My son called me this past weekend. He’s at college and I hear from him more often through text messages or calls I make than when he calls me. It was only 8:30 AM on a Saturday, so it took me by surprise. He wanted to check in, but it wasn’t long before I learned the real purpose of his call. He had been dating someone most of the first semester. He had ended the relationship because he felt she was too jealous and clingy. Even after they stopped dating, they would still talk and part of him thought they could get back together. That changed when he noticed her Friday night Facebook status. She listed herself as “in a relationship” with a football player. He has had other girlfriends, but felt this one was special. I listened more than I talked. It’s a hard lesson, but one that we each learn on our own.
I remember being about the same age. I had a boyfriend I’d met in high school. We’d finished our senior year together. Turnabout, prom and graduation. We spent some time together in the summer, but as the days grew closer to college we were busy. He came to see me a few times at college and we spent New Year’s Eve together along with friends. I cared deeply about him, but our lives were taking us in different directions. It took a while to finally get over thinking of us as a couple. While I had a few boyfriends before him and more after, he still held a special place in my thoughts. It took time and more life experiences before I finally left him behind in my memories knowing that’s all that was left for us.
Each relationship we enter teaches us something. It takes time to realize that and move on. I believe there is a special person out there for each of us. Finding them isn’t always easy, but it’s worth the wait, the broken hearts and lessons learned along the way. It’s hard to recognize that when you are young.Resiliency, perseverance and a willingness to take chances are required. While my heart aches for my son, I know this will bring him one step closer to finding his soul mate.
I met my husband just before the start of my second year of teaching. We had worked at the same resort, waiting tables as summer jobs. We dated for four years before getting married. He has always been there for me. He’s a great listener, a hard worker and showers me with attention. I love spending time with him. He is my soul mate. I’m so fortunate to have him in my world.
I've been writing every day for the last 25 days like so many of my fellow slicers. It was easier when I just had a Tuesday post to work towards. In less than a week we will have completed our month long commitment to writing something every day. I took this challenge to see if I could write every day, no matter how busy I might become.
As a fifth grade teacher, it's helped me see the world of writing from the view point of student writers. I have them write slices on our class blog each Tuesday. At times they struggle with topics or ideas, but they also craft amazing entries giving insight into their life and thoughts. I find myself doing the same. Looking back on my posts, I find some that speak volumes and others that fall flat. I welcome comments from fellow slicers and know my class enjoys the comments others make as well.
Writing isn't always perfect. It takes practice. Writers thrive when they write for a purpose and can share their work with a wider audience. That's what write each day in March has reaffirmed for me.
Our fifth grade social studies curriculum takes us through U.S. History from the 1750s through 1865. We conclude our year with a short focus on the Women’s Rights Movement and Civil Rights. While there are always a few history buffs, most of my ten to eleven year-olds don’t understand the importance of learning about events that happened so long ago. (I’m sure there are many adults that may also feel this way too.) While I minored in history in college, I’m not sure I was as interested in our past as a fifth grader either. Engaging students and guiding them to think deeply about these topics requires more than reading, discussions and assessments. Learning through simulations where students take on a character from these time periods, reading historic fiction and incorporating our knowledge in our writing has helped more of my students look forward to learning about these periods.
We just completed our unit on Westward Expansion. During this study students were given a choice of novels to select from for book club. We had four book clubs in our room. I also shared picture books with them representing this time period. Their favorites were a tall tale “Apples to Oregon” and “Priscilla and the Hollyhocks” a book about the Trail of Tears that also touched on slavery. Once we built our base knowledge, we began a simulation as pioneers on the Oregon Trail. Students were placed in wagon groups, randomly selected ages and occupations and together with their wagon family developed their personalities for the trail. As we journeyed, we were faced with decisions that real pioneers faced. These “fates” provided students with opportunities to learn more about adversity, landmarks and conditions along the trail. As we journeyed from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City, we crossed rivers (learning techniques as we went,) encountered Indians (realizing that most were not hostel,) came to trading posts 9where supplies were much more expensive and the shop keepers weren’t always honest,) viewed natural markers including Independence Rock and learned about injuries as well as sicknesses the pioneers faced. Each fate was crafted from information from real pioneer journals. We researched as we went learning about cholera, scurvy, frontier men including Fremont and Carson, alkali (Alkali Springs,) geysers and how to cross mountain ranges safely. As we traveled students complete journal entries detailing their travels in narrative form during Writer’s Workshop. Here’s an excerpt from one of the journals:
July 27, 1855
Dear Diary,
It has been getting a little worse but I am not discouraged. Lots of stuff has happened in the last couple of days. First of all, we had a chance to go Ayers Natural Bridge and nobody wanted to go. I kind of wish we did because everyone said it was amazing. Luckily they brought back some really tasty berries and shared them with everyone. Then, we had to cross the hardest river of all, the North Platte. We could have either stayed and wait out the storm or go right away, paying 8 dollars. We went, which was a really good idea because if we had stayed we would have been hit by another storm and still had to pay since the river was so high. That would stink to be someone who stayed. Then a terrible event happened. We camped at Poison Springs. At first the water looked clear and clean enough to drink. . At least that’s what we thought. We learned the mud on the bottom, if stirred up would poison the water. We decided to post guards at night to keep our animals safe. At night one of our stupid guards, that I strongly dislike, fell asleep on duty. While he was sleeping, the animals got away and started drinking the contaminated water. Guess what happened? Yep, all the ones that got away died. It was all the guard’s fault! I just wanted to whip him and then tar and feather him. Everyone else in our family wasn't even mad at him. What were they thinking? Now we have three less animals. After that we went to another place with contaminated water. The poison was called alkali. Our water supply is running really low and I am not sure we will make it. We finally made it to Independence Rock. I hear lots of stories of where people would celebrate the Fourth of July here, but we arrived later in July. Writing in this diary is getting really tiring. I think I will take a break.
