Gratitude on This Last Day #SOLSC25

Giving and 

Receiving comments on the slices of our lives

Are at the crux of 

This community of writers.

Ever supportive and inspirational, I 

Feel myself growing in confidence as we

Unite in our 

Love for sharing our lives through the written word.

Slices of Me #SOLSC25

 Every year, I try to do something with the word slice.  I have reviewed my first slices of each challenge, written an acrostic poem, and written poetry about the community.  As I was driving earlier today, I was thinking about the slices of me.  

I first started writing it as a poem because poetry is my jam.  Then I had an idea because I am that visual learner - a pie chart.  

I entered all of my ideas into a Google sheet thinking I could make a pie chart there, but that did not work out.

I then decided to take my text from the spreadsheet and put it into Chat GPT.  That created table and even attributed percentages to it.  I am not sure how it determined the percentage, but I left it as is.  

Finally, with my approval, it created a pie chart.  

I wanted to reflect the slices of who I am on a daily basis - the roles I play on any given day.  

Going to the Slice of Life Music Festival #SOLSC25

 Earlier in the month, Leigh Anne invited us all to a Slice of Life Music Festival.  It has taken me some time to figure out what songs I want to bring, and I am even making some last minute switches as I type.

"Fields of Gold" by Sting

This song always reminds me of the early days of my relationship with my husband.  The summer and fall after we met, we would prepare a picnic and find a waterfall to spend the day.  We would hike and then find a spot in a field near the parking lot to have our lunch.  We loved being near the falling water and sitting in the sunshine.  We would spend Friday evening scouring cookbooks for some unusual salads to make for our outing.

"Make You Feel My Love" by Adele

This song always reminds me of my daughter's dance competitions and never fails to bring tears to my eyes.  This was one of her solo songs, and she wore a very simple yet stunning two piece red costume.   This was the competition where she won the title and was called up on the stage for a "sit down" session with the judge during which he gave her fabulous feedback.

"For Good" by Indina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth

This song reminds me of my friends. They have helped and supported me through some of my fears and lowest points.  In particular, it reminds me of our Cape weekend when we ordered our dinner from the wrong Basil Thai restaurant in Virginia, watched a weird assortment of movies from Bad Moms to The Revenant, walking the beach, and talking for hours.

444 in the Morning #SOLSC25

I have seen a prompt a few times throughout the month called 444 - write for 4 minutes about 4 things within a 4 foot radius.  I would love to do this at different times of the day, but I chose to write during my morning writing routine.

Morning Writing

With my breakfast ready -
a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich and a banana -
I log into Zoom 
to write with my friends.

After a few minutes, 

I look up to see

heads down on the computer

and their imagined hands

writing across their

notebook pages.

My planner sits closed

and ready to start the day with me,

knowing it has the important job

of reminding me 

of all the important things

I need to do.

My new Sharpie highlighters

stand at attention waiting for the 

inevitable time

to unravel my new curriculum

later in the evening

Places I Hide #SOLSC25

My writing group's Personal Journaling workshop had me thinking about hiding places.  It took me to two different places: one being a literal hiding place and the other a more figurative one.  I can see myself coming back to this prompt and thinking about this in a more abstract way, but for now, I reminisce back to my childhood.  Both seemed to beg to be poems.

Hiding Amongst Words

Let me get lost

in words

between the covers

of a book.

Let my mind 

hide in other worlds,

in other people's 

problems.

I seem to be

the happiest

in stories where

I can root and cry

for others

instead of myself.

On the Edge

We played

hide and seek

in a suburban neighborhood

on the verge of the woods.

We might hide

on the edges

behind some trees,

not too deep, though.

I think we 

were afraid 

of being found 

by something 

on the other side.

Some Bad Habits Are Joyful #SOLSC25

I attended a Personal Journaling workshop with my TeachWrite writing group last night and enjoyed the writing prompts that allowed me to explore myself.  

The first prompt allowed me to share something I do every morning: hit the snooze button.  

