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Showing posts with label Slice of Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slice of Life. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Writer's Shoes

Last summer, I wrote more than I've ever written in my entire life...I walked a mile in my writer's shoes while I participated in the Teacher's Write virtual summer writing camp for teachers hosted by Kate Messner, Gae Polisner, Jen Vincent and Jo Knowles (each with their blogs if you click the links).  They were gracious hostesses with their time and talent...Oh, happy day, they've all volunteered to host the camp again this summer and I think about how lucky I am to have them offering their thinking and expertise to help me become a better writer.

This past year, I walked more steps in my writer's shoes as I continued to blog and slice on most Tuesdays, and took the 2013 Slice of Life Challenge in March-writing and posting each day of the month.  I felt connected to the writing community.

Another step I took in being a writer this year is through micro-blogging on Twitter.  You can read about my connection to Twitter being a professional growth playground here.  I haven't been as much of a writer here as I've been an information sharer.  I am hoping to make the transition to more authentic tweets as time moves forward.

I am looking forward to writing more this summer...here we go, stepping out in my writer's shoes and I'm not sure where this year's trail will lead me but I'm ready!


Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Balance...


Bringing “Balance” to My Life...
 
So, my ship has sailed on 2012 and it was an awesome year of learning for me.  The true professional growth in becoming a writer started this year-really!   My growth began when I took the Slice of Life Challenge in March of 2012 at Two Writing Teachers.  I have so many great people to thank for encouraging words and kindness during that month.  I want to personally thank Ruth, Stacey, Michelle, Linda, Dana, Maria, Terje, Anita, Lynn,  Cathy , Donna and Diana and so many others as well.  The month of writing, posting and commenting each day was challenging and rewarding at the same time.  I didn’t meet the goal of posting each day for the month-as life sometimes happens…but I did learn so much about myself as a writer (weaknesses and strengths).  I also learned a great deal from the writing community as a whole and continued to add stories through the Weekly Slice of Life here on my blog, The "Rudd"er!

During the month of April, with use of my rudder, I learned more about and becoming a user of Twitter.  Fellow slicers Michelle and Cathy posted Twitter advice on their blogs that helped me to understand it better and how to use it.  I am still learning but it’s been a great tool to further my professional growth.  After I attended digi-camp in the summer, where I learned even more about Twitter, I also became involved in learning about TweetChats!  I learned how to join in and participate in chats to gain even more knowledge about teaching and learning with varying topics.  I now try to participate weekly in the #1stchat TweetChat on Sunday nights.  Through the chats, I met even more great twitter peeps-great teachers like Karen, Kristen, Kathy, Laura, Val, Kristin, Kathy and Jenni to name a few tweeps there…

Then, came Pinterest.  With signing up for Pinterest, again, thanks to Michelle I had to increase the need for even more balance in my life.  I love Pinterest and could literally be lost for hours looking at all of the great ideas that people have pinned and shared with it.  I now set a timer for 15 minutes and after that I have to sign out-unless it’s on a night when I can’t sleep at which time there will be no timer set!  J

The big push in becoming even better at writing and teaching writing came when I got involved with Teachers Write-a virtual summer writing camp for teachers and librarians via Kate Messner’s Blog.  I learned so much by participating in the writing I did via prompts posted throughout the summer. I feel fortunate that I was introduced to more authors of great children’s literature and even started following some of them on Twitter.  I finally worked to keep the writers notebook I started with the Slice of Life Challenge and referred to it as I started Writer’s Workshop with my students. 

It’s been such a year of learning for me-but my one little word has to be balance.  I need to balance all of this professional learning with my personal life too, as I have a great husband, son and daughter who need me as well.  Oh, and one more little part of balance, I hope to read more as well.  As 2012 is now history, this reflective slice on the sailing that occurred is to remind me that in 2013, I must remember “balance” in my life!  What’s your one little word for 2013?

Here's my post in wordle...I think it's interesting that Learning came out to be one of the biggest words!
Created with Tagxedo Creator http://www.tagxedo.com/app.html
 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thankful for Gol-ives

Tuesday's Slice of Life...How I've Missed You!
Slice of Life Tuesdays-Hosted by Two Writing Teachers

As my daughter begins to talk less jibberish and more clear speech, I am noticing little things that she's beginning to ask for...the writer in me is noticing little details about how she says these things and the latest and most notable for our house is the asking for "gol-ives". 

