CELEBRATE: It's All About That Joy, 'Bout That Joy- 4/18/15

Ruth Ayers invites us to participate in a Celebrate Link-Up on Saturdays. Click here to see what others are celebrating and maybe join in yourself, too! 
                            

Today I celebrate tricks of the trade. While on a recent trip to NYC, I stumbled across a really neat tool to help with our multi-sensory instruction. I just love all the possibilities it brings!

if you drag that stylus across the holes, it pulls up one little magnetic ball at a time. Once you make your letter, number, shape, picture, etc. you will see it appear. Then, you can push the magnets down with your finger for extra multi-sensory reinforcement. I used it this week with a super cute kindergartener who is struggling to recall letter formations and letter names. My heart breaks for her because she works so hard. When we meet at
team meetings for her we brainstorm and always look for the next strategy. So, who knows...maybe this will help her! 
I'd love to buy these different variations as well:

    


I guess sometimes it is the small things in life that we celebrate because they can make big a difference.

#SOL15 New to Testing, But Cookies Help

Testing Testing Testing

Well, our NYS testing has begun. 

3 days of ELA
3 days of Math
2 days of Science
Field testing
Scoring
Make-ups
District K-2 testing
Ahhhhhh!

For the last 14 years I've been nestled all snug in my first and second grade classroom world. Now with my new position, I'm finding out all I ever needed to know about testing AND THEN SOME! Calgon take me away!

I'm happy to report day 1 went smooth. It is kind of ridiculous to say this out loud, but I knew today was off to a great start because the first four songs I heard on the radio were my favorites. First up was P!nk, then Sam Hunt's new song, The Script and Sara Bareilles' Brave. What an anthem to belt out on test day. Just an absolutely great drive into work. 

We were organized and ready this morning so we got started right away. We sorted, counted, organized, delivered, waited, and counted some more. After testing, the most amazing thing happened. A parent delivered a MASSIVE amount of chocolate chip walnut cookies to school. Now, these aren't just any cookies...they were DoubleTree cookies. Anyone know what I'm talking about? If you do, then you know the amount of deliciousness can't even be described in words. Crunchy outside, warm and appropriately soft in the middle. None of that too soft, mushy center stuff. It was cooked-all-way, warm, yet gooey inside...perfection. The "back" story is that every time I'm
headed to NYC, I stay at the same DoubleTree. I must admit, it is mostly due to those cookies (and really good rates). So, not only were the cookies amazing, but the whole entire concept of these cookies showing up on the first test day--- when I've never even seen such a delivery as a "DoubleTree" hotel cookie delivery---was just AH-mazing.   

I just hope tomorrow is a nice little repeat of today. But, tomorrow has a lot to live up to.  

Every time I think about complaining of all this testing, I think of these poor kiddos stuck in hours and hours of testing. And, let's be real, I'm thinking about those cookies. 

#SOLSC15 Day 31

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

What Good Days Are Made Of



Good days are made of s-l-o-w to start mornings. This morning my boys played together and I sipped coffee from my new Today Show mug. There were puzzles, games, and cute conversations.


Good days are made of staying at home. I love to do little random things around the house. Maybe it is organizing a cupboard, catching up on cleaning, or reading through slices.


Good days are made of making breakfast. Every morning is so rushed. On days off (like this week being on spring break), I get to make the kids breakfast, cut their fruit, and hang at the breakfast bar chatting away with them.


Good days are made of sitting in the cuddle chair. I love when I get to sit in our chair-and-a-half and our 80 lb Labroodle hops up there like he's a lapdog. Add a 3 year old and then a 6 year and the chair becomes smaller by the minute.


Good days are made of spontaneous fun. Today my best friend came over with her two girls. We laughed, played, had pizza night, and baked cupcakes. She lives in Virginia and we never get to have afternoons/nights like these.


Good days are made of homemade happy hours. Slice up some cheese, pour some wine, and throw on some good music. Of course the company is most important.


Good days are made of great read alouds. Doesn't matter if it is my kids at home or at school, there's nothing like a moment with good reads such as Beautiful Oops, Elephant and Piggie, Press Here, Hop on Pop, One Smile, My Rotten Red-Headed Older Brother, and The Night Tree. 


Good days are made of risk-tasking. I love trying something new. Sure, it can be unsettling, but the satisfaction of meeting a challenge head-on really ranks as one of my favorites! Slicing during this month has been that for me.


