Energized and Exhuasted (20/31)

  20 of 31 - SOLSC 2021

Spring break this year culminates with the TCRWP's Saturday Reunion. A friend messaged me after the closing session, "I’m energized and exhausted at the same time."

Yes; I am this as well. 

As I write these words I realize it applies to more than simply the end of nearly five hours of continual sessions, though that is a part of it. I will sleep on it all and tomorrow go through my notes, consolidating my thinking. I will then have a chance to process with another coach, followed by a chance for my teachers and myself to gather (virtually) and share what was sparked in us. 

The exhausted part comes from five hours of intake, five hours of thinking, five hours of information to contemplate.

The energized part will be what has me pop out of bed in the morning when the alarm goes off, ready to think about the next three months. Excited to see what nuggets may help unstick some classes or units.

I am also exhausted because 'it's been a year' and everything that the past year has and hasn't involved. Worn out from being at home and parenting. Weary from being out of the building, away from teachers and students.

And yet energized because school is out in less than three months (and there is still Eid break as well). Invigorated knowing that we have reached the summit and can look down the mountain and let gravity help us get there. There's still a bunch of learning that will happen this year. 

I'm ready.

Excitement for Next Year (26/31)

26 of 31 - SOLSC 2019

"Next year I could teach poetry before memoir and then, those that want to write their memoir as a poem will have some structures in place."

"After Spring Break I am going to take all pencils out of my room and see how it goes. I think it may be the plan for all of next year."

"With a longer block I will be able to plan for more conceptual exploration of math concepts next year. I want to try Number Talks."

I love this time of year, when the excitement for next year starts to build. It carries us through the tough days and reminds us that each year is a journey in getting better as educators. These are some of the comments teachers have shared with me just this morning! We are three days from Spring Break and instead of dragging through, punching the proverbial clock, we are watching students grow as learners before our eyes and allowing the wonder of it to propel our thoughts to what else is possible.

Seven Months Later (24/31)

24 of 31 - SOLSC 2019

Perched on the edge of a chair in the elementary office (to use the printer that will print two sided) I hear, "Good morning, Mrs. Lonheim!" I look up to see a kindergartener's beaming smile as they pass by. We each wave and continue on with our day, knowing we will see one another in the afternoon. Seven months can make a humongous difference in the life of a child, I think to myself.

Yesterday I was the speaker for a professional group called Teachers of Young Children (TOYC). I titled my presentation, "Nurturing Young Thinkers". One video we looked at was two preschoolers who, at the start of the year, were in physical altercations with one another. The video then progresses, with text across the top that reads, "7 Months Later". The students are shown working together to problem solve; communicating with words and finding a way towards inclusion.

School started seven months ago. I have seen so much growth in this particular child - socially, behaviorally, and academically. If the first seven months of school produce this much growth, I can't even imagine the journey that a lifetime of learning will take this child on.

Change Of Plans (12/31)

12 of 31 - SOLSC 2019

Mini-Lesson ready.
Teaching Point noted.
Materials in hand.
Anchor Chart planned.

"Ring", the ten minute calendar reminder dings as I dash back to my office to grab the things I need. Heading up the stairs to the Middle School, reviewing the teaching point in my mind, I think about how much I love my coaching job.

Walking through the propped open doorway I greet the hosting teacher, kids settling into their meeting spots. We stand beside the easel, each realizing the teacher we were bringing to this model lesson is absent.

"Shall we save it for tomorrow?"

She nods as I turn to the students. 

"You've just witnessed what teachers do all the time - they plan for a lesson to go a particular way and then something happens and they completely change their plan. You'll have to wonder what I am going to teach you and I'll be back a different day to share it with you." I say, smiling at the teacher, and heading back down the hallway.

Intensive PD

My bags are packed and my boarding pass is downloaded on my phone; five days of intensive learning lie before me. 

The introvert in me is taking deep breaths: all day in a conference room with who knows how many people, evenings of social engagements, sharing a hotel room with a dear friend - they will all take their toll.

The friend in me is excited. I get quality time to catch up with a friend I haven't seen since June. We get to learn together and play together as well as one-on-one time for all the life we have to catch up on - and in person is better than any way technology connects us. The bonus of getting to see other friends who I have previously worked with is an advantage of international teaching and traveling.

