March Madness – That is so appropriate. The month of March is so busy. Report cards need to be finished. Data is to be entered. Conferences to be scheduled. A paper for my grad class is due at the end of March. My daily slice needs to be written.

So much work that needs to be done and unlike the UConn Huskies I can not rally myself to be productive.

Maybe tomorrow.

Go away winter!

It snowed today.

Large flakes

falling gently,

fluffy and white,

covering the ground,

freshly fallen and so pretty.

The sun will shine.

The snow will melt.

I am ready for spring.

The birds chirping.

The warm temperatures.

The blooming flowers.

The longer days.

Come back spring!

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance” (Alan Watt)

Today my 4th graders went on a tour of the 5/6 school that they will attend next year. This is the first time in the 10 years I have taught 4th grade in this district that I had students in tears. Other students were visibly anxious. Why? Change is hard but for this group of students this is the first year in a long while, that has finally been stable. I wonder if they feel that they are just not ready leave…not ready for change.

I know my son is feeling the same way. When I said good night to him last night, he reminded me that next year he will be 18. When I told him to not remind me, he said he didn’t want to be reminded either. His anxiety is ramping up and that means his fuse is very short. I know he is thinking/worrying about all the things that are ahead of him in his life. He has to think about his grades, baseball, college, friends, who knows what else…so much weighing on him.

For kids and adults alike, change can be scary. But I think with all that we have all gone through over the past couple of year, we can’t trust what will happen next.

My job as a teacher and a mom is to help my littles and my son navigate the changes and not only to join the dance but to enjoy it and dance with abandon.

Tonight I participated in a webinar hosted by people I admire in the field of education. One of which I consider a personal mentor. The theme was keeping joy in the classroom. Something I have been trying hard to do, especially during the last couple of months.

This school year has been a tough one. I feel that it is even harder than last year. My students seem to be overcome with academic fatigue. They lack motivation and confidence. They are tired and cranky. I had to do something to energize my classroom. How could I bring joy back?

Two words: MORE CHOICE!

The first way I incorporate choice was in how to complete tasks. I allow them to work with partners, small groups or by themselves. It was a simple move that I could easily incorporate. They LOVE it and the work is getting done.

Another way I incorporate choice was in how they show their understanding. Students can write, produce videos, books, brochures, posters, etc.

One final way I incorporate choice is in the tools available to be successful in the classroom. For example, I have gum available for those who need it for focus. I have a variety of flexible seating options for independent work time. I have a break space. As a class we brainstormed strategies to help us when we need a break. Students can take a walk, color, or do whatever their brain tells them they need.

These are simple things that made a noticeable difference in the energy level in my classroom. I want to promote a joyous space that students can’t wait to come and spend their day.

“A mother’s love doesn’t make her son more dependent and timid; it actually makes him stronger and more independent.” – Cheri Fuller

My sweet boy will be 17 tomorrow. 17!!! How can that be?

I call him Doodle, Schmoochie, Schoopie and whatever else comes to my mind.

He is a sweet, smart, sensitive boy. Covid has been hard on him. The virtual learning environment was not best educationally for him. He struggled keeping up and the confines of school is crushing his spirit. He was diagnosed with depression last year and he continues to struggle which breaks my heart. I wish I could take all his pain away.

He is strong and has grown into someone who is smart, reflective, and articulate. He has a strong BS radar and knows when someone is not being sincere or real. So don’t even try it!

He still has an amazing writing gift and a command of language and vocabulary. He wants to pursue a career in screenwriting. He is a thinker. He thinks about things and becomes informed before he forms an opinion or has conversations, so much like his dad.

He doesn’t know the strength of his personality and how much people admire him. My hope for him is that he uses his great gifts to be a leader!

I love him with all my heart and being.

My sweet boy will be 17. 17!!! How can that be?

What a better way to spend a Saturday then shopping with your BFF! Self care can take many forms and one such form is a visit with my best friend. She is someone who knows me to my very soul. She is someone who gets me.

Lisa and I met so long ago that I can’t even remember the story of how we met. We taught together decades (yes, decades) ago in Worcester, MA. She saw me through a series of endless bad dates and was the first person I introduced my then boyfriend now husband. The only person whose opinion mattered and still matters. Both our kids are only months apart. Amelia and Grace were each other’s first friend. Devin and Ella got married in Vermont when they were 3 (and have since divorced).

We have so much history. Too many good times to even count.

We don’t see each other as often as we’d like It’s hard with her in Massachusetts and me in Connecticut. But when we are together we just fall in step.

