Are You The Pain...or the Great One? (SOLS 14)

Have you ever read a book and felt an immediate connection to the story?  As an elementary school teacher, I read lots and lots of children's books.  One of my favorites is, The Pain and the Great One, by Judy Blume.  I have read this book to both first graders and third graders, and the response is the same...an immediate connection.  In the classroom, we refer to it as making a "text-to-self" connection.  This book is perfect for making those kinds of connections because everyone can relate to the characters.

The Pain and the Great One, is a story about sibling rivalry.  The younger brother is "The Pain" and the older sister is the "Great One".  The Pain is like the typical younger brother; the parents baby him, he annoys his older sister by well....by simply being around and in the way, etc.  The Great One is the typical older sister; she can do things easier and better...she IS older after all, and her parents allow her to do more things.

When I read this book to my students, they always identify with either one character or the other.  Even  kids who have no siblings can relate because they have friends or cousins who remind them of the characters.  My students make comments like, "My brother is just like that." or "My sister is the pain in my family."  I always share how I was the "Great One" and my younger sister was "The Pain". 

When I think about my childhood, and how I thought my sister was such a pain, I have to laugh.  I'm beginning to reconsider our roles.  I think that I was the real "Pain" and my sister was probably the "Great One".  It has nothing to do with being smarter or getting more attention.  My sister was the "Great One" because she has always loved me.  Even when I was BEING a pain, because I THOUGHT, I was the "Great One". 

What's your favorite children's book?

Driving on Automatic (SOLS 13)

You probably don't know this, but I LOVE Starbucks.  I spend so much money there on a weekly basis, that I'm afraid to tally it up.  So I don't.  I just go when the urge hits me and that's at least twice a week.  It's so bad that I spilt my visits between two different locations.  You know you've got it bad when the people who work there recognize you.  One time I decided to go "cold turkey" as a part of a diet I was trying out, so I sent my daughter inside to get herself a White Chocolate Mocha, while I waited in the car.  Guess what happened?  One of the barista's asked, "Where's your mom?"  Being the good daughter that she is, and not wanting to divulge my secret, she responded, "She decided to go off coffee this week."  When he persisted in the reason why, she just said she didn't know.  After returning to the car and relaying the conversation that took place inside, I said, "Next time, just say-SHE'S ON A DIET! OKAY?"  See what I mean about needing to split my visits between two locations?

Anyway, one day I drove to Starbucks with my daughter, and I'm placing our order, but the barista loses her train of thought and forgets to give me change.  She's so embarassed, that I say, "No problem, I do things like that all the time.  It's like when you drive somewhere, but you don't remember doing it or how you got there."  She and the other people nearby laugh and agree that this was something that happens to them too.  I call it Driving on Automatic.

This "Driving on Automatic" phrase got me thinking about my students and their reading.  Many of my first graders are becoming really good readers.  This year, they have been learning and applying various reading strategies.  Our goal is to be able to articulate the strategies that we have been learning.  With this in mind, more and more students are not just learning to read, but they are reading to learn.  I love when my students make that transition, the one from learning to read, to reading to learn.  When this happens, I know they are "Driving on Automatic" or reading on automatic.  They know various strategies and when to use them.  For instance, they might visualize the story by making a mental picture.  Often times, they don't even realize that they did, because they are "Driving on Automatic".   We'll continue to learn and practice different reading strategies, apply them in our independent reading time, articulate them during reading conferences, and we'll continue to, "Drive Read on Automatic" forever more.

Keeping The Faith (SOLS 12)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
                                                                              Hebrews 11:1

About six months ago, I had thyroid surgery.  I had a large nodule on one side of my neck and two smaller ones on the other.  I was very nervous about having the surgery done, but it was something my doctors told me was necessary.  I'm a pretty healthy person.  I watch what I eat, driving my husband crazy because our grocery bills are quite high, since I only eat organic foods.  I work out regularly, at least now I do, and I don't smoke or drink alcohol.  I had never had surgery before, let alone been hospitalized, except to have my daughter and that was 17 years ago.  With that said, I must admit, I was downright afraid.  Yes, this christian woman was fighting fear and Big Time.

All those negative thoughts started running through my head... the "What Ifs".  What if something goes wrong?  What if they find cancer?  What if I lose my voice?  After all, I'm a teacher...I can't teach without a voice.  Then there was THE WORSE THOUGHT OF ALL THOUGHTS.  What if I die...and never return home?  I couldn't bare the thought of leaving my family.  Of my daughter, losing her mom when she needs me so much.  She's only 17 and soon she'll be entering into adulthood.

So, I did the only thing I could do at a time like this.  I Prayed.  I Prayed.  And... I Prayed.  I got out my bible, meditated on a few scriptures, and little by little, the fear left.  This fear that had been gripping my thoughts left, and was replaced by Faith.  The faith that I have in my God.  The faith that has always kept be moving in the right direction.  The faith that gives me hope during difficult times.  The faith that helped me overcome every obstacle that I was ever faced with.

