Day 3 of 31 #SOL16

Here are some of my super readers. We did our door decoration for reading month today. The kids had fun decorating little capes and the sign that reads, "We Are Super Readers!" I'm hoping they feel like super readers every day. They've made some nice progress this year and I hope it continues. It's been really neat watching this group of kids grow into third graders.
Of my current class, about a third of them were with me in kindergarten and first grade. Overall this entire group of third graders is a high needs group of children but I can always think back to where they started and feel better about where they are. They've come a long way and it has been nice being part of their journey. My daughter also happens to be in third grade which is a bonus because I will forever be connected to this group and have the privilege of watching them grow up.
The other day I was walking my class from the kindergarten wing back to our hallway. One of my current and former students looked up at me as we passed our old room. "I really miss it in there," she said. "Yeah we had a good time together back then," I said looking back at her. There was a touch of sadness in both our eyes. There was something very special about those first two years together. I remember telling them and making them promise me they would always look out for one another even when I wasn't there teacher. Soon enough I won't be their teacher anymore, but I'll still be watching and hoping.

Day 2 of 31 #SOL16

To notice. To observe. To be conscious.

To be possible.

My One Little Word for 2016 is Possible. I chose it to remind myself that even in moments when things seem impossible, anything is still possible. What have I got to lose? If I continue to work and move forward it's possible things could turn out differently. 

I think as teachers, embracing a word that is so open and inviting we encourage ourselves to acknowledge that things are not always as they seem and even in the bleakest hour there can be surprises. We just have to look beyond the obvious.

When I take the time to stop and notice I see obstacles from a new perspective. I can observe and take note of a situation. Stop, be conscious and think about all the angles. Taking the steps to notice, observe, and be conscious I take myself out of the spiral of negativity that can sometimes accompany tricky situations. 

This year, my first year as a third-grade teacher, I have found myself doing this quite often. As we enter March, possibly one of the busiest months so far this year, I can't help but find myself a bit overwhelmed by the upcoming test prep, new units to teach, parent-teacher conferences, and the day to day struggles that would be there anyway. I also know I have people in my corner who will have my back in those overwhelming moments. It's just a reminder that I must stop, notice, observe, be conscious and see that the possible is around the corner. 

Day 1 of 31 #SOL16

Human minds yield helplessly to the suction of story. No matter how hard we concentrate, no matter how deep we dig in our heels, we just can’t resist the gravity of alternate worlds. ~Jonathan Gottschall, The Storytelling Animal

It was December 28, 2010, when I wrote my first slice. I have to say it was a life-changing moment. I had no idea it would be so meaningful. There were fourteen links in the comments that day. I didn't really know what I was doing yet, but I already felt like part of something special. Today as I visit the blog there are already 159 links and there will be lots more before the day is over. At that time, I did not identify with the word writer. I had always enjoyed writing. All through school I liked the process but it hadn't necessarily gone well for me and I didn't have great experiences to associate with writing, but I didn't hate it. Funny, when I think back now, how things would change over these past five or six years. I have to admit that some days my well of words is fuller and on others feels dry, as though a drop of words never resided there. I think this is how most writers feel. I think it is why, we, as teachers value this experience each year. Watching myself struggle is the single most powerful tool as a writing teacher I have ever experienced. I have great days, good days, and terrible days as a writer. I watch this same thing happen every day with my students. Yesterday, one of my students proudly came up to me with her four-page realistic fiction story. She said to me, "I had no idea I could do that!" I responded by saying, "Well, you are a writer you know?" What an amazing accomplishment for her. At that moment, it was about quantity for her, but within that moment, she felt like a writer. That very feeling is something that can be built upon. When you do something you never knew possible, it creates a realization and a curiosity about what else could be possible. What else am I missing? What risks should I be taking? Doing this challenge helps me see what I am missing. It allows me to visit alternate worlds of others through their stories and share a piece of my world with all of you. It really is an astounding feeling and I am so humble, proud, and thankful to be a part of it.  

