akr inspired | 244

Because of Two Writing Teachers, I started writing on a blog seven years ago. While it has been a long time since I've posted with the Slice of Life community, I'm still grateful for the encouragement I was given.

Why participate in the Slice of Life?

- It encourages teachers to write.

We can better help and understand our students when we are writing.

- It encourages community.

We read each other's words and share comments that touch the writer's heart.

- It encourages people to tell their everyday stories.

And saving the stories is a wonderful gift to ourselves and to our families for years to come.

@missamykr | Instagram | Project 1,2,3

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 31

Since I was young, I've loved saving quotes. I kept them in notebooks, but years ago, I started sharing them on a blog called Little House on the Ridge.

I have a quote about comments from Ruth Ayres.

"It matters when people comment on our writing and it makes us want to write more. Our students need others to react with emotion to their writing."

Comments matter.

The words we share with others matter.

Our reactions to stories matter.

Thank you so much for being here during the Slice of Life Challenge.

Your words have mattered to me.

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 30

I have a little boy in my class who is full of life and always trying to sneak a kiss on my cheek. Lately, I've been telling him that I only share kisses with my husband, and everyone giggles.

Today he was late getting ready for outside. All of a sudden, he thought it was just the two of us there. From across the room, he said,

      "Hey! It's just you and me. Can I kiss you now?"

I'm still laughing!

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 29

During our Play Workshop, a student came to me. She was carrying a white board and a marker. She said, "I'm a cop. I'm going to ask you some questions."

"What is your name?"

   "Mrs.D"

"What is your favorite color?"

   "Brown"

"What is your favorite food?

   "Pizza"

How wonderful to see my little one listening for the sounds in words!

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 28

Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz wrote A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the Traits of Joyful, Independent Growth and it is one of the most important books I've read as a teacher. If you were to visit my classroom, my students could share stories with you about optimism, empathy, persistence, resiliency and flexibility. When mistakes happen and problems arise, they are learning how to pause and find solutions. It's heartwarming to hear them using and living the words.

I fell down and I got back up!

Oh, I know how you feel. 

I have empathy for you.

You are being flexible. You tried something else!

I didn't give up! 

Wow! Piggie is being optimistic!

I had empathy and I said, "I'm sorry."

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 27

Through the Two Writing Teachers, I found chartchums which started me on a journey with Kristine Mraz. Over the years, I have learned so much from her through her blogs, tweets and books. A Mindset for Learning, co-authored with Christine Hertz, has been life-changing in my classroom. My students learn the importance of their brain and how "to take on challenges with zeal"!

One of the ways we get our brains ready to learn is to remember breathing and positive self-talk. My students even make cards for their desks. It is a visual reminder for themselves!

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 26

Sing to the tune of Camptown Races

I don't want to write today
Doo-da Doo-da
I don't want to write today
Oh de doo-da day

I am too tired
from thinkin' about report cards
I don't want to write today
O da do da day

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 25

Last spring, the New Brunswick volleyball try-outs began for the Canada Summer Games. The girls have played in tournaments in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and here at home. They've been training hard, getting stronger and becoming more effective on the court. Today, I got to see them play here in Moncton. It was exciting to see girls, who usually play against each other, playing together on one team for their province! In another month, the final cut will be made and, the official team will be named for the Summer Games in Manitoba. No matter what happens, we are grateful for this year-long experience for Eliza (#11).

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 24

Recess duty.

A little girl said her hands were cold. Her sister took her gloves off and gave them to her.

Two little girls ran up to a little boy from their class and asked if he wanted to play with them.

A little girl shortened her ride on the swing so a little boy in kindergarten could have a turn.

Recess blessings.

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 23

Bailey

It's National Puppy Day!

In 1996, Bailey became a part of our family!

It was the first time I ever had a puppy.

When I was growing up, our dogs

came to us as adult dogs needing a family.

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 22

More and more, it seems I am calling Ethan, "Jim"... and Jim, "Ethan"...

This morning I said, "Thank you, Ethan" when Jim did something for me.

