Category Archives: Slice of Life

#sol16 March 9 A Slice of Slowing it down

March 9, 2016Slice 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!

On my way out of Wegmans I was rushed – already late, with a chest cold brewing. I just wanted to go home. I rounded the bend to the exit door, and found myself behind an elderly man slowly pushing his cart. He was in the middle of the corridor, blocking my way. I went a little to the right, a little to the left, but I didn’t want him to feel like I was annoyed. So, I just slowed my pace. I took a deep breath, and put a smile on my face.

I noticed that in front of the man was an elderly woman with her own cart. They matched, this woman and this man – both with the small two story cart, both with a couple of bags, both walking slowly. I noticed that the man had a cane resting on his cart, and I wondered if the cart was helping them each walk.

We made our way to the automatic doors, I felt like I was in a slow parade. Once both of them were outside, I noticed the woman stop and wait for the man. They had a short conversation, and I walked by. As I passed them, I started thinking about these people. Wondering about their story. Then I started hoping. I hoped that I will be lucky enough to one day go to the grocery store with an elderly Mr. Thought, both of us leaning on our individual carts, taking our time, chatting about this or that.

On my way back to my car I kept thinking about the couple. I noticed that the car beside me, the clean as a whistle sedan, had two hats resting on the shelf behind the backseat. As I stared at the hats, one plaid, one straw, I hoped it was their car. I could imagine them putting on their hats, maybe sitting outside with some tea and cookies when they got back from Wegmans.

I was a little disappointed to see them walk the other direction to a different car, but I was happy that I had slowed my pace, and allowed my imagination to whirl.

#sol16 March 8 A Slice of Going Beyond

March 8, 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!

My poor children. I find it nearly impossible to turn my teacher brain off when I’m helping them with their school work, or even just reading with them.

My 9 year old has a big project due at the end of the month: The 3rd grade “Going Beyond” project. H’s inquiry is “How does the brain work?” I’m sure we should have been working on it for the last few months…Let’s just say that homework is not our specialty around here.

I made him bring all of his things home for spring break, though. The other day we bought fun index cards and some poster supplies. This morning, we sat together at the kitchen counter and started working. One thing I have found out about H is that writing can be a deal breaker as far as stamina goes, so if the assignment isn’t about writing specifically, I scribe for him. Reading is another challenge that we are working on. It’s a balance, always. What do we do for him to help modify the assignment, and what do we push him to accomplish on his own?

We sat at the counter, with our colored index cards, post-it tags, and his favorite brain book. He organized his cards. I noticed later that he had put a quarter in front of each stack. I’m not sure why… but it made me laugh. As we read, I led him to agree to first take notes on the parts of the brain, and he carefully put post-it tags on important other information.

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“What should I write about that?” I asked over and over.

“Just write what it says!” he replied a few times. I tried to explain that we can’t just copy someone else’s words. I’m not sure I have him convinced about that yet.

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He was working on his attention getter: A paragraph that you can read even though many of the letters are mixed up. It’s actually a hoax, and as we wrote down how to explain that to his class, I asked him what the point of sharing this was. I was trying to have him bridge the hoax to the rest of his presentation. He took offense for a minute, misunderstanding my question, and that’s when I knew his stamina was at an end. We had worked for over half an hour on a beautiful spring break morning. I would call that a success. We worked for a minute or two more and then he said. “Okay. I’m done.” We piled up his cards and notes and book. I hope later we can have another work session. I know he will feel proud when he is ready to present it to his class.

Reflecting on the work this morning, I was reminded (of course!) of some of the conferring notes I had taken at the recent Jennifer Serravallo conference.