You might be wondering...just what are gol-ives?  Let me describe them for you so you know just what they might be.  These things are very bite size-perfect little rings that fit right on tiny fingers.  They taste very salty and are usually juicy.  "Gol-ives" are black and brown colored and are just right for sprinkling atop a yummy bowl of crunchy lettuce or spinach-along with other tasty fixin's like shredded cheese, croutons and even tomatoes!

Have you guessed what gol-ives are yet?  If you're thinking black olives, you're right!  Nattie loves eating them along with her salad-and she usually pilfers off of my serving until there are no more.  It's cute to hear her ask, "Golives? Golives?".  When we finally figured out she was asking for black olives, it made sense!  Say them together really fast-"Black olives" go ahead, I'll give you a few seconds...ok-so doesn't it sound like you're saying gol-ives if you leave off the beginning of black? Kids do say funny things sometimes and I am thankful for catching my "Gol-ive Lover" chatting up a storm and asking for yummy foods to eat...our Thanksgiving ought to be very speechy this year!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Let's cruise!


Tuesday's Slice of Life...@ Two Writing Teachers...

Who doesn't want to drive?
 



As we move into our fourth week of school now, I see and feel the pressure to put the keys in the ignition and get on the highway to learning!  Yet, all drivers know that going from 0-65 and hitting cruise control without doing some preliminary practice is extremely dangerous!  
  
And so it is with our kiddos and their learning...we must remember preliminary practice takes time...follow the prelims now to create safe and thoughtful drivers in the weeks ahead...

Some probably haven't even found a pair of keys to fit the ignition yet!  Help them find these keys so they can get started!

Some probably don't know the step-by-step way to prepare to drive-slow and steady wins the race-teaching sequential procedures now will pay off in the end.

Some probably aren't sure when to gas and when to break-teach them the difference now so this becomes automatic.

Some probably aren't sure of how to look in the rear view mirror-show them how to reflect!  Knowing what's behind us helps improve future learning...

Some don't know about the hazard lights-turn them on to signals that alert others help is needed!

Some aren't sure about putting it in gear-stepping on the break and shifting at the same time...doing both keeps our transmission from dropping-preventing poor engine performance.

Some need maps before they head out to drive-give them a map so they know where they are going-clear directions help us get there...

Some have it all going on-they are ready and just need the practice of the drive-try not to make them wait for ones who aren't...differentiate!

And finally, most drivers don't just get in their cars and take off, they have a reason to be behind the wheel-give a sense of purpose.

This is just me...self-reflecting on what my little drivers might need in the weeks ahead-maybe you've thought of some drive prep tips too...please share if you do!

Hopefully cruising on a highway near you soon!  It won't be easy, but we'll get there!



Monday, August 20, 2012

Choose Your Own Adventure Story

Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life-Thanks to Stacey and Ruth for hosting this weekly opportunity to write about slices of our lives!

Choose your own adventure, adventure!


Today's Slice is about creating a choose your own adventure story...please join in adding your prediction on how you think the three things pictured below form a silly slice.  You are invited to be as creative as you would like to be on the comment.  The true story behind the pictures will be revealed on Wednesday.  Be sure to check back to see other slicers' creative predictions as well as the true story...Have fun, the adventure is all up to you this post!


Believe it or not, I already know what I want to be when I grow up...

Monday, August 13, 2012

Tile Becomes a Canvas

NEWSFLASH!  BREAKING NEWS!


A daring little toddler, Nattie, has joined the art world this week, as kitchen floor tile became her canvas!  The tiny artist in residence chose a lovely shade of blue green Crayola crayon as the tool of color!  Within minutes of picking up her tool, she filled her canvas (4-15X15 tiles) with high energy, up and down, strokes of motion!  As soon as her multi-tasking father announced to the world that the artist had done her deed, mama raced to the scene and snatched the tool of choice!  Unfortunately, it was NOT "WASHABLE"!  AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Now, if her mama had been less freaked out  a little more calm about the washability factor, she would have taken pictures of the li'l artist's work (an unfortunate piece of the story).  Instead, mother went straight to work rubbing and scrubbing to remove those strokes of energy from the tile.  Thank goodness it came off-and those crayons are now put away where little toddler hands won't be reaching for a long long time.  (Li'l artist's big brother did something similar with a tool of choice on his wall when he was 3 only it was a washable marker-but maybe that's a slice for another day...)



