Ahhhh, it feels good to be back.....
This week, I am celebrating
1. Family. We arrived back on the mainland on January 1. Our boys came for our family Christmas the night of the 3rd and stayed the weekend. I worked the 3rd. Good thing the Aloha spirit was with me. It got me through worrying about everything being perfect when they arrived. I put at the forefront that it was most important we were together and enjoying each other. On Saturday we had a Hawaiian Luau dinner: Kalua pork, Hawaiian baked beans, Mai Tais, but my potato salad, because some traditions can't be changed! We played games, enjoyed the kids and each other, and ate well!
2. Being back at school. I missed my kids. Plain and simple. I couldn't wait and get back to see them and find out about their break. Some had tweeted me over break, but not nearly enough. And some of them needed to get back too. Gotta love this tweet:
3. Short Weeks: I know this sounds contradictory, but I was sooooo thankful for a "cold" day on Monday and a late start on Tuesday. As much as I missed my kids, I needed Monday to get things cleaned up from the weekend and to just sit! By Friday, I was out of steam, but Mother Nature helped me out and sent some freezing rain. Not a lot, just enough for a two hour early out. I didn't waste that time. I went home and finished writing up my plans for my new class--
4. Creative Writing 2! It started with one senior boy who needed another class in his schedule but found nothing he was interested in. "Wish you had another Creative Writing class, Mrs. Day." I have done Creative Writing 2 as an independent study before, so I thought, "Why not?" . And then I got the idea that the whole course could be an multi-genre project. I jotted down ideas, expectations, etc and then---invited more kids to join it. Now there are five. All self-motivated writers. I can't wait to begin. This week they created their online portfolio and will be ready to start writing next week. I hope to share some of their writing as we move through the semester, so keep an eye out for them!
5. Hawaii. I know I haven't shared much about our trip yet. I just can't seem to find the words. I've wrapped this vacation experience life changing event (see, I don't even know what to call it)--I've wrapped it around me like a cocoon and am trying to keep living it. I'm sure the stories will come. It's just taking me a while to process.
In the meantime,
I love how you flexibly worked to creative an inspiring, self-study class for your motivated writers. Those are lucky kids.
ReplyDeleteLike Sarah, I love the idea of your creating a new class for these writers, too, Deb. What a nice thing for them, & I imagine you'll enjoy it too! So happy that this trip was fabulous. Hope you'll tell more someday. And Happy New Year if I haven't said it already!
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated by your class you created. That makes teaching high school very appealing to me. So cool! Glad the aloha spirit is still with you!
ReplyDeleteTo have a whole class full of self-motivated writers...even if it is only five...would be so wonderful! Can't wait to hear your Hawaii stories.
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you got the inspiration and created the new class. Have fun. I remember how much you were looking forward to your trip, I am so glad that it was what you expected and beyond.
ReplyDeleteAgain and again and again, I wish my boys had had an English teacher like you, who had great books that kids read over vacation! Sigh! Can't wait to hear more about your Hawaii trip! Sounds like it was a really wonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteI can feel the energy in your classroom I this post. I can feel the comfort of time with family. You are living your one little word. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteI'M GLAD YOU'RE BACK! Chloe is missed too. ;) Your energy and passion are alive and I can't wait to hear more -- about everything! Your recipes and books and classes and writing and Aloha stories.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Ruth