Now, I wasn’t technically conferring with my son. I was working with him. But, I’d call it pretty close. Jennifer told us that kids do their “best work when you are just with them.” I’d say that H benefitted from the time I was with him. I gave him feedback, I named the things he was doing well, I told him what I thought he should do next. I worked with him. I’m supposed to put myself out of a job as a teacher, by equipping my kids with strategies and a desire to read. I take that on as a parent too. This morning, I did some of the work to show H what to do, we did some of it together as well. Somehow I have to get him to work with other kids, and then do it alone. Knowing my son, it will be a slow and steady marathon to that independence when it comes to reading and writing. Third grade is almost over, I hope his fourth grade teacher is up for the challenge. You could say that working with H takes a little “Going Beyond.”

Maybe I should buy his fourth grade teacher a few Jennifer Serravallo books.

#Sol16 March 7 A Slice of Spring Break

March 7, 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!

I think it’s time for another “Fortunately/Unfortunately” summarizing poem– learned from Sara Holbrook (@saraholbrook) at a wonderful inservice years ago. With many apologies to Sara Holbrook, I will try this again (I did it for a slice a couple of summers ago) First write using the words Fortunately and Unfortunately… Then revise taking out extra words. Here we go!

Mr. Thought woke up with my early-riser middle son this morning
Fortunately I got to sleep until 7:20
Unfortunately the smoothie making woke me up
Fortunately we have a dishwasher now
Unfortunately we forgot to run it last night
Fortunately we have a sink too
Unfortunately it was full of last night's pizza making mess

After smoothie time, I chatted with L about her new favorite show: Fixer Upper
Fortunately the boys were playing legos in the basement
Unfortunately I got caught up in watching a Fixer Upper
Fortunately the sun is shining
Unfortunately the kids are still watching shows on iPads
Fortunately that is giving me time to write
Unfortunately, it's a bit hard to concentrate

Soon we will venture to the park
Unfortunately I have to make lunch for everyone first
Fortunately Mr. Thought will be on dish-duty
Unfortunately I haven't told him that yet 
Fortunately I bought cheap, thin paper plates yesterday
Unfortunately that makes me feel guilty
Fortunately I don't buy them often

This is spring break
Fortunately the weather is beautiful
Unfortunately I only have 2 days - spring breaklet
Fortunately for my children, they have all week
Unfortunately, my children have all week
Fortunately, it's a whole week of not packing lunches
Unfortunately, It's a lot of time for bickering 


**********
Revised. . .

This is Spring Break 

Mr. Thought woke up with my early-riser 
I sleep 
smoothie making woke me
dishwasher now
 forgot last night
sink
 full of last night's mess

 I chat with L 
  boys play in basement
the sun shines
kids still watch  
giving me time to write
   a bit hard to concentrate

Soon we will venture to the park
  lunch  first
Mr. Thought will be on dish-duty
I haven't told him that yet 
 I bought cheap, thin paper plates yesterday
 makes me guilty
 

This is spring break
weather is beautiful
I only have 2 days 
My children, they have all week
 a whole week of not packing lunches 
    time for bickering 

This is spring break

#sol16 March 6 A Slice of Noticing

March 6, 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!

It was a beautiful day here today. Friends came over, and the kids were in and out, in and out. If you are a parent, you know that sound of the opening and closing. You know how you yell, “Put on a sweatshirt!” and “You need shoes!” and “Leave your shoes on the mat when you come in!” You know how you open and close the door too – to check on the boys making a fort on the side of the house, and open and close it again when someone wants a snack.

When our friends left, we opened and closed the door a few more times, including when we realized they had left a fancy headband. H ran out, the door slamming behind him, ran up the street waving the yellow headband, pom poms bouncing. Defeated, he came back inside, opening and closing the door once again.

A little while later, we decided to go on a walk around the block. We opened the door, and my daughter said, “Wait? What is that? Is that a nest?”

There, right on our storm door wreath, an industrious bird built a beautiful nest. I can’t believe we didn’t notice this amazing sign of spring all day, as the door opened and closed, opened and closed. I can’t help but wonder; what else have we been missing?

