Snow party poem

 mittens wearing

snow pants gearing

boots preparing

sled a’carrying

 

hill awaiting

racers gating

   slipping, sliding,

crushing, slushing

 

snowballs bashing

children laughing

red cheeks glaring

bonfire raring

hot dogs roasting

toes a' toasting

 

cocoa steaming

hearts........

         gleaming :)



Pen Pal Purpose #6/31

Recently, my cousin, a fellow-teacher who lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, suggested that our two classes should be pen pals. I was interested but I have to admit that I was thinking just being “pen pals” might be kind of lame with all of the awesome technology that is available. In fact, Ruth Ayers was just at my school talking about Tweeting with classes across the world, Skyping with authors, Blogging, etc. But we got the ball rolling anyway.

The day came when my class received our very first letter from Oklahoma. I kept the students waiting until Writer’s Workshop time to actually open and read the letter to everyone. I have to say, the anticipation built up was palpable. But that is what I want---kids that can’t wait for writing time. As I expected, they were thrilled to hear from our new pen pals.. Mrs. H actually emailed us a picture of her class too. As a class, we wrote a huge letter on chart paper to reply to our new pen pals. Then each student found out e name of the student who would be their pen pal. My students were literally cheering and jumping up and down. Students put pencil to paper and began writing their letters----- Introducing themselves, asking questions, telling about our class. Yes, Yes, Yes, This is exactly what we need to be doing. These kids are eager writers. Each one of them has a purpose.

Yes, Tweeting would be innovative. Skyping would be interactive but writing a good ‘ol pen pal letter is great too. We thrive on the anticipation that builds up waiting for each reply. There is a personal connection that each writer is making with another writer from a far. These qualities help us build a foundation and form relationships with this class in Oklahoma. Mrs. H and I are eager to introduce some technology as we progress. In fact, we already couldn’t resist texting pictures of the snow outside our classroom windows. But for now, I am pleased with the pen pal’s purpose.

Writing is to the mind what excercise is to the body.

SOL #5/31

 

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” -Richard Steele

During our Readerly Life unit, I use this quote with my 4th graders. Analogies and metaphors can help students relate to reading. I compare reading to lifting weights. Our minds are not going to get strong if we only read “too-easy” books. Just like we aren’t going to build muscles, if we aren’t lifting heavy enough weights. We talk about varying our reading diet------just as we need to vary our eating diets. We can’t only eat chocolate and candy. Just like we can’t only read easy-breezy books. To help our bodies grow, we need to eat a variety of nutritious foods. To help our minds grow, we need to consume a variety of reading material.

 

As I take on this new blogging experience, I will substitute the word writing for reading in this quote.

Writing is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

The joy of writing, to me, is similar to “runner’s high” for a runner. After writing, I feel like I have accomplished something for the day and I am proud of myself. Just like I am sure it is fulfilling to leave the gym after a great workout.

My stamina for writing is greater than I gave myself credit for too. Of course, it’s nothing like a marathon runner or but I have surprised myself. I am able to ‘“run” farther than I ever thought possible. The words spill out of me that I am not expecting. What I thought would be a couple sentences turned into a three page, handwritten story. I am finding the ability to stretch a sentence or elaborate on a story into something more than my typical two-liner Facebook post.

I may not get firm toned muscles from this writing commitment, but I hope I am building and stretching and honing my craft in ways that will be just as personally rewarding.

Time for a shot!

Ok so this isn’t about that kind of shot! (Although I might need one but the end of the day--

-just kidding)

I can’t help but write what is weighing on my mind this morning. I guess I should be thrilled that I can wake up this Monday morning and not have to hurry to school. I have the morning off because today is the day that I take my little girl in for her well-child check up.  We’ve been to the doctor plenty of times lately but that was because she was battling one little sickness or the next. She is now finally well enough for the well-child check with usually means it is time for the dreaded shots too! Why do I stress so much over these? I know the overall purpose is for their own good. But man it is hard to explain that to a 2 year old!

I try hard not to project my worries upon her. In fact, she is so innocently asking,  “When do I get to go to the doctor mom?” I want to be truthful with her and let her know that she is getting shots this time when she visits the doctor. (Her older brother evidently wanted to “prepare” her too because he kept “reminding” her that she was getting shots today.)

I am frantically searching the house for anything that I can whip out right after the shocking injections in hopes of capturing her attention and drying up the inevitable tears. I have convinced her dad to join us this time. He has never had to witness this torture. I am hoping that a first-hand eyewitness of his blonde haired blue-eyed baby girl enduring something that most adults cringe over will somehow give him a little more empathy when dealing with her 2 year old “I know -it-all” attitude later.

Wish us luck. For now, I will savor the few moments that we have together is quiet morning.

