A Buzz #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

It's been awhile since I've had a buzz...and I don't mean the adult beverage kind. I'm talking about the language arts buzz in the hallway.

We read an Article of the Week on a regular basis in our classroom. I try to find articles that will appeal to 6th graders or ones that feature current events that I feel my students need to know about and understand.  This week I chose one about Logan Paul and his You Tube video about the suicide forrest.  It was an opinion article, and I felt like it would create some interesting conversations in our classroom.  I found out they had some very strong opinions of their own.

Kids came in asking, "Are we really reading about Logan Paul?"

"Yes, we are."

After class they ran to their friends telling them about the article.  Students in the math class next door overheard me and asked the math teacher, "Did Mrs. Eck just say Logan Paul?  Does she know who he is?"

Actually, I didn't before I heard about the video on social media.  But they don't need to know that!

I'll just let them keep thinking that they have a pretty cool language arts teacher!

I'd rather... #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

The other day I read a post by Michelle Haseltine at One grateful Teacher about her love for mornings.  I am not a morning person, and her post inspired me to think about personal preferences.  

I'd rather stay up late than get up early.  I prefer to reflect on the day instead of anticipate a new one.  I like listening to the stillness of the night instead of the noisiness of the morning.  Although I do not sleep late, I am at my best at night.

I'd rather read a paper book than a digital book.  I prefer to turn the pages with my fingers and breathe in the smell of a new book. I like using my special bookmarks instead of a ribbon icon to mark my place. Buying books and organizing them on my shelves makes me smile.

I'd rather pile things up than put them away.  I prefer to be a "piler" and I admit it. Piling occurs in my home, my classroom, and even my desktop on my computer. But I can usually tell you which pile something is in.

I'd rather eat something salty than something sweet. I prefer chips and crunch as a snack. Now, I won't turn down a sweet offered to me, but I would typically reach for the chips.  

I'd rather slice in the morning than wait unil the evening.  I prefer to have my slices written the day before posting...although I AM a procrastinator.  Unfortunately, these past few days, that hasn't happened.

Thank you, Michelle, for inspiring this quick slice for today! Now, I am off to write my post for tomorrow!

What's on your happy list? #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

I keep a draft in my blog file for slice ideas. Sometimes I remember where I got the idea or who inspired it.

and sometimes I don't - as in the case of this slice.

Do you notice those smalls things that make you happy?  I don't mean the blissfully content kind of happy.  But the little things that make you smile and tickle your heart.

Check out this video on keeping a happy list. (If nothing else, just listen to his voice; its mesmerizing.)

"What if happiness is the practice of the slow calligraphy of these small gestures?"

    Here is the beginning of my happy list.

• all my socks matching in a load of laundry
• waking up in the middle of the night and realizing I still have hours of sleep left
• the sound of a book spine cracking for the first time
• the smell of a book
• a new box of crayons
• stopping on an even dollar amount at the gas pump
• grabbing a stack of papers to pass out and having the exact amount I needed
• my grocery bill totaling an even amount
• the smell of rain
• just enough ketchup for my french fries
• today's slice
• meeting deadlines - see yesterday's post!

What would be on your happy list?  I think I will keep adding to this list as I think more about what makes me happy.

Twenty-Four Hours in a Day #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

Today is one of those days where I told myself, "I don't have time to write a slice. I have a yearbook with a deadline.  I need sleep. I don't have time."

And then I remembered this quote and told myself, "We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day."

"Get over it."

A Tale of Two Skies #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

As I drove to school today I had two different views. I think God was sending me a message.

Positive

negative

lightness

darkness

you are given both

you decide

What sky are you going to choose today?

Stages of Procrastination! #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

I knew today would happen.  But I didn't expect it on Day 4 of the challenge.

You see, I am a procrastinator.  I try to write my slice a day ahead. Or at least plan a few slices ahead for those days when I have been caught behind a deadline or a due date or just flat out behind.

