"Great Noticing!"

Happy Slice of Life Tuesday

-thanks Stacey for hosting!

for more slices click here

As we walk through life or even run through life (like it seems sometimes) we're surrounded by hundreds of daily details. One of the things I catch myself saying to Kameron and Nattie is "Great noticing!" whenever they mention little details in their daily conversations.

 On Sunday when we were eating lunch, I was sharing how the cheese we were eating was shaped like a square-

and Natalie blurted out, "Good noticing, Mama!"

Of course, her remark made us giggle because noting the cheese was shaped like a square wasn't earth shattering-maybe to her it was.  And then, I pondered on what may have been running through her mind...Could it be that she had picked up on my modeling of noticing details?  Maybe...

This little sliver of a slice caused me to think that we never really know just how well children or students are able to pick up on the modeling of what we're thinking aloud.  As a result, we should be sure that behaviors and thinking we've modeled are really what we want to see and hear.

The Start of Something New

Tuesday's Slice of Life

Hosted by Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers

The Educators of Akron Public Schools kicked off our year yesterday by meeting together as a collective group-all 2000 of us!  Wooo-hoo!  The theme for this year, delivered by our superintendent and assistant superintendent, was a message of knowing that we have building systems over the last 5 years and now it's time for refining them.  WE will no longer be building the plane while flying it.  They inserted a little humor by having us watch this video clip:  

We heard from our team that this year should be smooth sailing-a year of refining our in-flight experience as we're enjoying flying the plane now that it's all built and things are going to be different.  The systems are in place and now we'll just be tweaking them to make our journey together a world-class experience.  

Then, we watched a dramatic video of an airplane taking of and flying with dramatic inspirational music.  We felt empowered and inspired by listening to the presentation our leaders shared with us.  

We then listened to the leaders of our district talk about working on the work for this year and for the next three years with PLCs (professional learning communities) and closing the achievement gap being the focus. We were also filled-in on details surrounding changes and upgrades that have taken place to prepare us for this year's assessments-moving to MAP, CAP and DAP.  All in preparation for the up-coming PARCC assessments that will align with the Common Core Standards.

Our symposium closed with inspirational testimonials given by three teachers from the district.  They all shared why they chose to be educators.  One shared that she believes she was created for the job.  She has a place in the world to inspire hope and caring for children everyday.  Another educator shared how she was inspired by all the gifts some of her teachers had given her.  The most important one being the gift of music-which she still uses today.  And then the last teacher shared how he was inspired by the gift of education through the influence of his parents, who were also teachers.  He then performed a musical number with a student from the high school choir.  Many of us were moved to tears by the performance!

Overall, our kick-off filled our hearts with hope and inspiration to begin a new school year with energy and enthusiasm!  So this slice begs the question, how are you motivated and inspired to begin something new?

With Excitement and Gratitude

Tuesday's Slice of Life

Hosted by Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers

Dear Slice of Life Community,

I want to share with you today some good news that has come my way.  Two very exciting things are happening.  The first bit of good news is regarding my position as a teacher.  Some of you know how disappointed I was that last year, my position as a School Literacy Coach was eliminated due to budget cuts. I went back to the classroom and did a tour of duty in First Grade.  What a year of learning.  There were so many changes after being out of the classroom for four years.  We started using a new on-line grade system, new assessments, new assessment tracking system, new math series, CCSS, etc.  I felt so supported by the staff of the building where I ended up teaching last year-so thank you to them for all the support.  The bad news is, I transferred out of the building due to declining enrollment of students and wasn't sure where I would land for this school year.  And drumroll please............................................................................
I still don't know which building but do know that I'll be back in the position of School Literacy Coach!  Yay!

The other bit of good news I have to share with you, is about my writing and blogging life.  I am now going to be an Education Blogger for Thinkfinity.org.  I am so excited for this opportunity to post blogs about lesson ideas from the classroom related to resources found on Thinkfinity and Read Write Think!  I know this opportunity will bring me so much joy!

