Sunday, March 6, 2016

Aaahh...


It is hard to believe another March has arrived, and it is time for another Slice of Life Challenge.  This is my third year of participating.  Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this space for me to share my corner of the world.

You know that feeling you get when you have worn a pair of jeans all day that are just a little too tight, and you finally change to sweat pants?

Or when you have been wearing heels all day and you finally change into a pair of tennis shoes?

Or when you overeat at Thanksgiving (or any other meal) and you let the belt out a notch...or two?

That is how I felt this week - very restricted and confined.

We began the first round of our state testing this week.  Earlier in the week I moved my students from small groups into nice, neat rows of desks.  Perfect for test takers.  I shut my blinds to avoid distractions and to help with concentration.  Perfect environment for test takers.

Today I was allowed to change into those sweatpants and tennis shoes and let out my belt.

My desks are back into small groups ready for turn and talk and true collaboration. Perfect for engaged learning.  I have a corner room with three large windows.  The blinds are now open, letting in natural light and brightening my room again.  Perfect for engaged learning.

I looked around my room and let out a sigh....I can start teaching again!

*This post was written on Friday afternoon.

13 comments:

  1. I almost didn't read your slice when I saw it was about state testing . . . but I'm glad I did and that your room is back to normal and ready for engaged learning.

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    1. I am so glad you did read it. I usually do not give testing the privilege of my words. Instead I try to focus on my students and the learning we do each and every day. That is what matters most to me. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Back to normal. It's great that your normal means collaboration in a supportive learning environment.

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  3. I love you how showed in your writing feeling restricted and confined by those awesome examples in the beginning. Love them! I hear you. My tests are coming up soon and I can already feel it. Yea for being able to teach again! :)

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  4. Your kids will be so happy life is back to normal! Love the comparisons of restricted and then the ahhh, relief.

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  5. Wow, nice to get back to normal. We don't test until the end of April, I'll remember to let out my belt notch as it concludes!

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  6. What a great connection to wearing uncomfortable clothes or shoes!! LOVE it! So glad it's over and life is back to normal!

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  7. Restricted and confined...yes, that is the testing process. Ugh!

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  8. Ah ... I can feel the release and comfort returning! Great analogy!

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  9. Ah ... I can feel the release and comfort returning! Great analogy!

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  10. What a wonderful feeling! So glad you can get back to normal. :)

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  11. I can not wait to be past the state testing window! Enjoy the peace!!!

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