#sol16 March 4 A Slice of Toast

March 4, 2016Slice 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 walked down the hall today with my teacup in my hand. I had been invited to join a special 6th grade reading celebration: “Toast and Tea and Time to Read.” It was the perfect middle to my Friday.

As I walked into the class, students were settling at their desks, books facing out, ready for instructions. Their teacher reminded them that the purpose was to read, and everyone got organized around the room in various comfy spaces. I was stationed at the tea, the teacher managed the toasters. As students started coming by for tea, I grabbed a copy of John Green’s Paper Towns that was calling to me from the shelf next to the counter.

It was a mostly calm job. I pushed the lever down to fill the mugs with hot water, with only the occasional close call when students got distracted by the sugar packets and started to move their mugs out of the stream of water. Some students seemed to be tea-making experts. I also heard many a whisper of, “I’ve never had tea” and watched students fumble to get their tea bag ready and into their mug. I found myself explaining the skill of making a cup of tea. Suddenly I heard myself teaching tea strategies: “Put the tea bag in, with the tag hanging out. We’ll pour the hot water on top of that. Now keep the tea bag in there for awhile so it can steep for a few minutes before you drink it. You can take the tea bag out, or just leave it in.”

I laughed at myself, as I realized I was conferring about tea strategies. A tea workshop!

The goal of course, was for everyone to have a relaxed time to read. One of the skills for this “Toast and Tea and Time to Read” was to be able to make that cup of tea. There were a few strategies for making tea: Tea bag in first or after the water? Adding sugar, unwrapping different kinds of tea bags. Each time a new group of students came to the tea line, I quickly assessed. Do they know how to make tea? If not, what kind of help do they need? Most of the time I was conferring with one student at a time in a Research-Decide-Teach type of conference. However occasionally, I noticed that a few students needed the same strategy and we had a strategy group. I might not have my own classroom right now, but I’m putting these workshop skills to immediate use! Thank you, Jennifer Serravallo! 🙂

Of course, I looked over at the toast table across the room. I heard the toasting conferences a bit as well. “Decide which kind of bread. Do you want it toasted? Oh no – you can’t put the bread in the toaster after you bite it. We don’t want to have your mouth in our toaster!”

Luckily I already know how to make tea, and toast. So after my groups were done, I did just that, sat down, and read Paper Towns. Modeling, of course, the main goal of the day.

#sol16 March 2 A slice of untouched tea

March 2, 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!

I snuggled the kids until everyone was peacefully asleep. I made some tea, opened my notes from today’s Jennifer Serravallo conference and started to dig in. I wondered which part of the day I would slice: Funny travel stories? Dinner jokes? Gems that came up in my notes from the amazing learning? (I mean, Jennifer Serravallo, folks!)

Ideas started to form.

And then the coughing started.

So sometimes a slice is just that – an interrupted brainstorm, an untouched mug of tea, an open laptop, and a coughing child. . . because when your 6 year old is recently diagnosed with asthma, the coughing is even less fun than normal. There is only so much waiting you can do — waiting and listening to that cough cough cough — before you make your slicing excuses and head upstairs to check on the breathing, to stop the coughing.

Slices of Valentine’s Season

February 16, 2016Family, Reflections on teaching, Slice of Lifeonathought

This is part of Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life. Find out more, and join in here.

Valentine’s Day has never been my favorite holiday. I can take it or leave it. I don’t need overpriced roses, a giant teddy bear or a big heart of chocolate.

For as long as I’ve been a teacher, I’ve turned Valentine’s Day into a celebration of affirmations and appreciations. It’s a tradition that my kids’ school does in every classroom, and I’ve mostly stolen it from them. Every student writes to every other student: A true compliment, affirmation, or message of appreciation. Every year my students are nervous. They don’t believe they will be able to say something nice about everyone in the class. They don’t believe people will have nice things to say about them. Every year they are wrong. Every year it is a wonderful day of school: We pass out affirmations, read them and celebrate how amazing we all are.

