Slice 17 ~ Writing Inspiration

How can I regenerate interest and ideas for writing? Sometimes literally walking away from writing is helpful. Going for a walk with my dog, Grace, especially on a fabulously glorious day like today, clears my mind. I click on the iPod, hit shuffle and we are off. I may mull over the moments of a school day or soak in my surroundings.
Other times I may read for awhile. Thank you slicers for thought-provoking and inspiring words. Last night’s writing stemmed from a connection to Ruth’s slice. Therefore, today when a student shared his dilemma in selecting a moment to write about, we paused to discuss this as a class. He felt that many of his slices were similar and it was getting boring. One of the girls suggested we get a jar for slips of paper with story prompts or ideas. Hmmm…not so sure I want to do that or maybe I should. At home and in the classroom, I love surrounding myself with photos, poems, quotes, books, flowers, music and much more for inspiration. We collaged our notebooks in the fall and have lists of ideas, but Slice of Life stories are different and still relatively new to us.
So anyway, back to the dilemma. Today I offered students the option of swapping notebooks to read a few slices and offer a short response on a post-it note. Tomorrow we have to discuss this process for those students that participated in the swap. We still have at least half of the class that has written all 17 days so far and I don’t want to lose them.
On Friday, I shared the theme from http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/. Last week, it was travel and this week it is something flowery. Each student received copies of a couple “travel “poems (mentor texts of inspiration.) Students may choose to write in different genres and several love writing poems. Thus far many turn out to be journal entries. I would be delighted to hear your thoughts or ideas. How do you feel about offering prompts? Thanks!

Going for the Gold Slice 16

I am posting a slice I originally wrote on February 24th when I was introducing slice of life stories. I had first introduced the idea the day before. We did a quick write about our day filling in a 3x5 card with one thought leading to the next. I was hoping that this would help demonstrate the idea that any little moment could lead to a Slice of Life Story. That night I was watching the Olympics, the song below inspired the following slice. After reading Ruth’s slice “My Playlist” I was thinking of the power of music and how writing inspiration is all around us, if we live with our eyes and ears wide open.

“Going for the Gold”
by the Canadian Tenors
“Your moment is here
Set aside your fears
For it’s time to make
It through the
Finish line.”

This was part of a song that accompanied a recap of Olympic highlights (I am fairly certain that I have the title and musical group correct.) The film clips featured the joyful reactions and pride of the athletes at the finish line. The finish line for hockey is the goalie area where teammates gather for hugs, high fives, and head taps. For figure skaters, perhaps it’s the final spin. I’m not really sure. The events are engaging and exude high levels of heartfelt emotion and energy.
As my daughter, Lys and I chatted about the excitement, we spoke of the high level of commitment. These athletes play their hearts out. They bring their A-game. They go for the gold. They reach for the stars. Shoot for the moon. Follow their dreams…
As I continue to live by these same principles and strive to model and instill a strong work ethic in my students, my dream is that they will go for the gold. In March, will the Slice of Life Story challenge inspire our writing lives…I can’t wait to slice into the pie and celebrate new discoveries! The sky is the limit! Dream big!

A Few Things to Say On Monday! Slice 15

I have just a few things to write about as I am posting dangerously close to 11:59...It’s official. Winter is over now that I have finally tucked away the last snowman of my collection. Clearly I am way overdue at this task. And I definitely welcome the tidier look and feeling of spring. Less clutter, lighter, brighter colors, and flowers on the table. Yes, when spring fever sets in, fresh flowers are soothing like chicken soup. The only way to keep the fever in check is to keep bouquets in the house until there are flowers in the garden.
The urge to get organized is also nagging at me. Starting tomorrow I am going to try some of Ruth’s suggestions from her post last week, titled “Take a Few Minutes to Organize.” I especially loved the suggestion to set a timer for certain tasks breaking the big daunting job of organizing into manageable pieces. I know that inside of me is an organized person dying to get out. Is this person also the one that needs a bit more sleep? Are really organized people morning people? Or do they burn the candle at both ends? Probably not…that usually describes me and I have already shared my need for more order in my life. Enough said!

Just Listen! Slice 14

Listen. This advice I have received from my wise friend, Sue and my husband, Mark. Yet somehow I forgot this today when my son was venting about his job. I don’t think I really said anything wrong, but gave my opinion. Big mistake! Why couldn’t I have just listened, maybe nodded and offered a “hmm” or two? How long will it take me to remember this with our children? Is it that I feel the need to fix everything or turn it into a learning experience? N. is 19 years old, not quite independent, but learning and breaking away more all the time. He needs affirmation, encouragement, and support. So until the next time I slip and undoubtedly choose the wrong words, I will remember the quote we had on our refrigerator for a long time: We have two ears and one mouth. Therefore, we should listen twice as much as we talk. Not a bad idea to keep in mind in our classrooms. With students we must also choose our words carefully as we ask the questions that generate reflection and discussion. Then it is time to listen!

Traditions Slice 13

Family traditions – Sometimes they change and we long for the past. Sometimes they change and after time passes we get used to the new way of doing things. Sometimes we realize it’s actually pretty good. This all sounds very vague and confusing. The connection for me was tonight we had a pizza and wing night with our closest friends, Nance and John. We have been doing this for at least 15 years together. When our children were young, we alternated houses for many years on Friday nights. As lives got busier, we were flexible with our plans and did our best to accommodate everyone. Breaks from college always included a pizza night reunion, but weeks and months now pass without a get together. The adults will occasionally go out to dinner or during boating season we might grab lunch on the lake.
Last night brought back great memories as Nance and I sipped wine and tried to change our losing streak in Euchre. While life has changed and I often long for the old traditions, we can be comforted in the fact that we need to keep working on our card playing strategies. Our traditions are alive and well, just a little different. Change is ok and life is good. We are blessed with friendship and laughter. Our oldest daughter joined us tonight for a bit and we know that when they are able the rest still treasure our pizza nights together.

Ten Happy Moments

Posting on Friday night is tough. I need to give it go earlier next week. I actually fell asleep and typed three rows of e’s.

Ten Happy Moments
Chatting with my son, N.
Happy hour with school friends
Walking in the sunshine
Listening to Lys’s student teaching stories.
Writing with my students
Reading their writing
New brakes in my Honda
Pizza on the couch with Mark
Watching the hockey game with N.
Thursday night shows with my daughter, K.

Early Bird Special

Shoppers know the best deals are found at early bird specials. The northeast is currently enjoying an early bird special in the weather department and oh what a deal. Delirious students blast out the doors gasping for fresh air. I almost trip on a stack of coats that are being shed like snake skins. The balls have lost a little of their bounce and roll straight for the mud, but no one really minds. Footballs are hurled to and fro with an occasional miss that also ends in the muck. Tiptoeing and stretching carefully, a brave soul has retrieved the ball. Jump ropes are twirling with catchy jingles in the background. Here and there a few quieter kids pair off for a relaxed stroll in the sunshine. Teachers mingle trying to chat a bit while keeping an eye on the early birds. What a great March bargain ~ I’ll take it!