I want to let you know that as a writing community, I owe a debt of gratitude for your support in fostering my growth as a writer and giving me courage at the keys! You've helped me to find my writing voice while learning the ins and outs of what curating a blog is all about.  I have gained so much from participating in this community through slices and other posts made at the Two Writing Teachers.  You are helping me find my way on my writing journey.  I can't thank you enough for all of the wonderful comments, ideas and sharing that have occurred because of you all.  I am looking forward to continuing to slice as well.  And, if you've never checked out Thinkfinity, click on over and checkout the wonderful resources you can find there!

Here is the announcement as a featured member of their site: Amy Rudd  It includes more about me as a teacher and my hopes, dreams and work that have lead me to this point in my career, including a picture of me dressed in my alter ego-Dr. Word.  I posed with Mother Goose during lessons we put together for the students when I was the Lit Coach at Rankin.

As a writing community, you'll never know just how grateful I am for all of you!

Friends through the keys,
Amy

A Lunchtime Slice

Thanks to Ruth and Stacey @ Two Writing Teachers for hosting today's Slices

"For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends."            

                     ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

@jreaderwriter & @aruddteacher100

Today's Menu

Great food-wow are there a lot of choices (choice is good)

Drinks (served hot or cold-just how you like)

Meet-ups

Flowing Conversation

Ideas for a Slice...

Is there any better way to spend a Slice of Life Tuesday than lunch with a fellow slicer?  We don't think so!  Today's slice is all about our lunch meet up (instead of tweet up) at Mike's Place in Kent!  Here's the link to the restaurant if you want to know more about it!  Mike's Place  When our waitress brought out our food, we knew we'd never be able to eat all that was served...

We finally had the chance to meet in person as fellow slicing friends.  We originally virtually connected last year via Julie's slice about coming to Akron (on her blog) and eating at the Carovillese spaghetti dinner with her uncle.  We chatted via twitter about getting together this summer when Julie came to visit her parents who live just a little ways from where I live.  As the date of the visit neared, we got in touch via DMs on twitter and set up a time and place to get together.  Hooray for today...we finally met!

Our conversation never waned, only paused so we could decide on what to order from the huge menu.  We shared details of our families, growing up times, and trips!  We connected on professional development, teaching, writing and books.  We talked of the seasons of our lives-she almost an empty nester, me with my little chickadees.  We chatted about technology and things kids are doing today (minecraft)...I am not sure how Julie feels after I talked her ear off, but I felt like I could have sat and talked with her and Annie (her daughter) for hours.  Perhaps I was being the "chatty Cathy" as I was the last one eating!  :)  

Connecting with a slicer is so precious!  When I read someone's writing, I feel like I know their soul.  Maybe that's why our conversation just flowed.  Having the chance for real conversation joined with written stories weaves in another layer of connection.  This made me think about how important it is for all students to have conversation with each other in addition to reading and responding to each other's blog posts.  Allowing this to happen will hopefully strengthen the fabric that is the community within the classroom and help in making stronger global connections!

A heartfelt thank you to Julie and Annie for meeting today!  And also, thank you to Ruth and Stacey for continuously growing our Slice of Life Community each week!  You two are making such an impact for life!

Back to School Supply Slice

Tuesday's Slice at Two Writing Teachers

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth for hosting

The Sunday papers were flooded with ads!  I always scour them to find the best deals for back to school supplies.  I always dig into my own pocket to purchase my favorite things so I know I'll have just what I need.  So I have two questions:  do you dig into your own pocket to purchase supplies you need as a teacher?  And if so, what is your spending range?

Currently, in my district, we get a small supply allowance.  I usually tap that first.  I buy a jump-drive for storing documents from the computer, and some other things that I know we use regularly.   My favorite items to purchase are dry erase markers, composition notebooks and crayons.