Towards the end of our unit we met with the two other fifth grade classes on the trail and celebrated around a campfire. We listened to a story from a famous story teller, sang some songs from this period, played instruments we brought, danced and feasted on popcorn, beef jerky and apple juice. By combining literacy learning. reading, writing, research, deep thinking using various strategies and mini lessons) along with our simulation, students were engaged and had a lot of fun. Next stop the Civil War, and yes they will be participating in a simulation
Here's a link with some of the information from our simulation:
Our spring flowers are blooming, almost three weeks ahead of their normal debut. Outside the world is turning green from leaves to the grass. We will be mowing and weeding, I've never felt the need to do this so early before. The redbud is ready to blossom, it will grace our patio with a dark pink hue. Yellow daffodils surround the brickwork creating a beautiful yellow border. The purple hyacinth have sprouted, welcoming all who pass by with a deep purple wave. Each morning I hear the birds singing, the sounds of spring surround me. At night the cool breeze provides a welcome respite from the day's heat. Occasionally rain dances upon the roof as it makes its way to the ground. While spring has come early, I welcome it with open arms.
Two more days and spring break will be here. I have already been preparing work for students whose trips will keep them away longer than the week scheduled. I have eight students missing days either before or after the scheduled days. I've been busy getting work together for them and have already finished plans for the week of April 2 in the process.
Today I will start my day with two meetings at the junior high. As a fifth grade teacher we have articulation meetings scheduled for each student heading there with an IEP or 504. These meeting involve the student, the parents, the homeroom teacher and any other personnel involved. They are important, but somehow scheduling them on the day before break is hard. I'll have a sub for most of my literacy block and will miss the chance to confer with some my students before they head out.
Our fourth and fifth graders participate in a school musical as part of the music program. On stage rehearsals have begun which means an hour is spent twice a week practicing. It's an amazing production. The students learn a lot and it provides an opportunity that many would otherwise not have. Today it will take place when I return however, so I won't be teaching all morning.
This afternoon I will be at an hour long meeting with my team to go over benchmark and progress monitoring data in reading, writing and math for students on our team. A sub will be working with them again during this time as we complete our simulation of the Oregon Trail. By the time I return we will be headed to a special PTO assembly. By the time the assembly ends, there will be less than 30 minutes left.
Today I'll head to school and only teach for 30 minutes. I hoped to teach my class today, but other things got in the way.
A friend had posted this on Facebook and it made the perfect start for my slice for today. As educators, we often are expected to do extraordinary things. We are not always supported with the material resources needed to meet the goals that continue to be added. We want to do our best and at times it's an overwhelming job. Teachers don't give up easily and they keep looking for ways to do whatever they can to inspire and engage students, doing their best to help everyone succeed. I work hard, but so do most of my colleagues. We are doing an increasing number of assessments, our teaching is data driven (perhaps overly so?) and with the new curriculum and mandates the list grows longer and longer. We don't get more time or resources, but the bar continues to rise. Our state assessment scores are reported publicly, grading us and our schools. What continues to amaze me is how we continue to focus on our students and do our best. This is nothing short of miraculous. This reinforces my belief that teaching is a calling and not just a job. It requires a special person to perform these "miracles." Let's all celebrate our abilities to reach for these goals.
I sometimes take the train to and from school. It gives me an opportunity to read, write, look over student work or plan. It’s much more relaxing than driving on a busy day and I get to walk to work, getting a bit of exercise as well.
The train is also a great place to “people watch.” As I ride along I have the time to notice the uniqueness’s of my fellow passengers. Many are reading, listening to music or working on laptops. The conductor comes through punching tickets and you can always tell who is a regular traveler and who is new to the experience.
I create stories for my own amusement using my observations and the “snatches of talk” that drift by my ears.
“I’m starving.”
“I wonder if the air conditioning will be turned on tomorrow.”
“Did you see her checking her iPhone at the meeting.”
“I’m not wearing heels tomorrow, it’s too hot.”
“How’s your bracket? Mine is all messed up.”
I ask questions that won’t be answered too. Where is everyone going? Why is he wearing a Blackhawk jersey while everyone else seems dressed for the office? What’s in that big box on the seat next to her? Does that phone ever leave her ear?She seems to talk non-stop! It looks like someone had a bad day judging by their expression and the way they stare out the window.
Commuter trains provide writers with things to wonder about, characters to create and stories to tell. I’m sure others may think about these things too, but writers take the time to write. Writing capture moments in a special way so they can be used later too.
I’ll take my observations and ideas, jot them down and save them for the future. Riding a train is like putting words in a “writer’s bank” so they can be withdrawn later.
