ELA 101

We departed from our typical routine today of writing in response to a picture prompt.  Today, we listened and watched poems, we discussed them and compared experiencing poetry to reading poetry.

After responding, we brainstormed – everyday ideas that might become the subject of poems.  Then we wrote.  We thought, we talked, we wrote.

Below are the poems I created during each class.  Maybe I’ve been reading a bit too much poetry to the kids lately because I’m finding myself drawn to the rhyming patterns of verse more so than the sprawling free verse style I usually write.  Or maybe, they seem more lighthearted and that’s something I could use a little more of these days.

Either way, here they are in all their first draft glory!

First Hour

The click-clicking of keyboards,
and kids spinning in chairs,
they’re writing poetry
or wearing blank stares.
“We can write about anything,”
one student asks,
“Uh huh,” I reply
settling into the task.
I watch as they write
Onto screens
they download
their minds,
What it means
Is for others to find.

Second Hour

(Inspired by a conversation I had with Hayden)

The cuddles and snuggles
of soft puppy fur,
The smell of sweet
puppy kisses.
There’s something
stirring within me for sure,
something my heart just misses.
I know in my mind
how insane it would be
to add a dog to our crew.
So for now, I’ll just wish
for squeak toys and a dish
and quietly cry, “Boo Hoo!”

Third Hour

I watch and I wonder what goes through their minds
As they sift and search for a poem there to find.
Some students sit, unwilling to try
Some refuse to stop talking to those nearby.
Others provide a comment or two
“I think this is cheesy, what about you?”
These students of mine, I wish they could see
The potential they have to write beautifully.

In fairy tales
Things always begin
With “Once upon a time…”
And poems begin
With ideas and words
Joined by rhythm and rhyme.

So whether you’re reading
Of princes and knights
You’ll likely find
Love and laughter.

And poetry is
My life’s true love
A real-life
“Happily ever after.”

Author’s note: This is very much a first draft, and a poem I hope to revisit in the future. I typically write free verse poems and often use writing to work through problems I’m having. This picture, felt like a great chance to take a different approach.

The kids were up later than usual, one of their particular perks of spring break and the fun of Gramma and Papa’s house.  We piled atop one another, fleece jammies slipping on nylon sleeping bags – it might be spring break, but we’re still in the U.P. where temps are hovering in the 30s and 40s.  “Read this one,” Calder asked as he tossed a book toward me cackling at the way it bopped me in the head.

“Alright, it’s Sissy’s turn to pick a book,” I said pulling him onto my lap.  We read about the cat who wanted a snack.  We laughed both the story told by the words and the details offered by the pictures.  We finished the book, and Seneca eagerly clambered over her brother, Easter book in hand.  We started reading, enjoying the story and snuggle time, while Calder continued to flip through his book.

A few seconds later, I realized that he wasn’t just flipping through the book, but saying something too.  “Just a second, Sis.  I think Calder’s reading us a book right now,” I said, leaning toward him.  He tried playing it cool, but the excitement of attention was written all over the wide eyes and grin on his face.  “Good job, Buddy,” I offered.  “Try pointing to the words as you say them.”

“Ok,” he said as he started again.  He continued reading, through the rest of the book.  Since then, he’s proudly read to Daddy, Gramma, Poppa, and Aunt Gretchen.  He’s identified the question mark and how it makes the sound of words go up.  He has favorite parts that make him laugh, and parts he reads deliberately to be sure he gets them right.  Let me say it again,”…parts he reads!”

No beach.  No summertime temps. No sand or sun.

I’ll take the tucked in gift of witnessing a world of books waiting to be read, anytime!

This Slice of Life Story is part of a weekly activity offered by Two Writing Teachers.

For the second straight year, I find myself both relieved to have written my way through March and slightly sad to see this challenge come to a close. My sadness is a bit heightened today due to the fact that I completely forgot to post yesterday. The exciting prospect of having the week ahead to fill with family fun and relaxation, even if we’re heading to a cooler climate instead of a warmer one, seemed to disable my internal warning that typically sounded around 11 p.m.

The goal is to write a Slice of Life entry each day throughout the month of March.

Please paste the link to your slice of life blog post in the comments below!

Everyone is tired and getting ready to enjoy a week of relaxation for spring break. Many are leaving early. Many are staying home. Add to the fact that our third marking period is coming to a close and we’re finding ourselves in crunch time to get everything in – and it’s a recipe for busy teachers and busy students.

Today, I took about 10 minutes at the start of the hour to hand back papers, offer a few suggestions on their assignment and point them in the right direction. They had the next 45 minutes to use independently. As I worked while they worked, I overheard conversations (some on task, some not), and I saw the real work ethic of kids come out. There were a few who spent too much time chatting (even with reminders) and those who found the zone and powered through.

When I sit back and think about what stresses me out, more often than not, time is a huge factor in that equation. If I just had more time, I’d be fine. Today, I’m reminded that my students also feel the crunch of time when it comes to juggling their homework with practice schedules and family functions, not to mention downtime to let everything marinate and make sense.

I hope to be more mindful of this fact in the coming quarter (and future years) and offer students the opportunity to get into that zone a little more often. Because watching them work, and pausing to laugh, joke, smile, or encourage, before diving back in, is a great way to spend a day!

This post was written as part of a monthly challenge sponsored by Two Writing Teachers, to encourage writing and community.

The goal is to write a Slice of Life entry each day throughout the month of March.

Please paste the link to your slice of life blog post in the comments below!

Please paste the link to your slice of life blog post in the comments below!