(31/31) Another March SOLSC Complete!

31 of 31 - SOLSC 2022

We made it!
For those of you who have completed your first SOLSC, congratulations and welcome to the community. You weren't quite sure what you were getting yourself into and the excitement and adrenaline got you through most of it. Yes, there were days where you weren't sure what you were going to write, but you did it! You got something down. You also joined in the community aspect, commenting and supporting other slicers. We are so glad you joined us!

To those of you who have completed your second year, you've made it through the hardest one. You knew how hard it would be going in. You also knew how great the community is and how valuable the discipline is - so you joined again, more experienced and at the same time without the rose colored glasses of a first year slicer. 

To the rest of us, I know you're here for the long haul and I love the relationships we build across the years and across the miles.

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers team. None of this would be possible without your commitment, time, and energy.

Finally, a big shout out to the Leopard 8! It has been SO much fun to have a community of slicers here in the building. I know there is a special bond that will continue and I look forward to pulling more Leopards in.

(30/31) Nappetizer

30 of 31 - SOLSC 2022

In order to go to bed I have to get ready for bed. If the bedtime routine hasn't been accomplished I can't get in bed.

There are bits of my routine that I can skip and parts that vary depending on if the next day is a school day or not. The following are non-negotiables: taking pills, brushing teeth, washing face, using neuromodulation unit, and putting on pajamas.

If I get to the point of being so tired that I can't accomplish my entire routine I am likely to lay down on a couch. Sleeping on the couch is acceptable without completing the bedtime routine.

I'm not sure if anyone else has these rules for themself. Thanks to my friend, Christy, who posted the following (I don't know who DonutHawk is), I now have a term for these couch sleeps.

There are two times in my day that I am likely to have a nappetizer. One is proceeding bedtime. Once I've had the nappetizer I then wake up, sometime in the night, get ready for bed, and then crawl into bed. The other time is a pre-dinner nappetizer, but that may have another name.

(29/31) You've Made It - Basically

29 of 31 - SOLSC 2022

For those of you who are new to the SOLSC I am here to tell you that day 29 is really exciting! "What's so exciting about day 29, Kristi?" you may be asking. Well, let me explain.

Yes, the month of March is 31 days long. What you don't realize yet is that day 31 is often a time of reflection and thanksgiving for the journey. All the places you have seen growth in yourself as a writer and appreciation for the community that embraces this challenge together are celebrated.

That means that day 30 is really the last day of coming up with an idea. We all have one idea lurking in us somewhere. (Start noticing the things around you now so that you are sure to start tomorrow with confidence!) 

So, if you can slice today you've made it - basically. 

(28/31) A Text Set on Text Sets

28 of 31 - SOLSC 2022

"Today, in preparation for our Minimum Day, we are going to explore text sets. I don't expect you to know what a text set is at this point. This is a time for inquiry. You have been sent a text set on text sets and your job right now is to take the next 12 minutes to explore. At that point we will touch base."

Now, if you have ever been in a room of teachers who are supposed to be engaged in an independent learning activity you know that they are worse than students. So I wasn't the least bit surprised when there was chatter scattered around the room where our entire teaching staff was gathered.

Two minutes later I was astounded when the room fell SILENT - and it stayed that way for the next ten minutes! Teachers were actively engaged in the text set on text sets; reading, watching videos, and taking notes.

"Get in groups of 3-4 and share what you have discovered."

The room became a buzz with conversations with all teachers engaged with their groups. Wandering around the room I clarified wonderings and asked questions within triads and quads.

"You now have another ten minutes to explore further." And a hush fell over the room again, this time with occasional whispers and pointing out something on their screen to a neighbor. 

After the time was up I asked, into the mic, "Do you think a text set would be helpful in your classroom?"

Heads nodded in affirmation with some audible "yes"es around the auditorium.

"Great because that is your task for the Minimum Day. We are giving you this gift of time. Time to create useful resources for your class. Choose one subject to start with. You may work independently or in teams. The choice is yours. The purpose of today was for you to have an understanding of what text sets can look like and start thinking about what you may want to create. This was done today rather than Wednesday so that you have the entirety of your time on Wednesday to dive into the work. Before we leave this morning, turn back to your group and share what text set you think you might start with."

P.E. teachers shared with Arabic teachers. Elementary teachers were knee to knee with their secondary colleagues. Everyone sharing how they thought they might incorporate text sets into their teaching.

As teachers headed to their classrooms to welcome students to another day of learning I was still in awe at how silent the room had been when they started their inquiry. The morning appeared to be a success, based on the engagement, conversations, and ideas that were being shared. The survey after the Minimum Day affirmed the hypothesis. 

Some of the comments are listed below.

Text sets are very handy for both a student and a teacher. It can be time consuming to prepare but totally worth it. 

This was a great opportunity to actually get meaningful work done.

Students gained additional information related to the topic discussed in the class from text sets. 

Students have more points of access to math through interesting stories, videos, articles and pictures. 

Thank you for the gift of time!

Thanks for the idea of putting it all together it makes sense that we provide an easy way of learning to student's access. 

(27/31) Riddle Me This

27 of 31 - SOLSC 2022

Today is my brother's birthday.
He is the brother who has been my brother the longest.

He is not my oldest brother.

I am an 'oldest'.

All of these statements are true.
How is it possible?

Pretty typical for a Gen X, probably. I have an older half brother (whose birthday it is today!) I have a little brother and the two of us grew up in a house together. I also have three older step brothers whom I have known since I was three as we grew up in the same church together. (They have been my brothers since I was 13.) So, as far as birth order 'stuff' goes, I am an oldest and yet I have four older brothers. Today, the youngest of those four is celebrating his day. Happy Birthday, Mark!

(26/31) Dear SB

26 of 31 - SOLSC 2022

Dear SB,

It's not you.
It's not even me.

I enjoy you very much and if I could, I wouldn't be leaving. But I am not free to make those decisions so I have to say goodbye to you. 

I am discombobulated and won't sleep well tonight. I will be concerned about the alarm going off in the morning and what comes next. I have tried to put that part of my life out of my mind while we were together.

The wonderful memories we have created will stay with me. I am thankful for a chance to get to know myself better due to time with you - thankful for the relaxation you brought to my life. The photos I snapped during our time together will sustain me in days to come, bringing a smile to my face. I look forward to our paths crossing again.

Much love,
Kristi



Edited to disclose SB's full name: Spring Break

(25/31) Foto Friday - Farewell

25 of 31 - SOLSC 2022

Farewell drinks 

And then farewell view…