One Little Word 2020 Edition

One Little Word has been in my life since 2012. I like the idea of using one word to focus on during the coming year. I've also found they stay in my life much longer than that. So this year, I wasn't really looking to choose a new word. I was content to live with the old ones. After all, they were good words.

I forgot that the word chooses me--like MAGIC.

We vacationed in Florida in early December with our youngest son and his family. As we played in the ocean or walked through Animal Kingdom, Greg and I commented many times how MAGICal it was to view all this through the eyes of the grandkids.

Everything was new.

• First time on a plane 
• First time in the ocean,
• First time at Disney parks. 
• One became a princess
• One overcame fears
• One ate alligator for the first time

We saw old things in a new way. And as one grandson said, I had more fun than I've had in a really long time.

And then, I went to Hogwarts.

And I really saw things in a MAGICal way. There was something to discover around every bend. And you really had to pay attention. All of us were caught up in the MAGIC.

At home, looking through the pictures of the week, I realized how much fun we had and how much of that was determined by seeing things through the eyes of the grandkids. For them, everything was MAGIC.

And there is was. My word. I'd been living with it for a couple of weeks and didn't know it!

MAGIC

Of course, the Pinterest board started and the quotes were pinned. A Roald Dahl is my current favorite:

So, here's to a year of living with MAGIC.  

{solsc} 4/31 #sol19 Notice and Note

Look at this. One day of subbing. Three slices. Who says I don't have anything to write about?

"I just finished reading this on Saturday. Changed all my plans on Sunday. And taught my first lesson on Monday. Do you know this book?"

Know it? I bought it as soon as it came out. Used it with several groups. 

" Well, yes. I had it and left it with all my other professional stuff."

"You did?"  

She turns around and looks at the shelf. Sure enough. There's my copy, sitting right behind her this whole time, post-it notes and all.

"I also had the student workbook."

"You did???" Turns around to look. Sure enough. There it is.

"Well. Alicia can have yours since she wanted to borrow it. But I'm keeping the workbook."

Notice. And Note.

{solsc} 3/31 . #sol19 Homework

I finished up subbing on Friday and told Roomie (a friend whom I shared a room with for a few years) that I needed to head to the library for a new book.

"I have a few in here, you know."

I do know. One of the things Roomie and I share is a love of books. Books of all kinds and most of them ended up in our classroom library. I kept the library when she moved out and taught Spanish for a few years. She has it now that she's back teaching English and I retired.

I haven't read much YA since I retired and thought, "Why not?" She's pulling new books out and then sees one in a basket.

"Here. Try these. They're historical fiction that use primary sources throughout the story. Takes place in the 60's. Let me know if the story itself is good!"

I take them and put them in my bag.

Homework.  I like it.

{solsc} 2/31 #sol19 What's a Retired Teacher Do?

I retired from teaching in May of 2017. I wasn't really ready to give it up. Close, but I thought I had a couple more years in me. But a healthy early retirement package gave me the incentive to go.

So what does a retired English teacher do? She subs, of course. I told our high school secretary I'd be up for a couple of days a week. No PE, but I'd give everything else a try. And, boy, have I tried them all.

• Ag
• Manufacturing
• Math (AP Calc, Geometry, Algebra, Consumer Econ)
• Science  (Chemistry, Physics, Human Anatomy)
• English (Yeah!)

The best thing about subbing? Everyone is happy to see me.  

• Kids cheer and ask who I'm there for. Yes. I know. Kids always are happy to see a sub. They consider it a day off. 
• Teachers are happy when they know I'm coming to their room. I'm not so far removed from the high school classroom and can handle any surprises. 
• Administration thanks me for coming in every time. Student behaviors are handled in the classroom, for the most part.
• Even our smiley custodian makes sure I get a cookie on the days he bakes.

It's kind of like being a rock star.

I've taken on two long term subbing positions. Last May was an emergency situation in my old position. This year I subbed in Special Ed for a friend while she was on maternity leave. I loved it. Although, parts of it were tough, being back daily was fun. 

Part of that fun, though. was knowing I was done in December :)

{solsc} 1/31 I Am Not Writing This Year

I am not writing this year.

I haven't really written in months and it's been freeing. No worrying about filling in my notebook. No feeling guilty about not blogging or checking in with Teach Write.

And, I had decided not to write in the challenge this year, even though I've been participating since 2011. I deleted the emails. Ignored the call for Welcome Wagon. Avoided the Two Writing Teachers website.


Nope. I'm not going to do it.

We're leaving for Hawaii in 12 days.
                                                   
I just won't have time.

                                                     And then I turned the calendar page.

Before I knew it, I was reading my March 1st slices. And then the March 31st slices. And then random slices. I began thinking about how I would write this post about not writing this March.


And I'm writing.

Tonight I will set up blog posts templates. I'll download the Blogger app onto my iPad. I'll make a plan.

I'm still not sure about writing in Hawaii. Maybe I won't. Maybe I'll just write until the 12th and then quit.

I just don't know.

But I'm here today. And I'm writing.