SLICE OF LIFE INTO THE FUTURE

Slice of Life: 5/31

Here is northern Indiana the weather is turning to feel like spring. The air is warmer and the breeze is strong. A new sign of spring this year is ISTEP in the spring. That is our state-wide assessment test. Normally, we take it in the fall as soon as we get back to school from summer vacation. This year is the first time for grades three--to five in our elementary schools to be tested. The stress is showing!

Today I worked in three classrooms. The relief for the fifth graders to talk about something besides testing was evident. They were working on persuasive pieces. The teacher handed out samples of persuasive writing. The students gathered into groups, each with a different sample to peruse. I listened in on one group. It was made up of one boy and three girls. They took a few minutes to read the piece first. It was about lowering the driving age. Something these 10-year-olds took seriously.

They were to look at some guiding questions. The discussion began. They all agreed with what the article was mostly about, but when it came to the issue or main point, they weren't quite sure. Some wanted to include the fact that drunk driving in adults was a reason to have younger drivers. Some wanted to include that more wrecks by adults was a reason. They each told their points of view. Finally, they decided to not list reasons just yet. The question of how do you know was easy for them because they were used to siting the text.

As the class came back together for their sharing time you could hear the buzz of discussion. Several wanted to tell why they thought their particular piece was unfair. One girl said, "I agreed with most of it, but this one part was way off, in my opinion."

Yes, these were 10-year-olds. I feel these fifth graders did fine on the ISTEP test, but the more important issue is: they will do fine in LIFE!!! What a Slice of Life and the future that was today!!! Thanks, Mrs. Barney's class for sharing with me!

SOL: Day 4--LITTLE THINGS

SLICE OF LIFE: Day 4/31

Today Ruth and I talked about our blogs. We discussed what we might blog about and had several ideas. Coming home from Warsaw and the conference with Debbie Miller, I kept going over and over my ideas. I had learned so much from Debbie that it would be easy to share some of that learning. That was definitely a Slice of Life! I saw so many friends that I hadn't connected with for ages, too. That also was a Slice of Life! But, like many of my writing topics, I just kept coming back to the same one. So, that is what I'm going with today!

The conference was held in a huge high school...with the students there. The truth is, we never really saw them much. How in the world did they do that? We had around 250 people at the conference. It was packed. In that 250 group there were probably about five men. The rest, of course, were women. Not surprising for an elementary teaching group.

This is not usually a problem until one event...restroom break. The lines to the women's restroom are always LONG. The men's restroom is ALWAYS short! Today it really wasn't that bad. I figure some women were adventurous and found one farther away from the main lobby. Good for them.

Still not the main problem. At the end of the day, long after lunch, I decided it was time to hit the little girl's room one last time. I ventured in and did my thing. As I was zipping up my pants a voice called out: "Would you please pass some toilet paper to me?" A hand came out of no where under the side of the stall. I gasped and said, "Are you right beside me?" A weak voice said back, "Yes, right here. See my hand?"

I quickly pulled off a big wad and slipped it into the out stretched palm. "There you go," I told her. Then I heard, "Here you go. I have some, too." It was the person on her other side.

Ruth said in her blog, that it was the little things in life that made a difference. I must say I agree with that motto. Sometimes you never know how much the little things mean until they are not there!

SLICE OF LIFE: DAY 3/31

Slice of Life: Day 3/31







Spring Break for our school system is one month away. Last night we made a decision about what we would do for it. Now we are busy setting into motion those plans with action. We are going to be traveling via air to Arizona with two of our grandchildren. Sound good? Let me tell you more!

First of all, our son is going to school in Arizona to become a chef. He is doing terrific and we are very proud of him. However, his two children, ages seven and four, are living here with their mother. That is why we decided to take them with us to visit. The problem is: they have never flown!

We have the flight...four hours. We have the animals taken care of...well, mostly. Now we just have to get ready mentally for the trip with two kids! We will spend four days there and then fly back alone. The kids are going to stay and come back later with their dad. The trip will be exciting for them and for us to spend all that time with them!

What an interesting slice of life this will be!

SLICE OF LIFE: Day 2/31

Slice of Life: Day 2/31

Today was one of those sunny days that make you wish you were anywhere except inside a room with no windows. That is you wish you were outside experiencing the sunshine until you step outside and realize it is freezing out there. That is how I felt as I left the office to head home tonight.

I left earlier than I normally do, so I was already planning my time before I had to get busy with supper, exercises and other routines. I guess I was day dreaming and driving the same route I usually take home on days I am at the office. Working in a big city (big for me) and living over 30 minutes away, gives me plenty of time to daydream. The problem was, I was earlier than normal and there was more traffic.

I had just turned north to head for the major interstate when it happened. Or I should say, when it almost happened. The road takes a huge fork and half the traffic goes east and the other half goes west. I wanted to go west, but I wanted to be on the far right side of the road. I do this every time I drive on this highway. This time I swerved over to the right side and I heard it. LOUD! A long, loud car horn. Who in the world is doing that? I thought as I continued to be in my own little world of what to have for supper.