This year, I'm smiling as I am thinking about all the crayons!  There's a cute new picture book out by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers called The Day the Crayons Quit.

It's made it on the NY Times Best Seller list!  It's all about how crayons have feelings too!  They write letters to the main character, Duncan and address their concerns about how he's been using them and what they're always responsible for coloring.  Check out Oliver's website for other pictures from the book...you'll never think the same of the crayons again. http://www.oliverjeffers.com/picture-books/the-day-the-crayons-quit
I was thinking of some other supplies that might quit their jobs... the eraser or the stapler come to mind for me. It's all about their point of view.  What school supplies do you think might quit their jobs?

Posting from the Pool

Tuesday's Slice of Life

Thanks to Ruth and Stacey for hosting this weekly writing community @ Two Writing Teachers.

Today's slice is from the pool...it's all good (like Pete the Cat says) because Nattie's at home and Kam is here~in swimming lessons!  It's fun to watch lessons because it makes me think of learning...young learners trying to take on something new.

There are 7 kids in the class and all look to be about 6-8 years old.  This is level three-Kam said he feels nervous tonight because they'll be diving.  His teacher is rewarding good listening by allowing jumps in the pool at the end of class.

This week, they are on the lap side of the pool.  Kam just waved...maybe his nerves have calmed a little.  He's done level 3 before-he says this year, he's going to pass.  What a difference a year makes.

Last year, he was still afraid to put his face in the water and I can already see by watching tonight that he's past that.  He "FAIL"ed last year big time!  After reading Teach Like a Pirate, I learned too, FAIL means a First Attempt in Learning-hopefully this year level 3 will be a full SAIL (second attempt in learning) success!
                       ~from the pool, signing off!

Those Rotten Bananas!

Oh, yes, you've been there before! 

You've

seen it,

smelled it,

and felt it

-the look, smell and feel of bananas that have been hanging around for far too long, overstayed their welcome on the banana tree!

Yesterday, our bananas were there-they smelled worse than three day old fish-time to recycle them-so I mashed them up and went looking for a recipe...luckily I found one-here's the link: What to do with over-ripe bananas and in addition to the recipe, I threw in a few sprinkles of brown sugar and 2 handfuls of chocolate chips!

Reactions from the fam:

• Kevin-mmmm what smells so good?

• Kam-what is that?

After it came out of the oven:

• -1 minute later-Kevin-can I try some?

• -Kam-this is the best homemade snack ever!

• -Me-wow this is really good

1 day later

• Kam-That was the best snack you ever made Mom!

Thank goodness for those rotten bananas!

On Bubbles and Modeling

--And there was dancing and rejoicing for the family the day Natalie blew bubbles and quit putting the bubble wand in her mouth!  The trumpets have sounded!

After weeks and weeks of convincing Nattie to stop putting the bubble wand in her mouth to blow the bubbles, she finally blew an extensive stream of tiny bubbles from the wand when we were out in the driveway last week!  Yay!  and can I hear an "Amen"! 

Basically, since we were able to head outside in the early spring, the whole family's been excitedly modeling for Nattie how to hold the wand a few centimeters away from her lips and blow through the little wand to make the bubbles.  We continued to model and she kept trying it!  We never gave up and neither did she and now-what we thought would seemingly never occur has finally come to fruition!  The whole family clapped and cheered when we saw the stream of bubbles leaving her wand last week!

All of the convincing, the modeling, the self-talk, the positive reinforcement that it took to get her to do something so small made me think of the modeling I do as a teacher when working with students.  Since school's been out, I've had some time to really reflect on my year-and I'm asking myself-did I model enough for my students?  And I am answering honestly-I think not.  So in the future, I am going to pay more attention to making sure that I model enough and yet avoid swooping and rescuing so that all of them keep trying and reaching for the stars.

Noticing Fortunately and Unfortunately!

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth @ Two Writing Teachers for hosting Tuesday's Slice of Life Challenge! 

