I got a phone for my birthday once like a corded one for my room pink landline land line I got in trouble for talking on my phone too much not being not using talking Talk ing with my voice to my friend’s into their ear on the other end to my boyfriend sometimes all night until we’d fall asleep the phone would fall too Luckily he wasn’t long distance Not to get all Taylor Swift on you but I’m not sure lucky would be the word I’d use for him even though HE dID latEr know how to get lucky with the other woman At some point we must have gotten call waiting We’d have had to since I was on the phone all night long
I’m looking for poetry challenges. Today I was inspired by “Noteworthy” on Ethical ELA, and the prompt to reflect on communications from the past.
Somehow it’s my sister’s birthday today I was 12 when she was born My parents waited to tell me my mom was in labor So I could go to school for Whatever standardized test was happening in Pennsylvania 34 years ago
Words cannot describe how excited I was to finally Have a sibling I handed out big sister purple pencils instead of cigars I was obviously a very cool seventh grader (My perm sealed the deal.) But the actual coolest thing was my baby sister. And my sister is Actually still The coolest For real I mean, have you talked to her? Have you seen her art?
See this favorite family picture It’s one of my favs, I’m sure you can see why Notice please- Her bangs and smile Her dress with the white lace collar My dark teenage eyes, somehow perfect hair The cool shirt I vaguely remember and now suddenly miss The way my mom casually holds my sister My dad’s small smile and his sweater (My parents here about my age now) Don’t miss The toucan behind us!
This slice is part of the 17th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol24 I’m slicing every day this month, for the 11th year! Wahoo!!! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I was so inspired by Fran’s Relax slice, and I’ve been trying different versions on my own. But, it’s hard! Today I read a lot of people’s March Slice of Life wrap up slices, and I thought … what if I did a wrap up Relax slice? It might seem depressing … but the cool thing is that I’m still standing! Here’s my try, from my month of slices: Relax. It’s March (Soon Enough, It Will Be April)
Relax. It’s March. Things are going to be bad. You will realize you have been wearing the tag on your shoe in public. It will make you laugh, and write. You will be angry about things you can’t quite publish. You will know you will never be as unf***withable as your friend was. Noticing things all month will become an issue. There won’t be any paper towels or plastic garbage bags at your airbnb and you will sob saying goodbye to your daughter. You will continue to parent teenagers. An honor, for sure, but also so tiring being a punching bag. You will go to Home Goods and realize that death is just around the corner, and you will not practice your therapist’s advice in order to pause that catastrophic anxiety. The SATs will come and go. Your son will curse at his computer screen while practicing. This will make you feel, once again, like a bad mom. Your kids will roll their eyes at you. A lot. Spring break will end, and all the poetry you write will not stop school from coming in like a lion. Even your dog will be embarrassed by you, although he is an old man, not a teenager. The world of education will continue to go mad, citing research that the powerful cherry pick. Meanwhile, you will go in and out of classrooms finding joy but not realizing you should have been paying attention to how the teachers took lunch count. It will warm your heart to hear your cat play, but she will be alone without her cat brothers which will break your heart. People will be scared to voice their opinions, and you will feel like a storm is coming. You will worry that more things will be thrown out with the bath water. Your dog will get sick which you won’t write about, because ew, gross. You will try to remember that it won’t be winter forever but anxiety will take hold as you wait for a meeting. You will try to spend your energy thinking about little joyful things. You will realize almost nobody can be trusted, and that fumbling through new things is in your future. A glass will get stuck in your garbage disposal. You will lose faith, but you will always have poetry, which will help you march on. Undappled won’t be the word you want it to be. There will be too many questions in your head, and you will search for answers. You will be reminded of betrayal, as if you need to be reminded. Your filter will disintegrate, and you will stop watching your face, but your connections will just keep growing. You will be proud of your kids, even when you have to use google translate. The Easter Bunny won’t leave jelly beans on the piano, but there will be a scavenger hunt for the teenagers, and then there will be a quiet Sunday afternoon. Soon enough, it will be April.
