Chalk is in the Air!

I look at a day like today and I start to see a thaw happening. Writable surfaces are once again revealing themselves. It delights me. My husband has been chopping ice on our driveway, preparing it. The sun was melting more of it, though the driveway is wet, I hope it will dry soon enough. I will need to be patient as we await another snow storm this week and freezing temps. However, I know a day like today means spring is also waiting. Waiting for its chance to be more than just a presence but a semi-permanent state.
Once it is here, I will no longer need to write my chalk poems on paper or easels. I will be able to abandon the little chalk boards in my classroom and I will be free to choose from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots anywhere (well, almost anywhere).
Let the chalketry commence, (soon anyway).

No idea why I have an affinity for chalk? I celebrate poetry the last day of each month with a chalked poem or illustration for any passerby to see. It is a fun way to celebrate poetry and playful chalk at the same time.

A Moment, A Day, A Look Ahead

At this moment I have 14 books on hold at the best library ever. I am a bit partial, but I really love my library. It is right in the center of downtown among the hustle and bustle of life. Now, it's not the prettiest library I've ever seen. There are many that look more fancy, have more seating maybe even more books. That does not diminish my love. It is my library. It has to be my favorite. It is right next to the river. We always have to stop and look at the water when we visit. My kids have to walk the handicap ramp every time and we can almost never leave without too many books. (There might actually be such a thing, when you can barely carry them, it could be too many). But, we do it anyway. My daughter and I finished Freckle Juice by Judy Blume last night and my son finished his book all about the underground railroad. Now we will be off to pick up two books about the life of Harriet Tubman and as many picture books as we can carry for my daughter (who am I kidding, me too).

As the day ticks along my strep infected child lays on the couch with the iPad. My son is playing with his electronic snap circuits making every single project. Our plans to go see the Lego Movie are put on hold and I have just finished making the grocery list.

Looking at the week ahead I'm excited because on Friday night I leave for MRA and can't wait to see and meet new people. Are you going? Please let me know in the comments! I can't believe I get to hear R.J. Palacio speak and see Barry Lane talk about writing and kindness through song. Colby Sharp, Linda Urban, Katherine Applegate, & Lisa McMann are presenting on a culture of creativity and passion. I will finally meet Ruth McNally Barshaw, a friend of my sister's, and get to see her amazing drawings come alive in person. See what I mean, I might just burst!

Until then, I will go check on my daughter, listen to the newest snap circuit sound my son has created, print the grocery list for my husband and prepare for my trip to the library.

A Sleepless Night Poem

Whispers in my ear. Writing in my sleep.

a silent night

dust motes dance

in lines of white

glistening hushes

silent light

rays send beams

a muted sight

thinking drifts

a noiseless plight

the moon is speaking

whispered bright

Hello Friend

I have a nice drive to work. I am lucky. We drive past farms, ponds, woods, quiet towns. I have been missing the herons and egrets that normally frequent a pond we pass. I have been missing the greens and the buds that peek out in spring. I have been missing the runners and the walkers with their dogs. But, this morning I saw an old friend. Mr. Sun. He was out in full force this morning and then again on my way home. I was able to take my coat off and didn't have to warm up my car before leaving school. My car said it was 46 degrees outside. 46! I have missed these temps. Now all I need is a 60 degree day to make it official. March 20th can come, but until it hits 60 I don't feel like spring has really arrived. Bring on the sunshine!

Here is my morning sun.

Say hello to my afternoon sun. 

Delight

Today my students had their dress rehearsal for their "Too Much Noise" singing performance. It was so sweet to watch them sing, stand together and smile so big. I look forward to seeing their performance tonight which will undoubtedly be even better.
My daughter is also in first grade this year, along with my first graders, and I was lucky enough to see her perform as well. It is amazing how children grow up so fast and watching her up there was a delight. She is such a little leader and did all her hand motions correctly. It isn't about perfection but it reminds me how independent she has become.
When all was "sung" and done we made our way back to the classroom for dismissal. I watched them all quickly get their things organized and ready. We filed out and I put them on their buses. I have had the privilege of watching them grow over the past year and a half and their independence amazes me as well.
As much as I have loved working with first graders this year I was reminded that in a few short six months I will start all over again with kindergartners. It will be such a shift but again a wonderful opportunity to watch a group grow, change and become little independent people.
Feeling lucky.

New Slicer!

If you only have a moment, instead of reading my slice, go see Kris, a new slicer and give her some blog love.

Last night I went to our Literacy Night. I ran into many colleagues and happy faces. One of which is a fellow writing friend. I reminded her it wasn't too late to begin the SOLSC and she lit up a bit.
"I just have to do it!" she said.
"Yes, you do and I will even help you."
We talked some more and by the end of the conversation she had determined she would write that evening.

This morning:
"So...did you write?" I asked
"Yeah, I wrote about my son's boots." She was ready. She was ready to take the challenge and even make herself more accountable by sharing her challenge with her students. I went down to her classroom and we linked up her slice. She told me that she was going to have her students slice everyday in their notebooks for the month and they could hold each other accountable. Her class is a tough group and she needed something to motivate them when writing quick writes outside of their essay unit. I was so excited by all this and we talked for quite a while about tricks to get kids excited about writing, even if they act/feel helpless when facing a blank page.
Yesterday I sliced about conversations and relationships we have in our lives. I'm glad to have this relationship with a colleague who is passionate and caring when it comes to getting her kids to live their writing.

So, if you are still reading and want to comment, I would ask you to do this instead, stop reading, go to her blog and give her a comment. She is a talented writer and teacher who barely needed a nudge to get her words out there. Your words will keep her going.
Here is the link to her slice.

Conversations

We had our Literacy Night this evening. I look forward to this every year. Watching children and their parents enjoy games, books and writing together. It amazes me that with just a few materials magic can happen between a parent and a child. I think this is a nice way to communicate the ease of literacy being a part of our everyday lives.
Afterward came the clean-up and shut down of the evening. It went quickly and families left smiling. When all was said and done I went to compliment our literacy coach, the coordinator of the event. We had a nice conversation about frequent questions writing teachers ask. I appreciated, even on a busy night, she was eager to talk "shop" with me and reflect together.
It comes down to these relationships that fuel us. Relationships with children, parents and colleagues. It takes all of us to figure it out and make these learning experiences something to remember, to grow from.