March Slice Challenge #19

Driving to Tennessee along Interstate 81 relaxes me. Unless the tractor trailers are hogging the road, I am able to drive the speed limit and let my mind wander a little. Over spring break, as I was driving, I looked over to the right lane (I was in the left) and saw a powder-blue classic car — probably from the 1950s. It was nice to look at because it had been restored to its original glory. As I was intently checking out the car, my eyes scanned the driver. He had black hair and huge sunglasses and his left arm was crooked and lackadaisically hanging out the window. Wait. What? Elvis?

It was Elvis! Elvis was driving the car. “Mom! Look!” My mom had been dosing in the passenger seat. “It’s Elvis!” I said incredulously.

“Huh? What?” she said looking out the window. Then she saw him, too, and we both laughed hysterically.

Elvis was driving much slower than I was so I blew past him. I tried to slow down to see him again after I got up the road because I wanted to look closer. But it was no use. He was gone. He probably took the last exit for supper before heading to Graceland.

March Slice Challenge #18
I finished reading Crash by Jerry Spinelli yesterday and I definitely felt like crying when I read the last page. Not sad-crying, but poignant-crying. I was touched by this book. I thought a lot about the main character, Crash Coogan, and how much he changed throughout the course of the book. I liked the ending a lot but of course I won’t give anything away on here. 

Something I noticed in the story that I felt like writing about was safe places. There are certain people (and places) you just feel safe being around. For Crash, he felt safe when he was around Scooter, especially curled up beside him hearing his life’s stories. One always fears losing their safe person or safe place and I’m no exception to that. When I lost my father to cancer, I lost my safe person. I didn’t think the world would ever be the same. And it hasn’t. But just like Crash learns, there is great personal growth when something happens that changes your idea of a safe place. I’m stronger now in different ways and I’ve had to shift where I find my strength. Anyway, it’s a beautiful story and I can’t wait to hear about what you think when you finish it. 

March Slice Challenge #17

 

How do phones affect your life? According to this month’s Scholastic Scope magazine, in more ways than you may have considered. The article was about “digital distraction” and how leading neuroscientists are worried about the negative effects of being around technology constantly.

Statistics have shown that phone related accidents have become a major health problem. The author cited stories about a teen being killed by a car while using her smartphone when stepping into a crosswalk; a boy who suffered a severe concussion when he walked into a telephone phone; and another teen who fell off a bridge because he was distracted by his phone. It’s concerning to think about how dangerous our devices can be if we’re not careful when using them. It’s very easy to get distracted and zone out. I am definitely guilty of getting lost in the world of my smartphone only to realize that someone was trying to talk to me.

Another interesting point in the article was how our smartphones make it harder to focus and get work done. It compared our brains to a computer in the way they need time to reboot when “powered down.” For the human brain, it takes about 30 minutes to get into deep concentration for writing an essay. If you’re distracted by your smartphone, and you pause to check your social network updates, or take a quick picture to post to Instagram, it will take you longer to get back on task and get your work done. As I type this blog post, I am trying to resist looking at my phone to see what notification just sounded.

Constant interruptions and even distractions from notifications can make me irritable and cranky. Especially since I enjoy peace and quiet when I’m writing and trying to think. I’ve often wondered if our increasingly digital world was unhealthy for us; however, I didn’t want to sound like the grownups I remember who always said things like, “I remember when I was little and we didn’t have….” “Times were simpler then and better because…” I didn’t want to sound like I had a case of the technology jitters but when leading experts cite studies like the ones in this article, it makes me wonder if the way this generation uses technology really is different…and not in a good way.

I found it especially interesting to read about how no one seems to be bored anymore because of our technology. I wonder if that’s really true. I think we definitely have more ways to distract ourselves from boredom but I’ve been bored with technology plenty of times. There are times when I can’t look at another status update, blog post, or photo online. I think we can still be bored.
I also think we can still be creative despite being bored less.

That being said, I LOVE the times when I am unplugged and have an excuse to ignore all of the digitial distraction. I forgot my mobile phone at home this afternoon when I was running errands with my family. Not being able to text, check things online, or take photos of my son helped me stay more in the moment, and enjoy my time with my family more today.