Unfortunately, Kameron's baseball practice was cancelled yesterday!  (We did the happy dance for a break from all of the action related to Little League this season!)

Fortunately, the whole family had time to go on a walk together and take Nattie for a wagon ride!



Unfortunately, Kameron wanted to ride his bike and didn't walk with us (part of the time).

Fortunately, he wanted to go off exploring on his own as he rode through the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, this made momma and dad worry.

Fortunately, he's growing up and making choices to be more independent.

Unfortunately, growing up is making momma and dad sad, sad, sad...

Fortunately, we have baby girl's growing up to look forward to also.

Unfortunately, children are born to grow up-they can't stay little forever...

Fortunately, we have days like yesterday, days to enjoy our time together as a family.

Thanks to the book Fortunately by Remy Charlip, used a mentor text idea for this post!

I broke it!

A special thank you to Stacey and Ruth for hosting the Tuesday SOLC!  And a thank you for honoring my end of the month slice this week on the blog!  Click here for a link back to the slice!

Around our house we love to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas!  (Now I know, this song will be stuck in your head too!) and this week's slice is all about our Nattie eating the favorite fruits and her two year old mindset when thinking about what mommy does to the fruit.

On Friday morning, Nattie came downstairs from her full night of sleep (yay) in her big girl bed (more on that here) and announced, "I'm hungry!"  So, doing what any loving mother would do, I poured a little bowl of Cheerios for her and watched her gobble them up!  She then proceeded to say, "I'm hungry!" (Yep, just like the very hungry caterpillar).  So, I offered her a banana...here's the funny part!  I moved to "slice" it up rather than just offer it "monkey style"!  

After giving it to her, she cried out in earnest, "my banana, it broken! I no want it broken Mama!"  And immediately began stacking the slices back together as if they were a puzzle to be reconnected!  Then she started to cry.  I felt horrible and will no longer serve "broken" banana to my little monkey!  

Capturing Happy Birthday-a Sound Cloud Moment

Week 1 of 52  Thank you to Stacey and Ruth for hosting the Tuesday Slice of Life Challenge!

Capturing Happy Birthday  Click the link to the left to hear the sound cloud... During the March Slice of Life Challenge 2013, I witnessed Kevin (Dogtrax), Stacey, and Alan begin using Sound Cloud to record and capture moments of sound as part of daily slices.  I wanted so badly to join in this fun, but the time just wasn't there to play around and try it out...so, for the time being, I used the "voice memos" button on my iPhone to capture Natalie saying, "Happy Birthday" on Kevin's birthday.

Just today, I registered on Sound Cloud and set up my account.  I played back the voice memo and recorded it on Sound Cloud.  Some new learning for me-thank you for the inspiration Kevin, Stacey and Alan.

Back to the capture of Nattie's voice-she makes me laugh.  She was talking and saying Happy Birthday very clearly and when I took out the phone to record it-she suddenly became shy and would only whisper.  As she watched the timer tick on the phone, she must have thought it was a clock and then became obsessed with saying it was a clock.  Oh, if only I could get in her brain and know what she was really thinking!

I hope to capture more sound cloud moments as slices of my life! 

First Day of Spring

Slice 20 of 31

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth for hosting

Slice of Life Challenge 2013

@ Two Writing Teachers

In honor of the First Day of Spring, I spent some time at the library looking for the right words to tell more about night noises that arise when spring arrives.  My first attempt at spine poetry last week was created with books from around the house, but at the library, there was so much more to choose from...I enjoyed looking for the right words to capture the mood of the night noises.  Here is my latest poem:

HUSH!

By the Light of the Moon

WHILE the WORLD is SLEEPING

At the Edge of the Woods

CLOSE YOUR EYES

Listening and Hearing

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT

To all the lovely librarians out there, you'll be happy to know that I took time to reshelve the books-all back in the right place.  Happy Spring to all!