Thankfully, the surgery went well.  I was back in my classroom and teaching a week later, with my voice pretty close to normal.  The most difficult thing was trying to hit those high notes, but my first graders didn't seem to mind.  That's one of the things I love about teaching first graders-their unconditional love.  There was no sign of cancer.  However, the size of one of the nodules was quite large, and it gave my surgeon quite a challenge.  Part of the nodule was slightly visible from the outside, but a large part of it was hidden beneath my collar bone and was beginning to go into my chest.  I don't want to get to graphic here, but simply stress how important it was that I had this surgery done, and how putting it off could have been disastrous.  I thank God for my faith.  It was faith that got me through this fearful time.  My faith saved my life, where fear tried to end it.  Fear is the opposite of faith.  If there is anything that is keeping you from doing what you need to do, work on increasing your faith.  Faith erases fear.  Just.....Keep the Faith!
Val

May I Introduce Myself? (SOLS 11)

I heard someone say, "Young lady, you should put your coat on before you catch a cold."

 I turned to see a handsome man walking behind me.  "No, way!" I respond.  "I just got over a really bad cold."  He walks over to me and extends his hand.  "May I introduce myself?" There's a short pause.  I reach for his hand, a bit nervously.  "My name is Dennis." he continues.  "It's nice to meet you Dennis, I'm Valerie." I say.

It's February, but the weather is mild and spring like.  He continues to explain that he's been watching me for several weeks and wanted to finally meet me.  We exchange a few more pleasantries, and he walks off.  Meanwhile, my mother has been walking a few feet ahead of us.  When he is far enough away, her excitement bubbles over.  "Wow! Where did he go?  Do you still see him?" she says with a bit too much enthusiasm in her voice.  

I just turned 30 a week ago.  I had been hoping to meet someone nice for about three years now, and I wasn't about to pin all of my hopes on this one single introduction.  "I don't no where he went, mother, and I really don't care."  Suddenly, a black car pulls out of a nearby parking lot.  "It's him!" she says, the excitement having returned to her voice.  "He's looking at you through the rear view mirror." she continues.  And he really was.  Now I'm in for it.  It's going to be a long drive home.

The 3 People I would Invite To Lunch (SOLS #10)

Have you ever thought about the three people you would invite to lunch, if you could invite anyone?  Well, I've thought about this a lot lately, and so far my list remains the same.  The order isn't important, but the reasons for selecting them is.  I would invite, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and my father.

Why Michelle Obama?  I think the First Lady of our country is an exceptional role model.  In my opinion, she is the epitome of elegance, intelligence, and beauty (both inner and outer).  I admire her values, and her commitment to her family.  The First Lady is fighting to end childhood obesity, and she is an advocate for and supporter of, our military families.  I imagine Michelle Obama and I having a lot in common, and after meeting, talking, and laughing together, we would become fast friends.

Why Oprah Winfrey?  I think Oprah Winfrey is one of the most interesting and knowledgeable women of this century.  Oprah Winfrey has an amazing way of connecting with people from all walks of life.  She interviews celebrities and everyday people with both skill and insight.  She has a way of asking the tough questions, that not only inform, but often teach us things.  Additionally, she has a wonderful sense of humor.  I think Oprah and I would be good friends as well.  In case you didn't know, Oprah and Michelle are friends.  So, as you can see, I'm really on to something here.

Why my father?  Well, I've never met Michelle Obama or Oprah Winfrey.  They're just two people who I find interesting.  My father, on the other hand, was someone I knew.  He passed away when I was in my second year of college.  I knew him from the prespective of my childhood.  However, I never really knew him as an Adult.  He was ill from the time I graduated high school, up until the time that he passed away, which was my sophmore year of college, when I was 20 years old.  I have so many things that I would love to tell him, so many questions that I would love to ask him, and so many hugs that I would love to give him.  I sometimes talk to him even though he is not here.  He is in heaven and I take comfort in the idea that he hears me, even though he can't respond back.  "Daddy, I love you.  I know I haven't told you lately, but I do."

Who are the three people you would invite to lunch?

(SOLS 9) I Remember...

I remember walking barefoot with sand squishing between my toes.

I remember the warmth of the sun on my face, arms, and feet.

I remember Turtle Sundaes on warm evenings.


I remember the morning melodies of the birds singing their sweet songs.

I remember the fog settling over the creek and then disappearing before my eyes.

I remember open windows, fresh air, and the gentle breeze of the day.


I remember fresh corn, green beans, and tomatoes.

I remember picnics, cookouts, and festivals.

I remember long walks, short runs, and just right bike rides.


I remember..... SUMMER!

Rachel's Passion - SOLS 8

My daughter, Rachel, is an artist.  Art is Rachel's passion.  Her love for art started when she was very small.  In elementary school she fell in love with drawing.  As a first grader her drawings were very detailed to include buttons on shirts, knobs on dresser drawers, and the twists of her braids. 

By middle school, Rachel was writing and illustrating her stories.  She'd spend hours after school, writing and drawing.  When she was in 7th grade, she contacted a publisher to inquire about how to get one of her stories published.  Imagine my surprise when the publisher returned her call, wanting to talk to us about the book she had written.

Rachel is in high school now.  She still enjoys writing and illustrating her work.  But, what she enjoys most of all is sketching.  She has even created an Art Blog to showcase some of her art.  This week, our school district is holding an art show.  In each building, in grades K-12, the art teachers choose pieces to display in the show.  One of Rachel's drawings was selected again this year.  Rachel is passionate about her drawings.  When Rachel is creating a piece of art, she is her happiest.  What's your passion?