Prompt:  Describe one of your bad habits and why you secretly get joy out of it.

Response:  

Yes!  I am guilty
of hitting the snooze button 
too many times.  

I don't fall back to sleep, 

and it makes me a bit late 

to my morning writing group, 

BUT 

it gives me the time 

to stretch my body 

under my warm comforter 

and to keep my eyes closed 

to enjoy the silence 

of the morning 

without thoughts fluttering 

around in my head 

BEFORE 

I head into school 

to become over-sensitized  

by the comings and goings 

of the children 

in and out of my classroom.  

I'm okay 

with prolonging 

the time 

to be 

still, 

alone, 

and at peace.

😴

Messing with My Heart #SOLSC25

 I don't receive calls from my children often unless there is something wrong.  That is in large part because I call or text them quite often, maybe too often.

So, when I saw the call come in from my Cam while I was talking to Ashley, I immediately told her I would call her back.

I am always worried about the kids.  Last month, Ashley got into a car accident in Wisconsin.  It is so hard being so far away.  My head automatically thought something was wrong when he called me.  I could physically feel my body bracing for bad news.

I picked up the call from Cam, and he said, "Mom, do you have some money to bail me out of jail?"

My heart started to pound, and I yelled, "Cam, what the _____ did you do?" 

He started to laugh and said, "I'm just kidding."

I replied, "Cam, you rarely call me, so I thought something was wrong, and I literally can feel my heart rate skyrocketing right now."

I don't think he felt bad; he likes to keep things light.  He is the kid who left me little sticky notes with the word "poop" on them all over his room when he left one weekend.  He knows how much I miss him, and there is a softness in his joking.

"Well, I was driving home from Katherine's and was thinking of you, so I decided to call to talk," he said.

My husband is away, and he knows that I tend to get sad when I have not seen him in a while.  He knows when I need a little something to pick me up.  I am not sure this is what my physical heart needed, but it was what my emotional heart needed.  

Inspiration from the Bangles #SOLSC25

 Earlier this week, I was listening to the Bangles' song "Manic Monday" and realized that is where the term "Sunday funday" came from.  I chuckled because Sundays are not really fun days for me as I usually spend the day prepping and planning for the week and sneaking in some grading if there is time left over.

At that time, I decided that I would do whatever I could to make some time for some "fun" things today.  That meant I went shopping for some much needed clothes on Friday and grocery shopped and prepped my lunches for the week on Saturday night.  I also did some grading before going to bed.  

That meant I could get outside for a 2 mile walk today.  The sunshine and cool air really helped clear my mind and relieve some stress.  I love thinking about writing during my walks, so I am sharing a haiku that was rumbling in my head.

Closing my eyes, I 

face the sun; shoulders drop and

exhale the tension

Last year, I promised myself that I would start my garden from seed this year.  I did not get to it last week because I was working and running errands.  While this may not be fun, it is something that makes me feel good, and I think I will enjoy tending to them over the next several weeks in anticipation of planting my garden.  I carved out time to get that done today.

Seeds, a promise of 

new beginnings, requiring 

attention to thrive 

While I still have to do some work, I made sure that today was my "I don't have to run day," so that I could do a few things that I want to do not have to do.

5-4-3-2-1 Weekly Reflection #SOLSC25

 I have not done this reflection in quite some time.

5 things that made me smile.

1.  Kids begging for the poetry match-up results..

2.  A student's comment, "This is so fun."

3.  The birds singing.🐦

4.  My sister-in-law laughing.

5. Walking in sunshine

4 words to describe my week

Frustrating

Slow

Packed

Exhausting😴

3 weekend plans.

1.  Pilates class

2.  Clothes shopping

3.  Visit sister-in-law

2 things I learned

1.  Incel - Involuntary celibate as used in the Netflix series Adolescence.

2.  Some teachers will start an EL lesson, and since it is made for one period, stop mid lesson at the end of the class and move onto the next lesson the next day.

