Slice of Life: Time for Reflection

Who knew a two week technology class would put everything into perspective (OLW15) for me?  An extremely smart TST said in an after school meeting, "This past two weeks of the online school was suppose to be difficult and even a little uncomfortable."  I continually shook my head until it about fell off.  Then he responded with "Good, that was the point."  

Enter my thoughts which I didn't say aloud.  

• Yes this two week course was challenging. I had to go through the paces because I received a new Mac Book Air.  Then I thought wow Maria you're being pretty selfish with your time as well as forgetting about gratitude. Wake up, be thankful!
• I am never going to remember all of these shortcuts and why should I?  I can look them up if I need them.  Then I thought if I learned the shortcuts I could save time and that would allow me accomplish other goals. The shortcuts I know now I use all the time and love them.
• I can't pass these two quizzes.  I needed help and asked a friend.  Then I remembered I  totally cheated on the quizzes and took them with my friend who was there for support and yes several answers. 
• I'm not sure how to use Handbrake, upload a video and add it to our district page. Then I remembered quickly I've  only asked for help at least 5 times this year. Don't you think it's about time for you to learn how to do it?  

This class was  uncomfortable for me. I had  presentations, slide shows and videos to watch. I had to take two quizzes and upload a flat file along with a video.  Most of it was new.  And as I thought about life these past few months, which has been a whirlwind. The entire school year has been uncomfortable for me. Turning around and teaching five subjects a day (new Standards in LA and Math) has been overwhelming. There were numerous times I took a deep breath, did some self talk and convinced myself I was prepared to teach a lesson on a new standard. Thank goodness for lunch conversations with colleagues who talked me off the ledge,  held my hand and helped me to laugh hysterically. 

Taking this class allowed me to put this school year into a clearer perspective. Sometimes school is going to be hard for both the teacher and students. Sometimes you have to fight through the new material and feel uncomfortable  And then finally the month of May arrives along with a two week technology class and everything falls into perspective? 

Thank to all those who participate in Slice of Life every Tuesday especially to The Two Writing Teachers.  

On a side note:  Technology class was difficult.  Scott, our TST, replied, "You were given a new computer.  All of you know four-five things and can do them well.  Let's try and learn more applications to  strengthen  our teaching as well as our students' learning."  
Bravo to you Scott. 

Slice of Life: OLW Perspective on the First Day Back

My OLW perspective sure sums up yesterday. Our first day after Spring Break. I wasn’t quite ready to be back; however, I knew the day was approaching as Sunday evening clicked by quickly and my 5:45 am wake up call was lurking. Facebook was exploding and it was even better than a twitter chat.  Thanks to Mary Lee asking her friends for suggestions on her last read aloud of the year.  It was like a roller coaster of ideas for me. Actually enough titles to last me until retirement.  I posted “What’s a girl suppose to do?” Of course, Mary Lee comments back, “Ask your students” Brilliant!! – fast forward to 10:15 Monday morning, not too many smiles on their faces.  I borrowed the idea from Tony Keefer, and we started our Room 234 Book Challenge for the Final Read Aloud. Picture NCAA bracket made up of 24 well loved and favorite chapter titles. Each student will defend their favorite book with a short synopsis (I taught them that word) they were super excited about writing a synopsis. The winner will be announced Friday.  We will begin reading our last read aloud of the year next Monday.

We played Fact and Fiction while sharing about their Spring Break.  I’m not sure how you feel,, and I love to honor Spring Break stories, but sometimes they turn into a long drawn out story.  The students loved playing the game as they walked around reading everyone’s statements and voted on which was their peer's one fact.  It was a perfect way to celebrate at the same time everyone had a voice.

Perspective has been an interesting choice for my OLW.  At times, it helps me to remember to stay focused on what’s important for my students not all of the “junk” that comes along with teaching. Other times, perspective is a celebration like today!  Not jumping right into focused lesson plans, taking a pulse from my class.  It’s been an interesting journey, and I’m intrigued to see where my OLW leads me into Spring. 

Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for encouraging us to Slice especially in March. Thanks to everyone who has committed to the 30 Daly Slice challenge. I have learned so much and enjoy reading the Slices.  

Celebrations - February OLW Reflection

February has crept slowly by with several snow days and bitter cold temperatures. My OLW perspective was at the forefront, as I had to adjust my thinking several times both with the weather and in my classroom. My celebrations begin with the weather.

• I'm celebrating an amazing and thoughtful husband who has driven me to work several times with a smile because he wanted to not because he had too.  
• I love snow days, time to read, look out the windows at our beautiful backyard searching for the wild life. 
• When I'm not driving in the snow, which isn't often, I love snow I really do.  Individual snowflakes, looking at all the different tracks around our property, beautiful cozy fires and the sun gleaming down on our frozen pond are all celebrations for me.

Celebrations continue with school.

• My students completed the LA PARCC testing this week - wow they worked hard, used their time wisely and gave their absolute best effort! All I could ask for as their teacher.
• I celebrate that I know I did not prepare them for a test. I continue to prepare them for loving books, building lifelong readers, exploring the idea of a writer's notebook and creating a community of learners each day.
• Conversations with my colleagues. My writing group who picked me up and encouraged me to keep writing. 
• Dublin Literacy Conference- the BEST ever! Wow the presenters were amazing, the conversations were fantastic and the chance to see my friends near and far is perfect.  

Finally I celebrate prayers, the chance everyday to say thank you and remind myself that I am not on this journey alone. All week in my bible reading, there's been a consistent message about God holding my right hand, and I definitely need that. Thanks to Ruth for encouraging us to celebrate and reminding me about my OLW as I read her blog posts. Here is the link up for this week .

