This post is for Day 10 of the 2019 Slice of Life Challenge. Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community of writers together to share our writing in the month of March.
I went to the gym this morning. I had a great workout. Now that I am home with a cup of coffee (and my water bottle) sitting next to me, I am thinking about the word "push" and how it comes into play during my workouts. I am not an athlete and never have been. My goal is to get and stay healthy. (I will turn 70 this summer.) My workouts don't match the athletes at the gym but I am making progress.
I start my workout knowing that I want to push myself today. I have health goals in mind and I know what I need to do to get there. I begin a treadmill workout and think about my plan for this portion of my gym time. I walk at a quick pace to get my heart rate up a bit. My goal involves me running at nearly double that walking pace for 30-45 seconds and then bringing it back to my brisk walking pace. My heart rate jumps up and I am pushing - 20 seconds - 30 seconds - 45 seconds before I drop back to a walking pace. Then I repeat.
I recently started this "running" routine. I know it will take me awhile to build this routine into my workouts. It will take time and effort to raise my walking/running pace but it will happen. I have no doubt.
I am wondering this morning about the learners in our classrooms. It's easy for them to sit passively and perform what is asked of them. But is the "push" something that comes from inside when they shift from a passive to an active learner?
Do they believe that their efforts will make a difference?
Have they set goals for their learning?
Do they understand that it takes time?
Do they know that there will be setbacks?
Can athletes (and gym folks like me) teach them about learning?
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Saturday, March 9, 2019
It's Almost Time to Dig in the Dirt
This post is for Day 9 of the 2019 Slice of Life Challenge. Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community of writers together to share our writing in the month of March.
We change the time tonight and spring forward. These days our clocks will automatically jump to the next hour in the middle of the night. While I hate losing an hour of sleep, I can hear the whisper of spring and it makes me smile. Today, the sun is shining and it will be nearly 50 degrees. I sense new beginnings in the air. Spring comes in whispers.
In my garden, I see green tips of daffodils and crocuses pushing through the dark earth. The peonies are sending their dart red shoots into the air. I can count on my perennials to be the first to wish me a happy spring. I walk the yard picking up pine cones that have dropped from the tree at the corner of our house.
I have been receiving seed and bulb catalogs in the mail. I turn the pages with wonder at the beautiful colors of spring and summer blooms. I notice a spring sale at the local nursery. I may have to make a trip there today. I am itching to get started in my garden. I begin to plan the annuals that I'll want to plant. Always dahlias. Surely some coleus (the beautiful pink and green ones I found last year). Large green ferns nestled under the trees.
It's time to arrange the stones in my garden. They are a collection of unusual stones that my husband has collected and that one special stone - a piece of petrified wood that used to be in my dad's garden. It sits in my garden now as an instigator of memories.
I'll put out the hummingbird feeders soon. The hummingbirds should start showing up in April as they migrate from the south. I love watching out my window as they come to feed. Tiny visitors with their whirring wings hovering at the feeder as they drink the nectar I have made for them.
I dig out my garden gloves, shovels and rakes that sat in the corner of the garage all winter. The air whispers of spring. The birds chirp and spread their melodies through the air. And I am ready for sunshine and warm breezes. Spring brings me new beginnings and that annual itch to dig in the dirt.
We change the time tonight and spring forward. These days our clocks will automatically jump to the next hour in the middle of the night. While I hate losing an hour of sleep, I can hear the whisper of spring and it makes me smile. Today, the sun is shining and it will be nearly 50 degrees. I sense new beginnings in the air. Spring comes in whispers.
In my garden, I see green tips of daffodils and crocuses pushing through the dark earth. The peonies are sending their dart red shoots into the air. I can count on my perennials to be the first to wish me a happy spring. I walk the yard picking up pine cones that have dropped from the tree at the corner of our house.
I have been receiving seed and bulb catalogs in the mail. I turn the pages with wonder at the beautiful colors of spring and summer blooms. I notice a spring sale at the local nursery. I may have to make a trip there today. I am itching to get started in my garden. I begin to plan the annuals that I'll want to plant. Always dahlias. Surely some coleus (the beautiful pink and green ones I found last year). Large green ferns nestled under the trees.
It's time to arrange the stones in my garden. They are a collection of unusual stones that my husband has collected and that one special stone - a piece of petrified wood that used to be in my dad's garden. It sits in my garden now as an instigator of memories.
I'll put out the hummingbird feeders soon. The hummingbirds should start showing up in April as they migrate from the south. I love watching out my window as they come to feed. Tiny visitors with their whirring wings hovering at the feeder as they drink the nectar I have made for them.
I dig out my garden gloves, shovels and rakes that sat in the corner of the garage all winter. The air whispers of spring. The birds chirp and spread their melodies through the air. And I am ready for sunshine and warm breezes. Spring brings me new beginnings and that annual itch to dig in the dirt.