Yesterday was that day.

I am our school's yearbook sponsor, which means I create the entire book by myself. The due date is March 12th.  But knowing that I am a procrastinator, I gave myself the due date of Monday.

Now, I know you're thinking that isn't procrastinating, right? I gave myself eight extra days, right?

But I hadn't even started yet!

And that is for another slice....

Graphic found on Pinterest

Yes, I am in the crisis stage!

Signs of Spring #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

I am also celebrating my week with Ruth Ayres.  Here's what I am celebrating today!

Today my daughter and I pull up to the school, and she lets out a faint gasp.

"What?" I ask her.

"Look at how light it is today!  I hadn't really noticed it until today. Right this minute. But look!"

I pick up my bag and look around.  I, too, notice the difference in the 7:00 am light and say, "This must be a sign that spring is near."

After school, I look around and notice things are a-changing.

Red maples open their doors, 

greeting us with hello.

Daffodils stick out their tongues, mocking Ole Man Winter.

Tulips hint at planting a kiss, leaving behind their red lipstick stain.

Yes, spring is coming!

How Silly of Me! #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

At the end of the school day, teachers stand in the hall, say good-bye to students, and talk about our day. Yesterday I was standing with the teacher from the room beside me, and we were waiting on her son to arrive from the elementary school.

As Landon runs down the hall to greet his mom with a kiss, he announces with the excitement of a six year old, "Mommy, if we get 100 leaves on our tree, we get donuts!"

His mom, wanting to know more about this tree, asks, "Well, how do you get the leaves on the tree?"

I quietly say with much just a little sarcasm, "It's probably for stupid AR points."

Landon looks at me a little puzzled and explains how any first grader would, "Uh...you glue 'em."

How silly of me!

It's a Party! #sol18

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we share a slice of life every single day in the month of March.

I am kicking off this year's challenge the same way as last year - with a party!

This is the slice that keeps on sharing. Sometime this month when you need a slice, (and yes, you know it WILL happen!) accept this invitation to my party.  The best part is that you can stop by anytime during the month, but here is the catch.  You have to bring five items that are listed on the invitation below. 

What a great way for us introduce ourselves and get to know each other a little bit better as the month moves along.  Imagine a big party full of slicers!

Here is what I am bringing:

Favorite book:  This is a difficult one for me because I have so many favorite books. I will have to go with my favorite book I have read so far this year, and that would be Scythe by Neal Shusterman.  This book has been spreading through my room almost as fast as the flu virus! 

Favorite person:  I would bring my sister, Janis.  She is a fellow teacher, a cancer survivor, and one of the most positive people I know, and she brings life to any party she attends.  Although we are nothing alike, I know you will love her!

Favorite food or beverage:  We have a local pizza place, Bobe's, that has been around since the 1950's.  We have people who have lived here and moved away, and Bobe's is always a stopping place when they come back to visit.  Some people even have these pizzas mailed to them!  They are that good.

Favorite song:  When I was in high school, our basketball team won the state championship.  And if you know anything about Indiana basketball, then you know basketball is king.  Those four weeks of high school are some of my fondest memories. The song Celebrate by Kool and the Gang was played at every pep session and became our theme song.  And since it's a party, why not CELEBRATE!

Surprise:  I would bring each of you a notebook to record our laughs and memories of our time together.  What a great party this would be!

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you consider joining me sometime this month and bring along a few friends. Don't forget to RSVP when you post by either commenting here or tweeting me @Teachr4.  That way I can include you in this post and we can all share in the party fun! Last year we had 24 slicers join us, and I can't wait to see who all attends this year!

Let's get this party started!

Look who is coming!