You can keep your leather sofa

My husband can’t believe that I turned down the opportunity get a new leather couch for our family room and opted to keep the very first sofa we ever purchased. I can’t pinpoint one reason that drives me to hang onto our more than 15 year old couch. But I can think of many reasons!

First of all, I don’t think leather is cozy. It may look nice and I like it in my car. But I don’t want to stick to it in the summer and I can’t cozy up in it with a cup of coffee in the winter. Our multi-colored couch doesn’t seem to show too much wear and tear or dirt and grime. Even if it did, I wouldn’t care. I don't want to be panicked when the kids are trying to balance their cereal bowls on their knees while watching saturday morning cartoons.

The strongest reason is...... these couch cushions make the best forts. I don’t know how many hours my son has spent displacing the cushions and standing them on end with a blanket or another cushion on top to create his own little hideout. When his little sister came along, it added a new dynamic to the fort blueprints. He now has to build one big enough for two.

I hate to admit it but the last time the kids were treating the couch (without the cushions) like a trampoline, a spring popped up. I thought that would be the last dying breath of our beloved sofa but fortunately (without my husband knowing) I was able to do some resuscitation via a pair of wire cutters from the garage. Hopefully our crooked but comfy couch will be around a few more years to provide hours of entertainment and exercise for my two children. When I do have to replace it, it won’t be with leather!

The Kindergartener's gift-Thank you, Mr. Espey

 

Dear Mr. Espey,

 

Thank you so much for being so gracious as you accepted a “painted stick” as a gift from my kindergarten son. You should know, since the beginning of school he has noticed that you did not have a music baton to use while conducting music in class. He came home and inquired about where he could buy one. He frequently asked me if we could get you one.

Meanwhile, he proceeded to write a book about you, The Music Teacher from the Black Logoon. (Don’t take offense, The Black Logoon books are his favorite!!) So he made up all sorts of astonishing things that might happen in music class and (with a little help) made his own version of the book starring....Mr. Espey!

Anyway, after some time, he decided he was just going to make you a music baton. He thought long and hard and wished for the perfect stick. One day, he came bursting in the house with the perfect length, straight-as -an -arrow stick. He begged to be allowed to get out the paint. After trying to cover the stick with black tempera paint and realizing it wasn’t covering well, he convinced his dad to find and use a can of spray paint to cover it all black. Then next morning he painted the tip white. I honestly never thought that thing would make it to school. But he remembered it and devised a plan to get it to school safely. (He was worried that the bus driver wouldn't allow a stick on the bus.) I am guessing that it made it to school in one piece. Because when he came home, he was all excited to tell me about giving you the “baton”. I asked “Did he like it?” He said, “Yes” in an “of-course-he-liked-it “kind of way. Then added, “He gave me a such a big hug I could hardly breathe!” He continued, “Mr. Epsey said he would use it the next time I came to music class.” My son would have been satisfied with your “thank you” as appreciate enough for the gift. But you really made this boy’s day when you actually used your new “baton” to conduct his music class the next day.

Mr. Espey you are where you need to be! Your love of music and children is very evident. Thank you for spreading the love! :)

 

                                                                Signed,

 

                                                                 Michael's Mom

 

 

 

So teachers- Let us remember:

 

Forget the Tight Abs

I guess I am going to try this blogging thing. I am considering it a personal challenge.  I have had high hopes  of starting to exercise, do yoga or something like that but that has never happened. Those tasks require getting up and doing something. Blogging, however, I think I can do that. I like to talk and this is just like talking with my fingers. I am hoping blogging will come as easily for me as talking does.

Blogging doesn’t require me to get off the couch, and it doesn’t take too much energy.  I can keep my laptop perched on the arm of the couch while my kids are playing right here in front of me.  I can still listen to American Idol or Gold Rush. The best part; no special attire is required. In fact, I hear that sweats are the standard!

Why I want to blog----I want to capture some of the moments of my life that I find precious, priceless and sometimes hilarious. These are the small things that we typically forget in a few weeks.

I also want to practice doing what I ask my students to do. I want to experience real writing and be able to help them overcome hurdles that they may encounter while writing. I figured the best way to know how to guide them will be having trekked the same path.

By blogging, I will be stretching myself in a new way. I already journal on the computer,  jotting down a few short moments of my life.  So why not stretch myself into taking it to the next level?  It may not be a “down-dog” stretch. But it will be a stretch for me, never the less. I hope it is a way for me to grow professionally and personally .
  I am sure I could make a lot of excuses why not to do it...... I don’t know how to blog...... I don’t have time to blog. What is in it for me? Who would want to read my blog? Do I want people reading my thoughts?

  But I am choosing to focus on the positive and JUST DO IT! I will just have to find a new way to get tight abs.