SOLSC #23: A package on the porch!

 

    Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
   sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.

It's not unusual to spot a package on the porch when I arrive home from school.  Shopping is not my husband's thing, so purchasing something over the internet with front door delivery is his favorite way to shop.  As I pull into the driveway,  I spot a small white package tied with a bow by the front door.  It is not the usual Amazon box.  Oh yum, maybe someone dropped some cookies by.  I take care of several chores before heading to the front door to retrieve the package.  When I untie the ribbon and open the box, I discover these delightful buttons from a dear friend who knows my passion.  I can't wait to wear them to school!

Which button is your favorite? 

Asked to name my top 5 personal passions - 

I list (heart) books, family, friends, chocolate, and sleep.

When retirement arrives, I may have to

wear this pin often, will work for books.

Even though I'd rather be reading,

Eat, Sleep, Read retains two of my top five passions.  

I (thumbs up, like) books so they hold

A prominent place in my classroom.

Read the book first, so that you will 

Never judge a book by its movie.

I'm constantly plagued by the

Too many books, so little time syndrome.

The solution is simple and straightforward,

Keep Calm and Read On!

SOLSC #22: A week bookended by bread and babies!

 

I "serve up a slice" at Two Writing Teachers
and celebrate with Ruth Ayres at
Celebrate this week!

Moments to celebrate in a busy week:

Freshly baked bread on my doorstep

Texts like this from my BFF since 7th grade, 

"U r such a SPAZ!" 

A call from my walking buddy, 

"Are you still alive?"

2nd trimester grades are DONE!

Administrators who tell me to go home 

A baby shower for two babies

SOLSC #21: What I Give Up for Slicing

 

    Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
   sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.

It's the time of year when my friends are giving up things for Lent.  I realize that I give up a few things in order to slice daily in March.  At the top of the list is sleep, followed by a few stolen moments to read for pleasure right before I fall asleep.  By the time I've sliced and left a few comments, I crash into bed with no energy whatsoever to read, even for a few minutes.  My plan is to slice at night for the next day's post (west coast slicers are feeling the pinch of this year's  9 p.m. deadline ), but then life intervenes.  Last night I worked on grades until everything started blurring.   So now it's Friday evening, and I must compose this post with the exhaustion that arrived at 3:48 this afternoon when I posted my last grades and comments for second trimester.

But I digress from my purpose - to share what I give up for slicing.  Newspapers are my final sacrifice laid on the slicing altar.  I know, most of you gave up newspapers years ago, but I still love a bit of time with the paper each day.  My husband reads the news on his i-Pad, so the papers are just for me.  It's not unusual for me to get behind a bit, even without slicing.  However, this week, I hadn't even stopped to take the paper out of the plastic sleeve.  I dropped each day's news on the front rug and planned a great picture of the newspaper pile to accompany this slice.  When I went downstairs this morning, I discovered that my pile of papers was gone.  Yesterday was trash day, and I'm sure my husband thought he was being helpful (not) when he put them in the recycling.  He knows I love to read the newspaper even if it's old.  However, one part of me is glad, if only he hadn't gotten rid of Sunday's paper.  There are some parts of it that I read religiously (travel, NYT magazine, book review), but not this week.  I think I better head downstairs now to stash Friday's paper in a safe place (no time to read it before an evening commitment)!

SOLSC #20: Tangling with a mop

 

    Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
   sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.

When sixth period arrives, there's a palpable energy in the air that is usually not here this close to the end of the day.  I stop by the office to chat, but everyone is busy.  I wait to speak to a counselor about a student, but she is knee deep in registration for next year.  And then I remember that tonight is Gator for a Night, our first transition event for next year's incoming sixth graders.  I don't have a specific assignment, so I sneak back to my room hoping to diminish the pile of papers still needing attention.  After meeting with a student, I guiltily return to the office with an offer to help.  MaryJo assures me that everything is under control. Returning to my room, I notice tables covered in gator green with balloons merrily waving in the breeze.