Kendra from Simply Learning Together
Dani from Doing the Work That Matters
Wendy from Chaulk It Up!
Michelle from One Grateful Teacher
Sarah from Read. Reflect. Teach
Jennifer from Wahooliteracyteacher
Deb from Coffee with Chloe
Terje from Just for a Month
Ramona from Pleasures from the Page
Christie from Wondering and Wandering
Pat from Missives from Missouri
Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum
Christine from Mrs. Senior's Slice of Life Blog
Tammy from Tammy's Reading Life
Carol from Beyond Literacy Link
Judy from Joodles Now & Then
Diane from Newtreemom
Lisa from A Slice of Lisa

Every Journey Starts with a Single Step

I am so thankful for Ruth Ayres, who extends an invitation to share the celebrations from our week.  Here's what I am celebrating today!

Last September I took a big step in my journey as a teacher. I began working on my Master's degree. I am ready for a different turn in my journey, and I knew this path was the one I needed to take.  

Looking back at that first assignment, I remember the tears and the doubt and the fear, and I honestly didn't know if I could do it.  With the empty nest on the horizon, I knew it wasn't a matter of running kids here and there and being present in their lives. I had the time. Teaching full time is a challenge, but now that I had taught 6th grade for three years, I felt comfortable with my curriculum.  The workload wasn't the problem.

My biggest fear stemmed from own self-doubt.  Could I really do this at my age?  At the age of 54, many teachers are thinking about retirement, and I am thinking about stepping out into a bigger circle in the education world.

Today, I celebrate learning, as my first semester officially ends this week. Yes, I did it!

When I chose step as my one little word this year, the decision to go to grad school was a big part of it.  Now I am ready to swing my arms back and jump to the next rock.

And I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.

The Table is Full, Momma

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this space for me to share my corner of the world.

Our son is away at college, although "away at college" equates to only 60 miles.  I know I am lucky because I get to see him more often than most college parents.

Although my daughter still lives at home, my husband and I have slowly adapted to a quieter house, lower food bills, and less laundry.  But it is still difficult to see one less plate at the dining room table.

Our dining room table has been our gathering place. We have laughed and cried.  We have rolled out cookies and played board games.  We have carved pumpkins and completed homework.  We have written research papers and filled out job applications. But nothing gave my husband and I more joy than sitting down and eating a meal together.

Life happened at our dining room table.

Our dining room table has changed.  I have moved to my son's spot, and books and papers are stacked at mine.  My husband and I eat meals together, just the two of us.  Now, I grade papers by myself instead of helping the kids with homework. The baked cookies are now half-batches because they go stale before we can eat them all.

Yes, the dining room table has changed.

Recently, Ethan came home for a Sunday afternoon visit, (and if the truth be told, a home-cooked meal!) As we all sat down to eat, we shared stories and laughs, just like we always have.

My husband looked at me and said, "The table is full, Momma!"

Yes, it was.

Life still happens at our dining room table.

A Hole In My Cape

I believe teaching is a difficult profession, yet one of the most important and rewarding. Children sit in our classrooms today and tomorrow will be the ones leading us, taking care of us, and making decisions which will impact all of us.

That is a humbling thought.

Many people see teachers as super-heroes.  If this image is accurate, then my cape got a hole last week.

Without giving too many details, I was verbally attacked by a group of students.

I was in the middle of working with them through a difficult text, and they were not doing their part in the learning process.  Because of their behavior, I stopped teaching and had a conversation about the importance of learning, graduating high school, and finding a good job in order to support themselves.  I told them it starts in sixth grade.

I am sure many of us have had similar conversations at some point with our students.

Sadly, they took my words, twisted them, and spit them out with a "strong dislike" for me, teachers, and school in general.  They became enraged and took that rage out on me.

The next day, I talked with the dean of students, and I requested that no suspensions be given.  However, I assured him I would stand by the consequences they thought would be best.

Later that day, a few students came in and said they owed me a thank you for not getting them suspended.  Another one asked why I would do that.

A third one, who was not involved in the incident but is a student in the class, quietly replied, "Because she is nice."

I didn't do it because I am nice.  I did it because after much thinking, I felt it was the right thing to do.