This slice is part of the 17th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol24 I’m slicing every day this month, for the 11th year! Wahoo!!! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
When I’d wake up on Easter morning, I’d search for jellybeans around the house black jelly beans on the black piano keys, that sort of thing we weren’t church people not that there’s anything wrong with that some of my favorite people go to church
I loved the mini Cadbury eggs with the crunchy candy shell best and the little carton of egg-shaped gum we must have had Easter dinners somewhere I have vague vegetarian memories of watching people eating ham we weren’t ham people
I will never understand eating ham or lamb especially on Easter here, let’s celebrate life, joy, hope, the spring by killing this baby animal it just doesn’t make sense even though some of my favorite people eat baby animals
One year my daughter lost her tooth the night before Easter The Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny had to come the same night They left a note together and I was left wondering what other magical visitors could come together I guess the Tooth Fairy could meet anyone else since teeth can fall out any day
Some people use Easter as a time to practice forgiveness but I have learned that not everything needs to be forgiven so I will focus on rebirth and hope and just a little bit of vegan chocolate
This slice is part of the 17th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol24 I’m slicing every day this month, for the 11th year! Wahoo!!! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I am watching the virtual presentation and Dr. Peter is talking about connection over compliance. I am all for it. I think we need to shout that message from the rooftops, to be honest. There is a lot packed into his short presentation, so many things I need to remember to practice in and out of the classroom. At the end he reminds us of his Feeling Thermometer. It’s a simple tool that helps you gauge your own feelings and that of the child you are with.
I remember this thermometer. It became a really useful tool when my middle child, H, was young. As parents we had to practice not having a green zone conversation with H when he was in the red zone. We talked about feelings, we empathized and let him know we’d talk about it when he was in the green.
Those days were… Those days were exhausting.
As I am listening to the presentation and remembering my own years of feeling thermometer work at home, I get a text from H – now 17. We haven’t talked about the feeling thermometer for a very long time.
A few days ago he decided he wants his ears pierced, and he’s wondering if we need an appointment for the next day, and can I do that? He doesn’t know if the piercing place is the same company as the tattoo place, and he isn’t sure how to figure it out.
I’m in a presentation though, so I can’t call, I can’t figure anything out. I feel bad, but ask him if he can do it.
“All good! Thx” he texts.
A bit later he messages, “I just called them, they are in fact a different company, most likely they’re situated within; probably a strategic alliance. They have walk-ins and have availability tomorrow. So I think it will be good.”
He adds a link, not to the piercing company, but to information about what a strategic alliance is. I guess he wants to make sure I’m duly educated .
I’m glad the presentation is over, because I can’t help but laugh… this is classic H.
One thing you should know though, is that when you think you’ve got classic H figured out, you don’t. Because, next he starts texting me in Spanish.
At first, I’m hanging in, remembering enough of my high school Spanish to mostly figure it out (Shout out to Señora Birzes!)
Okay, Señora Birzes and all Spanish teachers, I am sure none of this is perfecto, pero. . .
Soon, I need to start using google translate. I can’t quite be sure of the exact meaning of his next two texts.
“Ok, no estoy seguro si tienes que estar alli conmigo.”
“Pero, podría ser mejor si haces.”
And as I’m google translating that last part
“Ok, I’m not sure if you have to be there with me. But, it might be better if you do.”
I get his next text, “Im not using google translate!!! Im actually learning!”
I’m laughing again, of course, while I admit to him that I am using Google Translate, and then continue to use it to try to remind him to walk the dog in Spanish. And that’s that!
Until today when I ask him if I can write about this.
“It’s Multilingual Friday!” I say, and he says it’s fine.
“Can I also write about how I was in a Dr. Peter presentation?” I ask him, and he squints his eyes at me like, “why?”
I only cry a little bit explaining to H how parenthood works. One day you are using feeling thermometers, exhausted from trying to support your little kid’s big feelings, and the next he is calling piercing places, getting information independently, and texting you in Spanish.
It’s hard to explain, but I’m just so proud, piercings and all.
This slice is part of the 17th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol24 I’m slicing every day this month, for the 11th year! Wahoo!!! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
My friend gave me one of those mini printers and this weekend I played with it, trying the roll of sticker paper it has.
Did you hear me? I can make stickers! Of anything!
Here’s one I made of my dog:
Right away I started thinking about ways I could use it at school. I am sure there are ways I could use it as a coach, but I keep thinking about ways I’d use it back in the classroom. Imagine making conferring artifacts – quick pictures of anchor charts, notes we took together, or even a graphic organizer template. Maybe I could print pictures of student work to add to a small display. Have you seen those mini art galleries? I could use it to label things, of course. I could even make a quick positive note home and stick it to a student’s backpack! I feel like the possibilities are endless.
In my personal life, I am using it to print out funny memes and quotes and add them to a notebook. What is it that makes making a sticker, even with torn edges so special and fun?
I could start to print out funny things and stick them on my kids’ snacks. Or funny reminders stuck to random places.
There’s something very important that you need to know if you are on the fence about getting yourself a mini printer with sticker paper. Listen carefully. You might not realize this, but, if you get a text or email that makes you angry, it actually becomes kind of cute printed out all tiny.