Literacy Night Buzz

I'm currently sitting in my computer lab at school. It is literacy night and the lab is open but I am happy to report the lab is dead. Now, don't get me wrong, I love technology, but it makes me happy to see kids more interested in the author, the book swaps and fun family activities. I've seen a few students here and there but it has mostly been quiet aside from the buzz in the hallway as families cycle through the book fair and giveaway tables. I love working in this community. It is always amazing to me how many families, even the ones you wouldn't expect, show up to these events.
As I sit here, all I hear is happiness. The occasional people running into each other and laughing hysterically. The more frequent, kids excited squeaking voices yelling to their moms to " COME ON!" I hear dads chuckling as they are dragged from room to room.
So when I go to school tomorrow and hear, "I didn't see you last night!" I will have a quick, "well I heard you," as my comeback.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

I went to Pennsylvania this past weekend for a workshop, which I will blog about in depth sometime in November for Two Writing Teachers. It was an amazing trip, made even better when I sat down with Lindsay Barrett George, Lucy Staugler and Lori Nichols (new friends)! We decided to go to dinner at a place called The Halfway House. It had a worn but cozy interior and we sat down. Moments later we were greeted by Suzie, our waitress.

"How ya doin' tonight? Did you see the specials? Here's the board, I'll leave it right here." Okay, so this might not seem odd, but she propped the specials board up on the table next to us, where people were in the middle of eating. However, they didn't seem to mind one bit.

We continued our conversation and took a look at the specials. We also found out that Suzie is not a fan of the clam chowder and that it was at the bottom of the barrel, so "stay away from that one."
It continued on. She relayed that it is a dangerous time of year to be on the roads because everyone is looking at the beautiful colors and she often finds that she is in the wrong lane.

Then we wanted our picture taken, with Suzie. Which meant that Vera's assistance was needed, another waitress in the restaurant. Vera came over, holding Lucy's phone backwards, squinting, looking it all over, "Well, what do I do with this?" Suzie gave her step-by-step directions on how to hold the camera phone. Vera followed along and began to take a picture of Suzie, Lindsay and Lucy. However, Lori and I were not in the picture.
Suzie said, "Uh, Vera, they want everybody in there!"
To which Vera said, "Well I got three of you!"

Vera, eventually, did get us all in the picture. However, it was after practically sitting in the lap of the person next to us. 

Starters with No Finish

Did you ever have a half dozen starters to a slice but nothing afterward? Here are my starters, maybe you can use one:

1. Sometimes I wonder...(Why did we buy a 16 foot top beam for the swing set, OY).
2. And now I wait...(Wrote an article, waiting for the editor to reply, but my editor is about to have twins, OY).
3. Where is this all going? (We have a pile the size of a small planet that needs to be removed from my driveway, NOW! OY).
4. When is that going to happen? (We need a new roof, but my husband is handy and is determined we will do it ourselves. Money saver yes, time saver, OY)!
5. Are you having trouble hearing me because it looks like you just did the opposite of what I said. (Yeah, it's summer and yeah, my kids are getting the best of me, and the worst of me, OY).
6. Let's plan a trip to...(We are planning a mystery trip for my kids, should be fun, I hope they love it. Someday I will have to tell you the story of the mystery trip my parents took my sister and I on, pretty epic...right Lori? Pretty sure she just said, OY).

#GULP

While I was at ALL WRITE!!! this past week, a conference in Warsaw, IN, I had a conversation with Donalyn Miller about starting a grown-up book club. It made me gulp a little at the thought of trying to find a book Donalyn Miller hasn't read already and the fact that I can't remember the last grown-up novel I read. Sad, I know. I constantly read blogs, articles and professional text with a middle grade or YA novel thrown in for good measure now and then. But a grown-up novel, well, it's been a while.
Then I had a conversation with Jen Serravallo about the book club idea and she loved my hashtag, #GULP, which stands for Grown-Up Literary People. She was interested too.
What now I thought. Am I really going to start a book club? Can I handle it? Well, summer is probably the best time to try it out and maybe if I get myself on a role with some nice novels I'll find that I really enjoy them again.
What is a recent novel you have read that might be a good book to start with? My friend Robin recommended The Light Between Oceans by Stedman. I know nothing about it, but it has great reviews, so that is a start. I'm taking nominations and members, so let me know!