This experience in the Rudd Art Gallery taught us all a few lessons when it comes to Li'l Artist:
  • Expect the unexpected
  • Prepare for and try to make the best of the moment
  • Put things away when you're done using them~~Big Brother!
  • Learn as much as possible from your mistakes and try to do better next time
  • Be like Pete the Cat and say, "It's all good!"
When the floor came clean and the water dried, mother had a good laugh...reflected a little and thought out loud, "Oh, Nattie, this is definitely a story for your Mommy Journal..."

This Tuesday's Slice of Life-hosted by Ruth and Stacey @ The Two Writing Teachers


Monday, August 6, 2012

Come away with Me!






Tuesday's Slice-at The Two Writing Teachers (thanks Ruth and Stacey for hosting this)...

For this week's slice, I didn't have a feel for what to write about so I went back through my writer's notebook and found a
Monday Morning warm-up prompt posted by Jo Knowles on her blog.  During a summer writing camp that she teaches, she allows campers to post their ideas for writing prompts. In the spirit of fostering student ownership, I think having students contribute prompt ideas would be helpful and I plan to use it this year.

The prompt I chose to write to was "Come Away with Me"...

Since I have been so inspired by all of the technology I've learned and experienced this summer, that was my topic of choice...also inspired by learning that I'll be in a newly constructed (2008) school this year that will have technology options available!  Woo-hoo!

Come Away with Me
By Amy Rudd
Come away with me
from the land of old
to the land of the new
of inspiration and information!
A place where technology helps you grow and do what you do
No more chalk boards with all that dust
Now on with technology it 's really a must!
The virtual world is a fantastic place 
where everything's buzzing at a break-neck pace
An interesting place where new ideas are ablaze 
a place of mystery, adventure, play
iPads, Smartboards, Twitter, and Pinterest
You're sure to engage in something of interest!
So off and away- get started today!  
Choose someone who can help (a friend in deed)
and you'll be on your way as you have all you need!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A Slice of Apple!

Tuesday's Slice, at The Two Writing Teachers (Thanks Ruth and Stacey for hosting this!)

Our busy summer is flying by, mainly because it's been chocked full of activities!  The latest activity, which began today, Apple iMovie Camp-is for Kam...and secretly for me too.  A few months back I reflected on how one of the things I learned this year is you never know unless you ask... Consequently, here is another example. 

I was searching for a fun "camp-like" experience for Kameron to attend that was reasonably priced.  At first, we looked into Lego camp (not near by and a little pricey).  Then I thought, I'll google "Apple Camp"-you'll never know unless you ask.  Low and behold, check out what they offer -Apple Camp for Youths!  And, it's "FREE"!  Imagine!  So I registered Kam for the camp because he's really interested in learning how to make movies etc.  He wants to design video games "when he grows up".  So today was "our" first day of camp.

What I observed:
  • Camp counselors that were very down to Earth, and professional yet kid-friendly
  • A clean environment loaded with technology options-a retail store taking the risk to share the devices with kids
  • A generous spirit of giving-each kid got a free camp t-shirt and cute name tags
  • Lots of smiles on counselors' and kids' faces
  • freedom to choose how they wanted to design their movies
  • a risk-taking air that made the kids feel like it was going to be ok to make mistakes and ask questions (ideally how a classroom should be-thanks for the model!)
What Kam experienced:
  • hearing and learning that it's ok to try something new
  • it's ok to ask questions
  • being patient with others who aren't there yet
  • learning in such a way that he could and would teach it to someone else (me  :))
  • using a  6 block storyboard as the basis for creating the movie
  • learning how to make the music to go with the movie
What I learned:
  • Kam taught me how to layer the instruments in "Garage Band"
  • Learning together is fun!
  • I am excited to go back to the Apple Store and see what we learn next...
I want to thank Apple and the staff at the store for making us feel so welcome (no they aren't paying me to write this) on the first day of camp!  It's been a great experience so far and I hope it continues.  I am looking forward to movie day on Saturday, when the children who attended the camp get to show their movies...what a great slice of Apple!