This slice is part of the 17th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol24 I’m slicing every day this month, for the 11th year! Wahoo!!! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
A sunny Sunday might remind you that even a short walk in the crisp air surrounded by blue sky and trees still winter-brown near the cold water is like a breath of spring
it won’t be winter forever
it won’t
and most importantly, even teenagers need to skip rocks
This slice is part of the 17th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol24 I’m slicing every day this month, for the 11th year! Wahoo!!! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
When I walked into the Ohio rest stop bathroom, I heard someone chatting. She had a southern accent, and I couldn’t tell if she was talking to someone else in the bathroom, to herself, or on the phone. That might sound weird, but I was trying not to pay attention to her, and there was someone else in the bathroom, so who could tell?
“…drove 600 miles yesterday.” I heard her say, and I didn’t hear anyone respond.
When I went to wash my hands, I noticed that she was on the phone. Phew! At least she wasn’t having a long conversation with herself in the ladies room of a rest stop.
I couldn’t help but focus on what she was saying, and her amazing southern voice made it extra interesting to be honest. (I love listening to people speaking in different accents!)
“Yesterday I hitched the trailer up by myself for the first time. It felt great.” She said.
Then she added, “I’m riding with the big boys now!”
I glanced at her noticing her casual jeans and ball cap, as I walked to meet my sons. I couldn’t stop smiling. I don’t know how many female truck drivers there are, although my google search later tells me that it was under 5% in 2021, but in 2022 it went up to 14%. Still, I don’t see many driving trucks I pass on my road trips. So, maybe that’s why I was so proud of this stranger and couldn’t help but laugh with the joy of hearing her own pride come through in her phone call.
My two sons wondered why I was smiling and laughing when I met them outside the restroom, so I tried to explain what I had heard.
“I’m riding with the big boys now!” I ended, trying to do the southern accent without sounding like I was mocking anyone.
“I can’t be sure, but I think this woman was a new truck driver. It was cool to hear her so proud of herself! ‘I’m riding with the big boys now!’”
The boys rolled their eyes at me, as is their often reaction. At first I was annoyed by their apathy about this story, this woman. Then I wondered if maybe it was a good thing that they didn’t think this was unusual.
Maybe they don’t think it’s anything worth talking about because they just aren’t surprised by badass women.
This slice is part of the 17th annual Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol24 I’m slicing every day this month, for the 11th year! Wahoo!!! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
It’s no secret: I’m no fan of standardized tests. But, I am a fan of my son so when he asked me to sit with him tonight to do a practice SAT, I was happy to oblige. I have a lot of reflections, but honestly – watching someone take a practice SAT is exhausting.
So here’s an SAT for you. Good luck!
1. What is the best way to complete this sentence in standard English?
If you haven’t sat next to my son as he takes a practice SAT ____.
A) , I dare you to try.
B) then you might not know the truth. He’s smarter than he thinks he is, and probably smarter than you.
C) how can you call yourself his parent?
D) All of the above
2. What is the theme, or lesson of the following short story?
One evening a mom sat with her 17 year old as he completed one more practice SAT before test day. He had asked for her help, but didn’t really want her to talk. So, she stared at the screen, happy when she knew an answer, which was not often once he got to the math sections. The English part was okay, although she wasn’t sure why the SAT folks think that commas and semicolons are so very important. She wondered if the SATs were this tricky when she was in high school, and what would happen if adults had to keep taking the SATs every few years.
She made some vegan Mac and cheese for dinner since her son was hangry. But she had to do it in short intervals since she didn’t want to miss any of the riveting practice questions. Luckily there was a break between the English sections and the math sections! When the math started, her son answered math questions the same way he has always answered math questions: with strategies that to the untrained ear sound like they would never result in the right answer, but somehow they do. The mom found herself daydreaming, remembering her son in elementary school solving multiplication problems.
“Maybe she should record him solving a problem,” she thought, since she could never make up an example of his problem-solving to explain it to other people. She was jolted from her daydream by the expletives muttered to the computer screen. Her son has recently been certain that there’s no way he will get into college. The stress was high! The test clock ticked and the questions got harder. Her son was tired, feeling rushed. He finally stated it would be better for his mental health and skipped the last few tricky math problems. But, he still got a higher score than she had decades earlier.
A) Moms who sit by their 17 year-olds doing SATs deserve an honorary 1600 on the SATs.
B) Math algorithms aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, and neither are SATs.
C) If you want to succeed in life, make sure you really, really, really, really understand commas and semicolons; i.e. grammar is probably the most important part of reading and writing (and actually life.)
D) Extra time is a great testing accommodation, but we should really think of a way to let kids curse at their computers while they are testing.
3. If a student were researching testing by taking notes on this website and wanted to prove that moms are better than SATs, which note would be the best data point?
A) She was jolted from her daydream by the expletives
B) Her son was tired, feeling rushed and skipped the last few tricky math problems, but still got a higher score than she had decades earlier.
C) semicolons are very important
D) She made some vegan Mac and cheese for dinner since her son was hangry.
On a Thought 