• I want them to know they have a voice, but that doesn't mean their voice needs to be disrespectful or full of hate.  Suspending them would only send a message that their words don't matter to me. I want them to know they have a voice in my classroom.

• I know suspending them would not lead to the results I want.  I want a community of learners who listen to each other, who question perspectives, who discuss problems, and who collaborate and work together to find solutions.  Suspending them would not get me those results; it would only feed the anger.

I know that I need to learn from this experience as much as they do. Reflecting back on that day, I have questions of my own and answers to find.  Why do they dislike school so much?  What can I do to teach them how to handle disagreements? How do I show them to use their voice in a positive way? How do I rebuild those relationships? How can I get them to understand that literacy is the key to opening up their world to all that is possible?

But the most important question I have from all of this is where do we go from here?  I have a three day weekend to think about how I will handle things on Tuesday afternoon.  

Yes, my cape got a hole last week, but thankfully, I know how to sew.  I will wrap that thread up in resilience, compassion, and respect.  And hopefully, we will patch that hole up together.

Kaleidoscope of Color #PoetryFriday

It's Poetry Friday, and Sally is hosting the round-up and sharing some terse verse with us.  Check it out!

This week I wrote a poem using the 15 words or less picture prompt from Laura Purdie Salas. This image is from artwork found in an airport!

It reminded me a little of stained glass and a kaleidoscope.  Here is my rough draft.

Photo by Laura Purdie Salas

a kaleidoscope of color

stretches to the sky

perfectly placed pieces 
just beyond my reach

Morning Crystals #PoetryFriday

It's Poetry Friday! Carol at Beyond Literacy Link has the round-up today and is sharing her invitation to the Winter Wonderland Gallery. 

January brought with it a true winter - cold temps, wind chill, snow, ice and the flu. During one winter storm a few weeks ago, ice made its debut.  I don't like traveling on ice, but it sure creates some magical moments.  

Here is one I share with you today and with Carol for her gallery.

Celebrating My Grandma #celebratelu

I am so thankful for Ruth Ayres, who extends an invitation to share the celebrations from our week.  Why don't you join us?

Today I celebrate the life of my grandma.

Today I woke to the message that she peacefully passed early this morning.

Today I remember how hard she worked, 

                      how hard she lived, 

                      and how hard she loved 

                      ...for 92 years.

                     

Today I celebrate the 54 years (minus one day) I had her in my life.

I am one blessed granddaughter.

Merry-Go-Round #PoetryFriday

It's Poetry Friday, and I am trying to sustain the habit of writing. Today, I join Kay at A Journey Through the Pages and many others to share a bit of poetry on this once again cold weekend.

This is the time of year when my students and I read The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. This book leads us into a study of a historical time. Many discussions ensue from reading the book and the informational text that I include in the unit.

Each year, I glean the internet looking for additional resources or ways I can change things.  Last year I added "The Ballad of Birmingham" by Dudley Randall.  This year I am adding this poem by Langston Hughes.  I look forward to hearing students' thoughts on the metaphor of the merry-go-round, the voice of the narrator, and the connection to what they learn about the Jim Crow Laws.

Merry-Go-Round

Where is the Jim Crow section 
On this merry-go-round,
Mister, cause I want to ride? 
Down South where I come from 
White and colored
Can't sit side by side.
Down South on the train
There's a Jim Crow car.
On the bus we're put in the back— 
But there ain't no back

To a merry-go-round! 
Where's the horse 
For a kid that's black? 

~Langston Hughes

Reunited with Slicing #SOL18

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this space for me to share my corner of the world.

Scrolling through my blog posts and searching for my last Slice of Life, I landed on June 27th.  I cannot believe it has been that long.  

At #TeachWrite Chat Blog, we have been talking about writing goals this year.  If you have never seen our blog, I encourage you to check it out.  I do not have goals, but more of what I would call position statements.  My goals are not measurable, but just a "position" that I want to take when it comes to writing this year.

