Category Archives: slice of life

Story Challenge Day 14: On Letting Things Marinate

I’ve had a lot more writing time with my kids, and it’s one of the things I’m proudest of this year. It’s something kids look forward to, because they get to spend time writing whatever it is they choose. It’s a class session I really look forward to, because I get to be eyeball-deep inContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 14: On Letting Things Marinate”

Story Challenge Day 13: Two Years

Two years. It’s been two years since we packed up our loveys for a couple of weeks of online learning before spring break. Two years since kids, backpacks stuffed to the brink with textbooks and worksheet packets and iPads and school supplies, flooded the hallway with the same kind of excitement and anticipation that usuallyContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 13: Two Years”

Story Challenge Day 12: How to Get Around Tough Stuff

In case you are wondering, I am providing – for YOUR experience and benefit, and not at all for my own perverse need for procrastination, this here following: Guide to Letting Yourself Put Off Tasks that are Difficult, Uncomfortable, and a General Pain in the Patoot Get yourself a dog. The needier, the better. PetContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 12: How to Get Around Tough Stuff”

Story Challenge Day 11: The Important Thing

Note: Inspired by Margaret Wise Brown’s The Important Book, I’m working on these alongside my students. Enjoy! FRIENDSThe important thing about friends is that they are friendly.They talk to you,And they go for coffee.They give you thingsAnd go on walks with you, And they show you the good and not-so-good Parts of yourselfYou hide fromContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 11: The Important Thing”

Story Challenge Day 9: Signs of Spring

when I look at a group of kids and realize, “Oh! They’re not third graders anymore. They’re fourth graders waiting to happen.” Or, “Yesterday I was looking at fifth graders. Now I’m looking at middle schoolers.” Really. It happens in a day. They just…turn, transform, evolve.

Story Challenge Day 8: Broken Brain Blues

My thoughts are jumbly,Tumbled around. I can’tPin them down, andMy brain hurts… My hair is pulled back,To help me think better,And it usually works, butMy brain hurts. I’ve scheduled and rescheduled,Checked and re-checked,Emailed and emailed, andMy brain HURTS. I’ve played whack-a-moleWith all my to-do lists,Trying to get through butMy brain HURTS!

Story Challenge Day 7: Class Assignment

My fourth graders are experimenting around with poetry. We started out by journaling how we were feeling. I joined them in the writing (and no, I didn’t get distracted this time). Here’s what I wrote: Then I demonstrated my thought process for how I might choose which words go on which line. (More on thatContinue reading “Story Challenge Day 7: Class Assignment”

Story Challenge Day 6: School Chores

I’ve been thinking about chores lately.

Maybe it’s because the dog hair dust bunnies have officially turned into tumbleweeds down the hallway. Maybe it’s because I could take time to clean under the couch, but let’s just not go there. Maybe it’s because I know (but would rather not tell you) what’s in my junk drawer.

All of these jobs I do around the house…they’ve got me thinking about all of the tasks I do as a teacher. Some I relish and look forward to, others I dread. So, just for fun, I present to you my very official SCAT: My School Chore Analogy Table. (Rolls up sleeves) Here goes!