The March Slice of Life Challenge is hosted by Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers
It's been a long day...I am so tired .... and tomorrow promises more of the same....and then, there is this slice to write....which I need to do now...because tomorrow will be an even busier day....
Here are somethings I noticed about today, in no particular order:
- not having a full week off for February Break has made us antsy
- knowing that we will not have a full week off for Spring Break is making us even antsier
- book clubs run themselves now, we know the drill...even when we are antsy
- we have learned how to learn...and enjoy that
- we are longing to be able to open our classroom windows and write and read to the sound of birds - our locked windows are making us sad
- our winter coats are growing heavy - we cannot wait to tuck them away in closets, boxes and attics...or, if you are a sixth grader, lose them
- our toes are itching for sandals, and freedom from woolen socks and boots...our toes want to wiggle free in the sunshine (this is what a sixth grader shared with me today, and I am totally with her)
- our desks seem to be growing smaller - and so is our classroom
- our classroom is like home - our classmates are like family
- sharing our thoughts and feelings is so much easier now
- a school year really goes by quickly
- the quote on our classroom door finally makes sense:
But it's not just learning things that's important. It's learning what to do with what you learn and learning why you learn things at all that matters.
I like this "our classroom is like home - our classmates are like family" best of all. Sorry your breaks are cut short, and that winter is still there, and that you're tired. We have snow returning too this weekend. More cleaning of cars, and boots, and driving carefully. I like your format, might use it another time! Cheers, Tara!
ReplyDeleteNice graphic in your sidebar! :-)
ReplyDeleteYea for book clubs running smoothly! That's fantastic! An achievement, indeed.
ReplyDeleteAs for the sandals. Soon. Soon we'll be wearing them. Schvitzing!
Or if you're a sixth grader, lose them...funny stuff. You capture who the kids are with the size of the room getting smaller, their enthusiasm and zest for life, and the way they join together. Love it!
ReplyDeleteYou really capture the essence of your classroom in this short post. Here's to being able to open the window, listening to the birds sing, and wiggling our toes in the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteOne of your listed observation really jumped off the page for me, 'our classroom is like home - our classmates are like family.' The emergence of a sense of community needs to be nourished, and mindfully so. It underpins so much of what we do as educators. All things flow from this. I gain the strong sense that you place a high value on this aspect of your role. A most interesting list...
ReplyDeleteI loved the journey through your list.
ReplyDeleteEven on busy days you manage to create writing that speaks to the readers. Each of your bullets brings to mind something from my career. I love that the quote on the door is making sense now. Powerful stuff!
ReplyDeleteI have also noticed that my winter coat is feeling heavier. But I would happily wear a heavy coat if that would be the sign of other things working so smoothly in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteYes, we're all antsy, but it sounds like your classroom has arrived as a community of learners--very good ending to your antsyness. Hope the windows will open soon.
ReplyDelete"...our toes want to wiggle free in the sunshine." What a wonderful image! Today at PT when my therapist noticed my fun socks, I commented that I hate putting my fun socks away. However, our cooler weather that often lasts even into summer, leaves me wearing socks longer than most. Here's to warmer weather coming your way soon!
ReplyDeleteMy class is getting very antsy too...they were especially antsy today! We're all counting down the days to our short, but much-needed spring break.
ReplyDeleteLove the line "our winter coats are growing heavy - we cannot wait to tuck them away in closets, boxes and attics...or, if you are a sixth grader, lose them"--because sixth graders lose anything and EVERYTHING!
Antsyness must be a national epidemic.
ReplyDeleteYou noticed so much and helped me notice, too. Rest well.
ReplyDeleteYour post has the makings of a fabulous poem! I love the repetition and the imagery. I really hope you go back to it,Tara! Also, your classroom sounds like a wonderful place to be, even with the antsiness
ReplyDeleteLove the way you show how the year is progressing. And I agree with Melanie. This sounds like a poem!
ReplyDeleteI like that even though you are antsy, the overall feeling of the list is positive. School year goes by so quickly, that spring will speed through and summer will arrive before we notice.
ReplyDelete