Longing to Write

I love to write. So much so that I have carved writing days into my weekly schedule. Yet because of an especially busy time, I haven’t been able to take these days to write over the last few weeks.

Yesterday I attended an author’s event. Hearing the author read from his book and speak about the process, made me long for my dedicated writing time even more. That novel that I’ve got started hasn’t had my attention for a while… neither has my book for parents… not to mention the third teacher resource idea that I’ve got percolating.

It feels good to get back at it. The longer I go without writing, the harder it can sometimes be to re-engage.

What about for our students? Do we carve regular writing time into the school day? Do we make writing a given? A way of thinking? After all, the more we do it, the more natural it is.

Perspective and Prayers

This week, an elementary class in our district lost their teacher. Her unexpected death came as a shock to all. Although my to-do list seems never-ending and the hours in the day limited, I must keep perspective. My woes are inconsequential.

Today, I pray for her students who are dealing with a range of emotions they have likely never felt before. I pray for her colleagues as they come to grips with the reality of the situation. Most of all, I pray for this teacher’s family who have abruptly lost their daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece.

I am comforted by the words of Thomas Campbell: “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Rest in peace Colleen.

 

 

52 Books

I have accepted a challenge to read 52 books this year. (The picture books I read to students day in and day out don’t count!) 52 novels, biographies, nonfiction texts or memoirs. Ambitious? I think so given my schedule but I’m happy for the challenge.

Even in these first few weeks of the year, I’ve changed my reading habits. I have always read at bedtime but I find myself carving out more weekend time for reading: time I might choose to spend otherwise. I’ve also started bringing a book with me wherever I go. I read a few pages here and there while I’m waiting for appointments or a meeting to begin. In fact, the other day I was reading Hillbilly Elegy as I waited for the chiropractor. (When he walked in the treatment room he commented that I was the first one that day not on my phone.) I am also trying to keep two books on the go: books of different genres that I can choose between depending on mood.

I’m keeping track of my reading progress on Goodreads.com. Join me if you wish!

“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” JK Rowling

“Break? What break?”

A few days into last week I wished someone a “Happy New Year” and asked how the break was. “Break? What break?” Isn’t it amazing how quickly we fall back into the routine of school? Christmas, holiday visitors, New Year’s, and holiday indulgences suddenly feel a distant memory. There’s no easing back into work as an educator. Once we’re back, we’re back!

  • “Teacher! She’s bothering me.”
  • “You know what happened this Christmas?”
  • “But he did it first – “
  • “Please excuse the interruption… the temperature is currently -20 degrees. It will be an indoor recess.”

Yes, once we’re back, we’re back. Fortunately, along with the demands come the hugs – especially in elementary. Some of our students might even say, “I missed you over the break.” And you know what, they really did.

Gotta love teaching!

Purpose Beyond Oneself

Over the last week, I found an unexpected parallel. I read Becoming by Michelle Obama and I watched Won’t You Be My Neighbor? – the documentary about the life of Fred Rogers. You may not think they have much in common. And yet, I drew many parallels between Barack Obama and Fred Rogers.

When I read Michelle Obama’s words about her husband, she speaks of a man with vision, a man who thinks beyond himself simply as a course of being. She describes the first time she witnessed this quality in Barack. He challenged a room full of people by saying “Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?” His words are not simply words: they are indicative of his daily actions and interactions. His call to action is one he responds to each and every day.

When watching Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, I saw the same quality in Fred Rogers. He was a man who chose to do something not for his own advancement, monetarily or otherwise, but because he, too, had vision. He, too, wanted to do something beyond himself: in his case, with children.

As we begin this new year, I find myself asking:

  • What is my purpose beyond myself?
  • Do I go about my days for a pay cheque or because I am called to make a difference in the lives of educators and children? 
  • Do I work for my own good or to make this world a better place?
  • Do I believe in my own potential to make a difference?

This year I will strive to respond to Barack Obama’s call to action. I will not settle for the world as it is; I will strive to work for the world as it should be.

