#SOL16 Day 31 The Last Day of Our Slice of Life Challenge
I was sharing with my students this morning that today was the last day of the Slice of Life Challenge. A small group of them have been participating with me! We have all grown through this experience. We are better readers and better writers because of it!
At the end of our sharing time, I had an "aha moment." Why should we stop just because the challenge was about to end? So, I proposed that we do another challenge for the month of April. We have been studying poetry and so we are creating our own Poetry Challenge. I am so excited that they were willing to continue on this journey with me!! Then they asked, "So what about May? We've decided during May we will share our reading experiences!!" How cool is that?
As for me, The Tree Fairies story continues...I won't get to write or revise it tonight due to other commitments but tomorrow, I'm back on it. I woke up in the middle of the night knowing how it ends. Now, I just have to get through the middle of it. :) I am loving this!!
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
#SOL16 Day 30 The Tree Fairies, con't.
#SOL16 Day 30
The Tree Fairies, con't.
Long, long ago there was a land full of tree fairies. Although no one had ever seen one, the old folk would tell stories of magic and lights. It was said that when the moon came out each night, that one only had to make a wish and that a tree fairy would grab the wish and carry it up to the moon. One night as her family took their evening walk, Sue Ellen saw the moon and remembered her grammy telling her the story late at night. So she closed her eyes, and whispered, "I wish I could fly." No sooner had the wish left her trembling lips then she began to feel the leaves swirl beneath her feet. The winds danced around her ankles and she felt herself floating off the ground.
Sue Ellen couldn't be sure if it was the wind that carried her or something else. A faint light could be seen around her scuffed up tennis shoes. Was it just an ordinary lightning bug? The kind that she would run after and put in an old mason jar? She tried to capture the light between her hands but it swirled to and fro. This wasn't an ordinary lightning bug. Could it be a real tree fairy? The glow became brighter as it circled Sue Ellen's head.
The glow twinkled and she yearned to reach out and touch it. She lifted her arms out to her sides. But the rushing wind carried her higher. She pinched herself to see if she was really flying or only dreaming. Looking down she saw her family running after her. On the edge of a cloud she heard her momma say, "Sue Ellen, you come down here right this instant. You hear me?" She began to giggle and said, "Momma, I've got to see the Tree Fairies."
The Tree Fairies, con't.
Long, long ago there was a land full of tree fairies. Although no one had ever seen one, the old folk would tell stories of magic and lights. It was said that when the moon came out each night, that one only had to make a wish and that a tree fairy would grab the wish and carry it up to the moon. One night as her family took their evening walk, Sue Ellen saw the moon and remembered her grammy telling her the story late at night. So she closed her eyes, and whispered, "I wish I could fly." No sooner had the wish left her trembling lips then she began to feel the leaves swirl beneath her feet. The winds danced around her ankles and she felt herself floating off the ground.
Sue Ellen couldn't be sure if it was the wind that carried her or something else. A faint light could be seen around her scuffed up tennis shoes. Was it just an ordinary lightning bug? The kind that she would run after and put in an old mason jar? She tried to capture the light between her hands but it swirled to and fro. This wasn't an ordinary lightning bug. Could it be a real tree fairy? The glow became brighter as it circled Sue Ellen's head.
The glow twinkled and she yearned to reach out and touch it. She lifted her arms out to her sides. But the rushing wind carried her higher. She pinched herself to see if she was really flying or only dreaming. Looking down she saw her family running after her. On the edge of a cloud she heard her momma say, "Sue Ellen, you come down here right this instant. You hear me?" She began to giggle and said, "Momma, I've got to see the Tree Fairies."
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
#SOL16 Day 29 Continuing with yesterday's slice...
#SOL16 Day 29
Continuing with yesterday's slice...
Long, long ago there was a land full of tree fairies. Although no one had ever seen one, the old folk would tell stories of magic and lights. It was said that when the moon came out each night, that one only had to make a wish and that a tree fairy would grab the wish and carry it up to the moon. One night as her family took their evening walk, Sue Ellen saw the moon and remembered her grammy telling the story. So she closed her eyes, and thought, "I wish I could fly." No sooner had the wish left her trembling lips then she began to feel the leaves swirl beneath her feet. The winds danced around her ankles and she felt herself being pulled up off the ground.
