Some Days Writing is Hard

I am finding it so hard to write today.
Emotions are heavy. So much on my mind.

I have started several posts. I get a few words down and realize I haven't really said anything and cannot concentrate enough to make sense of the words in my head.

I wonder now how often our students feel this way. They are not immune to the heaviest of emotions and the biggest worries. Our students carry them in much the same way we do. Emotions and worries cloud their mind and make it impossible to think clearly. They struggle to get words on the page.

I sit here today with a fresh perspective for writing workshop. Know students well enough to understand that there will be days when writing doesn't come easy. Days when only a few words stumble onto the page. Give them space. Give them time. Understand.

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 28 - Some Days Writing is Hard

Bookmarks From the Heart

I am fascinated with bookmarks. I have collected some interesting ones over the years. But some of my favorite bookmarks come from the heart. Let me explain.

My mother's generation always sent cards in the mail - birthday cards, anniversary cards, get well cards. Of course, that was when the cards and the postage were inexpensive. It seems like my Mom was either sending cards or getting cards. Once the cards were opened, Mom would stand them up on the shelves in our kitchen - always a nice reminder of the kindness of family and friends. It saddens me that the tradition has gone by the wayside. Cards have become expensive as well as the postage. It is a tradition that is losing ground. 

However, my Mom found a way to re-purpose those cards. She would cut out the prettiest images from the cards into small bookmark shapes. She was a voracious reader and she would always have one of her bookmarks moving along the pages of the book as she read. There was a little basket on the kitchen counter that was always full of her bookmarks. She would be quick to offer a bookmark to those who came to her house with a book in their hand.

And so I continue the tradition.

While fewer cards come in the mail, I always fashion a new bookmark from each card before I recycle it. The joy is two-fold. I have a lovely new book mark and I remember the kindness of the person who sent the card. My bookmarks are in a little basket on my desk.

So if you stop by my house with a book in your hand, I will be sure to offer you one of my bookmarks from the heart. 

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 27 - Bookmarks From the Heart

Curating a School for Everyone

Children come to school each day as different as snowflakes. I think our responsbility is not to make them all the same when they leave. Our job is to create a learning space where they all can thrive. It's not about restricting their experiences. It's all about expanding their experiences by providing them with what they need to be successful learners and happy children.

I have always felt that school belongs to the children. I dream of school as a place where there are no big people and little people but a place where everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner and where we accomplish more together than we could separately.

We try hard to create classroom environments that support a successful learning community. I want us to celebrate the differences among our students and to make sure we can change the environment when something isn't working for them. As curators of our schools, we need to monitor the environment and change it to meet the needs of each child.

We can't expect a child who has trouble sitting still to overcome what he cannot control. So we mold an environment that matches his needs.

We can't expect a child to read at grade level if she is still struggling to learn basic reading skills. So we alter our instructions as well as the books we make available for her to read.

When a child needs a bit more time to complete work, we give it to them.

When a child struggles with where to sit at lunch and who to sit with, we surround him with buddies who can help him navigate lunchtime.

Instead of trying to change a child to fit the environment, we should be willing and able to flex the environment to fit the child.  Only then, will we have schools where growth is encouraged and learning is fun.

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 26 - Curating School for Everyone

I Hear Their Voices....

I hear their voices...
As they walk into the room.
Stories of after-school adventures
From the day before.

I hear their voices...
As the day unfolds.
Pondering.
Wondering.
Discovering.
Sharing.

I hear their voices...
As we learn together.
Tentative.
Frustrated.
Confident.
Joyful.

And...

I hear their voices...
As we end the day.
Goodbyes.
See you tomorrows.
Another symphony of voices.

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 25 - I Hear Their Voices

Late Night Post

A late night post
   on this very busy day.
Drove northward 
   in the early hours.

Family.
Hugs.
Hospital visit.
Doctors.
Tests.
Unknowns.
Tears.
More hugs. 

Wondering.
Hoping.
Praying.

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 23 - Motivating Readers - A Lesson From My Mom

Motivating Readers - A Lesson From My Mom

As my brother and sisters and I grew older, I remember my Mom wanting to do something outside of our home. She got a job as a school librarian at a small Catholic school near our home. She loved books and reading so it seemed like a perfect fit for her. I also remember her taking classes in library science at a nearby university to help her in her work. She did not have a college degree but she took this opportunity very seriously. If she was going to do something, she was going to do it well.

I have one very vivid memory of her time as a librarian and I love her so much for telling it. I am proud to be a daughter of a librarian who loved books and loved children.

Here's what she told me:

One day the principal of the school walked into the quiet library.  She had assumed that she would find a room of children glancing through the shelves of books and reading around library tables. But when she entered the room all she could hear was a quiet room. She was puzzled because she was sure that a class had been assigned library time.

My mom greeted her with a smile and noticed the questioning look on her face as though to say, "Where are the children?".  It wasn't long before a few heads popped out from under one of the library tables and greeted Sister with a smile. Sister was relieved to know they hadn't lost the children.

My mom knew how to motivated children to be readers. She let them read under the library tables! Her routine was well before her time when most students sat in rows of desks all day.  She had her students tucked away and relaxing under the library tables and they were reading!

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 23 - Motivating Readers - A Lesson From My Mom

What I Know About Myself as a Reader - Part 2

On March 17, I posted 25 things I know about myself as a reader. I continue to add to the list. It's a great exercise reflecting on the reader that I am. 

http://talkworthy.blogspot.com/2016/03/what-i-know-about-myself-as-reader.html

26. I have always wanted to read Anna Karenina. Someday I will tackle it.
27. I like to read maps. Have always been fascinated by them.
28. I love infographics. That's reading too!
29. I can't read in bed. I fall asleep!
30. I usually read only one book at a time.
31. I read/watch the weather report every day. 
32. I love to read and collect quotes. 
33. I get car sick if I read in the car.
34. I like quiet places to read. 
35. I was a Nancy Drew fan when I was young and I collect vintage Nancy Drew books 
36. I need to carefully read directions when I am putting something together. Can't put something together without them.
37. My mom was a great reading model for me.
38. I loved walking to the library when I was young.
39. I love collecting bookmarks.
40. I like to collect quotes about reading.
41. I like free form poetry.
42. I started reading mysteries again.
43. I get frustrated reading magazines because there are too many advertisements. 
44. I research the flowers and plants I put in my garden.
45. I can never have enough bookcases.
46. I don't like reading comics so it is hard for me to read graphic novels.
47. I have favorite words like "serindipity", " persimmon", etc.
48. I love to read with my grandchildren.
49. I can never have enough picture books.
50. I sometimes get to the bottom of a page and have no idea what I read.

I am participating in the 

March Slice of Life Challenge.
Each day we post our thoughts.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

Day 22-What I Know About Myself as a Reader - Part 2