It all comes back to making choices and finding balance in life. Especially with the use of technology. As we become a BYOT school, this is important to remember. I am excited about the BYOT program! But I know it’s important to unplug to connect with each other, too. As a classroom, we will need to strike a balance and help each other. 

 

 

 

March Slice Challenge #16

 

It drives me crazy when I lose things. Especially chargers to my electronics. This past week, I mysteriously lost or misplace the chargers to my FitBit and bluetooth speaker. I especially missed being able to use my FitBit to track how much daily exercise I get. Now that the weather is getting nicer, I hope my step count will increase. My step count has been much lower on snow days and I didn’t like that. On days when my stepcount is low, I am usually more unproductive and I don’t like the way I feel about myself. 

Today my husband and I were at Best Buy and purchased a FitBit. They didn’t sell any chargers by themselves but I can order one online. I’m glad my husband got a FitBit so I can borrow his charger for my FitBit until I get mine replaced. We can motivate each other by comparing step counts. It’s more fun to work out with someone who shares goals, too.

My FitBit was a gift from my sister for Christmas. It is a wonderful way to focus on moving around more and increasing aerobic activity. Thanks to her, I’m on my way to a healthier version of ME!

 

March Slice Challenge #15

By the start of Block 4/8 today, I had a bad headache. I was tired from the weekend and from using my brain so much for the first 3 blocks of the day. So I decided that if our class behaved for the first 20 minute assignment, then we could go outside and get some fresh air. Thankfully, everyone was on task and we lined up to take a walk outdoors. It was sunny and bright. The air was cool with a slight breeze. The plan was to walk a brisk lap around the track to wake ourselves up and stretch our legs. I figured if I got the oxygen pumping, my headache would ease, too. The PE classes were using the track so we kept walking. 

We walked around the gym and side of the school. We paused for a minute at the beautiful memorial set up for Gavin Rupp and Nicole Abi-Naim. I explained to the students that Gavin was in my class when he was in sixth grade (2011-12). I didn’t know Nicole but I know she was also a student here at Eagle Ridge, so we paid our respects.

I think the memorial is a wonderful way to remember these students. It’s very difficult to think about how young Gavin and Nicole were when they left us, but seeing their memorial at school helps me remember what’s important in life. The quotes beneath their names are almost like them giving us advice and wisdom. Gavin’s quote reads, “There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world.” How true! Our actions make a difference. I hope I am always careful to leave behind the kind of footprint that shows that I was kind and helpful to others. The idea of leaving behind footprints also reminds me of a quote I’ve heard before about leaving footprints on a person’s heart. Gavin Rupp definitely left footprints on my heart. I think of him often. I am glad I got the chance to know him and read his writing. He used his writing in class to share his love of baseball, friends, and family. Gavin, you are missed.

Nicole’s stone has a quote that reads: “The only way to have a friend is to be one (Emerson).” I see that every day here in the middle school setting. I really like it when I witness students being friendly to each other even if they don’t hang out with them outside of school or sit with them at lunch. You can still be kind and respectful and friendly to others even if you wouldn’t call them a close friend. I’m grateful that Nicole was that kind of person. I’ve talked to teachers here that knew her and they said she embodied that quote.

I timed our walk and the entire time we spent outdoors was about 10 minutes. It definitely helped lessen my headache, and it energized our class. We were able to grab a quick drink of water at the fountain and continue drafting, revising, and editing our research papers. Most importantly, our walk gave me the chance to remember some special students.

Thank you for the walk Block 4/8 and I hope we can do this again sometime. 

March Slice Challenge #14

I always come across the most random items when I walk across our school’s parking lot to get to my car at the end of each day. Today’s find was a lone sock. I always wonder how such random items appear in the parking lot. I imagine the story behind the item and try to picture the person who lost it. I always have the urge to put up a FOUND sign. Instead of a MISSING poster, I would advertise the object that I found, where I found it, and maybe if the item was truly missed, a reward would be offered. Just kidding about the reward part. 

But I do feel bad when people lose items because you never know if that item was a person’s favorite or maybe it was sentimental. Every parking lot should have a giant Lost and Found where good samaritans could drop any items like this. 

As for this blue sock, maybe someone reading this will recognize it, realize where they left it, and claim it. The sock and sockless owner will be reunited. 

One last thought…maybe the dryer doesn’t eat socks after all…maybe we just end up losing our socks mysteriously…in parking lots. 

