I Just Kept Smiling

Like this idea? Head over to Ruth's blog and read some more. Better yet, share your own celebrations there, or on Facebook or tweet it out using the hashtag #celebrationlu  No matter what, celebrate what you do!

Monday, 7:45am I am met at the door by a student. 
She just finished reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver. Now she wants to know if Alex dies at the end of the book. I just smiled.

"You'll have to read the next book to find out."
"Mrs. Day...." in that whiny voice only teenage girls can have.

Every time I saw her, she begged for the answer. I just kept smiling. She googled a summary of Pandemonium to see if she could find her answer. No luck. I just kept smiling.

She came to class 7th hour.

"Where's that book?"

I point to where it's at and she goes over to get it.

"I'm going to read the last pages and see!"

She flips through the book, looking for her answer. She doesn't find it.

"I'm just going to read the whole thing tonight to find out."

"What if the second book doesn't tell you either?"

"Mrs. Day!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wednesday, after our 10 minute reading time:

"Mrs. Day! Are you kidding me about the end of this book?"
I just smiled.

Freshmen boys aren't my biggest group of enthusiastic readers. Some will play lots of games to make me think they are reading, but they fake read a lot.

But this boy, this one, he found a book he loved. Gym Candy by Carl Deuker  This is a no fail book for my high school boys. I've never had one not like it. They like all his other books too, but this is the gateway book.

And now that this one read the book, it will find it's way into more hands. And more boys will say, "Are you kidding me about the end of this book?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All week.
The bi-quarterly meeting of PA (Procrastinators Anonymous) meets bi-quarterly in our high school The large group meetings take place in Roomie's classroom. The Retake Queen, as I like to think of her, allows students to reassess their learning constantly. If they don't score well enough on an assessment, they can retake it. There are procedures to follow, but they can bring up their grade. And that is a wonderful thing.

And we don't believe in zeroes. What do those show? Nothing. Zeroes are easy. But for us, zeroes are a placeholder until you get the work done. So, we are always on kids to get the work made up. Don't let those zeroes stand in the way of showing what you've learned.

It does, however, make for an interesting week right before midterms or the end of the quarter. The smell of panic is in the air. Early mornings, prep periods, class periods, after school.
The Procrastinators arrive. Anxious. Knowing they waited too long. Hoping for the best.

And we just smile.

Time to CELEBRATE

JOY. My One Little Word for 2013. 

"Nothing without JOY". 

I have focused this year on finding the little bits of joy that often times go unnoticed and unappreciated. I found that the more I focused on the things that bring me JOY, the less I focused on the negativity. Not that I don't have negative moments, or have negative people in my life, I just choose not to focus on them. So, happily, I join in Ruth's CELEBRATE this week (and thanks for the shout out, Ruth). 

This is the front of our high school. Isn't it amazing? These are window shades. From the outside you see this great CELEBRATION of our high school and our amazing students. From the inside, you see nothing. These shades block the sun and glare that come in the windows. 

Drama class. Exercise ball has been a hit with kids

Creative Writing: All students like to use the rocking chair when writing

Creative Writing

The way we read...

Comfy places for kids to work.  Do they sometimes get off track. Yup. Do they sometimes mess around? Yup. But all in all, giving students places to work that are comfortable and easy going has been the best thing I have done in my classroom. There's also a bench, lots of pillows and a rug. Students know that they can sit where they want as long as they work. If there are too many off-task behaviors, they get grounded. No one wants to be grounded!

Helping a student plan out a personal narrative

The best part of these comfy places--support from both my principal and my superintendent. There are many new types of desks and chairs coming to our building because they know that desks in straight rows are not always the best way to learn and collaborate in the 21st century.

Well, that's it for this week. See you all next Saturday for a CELEBRATION of our week!

To My Kindred Spirits

This blog post is the result of several conversations I've had on Twitter the last three days (#iaedchat, #flipclass and #tlap started them all) and a surprise gift in the mail yesterday. All of these events made me realized how lucky I am to have surrounded myself with some of the best minds in education.

Join many wonderful teachers of writers at
TwoWritingTeachers
every Tuesday for more Slice of Life posts

It wasn't that long ago that I felt like a cheesy sit-com teacher because I always tried to see the best in my students, I wanted the best for my students, and I gave my best to my students. Aside from a few like minded teachers,  real life didn't seem that way. I wondered if I cared too much. It was hard work to stay positive and do what I knew in my heart was best for my kids.

And then, I met all of you--my blogging buddies and Twitter tweeps.