1 weekend goa

1.  Correct a workshop assigment

Currently #SOLSC25

I am using Cathy Hutter's "Currently" prompt today.  I am trying to work on my descriptive writing while I sit at my writing desk.

Currently...

I'm listening to my printer chug out a copy of "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe.

I'm drinking water with very berry flavored Propel electrolytes.

I'm wearing black paint and a gray striped shirt with silver threads woven through.

I'm feeling overwhelmed by all of the work I have left to do at 8:00 p.m.

I'm wanting to watch the last episode of Adolescence, but my husband is away.

I'm needing new clothes because my wardrobe is too big.

I'm thinking about how much I miss my kids.

I'm enjoying a quiet house with no judgement about how much I work.

Fun with a Ten Sentence Story #SOLSC25

 Thank you to https://arjeha.wordpress.com for the 10 sentence story idea.  I found Tolentino Teaching on Facebook for I actually had my students do this today, and they loved it.  I told them that I would do it tonight for my slice.  It was so much fun.  

The Mysterious Door

Sentence 1:  Start with "One day, [character's name] discovered a mysterious door."

Sentence 2:  Describe the door using two adjectives.

Sentence 3:  Use a feeling word

Sentence 4:  Write a simple dialogue

Sentence 5:  Use a preposition

Sentence 6: Include a sound word

Sentence 7: Use the verb"step"

Sentence 8: Use an adverb

Sentence 9: Write a sentence with "but"

Sentence 10:  End with a surprise

1) One day, Ashley discovered a mysterious door. 2) It was 3 feet tall and made of moss covered wood.  3) Suddenly, goosebumps erupted all over her arms as a wave of fear swept over her. 4) "What could possibly be passing in and out of that door?" she asked the silent forest.  5) Ashley started to back up, trying to put distance between the door and herself, but she tripped over a tree root and landed on her tailbone. 6) She heard a low hissing sound from behind the door. 7)  Jumping to her feet, she took another step backward. 8) The handle on the door turned slowly. 9) She started to tremble, but her curiosity would not allow her to leave. 10) The door creaked open, a basilisk slithered out, and Ashley fell to the ground.

Bumbling My Way into the Day #SOLSC25

My co-teacher and I had an early morning professional development session on Tough Topics before school started.  It was in a different school and ended 15 minutes into my first class.  Adding on a 13 minute drive, I missed almost half of my first period.

Thankfully, my other co-teacher covered for us until we got there, but I think it may have been better if she had taught the entire class because we definitely were not in sync or ready for the day.

We did our best, though, with only a few minor hiccups.

First, as I taught, the other teacher decided to record some notes on the television.  We both went to grab the pen at the same time, and instead knocked it to the ground where it broke into pieces.

Then, when a student announced that he lost his note sheet, I grabbed a new copy and turned without knowing that she was right behind me, and we bumped into each other.  

Later, we thought we needed more copies of the same note sheet, so she went out to make copies because neither of us realized that the aide in the class was 10 steps ahead of us.

Eventually, we got into our groove, but it really accentuated our need for a quiet start to the morning.  I truly need to be in the building a good half hour before our scholars arrive and not the other way around.

A Look into the Future #SOLSC25

Yesterday, I was visiting my sister-in-law in the hospital, and I felt like I was looking into a crystal ball.

My kids are older, and I don't get to witness them doing the things they love.  I miss watching them play soccer, dance in competitions competitions, run in track meets, and play with the things they enjoyed.  Since they in their own, I have no frame of reference to even visualize that they might be doing in their current jobs.  I don't get to watch Cam play with Legos at work (yes, he does play with Legos in his mechanical engineering job) or Ashley working as a nurse as she finishes up her last clinical rotation at the University of Wisconsin.

However, yesterday, I felt like I was watching future Ashley as the nurse was taking care of my sister-in-law.  She is only a few years older and looks a little like my daughter.  I enjoyed watching her every move.  We were in a step down unit and not in a private room, so I was even able to watch her at her station. 