He walked by me, knocked on Eliza's door and asked, "When your mother signs the card for my birthday on Friday, can you make sure she writes my name on it?"

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 21

I guess I was a little grouchy when Jim quoted a commercial and said, 

      "You're not you when you're hungry."

I gave him "the look" as he kept trying to be funny.

Later, after Jim had been to town, I noticed some things he picked up.

There was a bag of Snickers on the counter.

Slie of Life Challenge | Day 20

One of my favorite parts of watching Annie play AUS volleyball was the beginning of the matches. As I listened and watched, I was reminded of God's provisions and how He is taking care of her. 

So thankful.

Thankful that Annie is fluent in two languages. She is in her first year at the University of Moncton, which is a French-speaking university.  

Thankful that she is still playing a sport she loves on an Atlantic University Sport team. 

Thankful that she did not need a student loan. Along with her scholarship for volleyball, Annie received a scholarship for graduating from high school with honours. The university also gives scholarships to students who come from an immersion program and to students who live in the Moncton area.

Thankful that when she couldn't get to church because of games that she complained. It warms my heart that she didn't want to miss church.

Introducing the Starting Line

O Canada

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 19

I grew up in the Lutes Mountain Church of the Nazarene and it is still our church home. For many years, Dad was our Minister of Music and this is a picture of our children's choir in the 1970's. I can still remember many of our songs. I also remember that when we were chatty at practice, the daughter was the only one who got shushed! Wink!

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 18

Counting Blessings

picking Ethan and Eliza up after school and having them with me for the drive home

finding soccer cleats with Rosita for boys living in the Agape Home in Haiti

seeing Annie walk through the door

getting warmed up by a wood stove

seeing my students dressed up as 100-year-olds

listening to Ethan play the guitar

visiting with Mom and Dad on the way home from soccer

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 17

From the very first episode, I was hooked on This Is Us. The writers are telling stories that many can't wait to hear each week.

I wonder if I've talked so much about a show before this one. When someone says they haven't watched it yet, I share why they will like it. When someone says they do watch it, we start talking about our favorite parts.

Do you know the Pearsons?

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 16

Route 126

Eliza and Ethan

At the end of January, there was an ice storm in New Brunswick. As we made our way to Bampie and Mammie's house the morning after, we saw many broken trees and power lines. More than 100,000 were without power. 

It was a long seven days, but there were many good moments in the hard, like playing games by the oil lamp. Annie, who had power in her part of the city, even came to stay with us as she didn't want to miss out!

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 15...4 hours late

Well, I tried to write something earlier and nothing came to mind.

When I crawled into bed, I remembered that I had not written anything.

Sleep won.

I closed my eyes instead of getting back up.

Here I am now, but I'm four hours late.

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 14

Travel Snippets

What is your dream vacation?

I think a dream vacation would be driving with no set time to be anywhere, and being able to stop wherever we wanted to on the way.

Conversations would sound like this,

"There's a charming Bed & Breakfast! Let's stay overnight."

"Look at that ocean view! Pull over."

"It's a market! Let's spend the afternoon looking around."

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would go to Germany.

I would like to help Sole Hope in Jinja, Uganda.

If you could return to a city, which one would it be?

I would love to return to Boston with our family. Jim and I could show them the campus and our favorite places in the city. They have heard so many stories!

Adding a little trip from there to Camp Taconic in Red Hook, New York would make it even better!

Slice of Life Challenge | Day 13

The five things I would share with guests at Leigh Anne's Favorites Party -

1. Unlined Hardcover Notebook - A notebook can be used by anyone for lists, slices of life, prayers, doodles and more.

2. Burt's Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream - It has a nutty almond scent and makes dry hands feel good again.

3. Sharpie Extra Fine in black ink - It's the right marker for almost everything.

4. Strawberries - What could be better than fresh strawberries?

5. Crayola Erasable Pencil Crayons - When you like to add color to your journal, note, or lesson plan, they are the perfect pencil crayon. They allow you to change your mind!

What fun it would be to really go to a Favorites Party!