My PLN--another "cheesy" term, according to some. Made me an "overachiever" to others (and why is that a bad thing?).

But

The more I listen, the more I learn, the more I engage,
the more I see that the "real teachers" are just like me.

You see the best in your students.
You want the best for your students.
You give the best to your students.
You are cheesy and gushy over how much you love your job and your kids.

You give virtual high fives to celebrate and  hugs when they are needed.
You share your hopes and fears and yes, even lesson plans.
You understand the struggles because you are going through them too.
You cheer at the successes because who doesn't need a standing ovation once in awhile.

So, to all of you, a simple thank-you. The conversations I experience on a daily basis are the things that inspire me to improve. My life is so much richer because of all of you--my kindred spirits.

It All Started With Fresh Peaches...

Join in the fun at Two Writing Teachers!

Sundays at the lake....
laid back,
no-rules,
restful.
Often, Sundays are pajama days.

But sometimes, impromptu get togethers happen...

Chloe jumped up, gave a couple of barks and wagged her butt (really. When she's really happy to see someone, her whole butt wags) and from behind the tree came our neighbor, Sam, carrying two big cantaloupes.

"I was out toolin' around with Coach. Found these at Pioneer Beach. They had peaches and corn too."

Peaches. Fresh Peaches. My husband's favorite.

"I may have to check those out," he things aloud.

We eat lunch. He disappears for a bit. When he comes back...

"Coach says those peaches are great. Really juicy. I think I'm going to go and get some. Want to come along?"

What the heck! I grab my purse and off we go.

But first I had to stop and tell a friend I wouldn't be down to her place for awhile.

We find her and others playing ladder golf and lazing around in the shade.

"We're going to buy peaches," we answer their unasked question. "Sam says there are some at Pioneer Beach. Wanna go along?" Kris loves peaches as much as Greg.
"Sure," she says.

"Bring me six," says Robin.

We wait for Kris to grab her purse, when I hear Robin, "Wait! I'm coming too."

The smell of peaches fill the air as we walk into the store. Heaven. And, as they begin to sort through the peaches, the talk about supper begins and it's decided that it's silly for all of to cook separately. And, oh, wouldn't these peaches go great with ice cream and, oh!

Sangria! (Here's the link for the recipe and the blog. While you check out the recipe, you should check the blog too. I love this one!)

And so plans and Sangria and peaches are readied for a night of friendship and fun. We talk, we eat, we watch sunset.

"I think this was my favorite day ever at the lake," Greg tells me as we get ready for bed.

Sundays at the lake....
laid back,
no-rules,
restful.
Time for friends

Little Bits of JOY

Last week was a tough one in our community. So it's been important for me to find my JOY in the last few days. I need the reminder that life is good.





1. Amidst the tears, there was laughter. Nothing made me feel better than hearing a group of students laughing and crying while sharing memories of friend. I know they were devastated, but it was good to hear them laugh. There was also laughter after school with the little giggles of a colleagues young sons, untouched by the tragedy in the high school. Happy giggles rang out from her room one afternoon after school and it just made me smile.

2. I love my husband for many reasons, but last week it was for his understanding and compassion. From the time the phone call came on Sunday afternoon, he made sure I was OK, whether it was a hug, a shared tear or taking me out to dinner one night, he made sure I was handling the situation.

3. Personal Day. I had requested the day off a couple of weeks ago so that we could open the cabin. I was beginning to wonder if it was worth taking it off. Our cabin is three hours away in they have had A LOT of snow in APRIL. Including last Monday. But the week warmed up and off we went. It was a gorgeous weekend. That itself was worthy of JOY.

4. Once we unloaded the car, I actually took off and went to the local high school. My school and the one in the town where our cabin is at are working on some collaborative projects (and believe it or not, I didn't have anything to do with it). I emailed the teacher I am working with and asked if I could visit her classroom for the afternoon (thanks again Christy for getting me thinking about this.) It was a great afternoon observing someone else and we've made some plans for next school year.

5. Grandkids came to stay Friday night. I received lots of love and hugs from them all weekend. Plus giggles were all around me.

The oldest two decided it must be time to swim, so they of course had to try it. Yes, it was cold, but they are kids after my heart. I did the same thing when I was little. How else do you learn when the lake is too cold?




We did a little golfing, threw a whole lot of rocks in the lake, cuddled, told stories, read books, sang silly songs, visited with friends, played with Chloe and Bella, grilled hot dogs, and fell asleep exhausted each night.

It was a wonderful weekend.

