Slice 28 - My Life Before...

Slice of Life is sponsored every Tuesday by Stacey and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers. For the month of March we are challenging ourselves to write a Slice A Day.

When I was in school I don’t think I thought about my teachers outside of the classroom. I mean, I didn’t think they lived at school or anything; it just really didn’t occur to me that they might have lives before they were my teacher – and definitely not lives outside of teaching.

As I got older I gradually realized that teachers were regular people – and certainly had a life outside of the walls of their classrooms. I still assumed that they were infallible, likely excellent students who never messed up. I tried hard to do my best, but occasionally got in trouble. I remember always worrying that my mistakes would make my teachers change their opinion about me.

Looking back, I don’t know why I worried so much. My main fault as a student would be that I didn’t work as hard as I should. I loved reading but didn’t push myself in other subjects. Honestly, I didn’t feel as smart as the kids around me. It seemed to take me so much longer than they did to “get” the math assignments. It was easier not to try. But truly – I was a good kid.

Talking to a few students today I mentioned that I had gotten two detentions in middle school. I think they were surprised. I smiled, I don’t know if I ever thought my teachers got in trouble – and in some ways that might be good. We all need role models. Yet, I think we also need to know that we all are fallible. We all make mistakes, but we are not the mistakes we made, we are so much more.

Today, at thirty-nine, I think I am a responsible, hard working, caring person. I am also a person who…

Read during class – every class –

And could hide a book in a desk (or text book) perfectly.

Wrote notes and passed them.

Daily.

An expert folder.

Gossiped. Said unkind things.

Things I knew were wrong.

And regretted almost immediately.

Received two detentions.

Both for chewing gum.

Both on purpose.

Because the boy I liked…

Had gotten one too.  (Good grief.)

Turned in late work.

Because I forgot.

Or because I didn’t get it.

But didn’t want to admit that.

Was grounded – often.

From TV.

From Friends.

Ordered to get my grades up.

Too stubborn to do that.

I am all those things – and more.

A rule follower,

A rule breaker.

Someone who is a loyal friend,

Someone who has let people down.

A person with a fear of heights,
A person who has bungee jumped off of a ten-story crane.

Someone who believes strongly in the truth.

Someone who has lied.

All humans are complex, and teachers are no different. I know now that those teachers I had probably didn’t think any less of me when I screwed up. More than likely, they just hoped I would realize my mistakes and move forward. Just as I want my students to do.

I go to sleep each night and say a prayer - for my family, for my friends, and for my students. So many of them are on my mind constantly. I worry about them and wonder how I can help. But even when they screw up, one thing stays the same. I absolutely love them. Every single one. I think I need to make sure they know that we all mess-up. Life isn’t defined by our mistakes, it’s what do you do next. What do you learn? How do you move on? Those are the things that interest me.  

Slice 27 - Why I Write

A few months back I wrote my students a letter here – telling them why they should read. Today, I want to write to them again – this time focusing on writing. We are nearing the end of our Slice of Life journey (both my friends at Two Writing Teachers  and my students in my class.) Some students I can see have embraced it. I am so impressed with their dedication and how they’ve grown as writers. Others are still learning, but really, we all are. We’re just at different spots on that journey.

Dear Students,

I want to thank you for taking this journey with me.

I know you were hesitant.

I know you thought I was nuts.

I am, but that’s another slice.

See, I have learned so much through writing.

At first I did it for myself.
I had no idea anyone would ever read it.

I wrote for me.

I wrote for you.

I knew I would be a better teacher

If I wrote beside you.

And then, comments!

Comments thrilled me, but frightened me too.

Writing can be scary.

You are putting yourself out there.

Asking people to read.

To think.

To judge.

Eventually, I relaxed.

And to my surprise

People enjoyed my writing!
Comments.
Tweets.

Emails.
Facebook messages.

I learned so much.

When you put yourself out there.

People give much back in return.

I began having fun.