Growing Writers-A Fifteen Line Poem

Slice 19 of 31

Special thanks to Stacey and Ruth

@ Two Writing Teachers for hosting the Slice of Life Challenge 2013

15 line Poems

I was inspired to write after reading Christina's blog post on taking the first 15 lines of a topic (I cheated and went 17) from an internet search and writing them as a poem.  Thanks for this inspiration Christina!  I am so excited...I did a little rearranging of the phrases but for the most part, the search I typed is the search words I wrote...

"Growing Writers"

Growing Writers

Dear Teachers

Through collaboration

Considering Talk, Time, Models and Purpose

Growing Writers

Grow up writing

Practices and Skills

We Grow Writers

One day at a time

Listening, Observing, and Celebrating

Growing Writers

From the ground up

Writing

Helping Writers Grow

Growing Writers

Mighty Writers

Growing Writers





Measure, cut, THEN hang

Slice 18 of 31  

Special thanks to Stacey and Ruth

 @ Two Writing Teachers for hosting the Slice of Life Challenge 2013

Last weekend when we shopped for the new dishwasher, I decided that I wanted to purchase some new, updated-looking light fixtures for the upstairs hall bathroom.  The new ones looked lovely and definitely would add some beauty to the powder room! 

The hubby thought he would surprise me by installing them without bothering me for help...oh, yes he did!  HOWEVER, I NOW need Tim the Toolman Taylor's pal, Al, to come and rescue the project gone wrong.  My hubby didn't realize that he needed to cut the wire and the chain links on the fixture to the appropriate length...here is what we've got now (see pic below):

So until next weekend, when more time is alloted into our schedule, we'll have extra linkage and wiring hanging around to collect dust...

In my hubby's defense, there is nothing in the manual about trimming the wiring or links to the appropriate length.  Did someone leave out a step when they wrote the manual?   Perhaps.  Lesson learned, measure, cut, and THEN hang.  Here's hoping install of the second light fixture goes smoother than the first next weekend.

Thanks for trying to surprise me, Kev!



No 'i' in TEAM

Slice 16 of 31

Special thanks to Stacey and Ruth for hosting the Slice of Life Challenge 2013

As I reflect on the past 15 days of playing the game called the Slice of Life Challenge, I tried on my baseball lenses.  I started thinking about how we are all players on the same team.  We have supported each other well during the challenge so far and I hope we continue. 

Some stats on the game:

Batting average:  16 at-bats, 16 hits=1,000 -I've sliced every day so far.  The challenge for me has been the timing as my schedule is never the same every day.  Something has come up that has caused the time I would prefer to write-morning-to change because of being too tired, someone else being awake who usually isn't-Nattie- or I had too many other things that needed done first.

Game play:  Every day, I arrive at the game with my equipment ready to enter onto the playing field.  Everyone else on my team does too.  There are rookies and novices in this game-but we are all learning from each other.  Whether we've hit singles, doubles or grand-slams, we are learning.

Position:  Whether batting (writing) or catching in the field (making comments), I feel supported by my team in every way.  I hope we are all having fun at our game.

Shout outs!  Thanks to our GMs Stacey and Ruth for leading all of us to the playing field and encouraging through example.  Thanks to the managers-Linda, LeAnn, Bonnie and Carol who have fielded questions or concerns in relation to the challenge.  Thanks to all of the bloggers-writers!  I wish I had enough time to read of all of your slices-I will be going back when I am on spring break.
I am looking forward to continuing my at-bats and being inspired by the moves, hits, and catches of others.

We are all learning to exercise our writing muscles and growing stronger from the game performances every day.  I will continue to depend on this team of people for learning and growing as a writer.  Thanks to all for the support so far, there is no "i" in team.

Spring Sounds

Slice 15 of 31

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth for hosting

the Slice of Life Challenge 2013

 



A Slice of Poetry Friday...

Some spine poetry for your viewing pleasure...

 

 My Mama Says-    

 

                              -I hear a noise

 

It's Spring!        

