Celebrate this week

Slice of Life at Two Writing Teachers

Celebrate with Ruth Ayres

Where to start?

Start from the beginning.

I celebrate my friend and colleague.  Sirje is a first grade teacher. I have known her more than half of my life. We went to the university together and have worked together more than 15 years. She is the one who invited me to join the Estonian Reading Association. Together we have given workshops to parents and Estonian teachers, written for a book, and organized Book Week events at school. This Tuesday we gave a workshop (to a small audience) at an international conference (big event). I wrote about it here. The best part is the laughter. No matter how worried or nervous we are, we find time to plan and practice, and then we laugh. A lot. 

I celebrate reflection writing. I'll use the words I shared with the parents on our class blog:

Twice a year the students in PYP pause and ponder about who they are as writers and readers, what attitudes do they show in math and inquiry, what are some things they have created, what are their strengths and areas to grow, what have they learned and how much they have grown.
As a teacher it is fascinating to see how different students approach the task and what is that they find most important to include in their reflections.
We take writing reflections similarly to writing any texts. We think what is the purpose, who is the audience, what ideas and details to include, how to structure the text, and what words to use so it would be interesting to read.
Writing reflections takes time, yet it is important not to just plow on with learning, but to stop and see where we started,  where we are now and where we are heading. 

I celebrate going to gym. I was exhausted on Wednesday. I yawned and wanted to crawl to bed at six o'clock already. But I didn't. I went to gym instead. I still don't have the strength and stamina to do all the exercises, but I was there. I didn't skip the lesson.

I celebrate Mimm performing. Four times a week Mimm goes to gymnastics/dance training. Her trainer is this amazing woman, who in addition of training many groups of girls, organizes large scale performances. We had a large Cinderella musical in November and now there was a dance performance "Miina - one girl's story." This show took place all over the school house. The audience walked from one place to another and watched different dance groups perform a story of growing up.  Even in between the dances, when the audience moved, we saw children acting to the music and text coming from the loud speakers. Mimm was part of two dances. Too excited to watch, I didn't take a single picture. The first dance was a rhythmical choreography with two drum sticks. The second one was a funny scene with girls trying on adult shoes. As I found out later, Mimm wasn't originally supposed to be in this dance, but since someone got sick and she knew the steps, she got the part.

On Thursday and Friday there were two performances on both days. I am so glad that my mom came to watch Mimm yesterday.

I celebrate my oldest being in a local newspaper. My mom was in a teacher newspaper last Friday. Now Marianne was interviewed for our local community newspaper. When I came home yesterday and took the newspaper from the mailbox, her picture was the first thing I saw. She was on the front cover. Even though she doesn't go to the local school anymore, she started dancing here, went to school for nine years here, and was recognized for her achievement.  

I have to say it feels a bit funny  but mighty exciting to have both my mom and my daughter in a newspaper. 

I celebrate slicing and comments. These deserve a separate post. I will write it. Soon.

I celebrate a no-hurry Saturday. It doesn't happen often that I get a weekend where nothing is scheduled and no deadlines are looming. Well, there is always domestic duties and school work, but no pressure. I have no plans. 

Where to start?

Start from the beginning.