Update-Day 2-
Day 2 was just as fabulous as Day 1-now we're excited to attend "Family Film Fest" on Saturday when all of the movies will be premiered!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Celebration of 50 years

Tuesday's Slice of Life-The Two Writing Teachers  I have been sneakily and steathfully preparing for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary...I don't think they'll read this (they don't use the computer much).  Planning and prepping for the event has been on my mind a lot.  We finally got their wedding album out of the house so I can scan the pictures and continue making the video for the party.  I worked with my sis-n-law, Audrey to locate the place for the party, get the supplies and make the invitations.  Thankfully, the invitations have been mailed and people are starting to RSVP.  All of us kids are hoping that we can keep it a surprise and honor them for reaching 50 years of marriage. 

One of the things I learned about in preparing for the celebration that I want to share with the slice community is that you can request letters of commendation/congratulations to be sent to anyone celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries, birthdays or births from the president and congressmen of your state.  Especially since I cherish letter writing, I went ahead and made the request (make sure to have at least 6 weeks ahead of the date) to have the letters sent from the president and congressmen.  Receiving these letters will add to the whole surprise celebration!  I am giddy with excitement for the event-I can't wait...1 month to go!

Dad and Mom dating-1961?

Mr. and Mrs. Wedding Pic, Sept. 1, 1962

50 Years Ago...A Special Day to Remember

50 years ago
two hearts joined together
in one love
doubling joy
cutting burdens in half

raising a family of three children
who now are married too
continuing to grow in love
as their parents still do

knowing that marriage
is
love
kindness
caring
sharing
trusting
not easy
hard work
rewarding
fun
in sickness
or in health
in good times or in bad
now and forever!
two hearts
one
love

50 years of trials and tribulations
storying that makes us laugh
storying that makes us cry
gathering around the table
hearing the stories again and again

silly hats, funny faces,
trips down the aisle
going places
beaches, boats
and baseball games

What could be better
than together forever?
A fisherman and his wife,
50 years to remember
the First of September!





A visit to Ocean City, Maryland







Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Trying Something New-Learning to use a Spoon










 

New Learning and Eating with a Spoon

This slice, inspired by 2 things really: a posted picture on Facebook that said, “Everything you were looking for was right there with you all along”—from the Wizard of Oz…


 

And


 

Watching Natalie learning to eat with a spoon…



So here’s what I learned (Notes to self~I really could apply this to anything I’m learning new-just by observing her-oh those little observations)
 

1.    Try it, "nothing ventured nothing gained"-she just grabbed the spoon and went for the applesauce!

2.   It’s okay to be messy!  REALLY!  Being messy is part of the learning-things can’t and most often won’t be perfect! She had applesauce on her chin, her shirt, and the table.  I have to say, “It’s ok”.  

3.   I must take new learning in smaller chunks-larger bites most likely cause choking and are just too hard to make learning useful!-she took the applesauce in smaller bites and was able to get more in her mouth than when dropping the larger amount it on its way there.

 

4.   Sometimes a helping hand is needed and it’s ok to let go of support-I was trying to feed her myself to guide the spoon in with the applesauce on it and suddenly she just started telling me “No” “No” “No”-I took this as a sign to hand it off to her and she did get the food in without my help!

5.   Maybe, things just taste better when the work is accomplished without help!  She smiled so happily when she was able to get the spoon to her mouth without my assistance, all by herself!

6.   And finally sometimes finishing isn't possible, it’s ok not to finish everything todayleave a little on the plate for another day!  She didn’t eat all of the applesauce or the whole muffin, and that’s ok!

Everything I needed to know was right there next to me all along!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Grandma's Hands

Grandma's Hands...

Grandma's hands were busy hands
Cooking the whole day through
Watching her hold her fa kanal,
many tasks to do!

Frying and flipping the chicken
in the sizzling skillet of lard
Mixing bouillon and onion into the rice
Maybe cooking wasn't so hard.

Smelling butter and brown sugar
Another pan to clean,
In go the sweet potatoes
Creating a yummy scene!

Filling the boiler with water
Turning up the heat,
Stirring in the salt and green beans
Grandma's flavoring can't be beat!

Grandma's tap-tap-tapping spoon,
Making us all aware,
Leading us to the table
Hearing food would soon be there...

Grandma's hands were serving hands,
Dinner hot and ready,
Bringing food out to the table,
Carrying slow and steady...

Leading us in saying Grace
Hands folded in to pray
Thanking for the delicious food
She labored on all day!

Devouring tasty morsels
Going back for more,
Filling and piling food on our plates
Pallet pleasure to be sure!

Now her spoon, a scraping spoon
Cleaning up the dishes,
Piling up inside the sink
Floating there like fishes...