The learner in me is cautiously optimistic. I like what I know of this presenter from what I have read and heard. I hope that day after day I am still glad I chose to spend the time and money on this intensive, (and I do expect it to be intense). 

Deep learning takes energy and breathes new life into my professional life. I have tried to be prepared for both.

Off I go!

Report Cards

My new role as Instructional Coach has many aspects that thrill me. If I am being honest, not writing report cards is one of them. I'm not sure whose brilliant idea it was to have me oversee the process of improving and aligning report cards across the school, but it has happened. 

I loved the PD aspects; conversations, pushing thinking, collaborating, etc. This year K - 8 have taken on the challenge. The process has been a journey I am proud to be a part of. Teachers are digging in and doing the work and now the rubber hits the road as the first semester ends. With 800+ students and only a handful of native English speakers in the school I am ending up with WAY more time on report cards than I ever spent in the classroom. The irony is not lost on me.

Scene Number Unknown - Student and Teacher

Student: Are you mad at me?

Teacher: No, why?

Student: (Pause)

Teacher: Do I look made at you? (Makes a silly face)

Student: Are you disappointed with me?

Teacher: Yes.

Student: (Pause)

Teacher: Are mad and disappointed the same thing?

Student: No - disappointed is worse.

END SCENE

These Days Are ________!

These days are ________!

As a teacher, quickly nearing the end of the school year, the blank could be one of many things. "Heavenly" probably isn't your guess, yet that is exactly what I find myself exclaiming over and over. 

With a list longer than I have time to write about of things that could be weighing on me amidst the normal chaos of the end of the year, add to that our school closing and my family moving 1,000 miles to our new home - you might think I've lost it.

So why the jubilation?

It is Ramadan and in this country that means the working day must be shortened. This is not the first year I have experienced this, yet it is the first time I have ever had a school day starting for students at 10 a.m. Let me tell you, it is lovely.

It is amazing what that 90 minutes does. I am still getting up at the same time as I did before Ramadan began, but it is no longer a dash to see if all tasks can be accomplished prior to our needing to walk out the door. 

Our afternoons aren't too shabby either, often with playdates in the pool outside our villa. And, with the later start time we have been able to relax bedtime for our daughter a bit. The dominoes continue as dinner can be within a 30 minute window. 

All in all, it nearly feels like summer vacation has already started with the more relaxed pace to our family life. So, as I was saying, these days are heavenly!

Prophetic Post

28 of 31 - SOLSC 2018

The Slice of Life March Challenge is hosted by Two Writing Teachers and part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge that takes place each Tuesday throughout the year and everyday in March. It is a supportive (and awesome!) community of those trying their hand at writing and encouraging others in their writing. Join us!

This day, each year, is crazy. Spring Break starts at 3:10 this afternoon. Before that is our Science Fair. I feel like I write the exact same post each year, but looking back I find that I only write it in my mind each year. It has been six years since the thoughts running through my head made it into a slice. You can find it here. 

The biggest difference is that I'm now at a 'no homework' school, thus all of the work has been done in my classroom. The outcome is the same. Before I post again we will all have survived the day, students will feel a sense of accomplishment, parents will have been pleasantly surprised with the level of maturity and depth of work their child accomplished independently, and spring break will have sprung. So, I guess this is a prophetic slice, but years of experience tell me that it will be so.

Last Week Before Break

25 of 31 - SOLSC 2018

The Slice of Life March Challenge is hosted by Two Writing Teachers and part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge that takes place each Tuesday throughout the year and everyday in March. It is a supportive (and awesome!) community of those trying their hand at writing and encouraging others in their writing. Join us!

Up before my alarm

(Remember to turn it off)

Out the door to walk

Too warm

Head for gym

Walk on a loop of rubber

Always feels longer than 

wandering the neighborhood

Ready for school

Four day week

Then Spring Break

I know it's gonna 

feel like eight

Deeper Meaning In Unexpected Places

22 of 31 - SOLSC 2018

The Slice of Life March Challenge is hosted by Two Writing Teachers and part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge that takes place each Tuesday throughout the year and everyday in March. It is a supportive (and awesome!) community of those trying their hand at writing and encouraging others in their writing. Join us!

