SOL #8 I Was That Girl

She sat at the table. Here she was again.  That burning disgust brewed in her belly as she looked down at her scuffed up sneakers.  Pulling on the denim threads and scratching the skin of her knee, she made the hole in her pants bigger.  It would never be big enough.
She would need a hole much larger.  A home to dive in and escape herself.  Escape her and her bad self.  Why couldn't she does do as she was told?  Why did she always seem to say the wrong thing?
The pretty girls with the big JoJo stupid bows in their hair looked back at her as they lined up for recess.
Here she was again.

SOL #7 Today I Wrote Crap

Today is a day I can't write.  I was inspired by other slices.  I used the #DWHabit from yesterday to inspire my students to write and they did beautifully.  My students were sparked by Paula Bourque musical writing incentive.  One student wrote this long beautiful thread of a dream within a dream.  Another student wrote a skit. One wrote a silly little poem.  I wrote crap.
I'm even struggling to write now.  The boys have interrupted me several times and now the younger one has said Mom or Mommy a kagillion times. He has developed a new fear of our cat. He is in the kitchen now crying, claiming he is trapped.
It was a successful day in that my student writers felt excited about writing and asked for more time. Today is not about my writing.

SOL#6 Honesty

Today, I told my dear friend and colleague that I accepted the Slice of Life Challenge.  It's real now.  It reminds me of when I told her I was auditioning for a play at my local theatre.  As soon as I told her that I was thinking about auditioning I knew that I had to go through with it.  Being honest keeps us accountable.
When we open ourselves up and let others know about our challenges, we are so vulnerable. People are now able to see us fall flat on our face but being part of this community, I am learning that we are also allowing others to encourage us, lift us and move us forward.
I am hoping that the collaboration opportunities that I offer my students help them be the kinds of people who can be honest about their challenges and also be the warm support that others need.
In being honest, my lunch is almost over and I need to not only feed my stomach but I'm looking forward to reading your slices.

SOL #5 PJ Time

I had no idea what I was going to write today.  I think I was actually going to write about that I had nothing to write about until I saw the link for the Pajama Program that donates "the magical gifts of pajamas and books." As soon as I saw this line I was flooded with "Yes!" pajamas and books are magical and flashes of m sons and my childhood came to mind before the wave of sadness for the children who are forsaken these magical items.
Last night, my sons and I traveled back to 1600 Japan and rode on a dragon. One son was dressed as an Incredible and the other a Lego Ninjago. Soft little hands grabbed mine as we enjoyed another adventure by Mary Pope Osborn.  We have traveled many nights together.  Cuddled on rocking chairs we became hungry caterpillars. Now we are laughing and questioning and wondering through chapter books. 
Our bedtime routine was interrupted because I needed to attend to something before I fell asleep in between these warm little bodies. I heard the boys talking and when I asked them to settle down they told me they were saying their prayers. "Job well done, Mom," I said to myself and in my head my own mother.  She, after all, began this tradition of books and prayers and back scratches and cuddles.
This ordinary routine is more than ordinary.  It is extraordinary safety, love, and magical journeys.  My boys throw aside the boxes of clothes unwrapped on Christmas and birthdays but pajamas have a special place. They know too that PJ time is a special I Love You Time.
I'm going to spread the love now and shop the swag on Two Writing Teachers Online Shop.

#DWHabit Stretch

Stretch
like yoga
feel every bit of tired muscles that are needing attention,
sore spots that I didn't know were there until I twisted and bent and stretched
reaching for a new bend, a new release, a new goal
aware of limitations but pulling and reaching just a bit further
holding on for one more second, another second
breathe
little creaks in my spine
more mobility
taller
bolder
relaxed
onward

SOL #4 Thankful for a Writing Community

I'm so happy that I dedicated myself to this Slice of Life Challenge.  So far so good. I've written everyday, have gotten positive feedback.  I've surprised myself. 
The challenge has also immersed me in the blogs of many writers.  Even though I have held on to the belief that to be a good writer, you must first be a good reader, I have not been practicing my belief.  I noticed and admired craft in others' writing and caught myself saying things like "I love how she meticulously described each person instead of listing the people in the cafe."
Different topics have struck a chord in me. I am going to write about that next.
So now I have this rebirthed knowledge that writers learn from other writers and I need to reflect on my own teaching of my fourth grade writers. 
Getting ready to embrace the Classroom Slice of Life Challenge, I googled some ideas about kids blogging.  Thank you Karen Arrington for your blog about table blogging.  Students are encouraged to comment on others writing on a table sized dry erase board. 
Using her ideas about how students can meaningful comment on each others writing, I encouraged my students to comment on each others opinion essays about colonial life.  The students were engaged and thoughtful.  Sharing after one student said, I noticed that my writing is not as long as others and I am going to try to include more details in my body paragraphs. Wow! What might have taken fifty mini lessons and seventy-two writing conferences, this student arrived at his own writing goal through this one experience.
Thank you for giving me this month to be reflective about what writers really do.

SOL #3 The Treadmill Calls

What makes you so daunting?
Why do I run and hide?
I bury myself under comfy blankets only poking my nose out for a slurp of hot coffee. 
I find projects and excuses once I emerge.
The guilt bubbles in my gut.
Once, I'm there I'm fine.  I mean, I'm not fine. I hate it. But I do it.
I promise, "Right after blah, blah, blah.."
Oh no. I just finished my coffee.
but this remodeling show has not shown the big reveal yet.
I should tweeze my eyebrows today.
What are the kids doing?
I have to go to the grocery store.
But, if I get ready to go to the store, I wont want to get all sweaty later.
I should get on the treadmill now.
In just a
few
minutes.