 

March Slice Challenge #13

Many students have worn some interesting T-shirts today to Language Arts class. When I asked them why, they said the reason was that they were celebrating Pi-Day in math class.

I thought I would write about Pi-Day and since that’s a non fiction topic, I needed to think of a way to organize the information. Should I use chronological order, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, sequence, or definition/description?

Here are some different ways we could organize this information.

 

Cause and Effect – The event or cause was Pi Day so the effect would be students coming into class wearing Pi-Day shirts.

Definition and Description – Define Pi Day and then describe all of the different ways people celebrated it. For example, in math class, we decorated T-shirts, learned about pi, and brought in circular food.

Problem and Solution – Someone invented Pi as a way to figure out the circumference of a circle. The problem is not knowing the circumference (the distance around a circle) and the solution is to multiply the diameter by Pi (3.14…….) Pi can also be used to find the area of a circle. 

Compare/Contrast: Compare Pi Day to another day in math class 

 

 

 

 

March Slice Challenge #12 

Today, I have a blog post for you on nonfiction text structures. This is what we are studying now in reading workshop. Today’s text structure was chronological order. I will highlight my signal words so you can see them. I will also try to add a picture of the timeline to show you how I will organize the information. Enjoy!

Title: Today in Block 3/6

First, the wonderful students entered the room, excited about it being Friday the 13th. I noticed they were wearing Pi-Day T-shirts that looked AWESOME. Next, I took attendance and asked them to stop talking. When they quieted down, I asked them to read independently. While they read, I looked at Sophie’s book of baby pictures that she brought in. Then I laughed at how cute she was. Finally, we learned about chronological order which always fascinates me. 

 

March Slice Challenge #11

Today is March 12th. That will always be my Dad’s birthday even though he died almost 5 years ago. The last four March 12ths have felt strange to me and today is no different. I want to hug Dad and wish him a Happy Birthday first thing in the morning. I want to stress over finding him the perfect birthday card and gift, and plan dinner for him with my mom. I want to light his birthday candles and sing to him like I did for so many years.

Today is sad for those reasons because I lost a person so close to me, who knew me so well. When he died, the world felt more lonely to me without him in it. But I still have the memory of him and I still have so much to celebrate today on his birthday. I can still celebrate my Dad and spend time reflecting on everything he gave me. 

I grew up having an amazing father and for that I’m grateful. I could always count on him and he made me feel safe. I knew he loved me and he loved my family. I am grateful he cared about me enough to teach me about respect, love, and the value of hard work. He always knew how to make me laugh and smile.

Happy Birthday, Daddy! I love you. 

Here are 10 memories I have about my Dad that warm my heart today, March 12th…

1.  Dad always sang along to the car radio. I do, too.
2. Dad loved the Philadelphia Phillies, the major league baseball team.
3. Dad was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1953.
4. Dad grew up in southern New Jersey. 
5. Dad used to take me to Los Angeles to watch the Dodgers play the Phillies whenever they were in town. That was when we lived in California.
6. Dad was in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years. But like they say, Once a Marine, Always a Marine.
7. Dad took me to several stores one night when he got home from work because I was upset that I couldn’t find a nice dress for my 8th grade formal dance. 
8. Dad always helped me with my homework when I asked for it.
9. Dad loved the restaurant, SweetWater Tavern. I still order the same meal we loved whenever I go. 
10. Dad accidentally drove to work one day with our cat, Mittens, under the hood of his car. He was on the Dulles Greenway when he heard her crying loudly. He pulled over and saved her life. 

March Slice Challenge #10

Here’s a list of 10 things (in random order) you may not know about your Language Arts Teacher this year.

1. I used to live in Palmdale, California. I attended 6th, 7th, and most of 8th grade there.

2. My favorite color is green.

3. I do not like onions of any kind on my food.

4. I do not like cucumbers.

5. I struggled with math throughout school.

6. I attended Seneca Ridge Middle School from March – June of my 8th grade school year.

7. Number 6 was a difficult transition in my life because I had to leave all of my friends behind in     California.

8. I am left-handed.

9. I’m the designated picture-taker in my family. Everyone relies on me for photos of family events.

10. I wrote a letter to my favorite actor, legendary James Stewart, when I was in 6th grade. He wrote me back. Yes, I still have it.