Good days are made of simplicity. I love the quiet days, the nothing-out-of-the-ordinary days, and the no frills sort of days. I'm actually quite happy with these kind of days because it means my family is together another day with nothing "eventful" to stress us out. I pause to thank God for these sort of days often.


Good days are made of richness.
rich in health
rich in happiness
rich in humor
rich in kindness
rich in love


Wishing all my fellow slicers who I've come to know through slices and comments, good days that are made of these and whatever YOU consider to be your top-choices.


I hope to see you all on Tuesdays. Thanks for making my first experience a great one.

#SOLSC15 Day 30

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
Small Moments

Today I walked among young and old
Today I brushed shoulders with culture.
Today I feasted upon works of art and talent.
Today I found unique opportunities.
Today I witnessed families holding hands.
Today I lost myself in children's books.
Today I savored Cabernet and layered homemade ricotta on crostini.
Today I caught up with my friend.
Today I looked at space uniquely.
Today I marveled at creativity.
Today I was thankful for diversity.
Today I witnessed our big, bold world sharing a common experience.

To think I found this all at Chelsea Market. 

#SOLSC15 Day 29

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              

Well it's the day after the Saturday Reunion at Teachers College and I write this from my hotel, in bed at 7:30am on my phone. So, I will have to elaborate later :-) I may follow Fran's lead and do just a little summary of the experience with intentions of elaborating in the next few days. However, my summary I mean one little word:-)

OLW for each part of yesterday.

Hotel- anticipation
Cab ride- excitement
Patricia Polacco- heartfelt (not a dry eye in the room)
Shanna Schwartz- pacing (something I can always work on)
Kylene Beers- incredible
Lucy Calkins- generous
Kylene Beers (closing keynote)- hopeful
Walking 70+ blocks "home"- ouch
Dinner (rinkside at Rockefellar)- relaxing
Radio City Music Hall show-mesmerizing
Hotel-restful

Today-repeat the fun

Phew!

#SOLSC15 Day 28

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
**got into NYC late Friday night. I am slicing from my home so I hope the pictures come through!

Exciting day ahead!! Momentarily I'll be leaving the hotel room to head to Columbia for The Saturday Reinion, but I find myself away from home and missing my boys. So here's my little homesick slice (even though they are all fine with Daddy rock in' out "boy's weekend."

This is my proud kindgartener who just finished his first book (I have a couple he did at age 3 but this counts as the first in his eyes). He's sensitive, loyal, polite, caring, wise, motivated, and likes to create/make. He is the "I-support-a-good-cause" kind of kid. He helps others, sets a good example and love to read. He is crafty, happy, and all mine :-)

 This is my three year old who can charm mostly anyone with that smile and his sweet and loving ways. He's huggable, cuddly, sweet, charming, feisty, full of it, hard working, passionate and persistent. He loves to tell me how much he loves me and has to sit on my lap. He is willing to take a stand, lead-not follow, and share his ideas with you. He loves music, movies, electronis, coloring, and crafting. He is happy, witty, and all mine :-)

Here is my Owen. He's loyal, soft, cuddly, and honestly...perfect.

My hubby. He is the reason I can do what I do. He helps me think, plan, and do just about everything. A true partner and collaborator.

Lucky me.

#SOLSC15 Day 27

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life writing community for providing this opportunity to share our "slices." Thanks to Stacey, Anna, Beth, Tara, Dana and Betsy for creating a place for us to share our work. Check out the other slices and join in the fun!

                                                              
Today I find myself a bit frustrated with slicing.  I'm not feeling confident in my writing and I feel as though I lack style. I wonder if it is just the timing in this challenge or the fact that I just wrote 26 days in a row? I don't know, but blogging/writing is new to me as of January. It is a new committment and just like everything else, I have to practice to get better. 

My co-worker and friend happens to be reading aloud Pollyanna to her class and she reminded me today of the "Be Glad" game. I am not one for pessimism or glass half empty thinking so here's my attempt to change my thinking for today and BE GLAD that...

* I've stuck with slicing all month (so far)
* I've jumped outside my comfort zone
* my family loves me no matter what my writing style is ;)
* there are so many inspirational writers in the SOL community
* I had two positive coaching moments today!
* my two boys are so joyful, loving, and sweet 
* my family is healthy
* my hubby is an awesome Dad
* I'm blessed to have my parents and see them everyday 

And the finale...
*be glad that this slice is over (just kidding)!

Here's to a better "slicing" day tomorrow.