I have read Fox In Socks out loud more times than I can recall. It is so fun to read, so fun to see if you can keep up with yourself. 

We had read The Lorax yesterday, which inspired a Grand Conversation where my students discussed movies vs. books, childhood memories vs. current understanding, and how to save the planet.

Fox In Socks is for the fun of it, the appreciation of language, not for deep conversations. Additionally, the kids appreciated the banter between Mr. Fox and Mr. Knox and tried to put a term to it. Smackdown? Pestering? Mic Drop!

With 90+% of my students being ELL, we then started talking about the nuances of the terms that were being suggested. At one point someone mentioned Mr. Knox reaction to something, which then turned into a picture walk. It was fascinating. We went through the book looking only at Mr. Knox's facial expressions, following his journey through his emotions. I knew Dr. Seuss was a creative genius, a word crafter extraordinaire. I had no idea the depth of his character development. The emotional journey Mr. Knox travels in Fox In Socks is rich and powerful.

This is a book I have known and loved for many decades and today I saw it with fresh eyes. Who would have ever guessed there was a deeper meaning to Fox In Socks?!

Driving: Student Thoughts on Women Behind The Wheel

5 of 31 - SOLSC 2018

The Slice of Life March Challenge is hosted by Two Writing Teachers and part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge that takes place each Tuesday throughout the year and everyday in March. It is a supportive (and awesome!) community of those trying their hand at writing and encouraging others in their writing. Join us!

Somehow driving came up in class today. Why is this a show stopper? We are in Saudi Arabia.

"Everyone to the carpet. Let's have a Grand Conversation." I say, punting the planned lesson on Fantasy writing.

Chromebook lids snap shut as everyone shifts to a circle on the orange carpet. The energy is palpable as they begin sharing their thinking.

"I think it will be safer because women are too scared to drive very fast."

"I think it will be more dangerous because women haven't driven before."

"My mom drives when we are at home, but she is scared to drive here."

"I think it will be safer because women are mothers and they are more protective."

So the conversation goes. 

Something is about to change. Time and statistics will show if the theories are right. 

A Week Of Firsts

Thirteen years and I have now had the opportunity to hear rain on my tent in the desert in the Middle East.

***

Not only watching rugby, but choosing to watch it, AND understanding what is going on.

***

Playing every track of "Hamilton" in the car as a family. 

My visor is down, not so much for the sun, but so I can watch my daughter in the mirror.

"Someone under stress and someone's looking pretty."
No reaction.

"I'll let him tell it."
No reaction.

"I hadn't slept in a week. I was weak."
Head snaps up, brows furrowed.

"I know you are a man of honor."
Eyes wide, imploring me to explain, hands raids - palms up - questioning.

***

Teaching Fantasy writing brought fresh excitement for both myself and my students - until we realize it is work, and then we set in to do it.

Punked or What?

"What is going on?! Am I being punked?" I thought as I started to explain for the FOURTH time a very simple word study activity. As I repeated myself AGAIN, using both the same words and a simple variation - pointing to the explanation on the board, I could feel my patience slipping.

And then it hit me.

It was the day of a full moon.

Unfortunately we were only approaching morning recess. There was still hours of the day to go. I was pretty sure it was either going to be, or them, making it to the end of the day.

Weather Report: Reality or Myth - The Anticipation

It first showed up more than a week ago; the potential of rain. When there is rain in the forecast everyone here is glued to their weather app. It was forecast for Saturday night. We were set to go camping Friday and Saturday (our weekend). Rain is such a rarity that we don't have camping gear for it here, (as opposed to our camping gear in Seattle - rain/shmain). Knowing that a forecast is a moveable target that far out, I was just hoping it didn't creep up into our camping trip.

As we packed the car Thursday night the rain had been pushed into Sunday. Phew!

Often rain disappears from the forecast completely or diminishes to a 10 - 20% chance, which are not odds worth playing. When we got back from our time at Wahbah Crater the rain was still in the forecast, now for Monday night. Not only was it still in the forecast, but it was spread across many hours and with a 60 - 90% chance. I'll take those odds!