I had looked in my mirror. I had looked behind me. I really did NOT see anyone back there. Then I realized he was honking at ME! Can you believe it? A big white truck with a dark-haired man frowning at me was right there. Right where I thought I could easily slide into. I did continue to slip into the lane, I was 3/4 of the way in anyway. What else could I do? I turned, raised my hand as if to say, "Sorry" and kept driving. He followed me for a few blocks and then went to another lane and off to his life.

Slices of life come upon us instantly sometimes. It was just a slice, but it could have been so much worse. I vowed I would be more careful and keep my mind on my driving. But it was a sunny day and I did have lots to plan for. Oh, well, it made a good slice of life story anyway!

SLICE OF LIFE: DAY ONE

SLICE OF LIFE

Here's my first posting answering the challenge of The Two Writing Teachers.

Walking groggily into the kitchen this Sunday morning, my husband greeted me with: "We are all set for the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta this summer. I sent in the applications and $60 for the registration!" Talk about something changing you life in an instant!

Yes, we have done this six-mile race on July 4th for about 15 years. Yes, we did talk about it before he sent it in. Yes, it is something that I NEED to do. Still, now I am committed to begin running so I am ready for the race. As I look out my window at the cold, still winter sky, I wonder if I can be ready by July 4th to run six miles. I know I have done it in the past, but I am over 60 now...that makes a difference.

Still as the clouds fill the light blue sky with threats of rain or even snow, I am visualizing, hoping, dreaming of the days ahead when the sun will be blazing and I will be wishing for a day like today. A day to have a cooler breeze in order to have a more comfortable run.

I won't start training today. I will start thinking about training today. I am making the commitment and preparing my mind, if not my body, for the challenge that lies ahead.

40th Peachtree Road Race

July 4, 2009

Atlanta, Georgia

Slice of Life Challenge

If you have not tried the Slice of Life by "thetwowritingteachers", you really need to check out their website this month. They are giving bloggers a BIG challenge. I can't wait to see if I can do it. If I can, not only will I have a chance to get some great prizes, but I will also become a better writer, just because I will have written more than ever. That always helps our writing, doesn't it?

Here's the letter I got from Stacey and Ruth. Try it out and see what you think!

Ruth and I hope this letter finds you well. Here on the East Coast of the United States, we’re preparing for a big snowstorm that’s coming our way. In fact, I just returned home from Stop ‘n Shop, which was as packed as a can of sardines. Bread shelves were sparse and nearly everyone had a gallon of milk in their cart! Ah, the overpreparedness has set in!
As I snaked through the aisles between the throngs of people with shopping carts, I realized that my trip to the grocery store would make an excellent Slice of Life Story. Even though it seems rather mundane, there are ways that I can make more out of my trip to the store thereby telling my reader something about the way in which people acted (not well) towards each other this afternoon as they stocked-up for the impending storm.
That being said, the second Slice of Life Story Challenge begins at Two Writing Teachers tomorrow. We’re hoping that you are going to take part in this 31 Day Challenge by writing and sharing a story about your day, each day, during the month of March. We know that sounds like a lot of writing, but that’s why it’s a challenge. And, in order to make things more interesting, we have a bunch of artists who donated writerly items as giveaways for participants (see details by going to http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2009/02/27/solscgiveawaypreview). If you miss a day, DO NOT DESPAIR... I'm creating something for one of the folks (as a drawing) who writes between 25-30 days of the Challenge.
Due to many technical problems Ruth and I have had with Mr. Linky, we’ve decided to forego using Mr. Linky this year. Hence, every day that you write a Slice of Life Story, please head over to our blog’s main page and post the link to your post by submitting a comment on that day’s post prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. (We’ll be keeping a spreadsheet of the people who submit comments so that we can expedite the giveaway process to folks in early April.)

MURPHY LOVES MATT

A few weeks ago I got a call from someone I hadn't seen for about ten years. It was from a former second grader who was now a Senior in High School. He was calling because he was applying for the Lily Scholarship. He wanted to go to an Indiana school and the Lily Foundation gives out full-ride scholarships to qualifying seniors. Only two per county are picked. It is a tough competition.

The Big D and I have been coaching seniors with this competition for several years. Several of those we worked with have gone on to win the scholarship or other scholarships from the college they choose. It is so much fun to work with these intelligent, out-going teens.

Matt had been in my class when Murphy was young. When Murphy saw Matt on his first visit, it was like he still knew him. Matt was his buddy. He did not want to leave his side. He sat and pawed at him to make him pet him. He stared into his eyes. When Matt would answer questions, Murphy would seem to grin up at him saying, "Way to go! Great answer!"

Murphy is really hoping Matt is one of the lucky young people picked to earn the Lily. Naturally, so are we. This is one of the great blessings of being a teacher: seeing your kiddos go on to do great things!

Good luck, Matt!!!