I love watching my own kids create their Valentine’s every year too. In kindergarten all of the work is done in school, but by the time kids are in second or third grade, some must be done at home. Especially if you are working slowly at school, like certain 9 year olds I know… H was concerned because he wanted each affirmation to be special. It was a flashback to last year, which was the first year he agonized over each shape.

Last year, H’s friend who liked cheese got his Valentine affirmation written on a 3-D wedge of cheese crafted from construction paper. This year he made a miniature version of one friend, a detailed picture of Spongebob farting for a classmate that loves Spongebob and humor. There was a mustache, balloons, a finger trap and more. Each classmate was thoroughly thought about before H decided what shape, picture and decoration should go on his creation. He had already written the actual affirmations at school. (Thank Goodness.) Each time I tried to convince him that it would go more quickly if we just cut out some hearts, he would respond with frustrated concern, “I don’t want some kids to get boring ones. That would just hurt their feelings.” I so appreciated the creativity and kindness behind his mission. But the amount of hours spent, construction paper dropped on the floor, and tears over making things perfect was maybe a bit much for my personal stress-level!

My big kids celebrated Valentine’s Day on Thursday, and that night I listened as they read their affirmations from their classmates.

“You are so helpful.”

“I always picture you as a scientist when you grow up.”

“You are humorous and kind”

“You are great pal to hang around with”

My daughter even wrote heartfelt affirmations for her brothers, who drive her crazy most days.

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“Maybe Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite days.” I thought for a moment, as my heart gave a little tug, “Maybe I have time to write affirmations for my students.” I reminded myself that not only did I not have time… I’m also not their teacher any more!

Checking in on Facebook, I was met with a Facebook memory from last year’s Valentine’s Affirmation Party Eve.

That was a little heart-tugging too, but I got over it. “It’s nice to not have to write 50 love poems this year,” I told myself.

My first meeting at school on Friday was with a teacher who used to teach at my kids’ school and was my daughter’s teacher. I noticed her morning message was about their Valentine’s Day party and affirmations. I was wistful, but okay.

I headed over to the middle school, where I found a book with my name on it on the lost and found table. When I walked into my old classroom to put the book away, I found my students passing out compliments, with construction paper hearts at their tables. I still may have been okay, if the kids didn’t shout hello… if one of the boys hadn’t jumped up and given me a hug… if another hadn’t said, “Wait! I have something for you!” as he ran out to his locker to get me a box of chocolates.

If not for the hug and the box of chocolates, I might not have gone back to my office to cry.

Maybe Valentine’s Day is more important to me than I thought. It is one of the touchstones of each school year. Years ago, I tried to explain this idea to an intern. I wanted her to understand that a school year has an ebb and flow, and know that there are certain benchmarks, like seasons to the energy of both teaching and learning. This year, leaving the classroom in January, I am reflecting on that ebb and flow. Certain seasons, like Valentine’s, I miss. However there are some I won’t be shedding tears over this year. (Can you say PSSAs?)

What season of teaching do you love?

A slice of The Fools

February 2, 2016Family, Slice of Lifeonathought

This is part of Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life. Find out more, and join in here.

If you were here with me, in my little corner office,

you might expect it to be a quiet little writing spot. Oh, but you’d be mistaken.

Since sitting down to write my slice (which was going to be about choice in reading), an entire band has assembled. We have banjo, djembe, voice (complete with microphone) and crazy 6 year old either bothering everyone or using the makeshift drum.

I think this started after dinner when the kids were inventorying our musical instruments. Fast forward to my writing session, and suddenly I was overhearing this:

“Who wants to be banjo?”

“I’m the leader.”

“No you’re not. I start it! “

“That is not a weapon. We will not treat musical instruments like that.” (That’s Mr. Thought chiming in.)

“Shhhhh… We’re going to have a concert.”

“Everyone be quiet! Our performance area is in here. Oh mommy’s in here. “

“That’s the office.” (Mr. Thought again.)