Friday, March 8, 2019
Our House
This post is for Day 8 of the 2019 Slice of Life Challenge. Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community of writers together to share our writing in the month of March.
1955 - We were a family of six - my mom and dad, my two sisters and my brother. My father was building a house. When it was finished we would be living there together. I was six and it's difficult now to recall the details of that time. Thankfully, I do remember moments, and feelings, and sounds and smells.
There were days that our whole family would go to the building site. We were together and the sense of family was so strong. We weren't running off to spend time with friends. We weren't distracted by the TV. And at that time we had no digital devices that would draw our attention away from our time as a family.
My mother would pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We would bring along a record player, games, coloring books and crayons. We would spend the day in the space that would one day be our dining room.
What I remember most is the smell of fresh wood. Walk into any lumber store and you will know what I mean. There is something about the smell of freshly sawed wood.
The closeness of our family was like the strength of the timber. The timber that formed the foundation of the home my father built.
1955 - We were a family of six - my mom and dad, my two sisters and my brother. My father was building a house. When it was finished we would be living there together. I was six and it's difficult now to recall the details of that time. Thankfully, I do remember moments, and feelings, and sounds and smells.
There were days that our whole family would go to the building site. We were together and the sense of family was so strong. We weren't running off to spend time with friends. We weren't distracted by the TV. And at that time we had no digital devices that would draw our attention away from our time as a family.
My mother would pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We would bring along a record player, games, coloring books and crayons. We would spend the day in the space that would one day be our dining room.
What I remember most is the smell of fresh wood. Walk into any lumber store and you will know what I mean. There is something about the smell of freshly sawed wood.
The closeness of our family was like the strength of the timber. The timber that formed the foundation of the home my father built.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Chanel No 5
This post is for Day 7 of the 2019 Slice of Life Challenge. Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community of writers together to share our writing in the month of March.
For many years, my mother kept a bottle of Chanel No 5 on her bedroom dresser. I remember that someone gave it to her as a gift. I can recall the rich scent like it was yesterday and it brings back so many memories.
My mom was humble and we lived within our means so she would never have purchased such an extravagance for herself. The bottle was beautiful and the perfume a golden color. I thought it was the kind of perfume that movie stars would wear.
There weren't many opportunities for my mom to wear perfume. But on very special occasions she would reach for the bottle of Chanel No 5 and dab it behind her ears or on her slender wrists. It signified that it was a special occasion that lifted her away from her daily existence. To me it was a bit magical.
I don't know what happened to the bottle of Chanel No 5 when my mom passed away. I wish I had claimed it. Now, I visit the perfume counter at the department store in search of the scent that brings me memories of my mother. I find a Chanel No 5 tester bottle and spray it into the air or on my own wrists. I take a sample card, spray it with Chanel No 5 and slip it into my pocket. For days, it fills the air with memories of my mom.
So if you see me at the perfume counter in the department store, don't assume that I am shopping for a new perfume. Oh, no. I am visiting yesteryear.
For many years, my mother kept a bottle of Chanel No 5 on her bedroom dresser. I remember that someone gave it to her as a gift. I can recall the rich scent like it was yesterday and it brings back so many memories.
My mom was humble and we lived within our means so she would never have purchased such an extravagance for herself. The bottle was beautiful and the perfume a golden color. I thought it was the kind of perfume that movie stars would wear.
There weren't many opportunities for my mom to wear perfume. But on very special occasions she would reach for the bottle of Chanel No 5 and dab it behind her ears or on her slender wrists. It signified that it was a special occasion that lifted her away from her daily existence. To me it was a bit magical.
I don't know what happened to the bottle of Chanel No 5 when my mom passed away. I wish I had claimed it. Now, I visit the perfume counter at the department store in search of the scent that brings me memories of my mother. I find a Chanel No 5 tester bottle and spray it into the air or on my own wrists. I take a sample card, spray it with Chanel No 5 and slip it into my pocket. For days, it fills the air with memories of my mom.
So if you see me at the perfume counter in the department store, don't assume that I am shopping for a new perfume. Oh, no. I am visiting yesteryear.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
W-R-I-T-E
This post is for Day 6 of the 2019 Slice of Life Challenge. Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community of writers together to share our writing in the month of March.
