Caught

When were you last caught off guard by someones kindness?

It is so easy to dwell on the hardships of the day or the frustrations that surface when it is most inconvenient. Does that really serve us well, though? Does dwelling on it really bring us out of the muck and the mire?

Today an unexpected gesture of kindness was tossed my way. I was so shocked that I almost failed to catch it. I had forgotten that importance lies in the simple things. The small words. The thoughts. The smiles.

I hope to savor that little nugget. I hope to pin it to my heart. To keep it as a reminder. To let it be a challenge.

What kindness will you let fill the creases and divots of your heart?

Slipping

I was going to post about the mean lady at the grocery store. I had eloquent words planned out about her animosity, tone, and rudeness that ignited fire in my heart. Somehow I managed to dim the flames and "keep my cool."

I was going to slice about inspirational blogs...one in particular. This writer has a gift with words. Her phrasing and visual images continue to astound me. The meaning behind her words often help my soul to soar.

I was going to write about my recent time in Texas. Family can be so refreshing and fun. We toured Austin, visited the Alamo, and laughed like little kids on the playground.

Alas, I spent my entire evening working, thinking, typing (for school).

I just moments ago straightened my covers, turned on my nook, took off my socks and tucked my tired body into my snuggly bed. Then I remembered.... It's March 1st!

I hope it is worth it to yank my body out of bed at 10:02 and share these measely words!

Here's to 30 more slices. Hope I remember before 10pm!

Literacy and the Family.

It's probable that most parents have heard that reading to their child is good for them. It is also probable that those same parents have heard why reading to their child is so beneficial. But how many really do? What really are the benefits? A few clicks of my mouse and a couple minutes of reading later, the answers were clear...

"A national survey found that less than half (48 percent) of parents said they read or shared a picture book daily with their children ages 1 to 3. Even fewer, 39 percent of parents, read or looked at a picture book with their infants at least once a day. Most alarmingly, one in six parents of an infant (16 percent) said they do not read to their child at all (Young et al., 1996)."    (Cited from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/startearly/ch_1.html).


But the question still stands? Why? What is it about reading that makes it so beneficial for kids? The same website goes on to say that when parents read, talk, and sing to and with their child, it literally makes brain cells turn on. This means that parents really are their child's first teacher. Many of these experiences with words and stories cannot wait until starting school. It has to start at home...

And here's how:

The home is your greatest tool. It is accessable to you at all times and has a variety of ways to incorporate learning, reading, and fun into your child's life.

In the Bathroom:

• vinyl books during bath rime.
• bath paints or colored soap with sponges to make letters and numbers
• magnetic letters on the wall

In the Kitchen:

• Have your child help you make the grocery list.
• Put away food packages according to the first letter.
• Keep a calendar for each week listing important days and times. Have your child draw a picture to go with each event.

In the Back Yard:

• Let your child write letters in sand. No sandbox? Use a cookie sheet with sand.
• Let your child write and draw with sidewalk chalk.
• Make letters with a jumping rope and try to think of words that start with that letter.

For more ideas to use at home visit  http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/read/all/housetour/index.htm

Reading books can also provide a great conversation between you and your child.

Before you read a book: Ask "what do you think will happen?"
                                        Look at the pictures together and study the drawings
                                        Talk about experiences that connect to the story.

During the book : Talk about what is happening in the story.  
                              Point out interesting or tricky words.
                              Ask "What do you think will happen next?"

After the book: Share your favorite part and tell why.
                          Rate the book from 1 to 10 and tell why.
                          Reflect with your child on the story.

What about when your child goes to school? What do you do when he or she comes home from school with a new book to read to YOU? What happens when your child makes a mistake when reading?

Here are some important tips about beginning readers...

• They need to point to each word. Encourage them to do so.
• They need to look at the pictures. Encourage them to use the pictures to help them.
• If they make a mistake, ask them "Where's the tricky word?" Have them point it out.
• Ask them "does that sound right? Does it make sense?" after an error. They might be able to go back and fix it on their own.
• Don't be afraid to tell them a few words when reading. They don't need to struggle through every word.
• Encourage them to look at the picture, look at the first letter, and make a guess when they don't know a word.