As I headed home and thought about all of the years we have known each other, I realize how lucky I am to have this friendship in my life.

There is no tired like teacher tired, especially at the end of a 5 day week. I am actually writing this from the comfort of my bed. It is not even 8:00 and I am already thinking about my nap tomorrow.

While my weekend is filled with some straightening of my home, doing work for my grad class, and catching up with my recorded shows from the week, there are also naps involved in my plans.

Yes, I said naps. I love my naps. It is something I do quite regularly. On the weekends I look at my plans schedule around them around when I can take a nap.

I know that for many naps seem like a luxury but for me it is a another way I practice self-care.

First, I get into my comfy clothes…if I am not already in them. It is important that you are feeling relaxed and not constricted.

Next, I shut the lights and put on the fan. My husband has been a fan sleeper since college and now I am too.

Then it is time for my slumber. My naps can last from 45 minutes to 2 hours. It depends on what my body needs.

After my nap, I am ready for whatever comes next. I highly recommend you try a nap this weekend.

Happy Weekend to All!

I love to cook and bake. Nothing makes me happier than seeing delighted faces enjoying something I have created. I especially love to prepare food for my 17 year old son. Today I wanted to make him something sweet.

I had many very ripe bananas that I was determined NOT to throw away. What could I make that wasn’t banana bread?? So I searched Pinterest and found recipe that used mashed bananas, cake mix, eggs and oil. So easy and the batter tasted quite delicious. How bad could it be? The sweet aroma of the kitchen brought my son up from his basement chamber to investigate. He almost burned his hand hurriedly reaching for the fresh from the oven treats.

What could make them better? How about frosting? His eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. All it took was some butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and…voila frosting!

I would say these delectables were a success. Made 24…only 9 remain! And I got a big hug from my taller than me son!

As I continue to be grateful and appreciative this month, I realize it how easy it is to make something from what one may perceive as nothing. It is the small things. Today, it was another hug I received. It was from a student who is not a hugger. It took me by surprise but I made sure I let her know how it warmed my heart.

Can you make something from nothing?

Yesterday I wrote about how I was going come into March like a lion and I publicly listed my goals (haven’t finished my water bottle …yet ). One of my goals was to show gratitude and appreciation to the people in my life. I as thought more about this I decided that today and everyday, in addition to others, I will appreciate myself. I need to learn to love and appreciate me. I need to reconnect…ok …connect to myself. I have to learn to love and accept who I am. Easier said than done. And I want this to be something enjoyable not just another task on my to do list.

In order for this to be successful I have to begin by reframing that negative talk that is constantly flowing through my head. It is like a rushing river after a strong snow melt. I have to start noticing the good that exists in me. I know there is a lot of it!

Here goes…

Today I did my workout before I went to work. I am proud of the determination it took to get off the couch and get it done. Now I am able to go and enjoy a walk with the dog when I get home from school today.

I remained calm and patient while I helped a student organize his area for the 4th time today. I reframed my own thinking by realizing it is a skill he has yet to master and still needs my support to accomplish. It wasn’t very hard for me to do and strengthened our connection.

Finally, I appreciate my focused eating today. I was on point with my nutrition. I have been working hard to lose weight and get in shape and I never give myself the credit for what I have been doing. But I am quick to admonish my mistakes.

So my challenge to you all is before you show gratitude and appreciation for others, start with yourself. You will thank you for it!

The saying goes that March comes in like lion and goes out like a lamb. The actual origin of this phrase was in reference to the constellations of Leo (the lion) and Aries (the lamb or ram0. Leo is the rising sign at the start of March and Aries comes in at the end. Today we equate this phrase with weather. March comes in colder with stronger weather and by the end of the the month the weather is warm and gentle.

This will be how I am going to approach this new month. As we start March and are heading towards spring, I want to start of strong like the lion. In order to be successful, I have to set clear, attainable goals for myself. I find (as I am sure everyone does) is that if I do not write it down, it won’t happen. Heck…sometimes even when I write it down, it doesn’t happen. So I am putting this out there for all to see.

Here are my goals for March:

1. Write every day. This Slice of Life challenge will help me to attain this goal.

2. Drink at least 64 ounces of water. I carry around a large water bottle every day. But I need to actually drink it…LOL! I am hoping that without my mask, I will be better.

3. Show gratitude every day. It’s important that I let people know how much I appreciate them and the things they do.

4. Try to keep a sense of calm. There are 70 more days of school. The weather will get nicer. There is more daylight. So I just need to take more breaths.

So far the lion’s roar is strong and I have checked off each goal today.