We don't get snow days here. An inch of rain annually is a strong dose. Our best chance of a day off, due to weather, is a heavy rain that is timed just right so that the transportation department decides it isn't going to send the buses out. The possibility had the teachers a buzz.

"Now it says the rain will last until 4 a.m."
"My app says 5!"
"We probably need it an hour past that, though." [sigh]

And so it went, but I have to admit, I figured it was wishful thinking. We also had a thunderstorm forecast for during the school day. Sure enough, on the way to school our usually vibrant blue sky was filtered by a blanket of clouds. The lighting in the classroom felt off as the sun couldn't be found. As we settled into Writing Workshop I promised my writers that if they focused on their writing, I would keep an eye on what was happening outside. If rain fell, and they could line up silently, we would sneak out of the building and enjoy it.

There's the proof! We were all excited for the few drops. After about ten minutes we snuck back into our room and continued with our writing. Surprisingly, it continued to rain. As you can see, this outside area is mostly covered so when it came time for recess, they headed out. The ground was wet and the sky (and roof) were dripping, but physical exercise is a great thing for the brain.

Then the fire alarm went off. I left the task I was trying to accomplish while they were out of the room and headed out the door to join my students (who were all lined up where they were supposed to be when I arrived). The volume was a bit louder than normal, but since they were squatting above puddles of water AND getting splashed on their heads, it was to be expected.

***

Comparing weather apps after school we knew there was a slight chance of the confluence of events that could lead to not having to go to school in the morning. I put a little extra work in my bag, locked the Chromebook cart, grabbed my abaya, and headed home with a bit of hope.

It is amazing what the anticipation of a possible day off school can do. Unfortunately it is not the same as a known day off school and the evening's chores still have to be done as the alarm will go off in the morning.

Turns out that my daughter did not share in our anticipation as she had big plans for school the next day. While visions of her next library book danced through her dreams, I was thrilled when the call came in saying that the Minister of Education had cancelled all school for the following day. I turned my alarm off and crawled into bed, only to be awoken by water dripping on my bed.

I hadn't anticipated a night of moving buckets, changing towels, and having no bed to sleep in that didn't have a leaky ceiling above it. A day off; the myth can be better than the reality.

Book Room: Before and After

One task on my 'to-do' list at the start of the year was to have an accessible Book Room for faculty. This is the space that has most of our books sets for groups during Reading Workshop be it Guided Reading, Strategy Groups, or Book Clubs.


BEFORE

There had been some organization, but they were not easily accessible. (Each book also had a level plastered to the front cover. The levels are now discreetly written inside the back cover.)


AFTER


Books are now visible. Each set is in a baggie. The sections are labeled by reading level. And the top shelf is empty since only one of us could reach it without a step stool. Additionally each teacher has clothes pins with their names to mark the spot they check something out from for easy returns. After scrounging around for magazine files that weren't being used throughout the building the only expense for this revamping was the cost of the baggies.

Not Ninja Day

There is a tournament at our school this weekend. One of the ways we are preparing is by having a spirit week. Sunday we all wore our pajamas, which is an added bonus on Mother's Day. Yesterday was Meme Monday, which elicited quite a bit of dialogue to figure out what the high schoolers meant. Today is Twin Tuesday.

As a teacher who is concerned about the community of people in my classroom, I never have a twin day in which I don't announce what I am wearing so anyone is free to join me. This alleviates people feeling left out because no one invited them to be a twin with them. In the last few years I have encouraged my classes to make it a whole class thing, which is fun. Last Thursday we discussed what each day would be and when we got to Twin Day. I let the class decide what we would wear. The consensus? All black.

"Fun! We can sneak around and have a ninja day."

"Oh! I can borrow the eye part from my mom."

It only took me one beat to realize that I had to put a kibosh on Ninja Day.

It isn't that I am a party pooper. It isn't that I am against added fun for our day, in fact I have a BreakoutEDU planned. If I lived in the States a Ninja Day could be really fun, but I don't. I live here. Ninja eye masks, borrowed from moms, could be seen as highly insensitive. So, we are all wearing all black. We are sneaking around. We are most certainly NOT having a Ninja Day.

Poem In Your Pocket Day

This post is part of the Slice of Life March Challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.
Check it out and join us.

This week is Reading Week and today is 'Poem In Your Pocket Day'. 

