Slice Number One - My Fourth SOLC - Plus Celebrating!

FOR FUTURE CREATING: Try this link from Brainpickings: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2014/02/28/creative-block-krysa/

           Three years ago I published my first post, entering the Slice of Life Community for the first time. Today I am starting the challenge again hosted by the blog, TwoWritingTeachers, who have now become six writing teachers: Stacey Shubitz, Tara Smith, Betsy Hubbard, Anna Gratz  Cockerille, Dana Murphy and Elizabeth Moore , and cross-posting because it’s time for Saturday Celebration with those who share with Ruth Ayres.

FYI - For the Classroom Challenge: If your last name begins with A-M, contact me, Linda Baie: LindaB414[at]gmail[dot]com  If your last name begins with N-Z, contact Margaret Simon: margaretsmn[at]gmail[dot]com or her school email masimon[at]iberia[dot]k12[dot]la[dot]us   She blogs at Reflection On The Teche. Please do ask any questions that arise. We are happy to help you, again and again if needed!

           To start the challenge, and to combine it with celebration, here are some thoughts from the past, present and future.  

Past:  At work this week, just returning from a winter break, I’m celebrating that I taught a lesson about self-discovery for an early adolescent class, about researching one’s name. I posted here about it and will return to that class next Monday to see what they’ve found so far.  The end goal is a spoken word presentation.  It was such fun to be with the ages (middle-school mixed) I used to teach, and I’m looking forward to more.  I also met with a book group twice, met with colleagues, and led the core staff (the classroom teachers) in a discussion of formative assessment. Friday afternoon as many of the classrooms that could joined in the NCTE/Black Caucus-sponsored African-American Read–In where we read pieces from African-American writers all afternoon.  It was a full, busy, and rewarding week.

       Personally, my writers group met, re-connected to each other’s particular style, worked to give helpful response to everyone. One additionally good thing is that another staff member has joined us. Those evenings are always a boost.

       And, I’m celebrating that I’ve written a poem nearly every day all month for another blogger’s birthday month challenge, Laura Shovan, who blogs at AuthorAmok. Her challenge was to take the Pantone colors and post a few each day and those of us who were writing chose one color or more, to write about.  It was not an easy task to find some way to connect with either the color or the color’s name and then write.  There are a few days left.

Present: I’m loving a Saturday morning at home today, with a cold drizzly morning outside, I’m happy to be inside, writing and keeping warm.

Future:  My mother was an artist, and at one time, we gave her a loom for her birthday, thinking she might like to try this new media.  She did not, so I brought it out yesterday, have the instructions so I can assemble it.  My need to do something different has been a nagging one, so I’m going to try this. I have lots of beautifully colored and different textured yarn, and plan to mess about with this during the weekend.

I hope everyone enjoys this month of slicing and celebrating!

photo credit: dennis-sbirenda via photopin cc