           

         

                                                           How Do You Know It's Spring?

 

 

Night Noises!       

Thankful Boy

Slice 14 of 31

Thanks to Stacy and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers for

hosting the Slice of Life Challenge, 2013

As the boy readied himself for bed, mom called upstairs, "Have you brushed?"

"Yes!" replied the boy.  "Are you coming up to say goodnight?"

"Yes," Momma replied, "I'm coming up now."

The boy hopped into bed and called to Momma, "Please lay beside me Mom!"

"Ok, boy, I will..."

So Momma crawled onto the bed as they looked at the blueish, greenish and goldish stars beaming out from the boy's dreamlight...

Boy began, "Momma, I am really thankful."

"You are boy?...what for?"

"Well, I am thankful for my bedroom, and my clock that tells time."

"Uh, huh..."

Boy continued, "and my lamps to give me light, and the things on my dresser.  Mostly, I am thankful for my family-you, Dad, and Nattie."

"Thank you boy, for making my day!  I love you."

"I love you too Momma!  Good night."

"Goodnight," Momma whispered back.  And they laid there together until the boy nodded off to sleep.  Momma thought to herself, I am thankful for the blessing of this boy...

i'm here

Slice 13 of 31

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth @ Two Writing Teachers

for Hosting the Slice of Life Challenge 2013

 

Do you know i'm here?

i bet you don't

 

i came into the house

quieter than a mouse

 

i am ready to do the daily work

of someone who couldn't keep up

 

my pace is quick

loaded and ready to go

 

my quiet shy style doesn't compare

to most

 

i work alone

i don't need any other assistance

 

the model i took over for was the noisy type

loud and rumbly (you can read her story here)

 

not me, i am smooth

and sleek

 

i am more efficient

more energy saving

 

i love my new family

glad to be home with them!

 

Here's my picture,

isn't it grand?

 

 

 



Squirrel's Inspire

Slice 12 of 31

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth @ Two Writing Teachers

for Hosting the 2013 Slice of Life Challenge

Like a squirrel on the telephone wire, I feel like I am doing a great balancing act lately...keeping up with everything the kids and fam have been doing and all that's going on with school work has been a challenge.  As I was driving home, I saw the squirrel high above the road.  It was plowing full speed ahead across the wire and then suddenly stopped mid-way across the wire and paused.  I will follow nature's lead and pause...


How did I get to this point?

Wondering
Reflecting
Taking it all in
Thinking
Moving forward or
Going back

...Pausing...

Moving forward
Thinking
Taking it all in
Reflecting
Wondering

What will tomorrow bring?

A Note for Dad

slice 11 of 31

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth for Two Writing Teachers

for hosting the Slice of Life Challenge 2013

 

 

As giggles, racing, and shouting filled the air, I laughed to myself.  I enjoyed hearing the kids outside in the yard playing with Kevin.  They were having the best time ever back at "the park" swinging, climbing and then playing in the yard with the kickball.  I wanted to be out there myself, but didn't indulge as I tried to stay focused on my work.  I felt like the child with homework to do who's distracted by the call of what is outside.

 

 

Nattie was brought inside for her nap kicking and screaming!  Kam faked a nigh-nigh into his room so she would think he was going to take a nap as well.  She just kept saying, "Outside, outside!"  I kept saying,  "we'll go back out after you wake up from your nigh-nigh".  Exasperated, she huffed, "Ok momma!"  She finally settled down and fell asleep...when I heard Kam bounding back upstairs after escaping from his fake nigh-nigh, I motioned a "shhh" on my lips.  He whispered, "I just have to leave this note for Dad!"

I didn't ask to see it, just allowed him to place the note where he knew Kevin would check.  He snuck back out of the office and tiptoed back downstairs.  I snuck over and snapped a quick photo with my phone...

 

A note from Kam that I am sure Kevin will cherish for days and maybe years to come!