I choose to do our poetry unit in April. One reason is because it is National Poetry Month in the US, so there are lots of ideas floating around, but that isn't my main reason.

I like the timing of April for poetry. I find it to be an engaging way to return from Spring Break. Plus, it is a shorter unit and we only have school for a couple of weeks that month. 

All of that being said, I did not do a bunch of prep with my students for today. I did mention it yesterday, reminding them that they could bring one with them. During writing time this morning one of their options was to write a poem, but I didn't push it and barely encouraged it. 

So, I am pleasantly surprised to look around the room during snack and see several students sharing poems with one another - boys and girls alike. One student even brought me a poem to add to the one in my pocket (that I had jotted on a sticky note this morning).

Who Is More Relieved?

This post is part of the Slice of Life March Challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.
Check it out and join us.

I'm not sure who is more relieved, the teachers or the students. 

I probably have a slice about this each year as the science fair is always in March. In fact, I have always set it to be the day before Spring Break. This has been done for several reasons including keeping both students' attention and attendance right up until the last day. 

This year I am a bit out of whack since we still have a week to go until vacation starts. Again, this was done intentionally. I had hoped to be selected to present at a conference. The conference starts before our Spring Break begins. I run the science fair at our school so I figured I should probably ensure I was around for it. Turns out, it was good planning, but that hasn't kept me from feeling the automatic; science fair complete = vacation starts.

The morning started with judges judging and teachers grading. The students are so nervous for this part. That being said, it doesn't take them very long to realize that they are prepared. Their confidence flicks on and they shine. 

We allow for a couple of periods of class visits from third and fourth grades. One team asked each student who approached their table if they knew anything about the greenhouse effect. If someone replied in the affirmative the student continued, "Could you please explain what you know?" This was all them and it was a fantastic way to engage their audience. I loved it and will use this example for years to come.

The final round of visitors is the one the students are most anxious about - their parents. Five minutes before the students needed to change from their spiffy outfits to their active wear I went through the venue announcing, "Parents, there are only five more minutes, as we need to get to P.E." (The end time had been clearly communicated to everyone previously.) While the parents reluctantly departed, my students beamed. They had made it!

I'm Calling It: Success!

This post is part of the Slice of Life March Challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers.
Check it out and join us.

We aren't quite half way through the month, but I am ready to call the Classroom Challenge a success! My students are ASKING for more time to write each day. They are feeling connected to one another in new ways as a results of their writing. The world, overall, has shrunk because of our involvement in the the Classroom Slice of Life global community.

"Our group has published our Scientific Research Paper. May we please blog?"

"There are still six minutes until recess - can I write?"

"Mrs. Lonheim, may I have five more minutes for commenting - PLEASE?!"

These are all actual quotes from my students in the past two weeks. While I pride myself with ensuring that no student leaves my room without the love of reading, I haven't been as successful with igniting the flame for writing. I am absolutely sure, now, that this is a direct correlation to 'voice and choice'. I give nearly complete freedom in choosing reading material. Writing, well, let's say we do our assigned units well. Within those units students get choice, but let's be honest - it is not complete choice and often the framework they have to work within is not that appealing. It seems that no matter how I massage the assignments, students still seem to be writing for a grade - not for the love of writing.

"Time to sign out, put your device away, and line up." That's the line I use to interrupt the silence in my room. The final punctuation on the statement is currently, "Ahww!"

In addition to now having a common enemy, me, since I am the one who puts a halt on their writing, they are also becoming more of a community through a plethora of shared stories adding to the collective class experience each day as they read one another's posts. The community building aspect of Morning Meeting has grown to the time when they can read and comment on blogs from other students in 5L. They are laughing together at funny stories about cats and soccer. They are empathizing about bad days, feelings of angst, and losses big and small. I watch their appreciation for each other, as people, grow.

Columbia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and Venezuela have all grown closer. From seven year olds to seventeen year olds, there are students around the world writing, just like them. They have the opportunity to read other people's writing and realize that regardless of age or location many human experiences share similar themes. They look for the extra minutes in their day in which to dip into other's blogs and take in their slices - looking for points of connection so they can leave their thoughts and opinions and shared emotions.

The month isn't over, but I'm calling it now: Success!