Grandma's hands were cleaning hands
Washing and putting things away,
Readying the kitchen for a rest
Until the dawn of a new day...

I dedicate this poem to my Grandma Helen Sandor Farkas.
She was always cooking tasty treats for someone...with her fa kanal in hand!
Miss you Grammie!  Thanks for all your work...
I never appreciated you as much as I should have while you were here...

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Update on making lemonade

Update to making lemonade: http://theamyrudder.blogspot.com/2012/05/lemonade.html  Earlier in the month of May, I wrote about how when life serves you lemons, you make lemonade and being the chef, I could choose to make lemonade (fancy) and go for the position of "Instructional Specialist" or (simple) and decide to go back to the classroom-neither job is easy for I always plan and make my recipes with the greatest of care...and as Ruth so eloquently stated in her comment, "It's not just about the end result, but the steps along the way that are valuable."

I decided to try for the instructional specialist position.  This really has been about the process...being introspective and reflecting and thinking all about the characteristics and talents that I bring to the kitchen...I called it the "Learner's Cafe".  First I was thinking about the resume.  I wondered how I could articulate what I had to offer and include it on my resume?  I decided the important things that aligned with the position description and my career history had to be summed up by using two pages-one just wasn't enough.  I want to personally thank Diana Martin One Literacy Coach for giving great advice on resumes and asking me deep thinking questions to prepare me for getting into interview mode...

The interview was very intense.  I never experienced anything like it before!  One part that I have to share about is for the first 30 minutes, we were handed a case study, had to read it, and then write in response to what we would do knowing about the fictitious school's  history and data upon meeting with the principal.  I felt confident in my writing ability and I know it's partly because I have been working to improve my writing skills and thought processes about writing since I have joined the TWT Slice of Life Community.  As nervous as I was-as soon as I sat down and began to read and write, I felt like this sense of calm came over me and I knew I could do this.

Last week, I heard, after the interview process was over, that I was selected to be part of a pool of newly named "Instructional Specialists" formerly "Literacy Coaches" that buildings could now choose to hire with their Title I money...so now I wait to find out where and if I will be selected or go back to the classroom.  It's been an incredible learning journey, no matter what happens, I have learned so much.  Thank you to the community for all you offer to each of us who joins in this opportunity and experience!  My life will be forever changed by what I learn from you!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

guitar in the sky

One of my friends, Sue, is retiring...we celebrated her and RG retiring at our coach meeting a few weeks back.   I wrote her a poem about something inspirational she taught us when we first learned about brain based instruction.  She taught us that looking down allows access to your emotions.  If you ever need to stop those emotions from coming out, stop looking downward, and look up to the sky instead.   Draw something like the outline of a guitar with your eyes to keep your emotions in check.

So, I wrote her this poem as a sort of reminder of something special from her...dedicated to her:


Draw Your Guitar in the Sky

By Amy Rudd

When you’re feeling sad,

Looking down deep is bad…

Accessing your emotions is not a good notion!

Hold your head high,

Look to the sky,

Use your eyes to escape,

And outline the shape,

Brighten your day,

Give your sadness away!

PS  It really does work...

Monday, May 21, 2012

Cultivating a Garden of Lifelong readers...

As I was thinking about all of the gardening work that calls my name, I'm itching to get to my gardens but they'll have to wait...it also reminded me of the perennial work that gardeners have to do and I related that to my work as a literacy leader...

The Gardener's Growing Instructions:

A lifelong reader is one with a love of books and reading.  They have an open mind and need exposure to lots of book choices...They will love books and if not, it's our work to change them.  Books are the main ingredients that help this type of reader to grow.  They need long-term exposure to many different genres (mysteries, poetry, biographies, non-fiction, fiction, fairy tales, and myths) and authors and styles of books.  Use books as a stimulant to continue to grow even more life-long readers.  They are perennials.  Their growth potential is unlimited!

Sow the readers at school, at home, at a library, at a bookstore or where ever there are great books available.  Sprinkle these readers with various kinds of books and fertilize them by extensive accountable discussions about new and interesting vocabulary, the author's message or even their connection to the world!  Most importantly, add the ingredient of time with the mix.  Continue to read to the reader throughout the growing season.  Once the lifelong reader matures, have them read to others as well...

Spread readers out...allow them to grow and flourish and offer other opportunities for exposure.

