'll be making lasagne and roasted veggies
while my kids run, shout, laugh, cry and
even probably give each other wedgies 

Happy Easter dear friends
I hope your day is sweet
time to put down that basket
and have something green to eat!

#sol16 March 26 A slice of Witch

March 26, 2016Family, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

#sol16 March 25 A Slice, A sliver.

March 25, 2016Family, Slice of Life, Uncategorizedonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

I’ve been looking for my slice all day. I’ve had a lot of slivers.

I set up to journal this morning while everyone was still asleep, only to be called upstairs to help with some coin counting with E.

I did errands (by myself!) while my kids were at school. I met my parents for coffee!

I booked a last minute appointment at a salt spa for the first time. I rested in the salt room, did a detox foot soak, and bought some vegan body lotion. Then heading to walmart for a quick errand and thinking: how different can you get? Salt spa and Walmart…

I snuggled in with the kids for a night of down time and netflix.

I watched as H got bored with the down time, and made his own up-time science experiments. We went outside to see a vinegar explosion.

Then later there was the mess of a hole in a water bottle as H swung it around.

[Insert favorite parent strategies here.]

Hearing H say. “I just don’t think I’m getting enough attention!”

Thanks for using your words, buddy.

All day I looked for slices, and I found slivers.

#sol16 March 24 A slice of a bad week

March 24, 2016Family, Pets, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

*Photographs of my cat by Sabine Carey. Pictures created using the app: SUPER,

*Photographs of my cat by Sabine Carey. Pictures created using the app: SUPER

#sol16 March 23 Tell me something good: A slice

March 23, 2016Family, Pets, poetry, Slice of Lifeonathought

I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Thank you, Two Writing Teachers! Readers, check out their site, and start slicing!

I'm sure there's a poet's way
to write when your cat is dying 
as the children head to school
and your daughter texts you:
"Mommy help us"

There must be a metaphor for 
when you're too late 
he's already dead 
and your son begs you to say 
"passed on" instead 

I wish I could speak in allegory
when my daughter lies in bed 
and says,
"Tell me something good, mama. 
I need to hear something good." 

The words keep repeating
a mantra
a poem
Tell me something good, mama I need to hear something good
Tell me something good, mama I need to hear something good