I was in awe of all that she did, and I could not help but think that will be Ashley in just a few months after she graduates.  

I was grateful for this as it is hard being so far removed from the daily lives of my children.  

 

"Because I'm Happy" 🎶 #SOLSC25

 It has been a long, hard week, but my students are always there to make me smile.  I am choosing to end it with thinking and writing about the 5 things that made me smile.

1.  Students are excited about our March Madness Poetry Bracket.  They can't wait to hear which poem won the match-up of the day.  Some cheer while others scowl when the winner is revealed.  They have their favorites, and they are asking questions about the poems coming up.  I am having them write gists of each poem, and their ideas are fabulous.  The best thing I heard all week was, "This is fun!"

2.  We have been working on identifying central ideas and summarizing nonfiction texts.  I had my students work in groups to identify the central ideas of different parts of a chapter, and they were spot on.  After having them share their ideas, I assigned each group a different part of the summary structure and then orally summarize the chapter.  It was fantastic, and they all clapped for themselves at the end.

3.  "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy!"  John Denver's lyrics are singing in my head!  The sun had been shining, the temps are rising, and I am back out walking daily.  I can't help but smile.

4.  For the past 10 years, I have been looping with my students as I have been working as an interventionist.  My role has changed this year.  My 6th graders know this because my former students keep visiting, and at the beginning of the year, I told them.  One student came up at the end of the class and asked, "Will I get to have you again next year?"  I sure hope so!

5.  I just changed into black jeans and a black top to get into the mood of an Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy tonight.  I am such a literature nerd, and I love Poe.  I am excited to hang with my teacher friends outside of school.  I have been smiling about this all day.  

And now I am singing "Because I'm happy" by Pharell William.  🎶🎶🎶

I Am a Worrier #SOLSC25

I am often told to stop worrying or that I worry too much.  I feel that some see it as a fault while I see it as a testament of my love.  

My sister-in-law underwent heart surgery today, and I have been in a constant state of worry.  I woke up in the middle of the night, finding that the worry had spread to my daughter, my lesson tomorrow, my teaching - pretty much anything that came into my head.  

I put white noise on my phone and slept fitfully.  As expected, I woke up tired and worried.

The waiting was hard.  Not being able to see her is hard.  Finally, word came that the surgery was over and the tubes were out.  She is on the other side, but the worry does not stop. 

When you care deeply, one can't help it

Only fueled by a true love and tender care

Revisiting cherished memories to 

Replace the worst case scenario thoughts 

You matter to me

Hunting for Joy #SOLSC25

 This week is hard.  I know why, and I know it will pass.  I am enjoying the warmer days and getting out for a walk after school.  I knew I would find some joy outside, so I went out to find it.  I got a little nervous because everything was brown and wet and dingy in the front year.  I was looking for any sign of new life.  I rounded to the side yard, and I spotted just what I was looking for - my daffodils.  It is time for tanka.

Hiding at the base
of a barren lilac bush
tender buds protect
until the daffodil is 
ready to trumpet, "I'm here!"

On the other side of my house, I saw no such signs of spring.  Instead, I found the remnants of winter, which calls for a shorter haiku because its days are numbered.

Even on sunny

days winter's ice lingers and 

stubbornly recedes 

A Sequence of Whens that Equals Success #SOLSC25

 Thank you, https://sherrisslice.wordpress.com/, for the inspiration for my slice today.  I realized that all of my WHENS added up to a very productive day that is easing my stress.  

This post will be one I will come back to when I am feeing overwhelmed with work. 

When I get to school early with a detailed list of what I need to do to prepare for the day...

When my co-teacher has a meeting during our co-planning time...

When my other co-teacher and I take a few laps around the building...

When I stay after school and am the last one to leave the building...

When I get out for a quick one mile walk...

When I cancel tutoring and schedule in a two hour block of correcting time...

When I put on some soft music, turn on my wax melts, and sit at my desk...

SO MANY THINGS GET DONE!