Playing with my writing.

Trying to make my voice come through.

Looking at words.

Being inspired.

Before long I found myself writing…

Daily.

When I was fired up.

When I needed to think.

When I was sad.

When I needed reassurance.

Writing was something I did.
I do.

I am.

Writing gives you a voice.

Writing helps you make a difference.

Through writing,

I found the person I was meant to be.

Please know, I know this unit has been a risk.

I know you have put yourself out there.

Know that I see you.

I am proud of you.

I hope you are proud of yourself.

With love,

Mrs. S

Slice of Life is sponsored every Tuesday by Stacey and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers. For the month of March we are challenging ourselves to write a Slice A Day.

Slice 26 - Book A Day

Slice of Life is sponsored every Tuesday by Stacey and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers. For the month of March we are challenging ourselves to write a Slice A Day.

About two years ago I joined friends on Twitter for #bookaday – a creation from Donalyn Miller. The idea was that throughout our summer vacation we’d read a book a day and post about them on Twitter using the hashtag #bookaday. I didn’t know if I could read that much – I mean I read a lot but to average a book a day? That seemed a bit crazy.

My stack from Spring Break

What I ended up discovering that summer was that the more I read, the more I wanted to read. Not only did I manage to read a book a day, I read more!

This past Spring Break I shared with my students my reading goals – to polish off some more Newbery books and read a book a day over break. Did I meet that goal? You bet! I had nine days off – plus a snow day added in for good measure. So ten days to read ten books – done! I ended up reading 16 books – a mix of novels, graphic novels, picture books, non-fiction, and poetry. Pretty good! I didn’t get to every book I wanted to read, but I did read a good amount.

Now begins my favorite part of reading all of these books – heading back to my classroom and book talking them to my students! I can’t wait to see what they’ve read and what they want to share. Who knows? I might have to add some more books to my “to read” list as well. 

Slice 25 - An unexpected gift

Slice of Life is sponsored every Tuesday by Stacey and Ruth from Two Writing Teachers. For the month of March we are challenging ourselves to write a Slice A Day.

So many things to write about today and only one post.

Sunday morning I awoke and read this article about homework (HERE).

Thought I might write about that.

Then I followed another link to an article about how literature is taught in this college course. (HERE) Hmm. Interesting. Another possibility.

And then this happened. And my day changed. While I did read a lot for my job today, the best part of my day was spent here:

More snow fell, and more, and more. I’m guessing we’re at about 8 inches now with more falling as the night progresses.

The night grew dark and the anticipation grew.

Was it possible?

Would we have a snow day?

Please, oh please, oh please.

Liam and I curled up on my bed to read The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee. As we lay down the phone rang.

We looked at each other, I answered, listened, and said to Liam…”It’s Dr. Z.” (Our superintendent.)

I barely heard the recorded words come out, I had heard all I needed to. We cheered, Liam ran to tell Luke, and I typed the "YAY" on Facebook.

Someone asked me – why would you celebrate a snow day? It isn’t that I don’t want to teach. Obviously, I love my job. I love my students. I love every day I get to spend talking books, writing, and fifth grade lives.

That being said...

Snow Days are…

An unexpected gift.

Time, when you least expect it.

A chance to recharge.

Snow days remind me…

Of being a kid.

Praying to hear my school’s name called.

Running around the kitchen and cheering when I did.

Snow days make me…

Grateful for time at home.

Reflective of how I want to spend my time.

Excited to spend time with family.

And while I know, we have to make up the time we miss, that we will have one more day before getting out for summer break – I’m good with that. Summer break is LONG. One less day won’t hurt anyone. Besides, I love this class. That just means I have a bit extra time before I have to say goodbye. That’s something I can celebrate. J

So what are we doing today? Who knows? I do know I will have a smile on my face and will be just as happy to see my students on Tuesday. Sure hope they’ve remembered to Slice over break. I can’t wait to see what they’ve been up to.