Family

I spent much of last week surrounded by extended family. I now know that our close relationships are not as common as I once thought. Growing up, I believed families like my own were the norm. I was often surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Many of my cousins are as close as siblings.

I don’t want to suggest that we all get along all of the time. There are certainly moments of hurt, anger or disappointment. Ultimately though, we support each other in times of celebration and rally around each other in times of need. We love each other despite our flaws and stumblings.

One of the reasons I appreciate teaching elementary school as much as I do is the opportunity to develop intimate classroom families. By spending ten months of the year together, day in and day out, we develop relationships with our students and they with each other. We read and learn together; we problem solve and compromise; we celebrate the highs and comfort through the lows; we laugh together and cry together. 

Families come in many forms. Home. Work. Church. School. The events of the last few weeks have reminded me to enjoy each moment with our families. We just don’t know what lies ahead.

“Bollocks”

Our week was not as expected.

My dear uncle, perhaps the smartest man I knew, suffered a stroke. When I saw him last he wasn’t the witty Uncle Pat I knew. He wasn’t leaning in to share a dry remark. He wasn’t curling or sitting watching sports or supervising the rest of us playing cards or Scrabble. There was no Guinness in hand.

Although not his usual self, one thing remained the same: he was surrounded by those who love him. This husband. Father. Grandfather. Uncle. Brother. Brother-in-law. Teacher. Friend. Sports fanatic. Trivia master. Food connoisseur. Wordsmith.

He took his last breath on Saturday. One of his last audible words earlier in the week after he was told he had suffered a stroke: “bollocks.” Fitting if you knew my Irish uncle.

Rest in peace Patrick. You will be missed.

A Season to Read and Write

This weekend December arrived and along with it some snow. A lot of snow, actually! We also put up our Christmas tree and decorated the house.

At this time of year in the classroom, I love to capitalize on the excitement of the season.

  • It’s time to introduce transformation stories using How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss and The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado. After exploring these books, students can write their own transformation stories.
  • It’s time to share Christmas poetry such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore.
  • It’s also time to have students write recipes. Find a picture of a non-bake Christmas treat; students have to list the ingredients and write the steps to create the treat!

Happy reading… happy writing!

A pig, a spider, a rat, some geese and some sheep…

  • “People believe almost anything they see in print.” p.89
  • “You have been my friend … That in itself is a tremendous thing.” p.164

Recognize these lines? They were spoken by Charlotte. Yes, Charlotte, the spider.

I reread Charlotte’s Web this weekend. I have been referring to it a lot with students because of Melissa Sweet’s wonderful biography of E.B. White. Since it’s been a few years, I thought I’d reread the novel. How is it that we learn about friendship and loyalty, promises and devotion, an appreciation for life and an acceptance of death, from a barn full of animals?

  • “By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.” p. 164
  • “It was the best place to be, thought Wilbur, this warm delicious cellar, with the garrulous geese, the changing seasons, the heat of the sun, the passage of swallows, the nearness of rats, the sameness of sheep, the love of spiders, the smell of manure, and the glory of everything.” p. 183
  • “… he realized that friendship is one of the most satisfying things in the world.” p. 115

How very true.

Be Your Best Self

Michelle Obama has written a book. Because of its recent publication, I’ve seen her interviewed a lot this week. I laughed along with her and Ellen, and again with Jimmy Fallon. I was nearly moved to tears a few times during the 20/20 interview with Robin Roberts.

What I’ve come to realize is that the people I admire most are those who inspire me to be my best self. When I listen to Michelle Obama speak, I feel both motivated and hopeful. My dad made me feel this way, too. My mom still does.

I had teachers, too, who inspired me to be the best version of me. Mr. Jason, Mr. Wowk and Mr. Forest immediately come to mind, but I was fortunate, there were many others, too.

We spend considerable time with our students over the course of a year. Do we inspire them to be their best selves?

“Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do.” Author Unknown