6 Word Sunday #SOLSC25

 Planning, prepping, grading

Full work day

Thoughts on Time #SOLSC25

 Last week, I asked my students if they would rather speed up or slow down time.  I was impressed that a majority of them chose slow down time.  Usually, children can't wait for things - the weekend, video games, time with friends, the end of the school day.  Obviously, I told them I would slow time, but my thoughts of time are fickle.  

Time has been on my mind lately.  I am not sure if it is because of talking about it in class or the fact that I have been thinking about time in relation to my own children.

Honestly, there are instances when I want time to jump - jump to the next time I see at least one of my children.  My heart literally quickens just thinking about it.  

In those moments, I take the time to look at pictures, listen to songs, text them, call them - really anything to feel close to them, and I would give anything to move time forward. 

Then, there are other times when I want time to stop.  When time moves forward, they become farther away from me even though they are where they always are.  Those are the times when I am okay with time's lollygagging.  I am simply not ready for the severance.

Today, I realized that Ashley's last dance showcase is one month away and her graduation is 2 months away.  I know that time will then bring her to another place far away from me as she has her heart set on landing a nursing job in Chicago.

Last month marked the countdown to Cam turning 26 and being responsible for his own health insurance.  In addition, his friends are getting engaged, and I know his time is coming. With that event comes the decision on where to live. I fear that it will be farther away from home.

It makes me wonder if my thoughts on time will then change entirely, yearning even more for the time we are together again.

Start or End with Meetings? #SOLSC25

I started the day with yet another morning meeting, which impacted the rest of the day.  I decided to write a definition poem inspired by those written by Kwame Alexander in The Crossover.

Morning Meeting

As in
before most teachers 
and students arrive-
quiet hallways,
the start of the day

As in 

questions posed,

answers unexpectedly changed,

pressures shared,

and bodies tensed

As in

"Wait, that's not what 

you said last time."

"But, we had it  

that way last year."

As in

ending right at the bell-

issues unresolved,

feelings charged-

at an impasse 

until next week.

No Silence There Was #SOLSC25

Yesterday, I reveled in the silence.  Today, it was a chaotic marathon.  And now, I only have time for a skinny poem.

However, I am celebrating that I wrote a Slice because I was going to just bag it.

There was no silence today
meeting
class 
meeting
class
meeting
classes
rehearsal
tutoring
writing
Today, no silence there was

Silent Moments #SOLSC25

I have been noticing the quiet today.  I find it is something I need and crave at the beginning of the school day.  I aim to be the first in my wing so that I may spend some time relishing the silence and preparing for my students.  Without it, I am never quite right for the rest of the day.

Today, I paid attention to other quiet moments.

First thing this morning, I went downstairs to gather my things for a 5:30 a.m. strength class.  It was super quiet because my husband left early for work, and no one was in the house.  Through the silence, I heard a bird chirping outside the window.  It was so quiet in the house and the birdsong so loud outside I thought it was actually in the house.

Second period of the day, my ELA workshop class hunkered down for 15 minutes of independent reading.  It was so quiet that I totally got lost in my book almost forgetting I had a class to teach.  When I snapped back to reality and looked up, I saw a classroom of students engrossed in their books.  Not a word or other noise to heard.

After school, I settled down at my desk to get some grading done.  The quiet left no distraction, so I lost track of time getting things done.  Two hours later, hesitantly, I decided I should pack my bags.

A few minutes later, I chose to revel longer in the quiet building and walked laps around the second floor.  I love the dark, quiet hallways. I turned a corner and frightened the custodian as I disturbed the silence that he is used to when school is out.

And now, I sit here writing quietly on Zoom with my writing group.  It is the perfect way to end the day with the only sound being the clicking of the keys on the computer.  

The hush slows my breath, focuses my thoughts, and soothes my mind.

March Madness Poetry Style #SOLSC25

 For the past few years, my co-teacher and I have done a March Madness Poetry Bracket with our 8th graders, but this year we decided to do it in our 6th and 7th grade classes.  I was a bit nervous, at first, thinking that they would not like it.  I wondered if it would be too hard.  