One of them is to write more slices.  Slicing is the roots of my current writing life. Slicing brought my writing life out of its dormancy, and it nourished it in its early stages. It's where I met the people who have supported my writing life for almost five years. In many ways, slicing has also sustained my writing life.

One of the best parts of the slicing community...and there are many...is that they always welcome you back.

It is where I hope to be reunited today.

The First Step

I am so thankful for Ruth Ayres, who extends an invitation to share the celebrations from our week.  Why don't you join us?

I have yet to write about my one little word. There are many reasons why, but the one I am about to write is the biggest.

September 1st I started working on my Master's degree.

September 2nd I was in tears, wondering what in the world was I thinking.

I became a teacher at the age of 43 and was a non-traditional student in a distance program (now called on on-line program!).  I was a stay-at-home mom at the time, and I worked hard to finish that degree.

But this is so different.  I am now almost 54 and working full-time.  Going back to school at this time in my life creates a whole new set of challenges.  The most significant one is time.

I found myself not reading or writing because the guilt would set in.  I felt guilty knowing that  I should have been reading my textbook or writing papers.  I read two books the first semester, when I typically read about 25. But that is for another post.  I wrote a few blog posts, more out of obligation than for the pleasure of just writing.

I missed that part of my life.

Yesterday, I submitted my final assignment for my first semester.  And I finished six weeks early!

When I picked my one little word, I knew I had several journeys ahead of me this year.  This degree is just one of them.

Today, I celebrate taking that first step.

Talking in Black Ink #PoetryFriday

It's Poetry Friday, and I am trying to get back into the habit of writing. Today, I join Catherine Flynn at Reading to the Core and many others to share a bit of poetry on this cold Friday!

I am one of the co-moderators for the #TeachWrite chat which is a community for teacher-writers.  This month we are writing and having conversations about writing goals.  I have not written my goals down yet, but I know I want to include something about keeping a writing notebook.

I have a love/hate relationship with writer's notebooks.  I think the issue I have is that mine will never compare to those that I see out in the writing world. (And yes, I know I shouldn't do that!)

As I was looking through some drafts of blog posts, I found this poem that I had scribbled out after I read a blog post by Austin Kleon.  In this post, he says, "Notebooks are a good place to have bad ideas." 

And using a line from his post as my first line, a poem about a writer's notebook is born.

talking in black ink

whispering between the pages

retaining possession

of hopes

dreams

and bad ideas

©Leigh Anne Eck, 2018

Maybe there is hope for me yet.

#MustReadin2018

I said I wasn't going to do it.  No way, no how.

I have done terribly with these Must Read Challenge created by the amazing Carrie Gelson at There is a Book for That, and I wasn't going to embarrass myself again.

And here I am making a new list of "must-reads" in 2018.  Each year my list has decreased, but that has had no influence on my success or progress.

But there is something cathartic about making a reading plan, even if I don't stick to it.  Thinking about the "next" book is an idea I always want my students to be mindful of, so I must be the example.

This year I have narrowed it down to just eight titles - two for each quarter.  Sounds doable, doesn't it?

Below are the eight titles that I missed reading in 2017 and are my "must-reads" in 2018.  Many of these titles are names that are receiving some award buzz, so I need to get reading!

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder  Read February 9, 2018
Scythe by Neal Shusterman  Read February 1, 2018

Posted by John David Anderson
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Restart by Gordan Korman  Read August 24, 2018
Refugee by Alan Gratz Read May 29, 2018

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate Read January 7, 2018
The War I Finally Won by   Kimberly Brubaker Bradford  Read June 6, 2018

This challenge is for anyone who has a To Be Read list.  For me, that list seems to be endless.  If you are interested in joining the challenge, you can get all the details here on Carrie's blog.  She will share the lists on her blog, send update reminders on Twitter, and we get to see our own lists grow longer!  

Happy Reading in 2018!