January Reflection OLW: Say Yes to IT

Thanks to Google images.

“You’ll never do IT,” said my husband.

“Yes, I will,” I replied.

…….. “”Done, we booked IT.”

Above is one of my favorite conversations with my husband as he challenged me to take all three personal days at one time.  I’ve never done IT in 26 years of teaching. How could I be away from my students for three days in a row?

God taught me that lesson last year. From that point forward “never” is no longer apart of my vocabulary and saying "Yes" became easier.

My OLW: perspective has already touched my thinking. It creeps up on me quietly and helps me adjust my attitude and even encourages me to say, "Yes."

As this posts, we will be in Ochos Rio, Jamaica for a short vacation from the Ohio cold and dreary winter. Jamaica has been on my bucket list ever since I had one…actually Dunn’s Falls is on my list. I am enamored with the idea of walking through the falls and exploring the culture of Jamaica and perhaps the warm weather, sunny beaches and an all-inclusive is mixed into the concept also.  

It’s January 31, and I am going to post about my OLW on the last day of the month this year. I know it helps me with focusing and taking in the different perspectives from the month. Feel free to join me with your OLW. 

OLW Heads and Tails

Google Images

Rigor. Perseverance. Determination. “I think I can, I think I can.” I wonder where these important life skills have gone with my students? I often feel like I am working harder than they are.  I’ve had conversations with several colleagues, parents, and friends about the lack of “I can” attitude. 

I wish I knew the answer. I occasionally see a glimmer of these important attributes in my class; however, never consistent. I have wondered if there is a huge desire for this age group for an immediate reward?  The student completes their task even if it isn’t at the level of expectation, but at least it is complete. I even have had awkward parent conferences where I have mentioned this lack of motivation and often I hear in response, “We feel the same way.” That’s a red flag for me and with so many years of experience, I don’t sugar coat the rest of the conference as we discuss the issue.

Enter my OLW for 2015: perspective.  “A way of thinking about and understanding something (such as a particular issue" I have been thinking intently about these or lack of these character traits.  But I haven’t been “understanding.”  I never realized my OLW is like a coin: heads (thinking) tails (understanding). 

Enter understanding.  Over the past several months, I notice some common characteristics about my students: 

·      Most of them are totally overscheduled and can’t figure out when to do their homework, read a book or relax and play outside.

·      Most of them are attached at the hip to some electronic device. Although this year, I am excited to see Kindles and iPads being used for reading.

·     Some of them are not sure what to do in their free time when they have free time.  When we do our weekend share every Monday, most of the time I hear about their sporting events.  Occasionally girl scouts/boy scouts. 

Which brings me back to Rigor. Perseverance. Determination. “I think I can, I think I can.”  Most successes have been when I model them. I teach them. I share books about them. I ask them to apply them. What I understand now is I need to focus on these traits in order to help my students become problem solvers, cooperative learners, and strong young citizens.

Three Celebrations

Happy New Year!  Ruth Ayres invites us to celebrate each week. Click here for link up. 

Las year's Christmas tree

Christmas break was perfect. Life isn't perfect but having both our children home together was perfect. Playing cards and games. Time to talk which is a treasured gift with our adult children.  Two weeks of vacation and time the last week to catch up from the holidays and enjoy some time for reading was a celebration.

OLW: Perspective  I really have started reflecting on what's important for me as well as my family.  My OLW is already creeping into to my thoughts, conversations at school and decisions that we're making at home.  I am constantly amazed how OLW can have such an impact on my life. I celebrate that I made the right choice for me.

Finally I celebrate two snow days this week.  Not because we were off school but because I had extra time with our son.  He is leaving to go back to college and we were able to have a few shopping trips for little things he needed.  More cards and games. Best of all more conversations. I celebrate being a mom it's the best job in the world. 

December OLW: Remembering Sandy Hook

We all have moments that we will remember forever. I have been blessed most of my memorable memories are blessings that I am thankful for.  But when you have been teaching for 25 years there are those moments when you freeze, cry, and place one step in front of the other. Because you have 24 students waiting for you in Room 228.

As I heard about Sandy Hook during my plan time, I froze in my steps as I watched TV. I cried as I walked down the hall to my classroom and tried to pull myself together. We were told not to say anything to our students. When I entered our classroom, we gathered everyone on the floor and we read together. That evening as I drove home from school, I called our daughter who is teaching in South Carolina and our son who was away at college. I just had to hear their voices. My last call was to my mom to tell her I was alright and I loved her too.  

I got home and I froze. What could I do? How could I help?  I posted January 1, 2013 that I was going to do 26 Random Acts of Kindness this year.  I carried an index card in my wallet all year and wrote the date when I performed my 26 acts.  All year I was thinking, praying for those families and trying to do my small random acts throughout this year.

 

Rest of my dates are on the back

What I was reminded continuously about my OLW:  gratitude is that I am blessed.  Our family is blessed.  Throughout the entire year, I walked through my school and saw children laughing, reading, talking and learning.  I listened to conversations that were exhilarating and heart wrenching, but I knew I at least got to hear them.  I had easy parent meetings, and I extremely difficult parent meetings but I was lucky to have the chance to talk and listen. Several times I heard myself saying to my students, "Let's remember how fortunate we are at BES." "Let's take the time to say thank you and remember to hug your parents." in the back of my mind knowing that not every parent would have a hug that night.  There is no way I will ever begin to understand, but I am thankful I chose to do #26Acts. I know I am stronger and have more gratitude as 2013 comes to a close.