I don’t know what is more surprising … it’s the end of March or I have written every day of the month. Has it been easy? No! Was it worth it? I think so. What have I learned?

I can do something if I commit to it.

I was able to come up with topics every day.

People actually read my writing.

I thrive on comments from the people who read my writing.

I am proud of myself and I am committing to write in the SOL on Tuesdays. I also want to push myself and write something more educational in my future.

Stay tuned!

It was a cold one today! The wine felt like a slap in the face. We were spoiled with the warmer days in early March. The cold broke my husband too! He had refused to turn up out heat after our $800 oil bill but today he had to cave. Today had me dreaming of peaceful warmer days.

In 11 day, I will be on April vacation. In 11 days, I will be in Anna Maria, Florida. In 11 days, the sun will be shining on my face. In 11 days, I will have my nicely pedicured toes in the sand. In 11 days, I will have a chilled cocktail and new book in my hands. In 11 day, I will be able to push the reset button.

More so than ever before I need warmer weather, a long break and a total reset!

My headache is back with a vegence . I should have known it would be back. We had such a shift on the weather this weekend and then last night we had snow. Not much. Just enough to make a shift in the barametric pressure. It’s that shift that makes the headache come on fast and furious. I have been up since 4:30 with little relief so now its time for bed. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Today I had quite the to do list. I usually make a list of the things I want to get done on Sunday. Today’s list, in no particular order:

• walk the dog
• organize the checkbook
• pay the bills
• take returns to WHBM (more like exchange)
• do the laundry
• fold the clothes from last Sunday (lol)
• finish final revision on my paper for grad class
• ride my Peleton
• take a nap
• start beginning plans for the literary essay unit which I start this week (any fun and engaging ideas are appreciated.)

I will say I was quite productive today and the only thing that I can not check off is the nap. How was your day?

Calm the mind. Clear the mind. Relax the body. Deepen the breath. Just watched a segment on the Today Show that shared a sleep technique. This techniques allows you to fall asleep in two minutes. It is a military technique that guarantees sleep in two minutes no matter the surrounding circumstances.

You need to relax down from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. You start at your head and relax everything as you sweep down your body. Every segment, your organs, your hips, your quads, you knees, each part until your feet. Then come back up to the top of your head and repeat down your body all the while you are breathing deeply…slow exhales. As thoughts come into your head, tell yourself, “Don’t think.”

I will put this to the test tonight!

Last cheat day better writing tomorrow!

Comedian tonight means lots of laughs.

These days have been long and tiring so I am doing 6 word stories…Is that cheating?

Grad class tonight, a late night.

Long day of conferences, good night.

It was the first day of student-led conferences. Student -led conferences place the student in charge of the learning progress discussion with their parents. It is a time for the students to reflect on their growth and set goals in areas that they feel need improvement.

We have been doing March conferences this way for about 8 or so years. When we were first told this was the direction we were going, I never thought it would work. I never thought my third grades could be that reflective. Boy, was I wrong! Every year students get better and better at this.

My students spent about a week reflecting on their body of work both academically and behaviorally. Through this reflection, they understand the indicators on the report card and find evidence that meets standard in these indicators.

After this thorough analysis, they are able to identify an area they are most proud of and area for improvement.

This is hard work. I find that students are honest in their reflections and can really hold their own when their grown ups ask them clarifying questions or questions that veer from their scripts. I am so proud of all my students and I make sure I tell each and every one as they finish their conference!