“Shhhhhhh”

“Stop shushing.”

“Guys! Everyone on stage!”

“What should I play? The Drum?”

“No, I’m the drum.”

“What am I?”

“You’re the trumpet.”

“What? I don’t even know how to play the trumpet.”

“Well, then just try your best.”

“Only one instrument per person!”

“Daddy – you get the drum.”

“Shouldn’t Daddy get the banjo?”

You may wonder why we have all of these musical instruments. Since the only one any one of us knows how plays is the piano.

Way back in college I bought Mr. Thought a Djembe, which he used to play some.

A few years ago, I bought Mr. Thought a banjo. Banjo lessons are on his to do list.

There’s also a trumpet and a flute, part of an odd assortment of things my parents keep bringing over to our house now that we’ve moved.

The lights are dimming… I think the show is about to begin.

L starts us off, on her microphone — a birthday gift a few years ago… nice and loud, as birthday gifts often are. “….Let me just remind you that we haven’t practiced at all. In fact, we haven’t ever picked up these instruments…”

Mr. Thought interrupts. “Can you mention that your guitarist hasn’t ever learned to play guitar?”

“You mean banjo?” I chime in.

Mr Thought doesn’t miss a beat (pun intended). “Can you mention that your banjo player has never played the ukulele?…

L continues, “Introducing, “The Fools!”

The music begins. And my banjo playing husband sternly reminds, “H! The drums should not be the dominant sound. They should be more of a background sound.”

Happy Tuesday from my Fools to you. 🙂

A slice of anxiety

January 26, 2016Family, Pets, Slice of Lifeworryonathought

This is part of Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life. Find out more, and join in here.

You may remember this story of my worry over a bat. Ugh. Read that to get into my head a bit.

Saturday: I’m taking it easy, trying to get over this stupid cold when I decide to do a little yoga. There I am practicing cat tuck when BAM!

A small, cylindrical, brown…dropping? And another one… And another one. I groan, I vacuum, and then quick as a whip I google — all. the. kinds. of. poop. I determine that it’s mouse (not rat – phew.) and stop and read a bit about the deer mouse. Oh no. Don’t ever read about the deer mouse. I realize I shouldn’t have vacuumed it if it is a deer mouse. I ask my husband about 100 times if he thinks it was a deer mouse dropping. I find another one, I compare it. It isn’t pointy…so…it must be a house mouse. Still not good but better. Vacuuming house mouse poop is not as fatal… I ask my husband again if he thinks it could be deer mouse. We do, after all live near a lot of trees. (“No. It isn’t.” He says, again. He’s so patient with me, really. Then, “Stop googling.” Then, “Put your phone down.”) I start to feel anxious.

I wonder why our cats haven’t alerted us to this mouse problem. I wonder if the previous owners of our house had mice. I wonder if it is possibly something that the kids dragged in on the bottom of their shoes that I am constantly telling them not to wear in the house. I call my mom. She tells me to relax, that I’m going to make myself insane. I try to forget about it, but realize we are going to have to figure this out soon…I try to tell the cats to go find the mice!

Waking up Sunday morning, I decide that we need to search the house for more droppings. Mr. Thought has the idea that if it isn’t under the couch, it is probably just some sort of oddly shaped dirt from shoes. I hope it isn’t under the couch. We lift the couch to search.

There they are: 2 pieces. We find 2 or 3 more in the kitchen. We take a picture. I google. I am surprisingly relieved at first thought when I realize it more closely matches the cockroach poop. (“Stop googling horrible gross things on your phone!” Mr. Thought is not so patient any more. Who could blame him?) I google cockroaches, and we search cabinets, and corners and floors. Nothing. We search for the name of the pest company that did our old house’s pest inspection. I email the picture and a brief note to the tune of “Hi – We are settling into our new house, yada yada yada. Help! I think we have cockroaches! Please look at this crazy picture and come to our house asap!”