Per usual, my 6th graders are blowing me away!

Here are a few things that were said today that filled my heart.

"Mrs. Morris, who won the match-up from yesterday?"

"I noticed that the living poets are (each match-up has a dead poet matched to a living poet around a similar topic) have won each bracket so far!"

When asked about today's match-up, a student smiled and said, "I loved today's poems!  This match-up is my favorite!"

"Langston Hughes is a great poet!  I can't wait for his match."

"Are you sure that poem won?  I feel like everyone I talked to voted for the other poem."

"Wow! I really liked how you explained the meaning of the poem."

"Ooohh! I really like that poem."  

They are reading poetry! They are talking about poetry! They like poetry!

It can't get any better than that!

The Space Between #SOLSC25

Last month had me thinking about space and its many variations.  

For the past ten years, I have been luckiest teacher in the building.  Why?  Well, it was because I was able to work with my students for three years.  It was amazing to watch them learn and grow as readers and writers from 6th through 8th grade.  Needless to say, we became pretty close. 

Last year, I was disappointed to find out that I would not be looping with my 7th graders; my role was changing. It was hard.

However, one of my favorite things this year is the space between periods because a few of my former students come to see me.  One in particular comes up before school, at recess, and sometimes on her way to other classes.  Every. Day.  

I did not realize how much it meant to me until they were absent one day.  

The Space Between Periods

It is just 
3 minutes, 
or 7, but 
in she glides
right to my side.

This in between time 

is a reminder
of why I do this job- 
connection.

The space 

between learning

is precious - 

a smile, 

possibly a hug,

a problem, 

a complaint, 

a quick check-in.

Those minutes 

are never a JUST - 

they are everything.

Shine On #SOLSC25

 "Stop dimming your light and truly let yourself be seen."

Sundays are usually devoted entirely to school preparation and planning. However, I feel that lately most of my weekends and evenings are devoted to school, so I decided to do something new and different this morning.  

I attended an Intentional Yin & Sound Bath class, which was totally out of my comfort zone.  Yin is a yoga practice in which you hold the poses for a longer period of time and use props to help you relax into them.  A sound bath accompanied the movements to create a meditative experience to help us relax.  

The bowls, gongs, chimes, and rattles swathed us in the most beautiful and peaceful sounds.  There were times I felt that I was totally connected to and taken away by the sounds, and then there were other times that I was completely wrapped up with the pulls, twists, and sounds of the body, and I could hear every joint crack, stomach gurgle, and deep exhale in the room.

For most of the time, I could follow her directive to let everything empty from my mind, but true to form, there were other times that my mind could not shut off.  Although, I think most of my thoughts were connected to what was happening in the room.  What instrument or item is making that sound?  What are the other people doing?  Will my body ever be able to sit criss cross applesauce, relax into pigeon's pose, or do a real lunge?  

That last thought was the most pervasive as I have very little flexibility or strength.  There were times when I let those thoughts get me down and wanted to give up or not do it again. It was during those moments that I tried to connect to the music and relax a bit more into the pose.  

At the end, the woman performing the sound bath gave us all an affirmation. I pulled mine out from the basket and read, "Stop dimming your light and truly let yourself be seen."  It was then that I realized that I need to give myself grace and respect my current body.  I will let myself shine and continue to challenge my body, quiet my mind, and put myself first.    

A Community of Writers is Magical #SOLSC25

Yesterday, I finished up a poetry project in another community of writers and wrote a poem about that space.  It seemed like the perfect way for me to start this challenge.

Writers’ Hands

Our hands write slices

that move hearts,

open minds, and

create connections.

Our hands write comments
that boost confidence, 
build community,
and convey compassion.

Hands do not have to touch
to touch.
Hands do not have to hold
to support.
Hands to not have to lift
to raise.

Writers’ hands are magical.

I look forward to writing with you all this month. Thank you for this space to practice, learn, and grow as a writer.