Harvest the grown reader and farm them out to maximize growth potential!  Avoid ignoring the reader.  Avoid too much exposure to TV, video games and shopping.  Warning:  THESE MAY CAUSE LACK OF GROWTH POTENTIAL.

**Set up safety netting or fencing to protect them from exposure to bad influences that may infect their growth potential.

This Seed Packet was manufactured by Amy Rudd aruddteacher100@gmail.com

 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Lemonade...

In the café of Life, when you’re handed lemons…you make lemonade of course!
Last Friday, a gigantic pile of lemons landed in front of me!  The district I currently work for decided due to budget cuts that they are eliminating all of the literacy and math coach positions.  Here’s where the lemonade part comes to fruition.  I have the choice of two possible lemonade recipes, filling out the transfer paperwork to go straight back to the classroom (simple recipe) or applying for and hopefully interviewing for the “reclassified” more generalized “instructional coach” position (more complicated recipe).  Even if applying for and interviewing for the coach position, if I should not be chosen,  I would still go back to the classroom.   I am thinking of going for the coaching position…I love what I do as a coach but the caveat is the Site Improvement Planning Teams have to make the decision to “purchase” your services with their School Improvement Title I Budgets.  So, that makes me unsure…should I go for the more complicated lemonade recipe-re-applying for the coach position or keep it simple and go back to the classroom?  What to do?  Your advice please?

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Baby book stack...I love...

Baby Book Stack

These were Nattie's selections as we were doing our reading before bedtime tonight...


I love...

I love when the crocodile snaps, you giggle and we count the monkeys...1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
I love when you stick your finger in the holes to explore the foods the Very Hungry Caterpillar eats...
I love singing the Wheels on the Bus and seeing you act out the motions...
I love saying no to each of the foods in What's for Lunch-and saying Yes to Bananas!  They are your favorite...
I love naming all the growing foods with you-especially bananas!
I love falling down when the letters fall out of the tree OH NO, Chicka Chicka Boom boom!
And most of all, I love that you pick your book stack every night...
to read...
with...
me!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Who Are Your Mentors?

Tuesday’s Slice
Who are your mentors?
Stacey’s post WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS inspired this Tuesday's slice...

I hit my life’s rewind button and reviewed the tapes all the way back to my earliest memories of school and that is where I found one of the first people I could truly call a mentor. So here’s a story about her, me and a scene from the beginning of her influence as a mentor...

HUNTER’S STAND-IN
BY Amy Rudd

INT-4TH GRADE CLASSROOM, LAKE ELEMENTARY- EARLY MORNING

Action:

Children (mixture of boys and girls) entering the classroom. Teacher (Ellen Hunter) drinking hot tea with lemon and honey, watching closely, pacing the floor and glancing out the window at the buses and waiting impatiently to grab Amy Jo as she bounds in from the bus drop-off.
Amy Jo finally walks into the room happily with her friend MaryAlice (the two girls with two names). Ellen quickly approaches Amy Jo with tea cup in hand.

ELLEN
She whispers (barely audible) to Amy Jo. Would you like to teach the class today?

Amy Jo, wondering why in the world her teacher is talking like this and asking such an odd question scrunches up her face and backs up.

AMY JO
Mrs. Hunter, why are you talking like that?

ELLEN
(whispering to Amy Jo) I have laryngitis and can’t talk very well. I need someone to teach the class today. Would you like to do this?

AMY JO
Amy Jo jumping up and down excitedly…Yes, I would!

ELLEN
Ok. Then you need to tell them that I can't talk today so you will be doing it for me!

Ringing the classroom bell, the children begin to take their seats and settle down. Amy Jo starts speaking to them…

AMY JO
(Excitedly, from the front of the room) Class, Mrs. Hunter can’t talk to you today so I am going to do it for her!

Fast forward to present day.  This is part of what inspired me to become a teacher. I knew in 4th grade that I loved teaching children. I knew I wanted to go into the field of teaching from that day on…Ellen was really my first mentor. Not only because she wanted me to teach that day, but because I can still remember how she taught. We learned how to use study guides to learn our curriculum content. We also learned how to journal, spell and read chapter books and novels. I can still hear her voice reading books like Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Otherwise Known as Sheilah the Great by Judy Bloom…just how she used to say “Pee-tah” and all…it was cute!