Sue Ellen couldn't be sure if it was the wind that carried her or something else. A faint light could be seen around her scuffed up tennis shoes. Was it just an ordinary lightning bug? The kind that she would run after and put in an old mason jar? She tried to capture the light between her hands but it swirled to and fro. This wasn't an ordinary lightning bug. Could it be a real tree fairy? The glow became brighter as it circled Sue Ellen's head.
Friends,
If you read this slice, could you let me know what you think? I would love to continue this and see where the story takes me.
Thanks!!
Continuing with yesterday's slice...
Long, long ago there was a land full of tree fairies. Although no one had ever seen one, the old folk would tell stories of magic and lights. It was said that when the moon came out each night, that one only had to make a wish and that a tree fairy would grab the wish and carry it up to the moon. One night as her family took their evening walk, Sue Ellen saw the moon and remembered her grammy telling the story. So she closed her eyes, and thought, "I wish I could fly." No sooner had the wish left her trembling lips then she began to feel the leaves swirl beneath her feet. The winds danced around her ankles and she felt herself being pulled up off the ground.
Sue Ellen couldn't be sure if it was the wind that carried her or something else. A faint light could be seen around her scuffed up tennis shoes. Was it just an ordinary lightning bug? The kind that she would run after and put in an old mason jar? She tried to capture the light between her hands but it swirled to and fro. This wasn't an ordinary lightning bug. Could it be a real tree fairy? The glow became brighter as it circled Sue Ellen's head.
Friends,
If you read this slice, could you let me know what you think? I would love to continue this and see where the story takes me.
Thanks!!
Monday, March 28, 2016
#SOL16 Day 28 Tree Fairies
#SOL16 Day 28 Tree Fairies
When I was out for my walk today I saw a tree that had a magnificent knot hole. All around this knot hole were little holes that had been burrowed out. And a story was born.
Long, long ago there was a land full of tree fairies. Although no one had ever seen one, the old folk would tell stories of magic and lights. It was said that when the moon came out each night, that one only had to make a wish and that a tree fairy would grab the wish and carry it up to the moon. One night as her family took their evening walk, Sue Ellen saw the moon and remembered her grammy telling her the story. So she closed her eyes, and thought, "I wish I could fly." No sooner had the wish left her trembling lips then she began to feel the leaves swirl beneath her feet. The winds danced around her ankles and she felt herself being pulled up off the ground.
Not sure where it is going from here, but, I am enjoying this "seed" from a tree...
When I was out for my walk today I saw a tree that had a magnificent knot hole. All around this knot hole were little holes that had been burrowed out. And a story was born.
Long, long ago there was a land full of tree fairies. Although no one had ever seen one, the old folk would tell stories of magic and lights. It was said that when the moon came out each night, that one only had to make a wish and that a tree fairy would grab the wish and carry it up to the moon. One night as her family took their evening walk, Sue Ellen saw the moon and remembered her grammy telling her the story. So she closed her eyes, and thought, "I wish I could fly." No sooner had the wish left her trembling lips then she began to feel the leaves swirl beneath her feet. The winds danced around her ankles and she felt herself being pulled up off the ground.
Not sure where it is going from here, but, I am enjoying this "seed" from a tree...
Sunday, March 27, 2016
#SOL16 Day 27 Maybe That Wasn't the Lesson I Was Supposed to Learn...
#SOL16 Day 27 Maybe That Wasn't the Lesson I Was Supposed to Learn...
This morning as I was walking, trying to get in my steps before church, I was pondering on why was it so hard for me to write yesterday. I know that it happens to the best of writers. And no, I'm not putting myself in that category. But every day in class, when our students say those dreaded words, "I can't think of anything to write," I say, writing is just like talking. Everyone has something to say. Just talk to me on your paper. But it isn't always that easy is it?
So yesterday, when I hit that stumbling block, maybe the lesson wasn't what do we do when we hit our writer's block. Maybe the lesson(s) was: stop, take a look around you. Appreciate what is right in front of you. Enjoy the ordinary-ness of today. Find something simple and look for the pleasure in it. I think sometimes I can get so wrapped up in all of life's trappings and I miss out on so many little things. And isn't it really the little things, that all add up to become the big things? Maybe my lesson to learn was what do we really do to help kids when they say they have nothing to write about. Is my trivial little remark really going to help think grow as a writer? Maybe instead I should sit with them and just talk. Perhaps a spark will come out of that which will become their story. I think sometimes I just need to stop and see it through the eyes of my 8 and 9 year students. Writing can be scary. Writing can be fun! Writing can heal. Writing can cease! It is what we do in the "in between times" that makes it worthy of writing!!