I grab a mop and head for the hallway.  "Mopping the floor" is my code word for anytime I get sidetracked instead of facing a pressing obligation.  My college roommates knew that if I was mopping the floor, it was a sure thing that I was avoiding writing a paper or studying for a big exam. Well today, the mop is a stack of shamrocks and a bulletin board that can certainly wait for morning.  I putter for a few minutes, adding the latest Newbery titles to the board before facing down my monster.  If I indulge in this mopping adventure, the next thing I'll be doing is cleaning off my desk.  So I muster my resolve, shove that mop back into the bucket, grab my basket of papers, and march out of the building!

SOLSC #19: 10 Things Today

 

    Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
   sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.

1.  I carried my i-pad around school today and bored anyone who would watch with a vimeo posted to Facebook by daughter-in-law's sister of a spring break trip to DC.
The background music is something I've heard, but can't name.  Seeing
my son performing with his wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law
made me happy all day!

2.  I learned at lunch that the song is "Happy" by Pharrell.
When my kids grew up and left home, I lost my
connection to pop culture.  

3.  I discovered after school that the vimeo Amy created
was inspired by Pharrell's music video.

4.  I climbed upstairs tonight chanting, "I think I can, I think I can,"  as I recall my public commitment to write in the p.m. so I can post in the a.m.

5.  I  graded one set of papers, posted grades, and needed to grade another set.

6.  I took a break to peruse and comment on a few slices. I discovered a connection
to Firecracker Moment's post, "you can...if you think you can."
I believe our trains are chugging away on the same track.

7.  I remembered the slice I planned to do tonight, but decide
to save it for another day when I'll have more crafting time.

8.  I stumbled onto Cathy's post with the music video of Farrell's song.

(I'm partial to the one son and family made!)

9.  I finished grading another set of papers and posted those grades.

10.  I write this post in the p.m., so that I'm ready to post in the a.m.

SOLSC 18: Frenetic Finds Fierce!

 

    Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
   sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.

Frenetic, my own March Madness

Furious, got off schedule

Frantic, almost 9 pm (midnight east coast time)

Fabulous, hitting that post button in the am

Firm, back to writing in the pm (for the next morning)

Fantastic, meandering through the slices

Fierce, my commitment to March SOLSC

SOLSC #17: A Muddled and Marvelous Monday

 

    Today I join my fellow bloggers in
"serving up a slice" to the March SOLSC
   sponsored by Two Writing Teachers.

Today was a muddled Monday.  I forgot that we were scheduled for the computer lab to register for 7th grade during first period.  When the counselor stopped by to remind me shortly before school started, I quickly revamped my plans for the day.

The counselor appeared at our door again at 11:35.  I was totally surprised because I had searched for her email (who knew that she sent it over 3 weeks ago?) and convinced myself that surely she wouldn't have us register during our split 4th period, but during 5th period.  Uh oh, that's exactly what she did.  But we did not have enough time at 11:35, (already ten minutes late), so we marched ourselves to Lab 307 immediately after lunch so that my afternoon block of students could register for 7th grade.  Thank goodness for understanding colleagues.  I'll be sure to share cookie bars with our counselor the next time I bake!

In the middle of slicing about this muddling Monday, I remembered the marvelous beginning to this day.  My day began with music and joy as a former student from Ireland (switched to another team early in the year) stopped by to play Irish tunes on her accordion.  In one of our get acquainted activities early in the year, I learned about this talent.  Since I still have her twin brother on our team, I've asked frequently when she would play her accordion for me.  Today to celebrate St. Patrick's Day we had a mini concert before school with two of her current teachers, myself, and one of our principals.  One the songs she played was a soldier's march.  I could sense the excitement of those young men marching off to war and the melancholy of their mothers in this plaintive tune.

During 5th period, we quickly fit in our slice of life before heading next door to Ms. Moore's room to share book conversations and invite her students to add their favorite Newbery title to our Share the Newbery Love board.  We're adding shamrocks to the valentines that we put there and hoping to get the participation of all 6th grade Language Arts classes by the end of this week.  Just taking a moment to slice reminded me of the marvelous moments that occurred in the middle of my muddling Monday as I try to beat the midnight, east coast deadline.