Here are some additional resources for you and your child:

* www.Readingrockets.org (for parents)
* http://www.readinglady.com/mosaic/tools/tools.htm#6 (for parents)
* http://www.magickeys.com/books/index.html# (for kids)
* www.starfall.com (for kids)
* http://pbskids.org (for kids)

Remember, you are your child's first teacher. Invest in your child's future by reading, talking, singing, and playing with him. 

Joy

When life gets a little busy and I feel a little more stressed than usual, I am always surprised at what brings me back into focus.

A little joy to brighten my outlook and put spring in my step again...

It's okay.

Writing...

Writing Workshop is something that I have grown passionate about in the past few years. I was blessed enough to have a very knowledgable and wise veteran teacher mentor me in the area of writing during my second year of teaching. Since then, I have marveled at the way kids can evolve in front of my eyes. This teacher, let's call her Mrs. R. showed me how writing workshop can be joyful learning. It can be a time of getting to know students, having students getting to know me, celebration, fun, and of course, learning!

Today, during an informal meeting, some colleagues and I were milling around about focus statments for our writing workshop lessons in the upcoming weeks. Yes, we looked at the standards, and our district's pacing guide, etc. but I was constantly drawn back to thinking about what my writer's need now. I challenged a couple of my colleagues to just think about what their writers need. I wonder how often we let ourselves think about what they need- not what they have to know, and how fast it will be on a test, but rather the most pressing NEED.

One teacher talked about mini-lessons where she encouraged students to flip back through old stories before getting new paper. I agree, this can be a powerful challenge. It is great for students to look at previous work and reflect. However, the more she talked, the more it was apparent that she wanted kids to go back and "finish" every story. Do they NEED to finish every story?

This got me to thinking... is this really what I want for my writers? Do I finish every piece of writing I start? Can we teach a lot of valuable things about writing when some pieces don't get finished? I had to reflect back onto my own summer challenge- where I tried to write a slice a day for a month. It was tough for me. I had a hard time thinking of subjects, stories, and ideas that were worthwhile. I still do!

I think I have to remind myself as a teacher- it's okay. It's okay if they don't finish every story. It's okay if their interests change, and they abandon an idea. It's okay if a newer and better idea comes along. It happens to me all of the time! Lots of Tuesdays, I sit down to slice and something entirely different than what I had planned ends up on the screen. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. There are still teachable moments there...

Happy writing!

Time

Nearly five years ago I started my life here. I started in a new place. New roads to get lost on. New students to teach. New friends to make.

Scared doesn't do my mind and heart justice. It took a long time for me to get cozy in my new life. Finding friends wasn't easy for me. I allowed (and sometimes still do) my job to take up a lot of my free time. So, going out and meeting new people was rough. One simple start was a television show.

L and her husband, J watched the same silly show in their basement. I can't even remember how it happened exactly, but we started joining forces and watching together. The winter seemed a little more bearable, a little warmer, and a little more friendly.

Through time L didn't seem like just a colleague anymore. Sure, we spent time together at school talking about teaching strategies, our students, our struggles and triumphs. Soon we became more. We decided to share life together. I don't think we knew quite what that meant at the time. Living in the same house helped us to become friends and not just colleagues.

Time has allowed me to know her love of organization, her love of snacks, her practicality, her insane sense of smell, and her talent for losing her phone.

More than that, time has given me the chance to see her as a wife to J. She loves and accepts him. She values his leadership and skills.

I am lucky to get to see her as a sister and daughter. She values family. She works hard at keeping in touch with them and their everyday lives. She welcomes them into her home.

Time has now let me see her as a mommy. Baby J can't know yet how lucky he is to have her. She lights up when she holds him, delights in his existence, and sacrifices for him.

I am thankful for the time see my friend. From her I have learned love, strength, acceptance, joy.

Tough Choices

Feelings pushed
down
beneath
the smile.

It was hard to
hide.
Did they notice?

I made the
comittment.
It was time
to follow
through.

My
head
and
my
heart
were
at
war.

Tears bubbled
and flowed
revealing
the
hearts
victory.

I knew
it would
hurt someone.

Did it have to be me?