Celebrating Conversations

 I am celebrating conversations this week.  Conversations that could have been difficult but turned out to be wonderful.  The first round of parent teacher conferences are complete, and I am thankful when I am discussing my learners with their parents, and we are on the same page.  I don't have to be on the same page; however, when it happens I breathe deeply.  

Have you ever had to say the difficult thing?  Practicing on the way to school, hesitating to share, and feeling nervous. I waited for that moment and I said it. Pausing,I breathed deeply and waited....choosing my words carefully and having the best intention were my focus.

Finally, one of my favorite parts of being the elder in our school is sharing ideas and mentoring strength.  I am always learning, and I am celebrating our weekly team meetings. This week was extra great because we were talking with our math coach about recent changes to the standards.  All four of us trust each other which is so important as we dig deeper into the curriculum. Mentoring is where my heart is.  I am thankful when I am asked my opinion, and I can share 30 years of experience.  Encouraging young teachers to trust their judgement and try some new strategies is a celebration every time. 

I am celebrating because two weeks in a row I am able to blog on Friday evening. Some might call that strange, I call it contentment. I am thankful for joining my Saturday celebration community. I am looking forward to a beautiful, cool fall weekend. 

Found this special nest in our grain truck. 

Celebrating Speed Poetry

My passion is collecting words! I notice unique features in words. I love to lift lines from books because of the beauty of the language.  I purchase books for my classroom based on having fun with words.  I love poetry.....not all students love poetry. 

First week of school, we spent a huge amount  of time discussing our classroom library and how should we organize our library.  It is still color coded which continues to make my heart happy.  All of my beloved poetry books just continued to sit on the shelf without an ounce of love given to them.  I watched my poetry shelf and not once, not even a passing by, did one reader choose to pull a book off the shelf.  Something had to change.  Yesterday was the day!!

I turned their frowns upside down.  As we started our official Poetry Friday celebration. We sat in the circle and discussed poetry - have to admit I almost dozed off from the lack of conversation.  Finally I had two students walk over and choose 12 books apiece. Each reader had a book.  Welcome to "Speed Poetry"  30 seconds with a book and pass.  I suggested having their Literacy Spiral open because you never know when you want to write down a title that you might want to read later........ GO!!

It was one of those priceless moments as a teacher...everything was perfect.  Everyone was talking, laughing, telling their neighbor to look at a certain poem.  I had to pause longer than 30 seconds because there wasn't enough time to write titles.  It was heaven with poetry in Room 234.  

I am celebrating because once again I have a little time on Friday night to blog for Saturday morning.  I am celebrating joining my Saturday Celebration community.  But most of all I am celebrating 24 smiles and perhaps a change in heart for poetry. 

Icing on the cake:  "Mrs. Caplin, can I take a poetry book home for the weekend?"