#2 of 31 Of Tiny Tim and Root Beer Bears

It's March! And not too late to join the
Slice of Life Challenge at Two Writing Teachers

It's one of my favorite weeks of the semester. Demonstration speech week. My kids must choose an activity that they love to do and show the rest of us how to do it.  I learn a lot during this time. In the past I have learned:

• to change tires (never have had to do it, but I think I could if forced)
• throw a perfect spiral (if the NFL ever calls, I am ready)
• saddle a horse
• fish braid my hair (if it was long enough)  
• dig fence post holes (a life skill in this rural area) 
• the proper techniques for LOTS of sports  (I doubt I'll ever have to run the high hurdles or throw a dicus, but I'm ready if called)
• how to fold a wide variety of origami objects
• tips for wrapping presents
• great scrapbook pages
• tied blankets
• diapering babies (I don't think anyone loves this, but it has been done several times)

Thursday and Friday were rehearsal days. I'm exhausted after these days because I have kids EVERYWHERE in the building--the wrestling room, the auditorium, hallways and empty classrooms. I'm always running around the building. In the fall, I'm often outside too.

Anyway

It's winter in Iowa. And sometimes, we take rehearsals to the streets, as they say. So when one of my students was practicing with his partner on the proper way to put on the A&W bear costume

It takes a village to get the bear costume ready

Final touches

Well, we decided to brighten a winter day in the high school with a little walk around the building. Kids and teachers came out of classrooms to see what was going on. There were a lot of sad faces when they realized he wasn't handing out root beer floats!

My Friday started off with a student treating me and the hallway to a song while he played his ukelele

He gathered quite a crowd and made 50 cents in the process. Later in the day, we took his show on the road too. He sang and danced his way around The Fountain's Spanish class! Here's a little taste of his campy "TipToe Through the Tulips" ala Tiny Tim (he really does sing better than this. But it will bring a smile to your face)

And how was your week?

Little Bits of Joy

I wasn't going to write today. Grades are due tomorrow. I've got lots to do. But two little moments happened today that I just have to share (and they make events of yesterday much less meaningful).

I went back to school this week invigorated after spending most of break participating in the Facebook/Twitter discussion of Penny Kittle's Book Love. I have spent two days talking books. We figured our reading rates, set our goals, made a plan.  We talked about the importance of reading and the amount of reading they will need to do in college. It helped in one class when the guidance counselor showed up at my door and backed up everything I was saying. I told students they needed a book picked out for next Monday. That's when we will officially start. I gave students time to find books or read.

A quiet, at-risk student came up to me as he was leaving and said, "Mrs. Day, would you pick out a book for me. I don't know what to read and you pick awesome ones."

My heart melted just a little bit.

I have several picked out for him that he can choose from tomorrow.

FYI, I gave him "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" last semester. He read it in a week.

The second bit of joy today happened in one of my speech classes as students were giving their introduction speeches.

A quiet, "A" student stood in front of the room, pulling items from her bag as she talked about herself.
"Like lots of you, I hate to read. Except for books Mrs. Day picks out for me. Those are awesome."

I gave her "Looking for Alaska" last semester. She fell in love with John Green. She wanted to know if he wrote anything else. He'll keep her busy for awhile....

Little reminders to myself:
Joy comes in small, quiet ways.
And we teach students, not classes.
One student at a time....

Nothing Without Joy

I sit in the midst of my crazy family looking at the remains of 2012 and our Christmas celebration. Even though we've been picking up all day, there is always a hidden bow or scrap of wrapping paper peeking out from a corner or from under the couch. Boxes that once held Christmas magic are now forlorn, laying in a pile waiting for recycling.  We're watching bowl games, kids are running and screaming, dogs are playing and barking.

It's a joyful noise.

We are a family that enjoys being together.

And even though there have been struggles this year, even though things aren't always perfect, even though life is hard at times, there is still joy in our lives.

It's in the smile in our faces as we glimpse the youngest two standing at the window watching the dogs race with joy through the snow in the backyard. They babble in babyspeak at each other and giggle at the dogs.

It rings out in the laughter of the grandkids. In happy smiles and cuddles in the morning and random I love you's throughout the day.

It shouts to us as we ring in 2013, 4 generations enjoying time together, laughing, sharing stories and toasting those no longer with us.

Joy.

At some point in Book Love, Penny Kittle says, "Nothing without joy."  Those words stayed in my head and my heart.

Nothing without joy.

My One Little Word for 2013: Joy

Look for joy. Live with joy. Love with joy.

Happy New Year!