I start to search the dining room. I can’t believe this is my Sunday. I want to read my book. I want to not be thinking about how horrible it will be if we all get a disease from a sick mouse, or how I’m never going to be able to turn off the light for fear of cockroaches.

The pest guy emails back, “It looks like a mouse – in this weather they like to come in. I can come Tuesday to take a look.”

I continue to search the dining room. I find another one. This one is a little bigger. That’s when it dawns on me.

A week ago.

A birthday party.

Ten 6 year olds, and

a tray of cookies…with

sprinkles.

I’ll wait for you to finish laughing at me.

I’ll let you imagine how I still need to be convinced. You can picture us, on our search for more sprinkles, the whole family on our hands and knees…how my 9 year old uses the scientific method to convince me. You should know that I still vacuum everything, and wash down all the floors. I still look around the next few days just to make sure. And of course, I have to email the pest guy back… “So, this is embarrassing because I’m pretty sure it was actually chocolate sprinkles from my 6 year old’s birthday party. I’ll let you know if anything changes…”

Moral of the story? Vacuum the whole house after a party — don’t wait for the next weekend. (Duh.) And maybe listen to your mom when she tells you to stop freaking yourself out. (Double Duh.)

Mr. Thought took pictures of the cookies at the grocery story for further proof. No more “droppings” have been found in the house. The case of the deadly sprinkle poop is over.

Knock on wood.

A Slice out of the Comfort Zone

January 12, 2016Reflections on coaching, Slice of Lifeonathought

This is part of Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life. Find out more, and join in here.

Yesterday was my first day “on the job” as an instructional coach. After a meeting, a few emails, and a stop at one of my schools, I headed over to the PIIC conference and spent the rest of the day with over 100 Instructional Coaches. Talk about a first day! Surrounded by people who actually know what they are doing was wonderful of course — and I also found myself going “meta.” I kept thinking about what I was thinking — what it felt like to be new. Honestly before this year I had never even heard of PIIC. Walking into the conference I had no idea what to expect, and I paid attention as my brain took it all in. When is the last time you were in a totally new situation with all new people? It doesn’t happen to me very often. If I’m in a new situation, I usually try to bring a friend. Or, I research it a lot so I know what to expect. But if I think about it – the last totally new situation I was in was when I started taking yoga last year. I just don’t do it very often… because it’s scary! When you are new, you walk in and you think everyone else knows… knows each other, knows the content, knows better. Sometimes one or all of those assumptions are correct, and sometimes none of them are.

I noticed my brain as I sat at my assigned table with all new people. I was trying to take it all in, frame my brain to this culture and its norms and inside jokes. I held my breath and hoped not to be “voluntold” to answer a question because my brain was still working to catch up with the “new.” After the introduction, I stayed for “Coaching 101,” while the rest of my district colleagues went off to their choice sessions. I was at a table full of people who were at their first PIIC conference too, but they had much experience as instructional coaches. On each table was a picture of a vehicle, and we were asked what it represented in terms of instructional coaching. I laughed at what was sure to be the first of many conversations where my voice would be quiet and non-essential! When my turn came to share, I simply said “Well, that car looks new! I’m new too. This is my first day.”

I said a variation of that many times over the course of the day. The response was generally astonished delight. “How lucky to start at this conference!” and “Nothing like throwing you into the fire!” were common answers. (Also, “Don’t expect snacks like this every day on the job!”)

This morning it occurred to me that this has happened before! Soon after getting my first job and finding out I would be teaching second grade, I was sent to a conference with a 2 other second grade teachers – a conference all about second grade! I had no idea what I was getting into then… and that was a great year. So, there’s hope!

When I walked into the conference today the quote on the screen was appropriate:

“Your comfort zone is a place where you keep yourself in a self-illusion; nothing can grow there. Your potentiality can grow only when you can think and grow out of that zone.” – Rashedur Ryan Rahman.

Well, nobody could say I’m in my comfort zone this week!