As we near the end of this 31 day writing challenge, I'm glad that this lesson presented itself to me!!
This morning as I was walking, trying to get in my steps before church, I was pondering on why was it so hard for me to write yesterday. I know that it happens to the best of writers. And no, I'm not putting myself in that category. But every day in class, when our students say those dreaded words, "I can't think of anything to write," I say, writing is just like talking. Everyone has something to say. Just talk to me on your paper. But it isn't always that easy is it?
So yesterday, when I hit that stumbling block, maybe the lesson wasn't what do we do when we hit our writer's block. Maybe the lesson(s) was: stop, take a look around you. Appreciate what is right in front of you. Enjoy the ordinary-ness of today. Find something simple and look for the pleasure in it. I think sometimes I can get so wrapped up in all of life's trappings and I miss out on so many little things. And isn't it really the little things, that all add up to become the big things? Maybe my lesson to learn was what do we really do to help kids when they say they have nothing to write about. Is my trivial little remark really going to help think grow as a writer? Maybe instead I should sit with them and just talk. Perhaps a spark will come out of that which will become their story. I think sometimes I just need to stop and see it through the eyes of my 8 and 9 year students. Writing can be scary. Writing can be fun! Writing can heal. Writing can cease! It is what we do in the "in between times" that makes it worthy of writing!!
As we near the end of this 31 day writing challenge, I'm glad that this lesson presented itself to me!!
Saturday, March 26, 2016
#SOL16 Day 26 Writer's Block Has Hit Today
#SOL16 Day 26
Writer's Block Has Hit Today
I spent the entire day trying to find something to write about. I was observant during my 2 1/2 hour walk this morning. I saw a slow creek running along beside me. I saw squirrels hopping across fallen trees. I heard dogs barking and saw a lot of people walking or running ahead and behind me.
Later I joined hubby for a day of errands. I read for awhile, we talked, we ate and we went to Home Depot and bought a peach tree.
By the time we got home, I was beyond tired. So I have mindlessly watched old tv reruns and dreaded having to write today's slice. Because I still couldn't think of anything to write about. So today, it is just about the ordinary. A typical Saturday with nothing outstanding. But even in the everyday ordinariness (is that even a word?) I was at least able to put something down on paper.
Writer's Block Has Hit Today
I spent the entire day trying to find something to write about. I was observant during my 2 1/2 hour walk this morning. I saw a slow creek running along beside me. I saw squirrels hopping across fallen trees. I heard dogs barking and saw a lot of people walking or running ahead and behind me.
Later I joined hubby for a day of errands. I read for awhile, we talked, we ate and we went to Home Depot and bought a peach tree.
By the time we got home, I was beyond tired. So I have mindlessly watched old tv reruns and dreaded having to write today's slice. Because I still couldn't think of anything to write about. So today, it is just about the ordinary. A typical Saturday with nothing outstanding. But even in the everyday ordinariness (is that even a word?) I was at least able to put something down on paper.
Friday, March 25, 2016
#SOL16 Day 25 Not Quite What I Had Planned
#SOL16 Day 25 Not Quite What I Had Planned
Today I had a plan. One that I was looking forward to!! We had the day off due to not using our Bad Weather Days. I was going to drive and look for fields of bluebonnets and/or tulips. I knew I wanted to be outside and not cooped up in the house doing laundry or cleaning.
So I got up early this morning, got ready and headed out. My drive was short. It didn't lead me to fields of bluebonnets or blooming tulips. It lead me to shopping. Clothes for myself and hubby. I did get to walk outside as I was going from shop to shop and that was ok. Something about feeling the sun on my skin made me smile.
Hopefully I will get to see the bluebonnets soon. My sister suggested going to the Arboretum. I may have to put that on my to do list!
Today I had a plan. One that I was looking forward to!! We had the day off due to not using our Bad Weather Days. I was going to drive and look for fields of bluebonnets and/or tulips. I knew I wanted to be outside and not cooped up in the house doing laundry or cleaning.
So I got up early this morning, got ready and headed out. My drive was short. It didn't lead me to fields of bluebonnets or blooming tulips. It lead me to shopping. Clothes for myself and hubby. I did get to walk outside as I was going from shop to shop and that was ok. Something about feeling the sun on my skin made me smile.
Hopefully I will get to see the bluebonnets soon. My sister suggested going to the Arboretum. I may have to put that on my to do list!
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