I ended up keeping in touch with her as I went through school and babysat her kids (Ryan and Tracy) and I just basically adored her every move. When I was a senior in high school, I invited her to my National Honor Society Induction Banquet and she actually came! I still have the beautiful engraved necklace she bought me as a gift that night. I will never forget her…we have even exchanged Christmas cards as adults, although it’s been quite a few years since we last exchanged.
This post has inspired me to look up her address again and send her a thank you card as we near Teacher Appreciation Week in May!

Thanks for your inspiration Stacey! This was a fun review of my walk down Memory Lane…

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Belly up to the Slice of Life Buffet

Slice 30 of 31

Here it is! A review of my trip to this wonderful smorgasbord called
The Slice of Life Buffet! This all began with a little blurb from Choice Literacy about this thing called "The Slice of Life Challenge". This is one fantastic place to visit as you will always remember and want to return to often...

Let me tell you all about this extensive buffet...
You can belly up to the buffet and click on over to a plethora of blogs just oooozzing with any kind of slice you desire!

First, the buffet is peppered with sensational seasonings! The two writing teachers, our outstanding head chefs, always start you off with some positive sprinklings of encouragement or inspiration...
special quotes or other books that are just the right fit for your dining needs, setting the tone for the ultimate dining experience.

Next, we have our daily slice...you can graze on these for hours on end. The chefs who cook there have created sensational original recipes! You're welcome to fill your plate as many times as you like. If you feel up to it, you are also welcome to leave comment cards on the flavor of the slices you have tried! As a matter of fact, you are even encouraged to become a chef yourself when you try your hand at adding your own slice!

And finally just for added interest, the head chefs also cook-up some occasional contests to add a little more flavor to what is already on the slice buffet!

I have returned regularly to refill my plate each day during this month! I can't get enough of this place! The slices are so full of juicy goodness that even the most boring of palets begin to savor the flavor!

Sadly though, the buffet will soon be closing for a reconstruction phase...but I heard a rumor that it will re-open on Tuesdays for a return visit if you're in the mood to fill your plate with a slice or two!

You won't regret participating in the one of the best culinary experiences of your life! Make a trip to the Slice of Life Buffet!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Important Slice

Slice 29 of 31 (almost done)

The Important Slice about the Slice of Life Challenge

(copy change based on the book, The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown)

The important thing about slicing is
That you are inspired to write! It’s good for you!
Slices make you think, feel and reflect on different things.
They can affect you personally.
But the important thing is that you write inspirationally every day.

The important thing about a slice is
That they can have deeply-rooted personal connections.
They are from the heart, genuine-not contrived.
The audience of readers appreciate how you set the scene of your slice
But the important thing about the slice is that it is personal.

The important thing about slicing is the community coming together.
You slice with a community of writers, thinkers and learners.
You offer supportive comments whenever possible, push for clarity if needed,
you ask more questions, you wonder!
You take a genuine interest in the stories of your fellow writers.
But the important thing is you’re with the writing community.

The important thing about slices is that they come from all sorts of places.
Whether you’re writing about the weather, soup, book spines, fears, phoetree, library trips,
Buddy Love, worms, books with personality, flowers
sand days, cleaning ladies, cigar box treasures or cars,
you’re writing from what you know.
But the important thing is that these stories
come from many different places.

The important thing about slicing is that you are inspired to write everyday
Some notes, a list, a story and even a word or two,
can be what you write because
The important thing is,
it’s good for you!!

This is dedicated to all of slicers who’ve participated in the SOLC this year. Congratulations on your accomplishments as you’ve written everyday…I have learned so much and am so grateful for this opportunity!
Amy

Wild ponies...

Slice 28 of 31


















Wild Ponies, Wild Ponies (based on Brown Bear, Brown Bear)

And the wild ponies on Assateague Island ask...
Boaters, boaters, what do you see?
We see the bright bay glistening near thee.
Bright bay, bright bay what do you see?
I see the sunlight reflecting off of me.
Mr. Sun, Mr. Sun, what do you see? 
I see tall green grass on the island under me.
Blades of grass, blades of grass, what do you see?
We see the ocean washing up near thee
Ocean waves, ocean waves, what do you see?
We see wild ponies roaming so free
Wild Ponies, wild ponies, what will you see?
We see boaters, the bay, bright sun, tall green grass, ocean waves 
and more ponies, that's what we see!



Genre Reformulation...
A tool used to take content and re-formulate the content language into a familiar pattern from a well known book...I just recently learned about it so I thought I would try it while thinking about the wild ponies that I saw for the first time last year on Assateague Island...