W-R-I-T-E
Write with wonder
as if you've seen the world anew
or searched deep into those memories
that stay close to your heart
Reflect on the words you've written
ponder what you've said (or didn't say)
write the words that resonate
with clarity and truth
Inspire and influence
with your carefully chosen words
rouse the thoughts that speak
of who you are and the world you know
Tell in the clearest way you can
the parts of you that need to be written
reveal your reality and
impart your deepest sense of knowing
Entrust your writing to the world
let your words emerge and rise up
impart what you know so others
can feel the beat of your heart
W-R-I-T-E
Write with wonder
as if you've seen the world anew
or searched deep into those memories
that stay close to your heart
Reflect on the words you've written
ponder what you've said (or didn't say)
write the words that resonate
with clarity and truth
Inspire and influence
with your carefully chosen words
rouse the thoughts that speak
of who you are and the world you know
Tell in the clearest way you can
the parts of you that need to be written
reveal your reality and
impart your deepest sense of knowing
Entrust your writing to the world
let your words emerge and rise up
impart what you know so others
can feel the beat of your heart
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Birthday Celebration
This post is for Day 5 of the 2019 Slice of Life Challenge. Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community of writers together to share our writing in the month of March.
The evening descends.
The house awaits a celebration.
It's ready for
My husband's birthday.
As the family arrives
The house shifts
From a quiet, peaceful place
To a crazy mix
Of noise and hugs and chaos.
We circle around
As he opens his presents
And the handmade cards
From the grandchildren.
We gather at the table
For pizza, cake and ice cream.
The conversation wraps around us
Like a warm breeze.
Our family is together
Here in this house
Surrounded by laughter
And love.
The evening descends.
The house awaits a celebration.
It's ready for
My husband's birthday.
As the family arrives
The house shifts
From a quiet, peaceful place
To a crazy mix
Of noise and hugs and chaos.
We circle around
As he opens his presents
And the handmade cards
From the grandchildren.
We gather at the table
For pizza, cake and ice cream.
The conversation wraps around us
Like a warm breeze.
Our family is together
Here in this house
Surrounded by laughter
And love.
Monday, March 4, 2019
A Shift of Words
This post is for Day 4 of the 2019 Slice of Life Challenge. Thanks to the Two Writing Teachers for bringing this community of writers together to share our writing in the month of March.
Like many of you, I have been involved in countless conversations about education. Some of our conversations are about new instructional strategies or classroom environment. Some of them are about building relationships with our students and colleagues. Others focus on digital literacy or expanding our classroom libraries.
Among all those conversations that I have been part of, there was a time when a slight shift in words gave us a sharper focus as we talked about what happens in classrooms. I was fortunate to be part of a district that focused hard on improving teaching and learning. One day our Director of Education began to shift our thinking with a simple rearrangement of words. While it was a small and simple shift, it had a huge impact on our conversations and what we did in classrooms. This occurred several (maybe even many) years ago when the conversations about teaching focused on the how and what we as teachers did in our classrooms.
It was common in our district to frame our conversations around teaching and learning. One day, our director began shifting our conversations by flipping our focus to learning and teaching. It seemed simple enough. On the surface, one might not even notice the shift. But then, it began to change the way we thought about our classrooms, our schools, and our district. We began to pay attention to the learning before the teaching.
This simple shift put the focus on children and learning. It was no longer critical that we focus on what or how we taught each day although that was still an important part of our conversations. Observing students, listening to their responses to our classroom conversations, valuing them as individuals, paying attention to our informal assessments became our true vision. We saw with new eyes, we sought to understand what students were thinking and understanding, we taught in response to what we learned about our students. Looking back, I know it was a simple shift in words but now I can see what a huge impact it made.
Learning and teaching - paying attention to what comes first - our students.
Like many of you, I have been involved in countless conversations about education. Some of our conversations are about new instructional strategies or classroom environment. Some of them are about building relationships with our students and colleagues. Others focus on digital literacy or expanding our classroom libraries.
Among all those conversations that I have been part of, there was a time when a slight shift in words gave us a sharper focus as we talked about what happens in classrooms. I was fortunate to be part of a district that focused hard on improving teaching and learning. One day our Director of Education began to shift our thinking with a simple rearrangement of words. While it was a small and simple shift, it had a huge impact on our conversations and what we did in classrooms. This occurred several (maybe even many) years ago when the conversations about teaching focused on the how and what we as teachers did in our classrooms.
It was common in our district to frame our conversations around teaching and learning. One day, our director began shifting our conversations by flipping our focus to learning and teaching. It seemed simple enough. On the surface, one might not even notice the shift. But then, it began to change the way we thought about our classrooms, our schools, and our district. We began to pay attention to the learning before the teaching.
This simple shift put the focus on children and learning. It was no longer critical that we focus on what or how we taught each day although that was still an important part of our conversations. Observing students, listening to their responses to our classroom conversations, valuing them as individuals, paying attention to our informal assessments became our true vision. We saw with new eyes, we sought to understand what students were thinking and understanding, we taught in response to what we learned about our students. Looking back, I know it was a simple shift in words but now I can see what a huge impact it made.
Learning and teaching - paying attention to what comes first - our students.
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