tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79889992904973181312024-03-13T15:04:18.940-04:00Courage Doesn't Always Roar: A Teacher's Quest to Be Better Each DayHave courage and be kind. Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-76552283492340036652019-02-05T05:48:00.001-05:002019-02-05T05:48:29.643-05:00#SOL19 You Can Go Your Own Way <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhCgZlPdOzs/XFlmbmn0J9I/AAAAAAACoT4/F5pwMw5AVOASEI3px6zhfMacR-C1j-G5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-05%2Bat%2B5.29.26%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="630" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhCgZlPdOzs/XFlmbmn0J9I/AAAAAAACoT4/F5pwMw5AVOASEI3px6zhfMacR-C1j-G5ACLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-05%2Bat%2B5.29.26%2BAM.png" width="251" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you were looking at an <a href="https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/identity-charts">Identity Web </a>for me right now (Sara K. Ahmed's <i><a href="https://www.heinemann.com/products/e09970.aspx">Being the Change</a></i> has been on my mind with our recent #twtblog series and a book study/ workshop I facilitated with the Long Island Writing Project), you would see the added role of "Daisy Co-Leader" as another hat (or Girl Scout tunic?) I am wearing. My daughter, Megan, is a kindergarten student and I have signed on to be her Girl Scout troop co-leader. My fabulous friend and colleague (and down the street neighbor!) is the leader of the troop and she is everything you've ever dreamed of in a Daisy troop leader- enthusiastic, creative, organized, kind, thoughtful, and ambitious. Our troop has done A LOT in our short six months together. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night was another Daisy event. We met up with other Girl Scouts from our town and the town right next to us for a "Paint Night." Each girl got a canvas and paints and was instructed, step by step, on how to make a snowman in a winter scene. It was meant to look somewhat like this:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tO4rSoqz5Qs/XFloaoXqyjI/AAAAAAACoUM/Ku7VzuH5Kz0KgZpDQ9mGZqXyaOwsKuphACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-05%2Bat%2B5.41.22%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tO4rSoqz5Qs/XFloaoXqyjI/AAAAAAACoUM/Ku7VzuH5Kz0KgZpDQ9mGZqXyaOwsKuphACLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-02-05%2Bat%2B5.41.22%2BAM.png" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, everyone is different and the goal wasn't that they paintings were IDENTICAL...but kind of in the same ballpark? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Megan was not having it. She told me before we even got to the event that "real artists don't follow instructions" and she was planning on "tweaking" it to make it her own. That she did. Her "snowman" at one point had long luscious flowing blonde hair before she added a brown burlap hat and then more swirls and paint that eventually blocked most of the hair. It was completely her own creation. I looked at some of other Daisies paintings that came far closer to the original. Some girls embellished with eyelashes or eyebrows but many looked similar to the intended finished product. Should I have steered Megan more firmly to comply with the step by step instructions?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nah. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She had a blast, asking me when the next Paint Night would be. She was proud of her creation, trying to decide the best place in our house to hang it. Sometimes, you have to go your own way. Megan's identity web would not only include "Daisy Scout" but "Artist" with a capital A. Maybe even "Rebel." </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-28132223374312392212019-01-01T07:25:00.001-05:002019-01-01T07:25:08.999-05:00#SOL19 Here's to the New Year <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Same me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New goals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New lessons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New revelations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New outlook.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New calendar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New attitude.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New priorities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New focus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New me?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or same me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but closer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to the real me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">deep inside. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A new year feels full of possibilities, lessons, learning. I am determined to make this the year I start achieving the new goals I set for myself. In my 30's, I met all the goals I ever thought I wanted: married, children, a teacher. These were the dreams I dreamed as a child and they came true. As I inch closer to 40 (my birthday is in June), it's time to think about what do I want next? How do I want to show up as a wife, a mom, a teacher, a friend, a human? How can I be the best me possible- what does she do each day? Think? Feel? Practice? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am using the Start Today journal by Rachel Hollis to help me focus on my dreams, goals, and the big goal I want to achieve first. My first big goal is to be at my healthy weight so I can look and feel my best. At almost 40, I deserve all the things that come with that- shopping in any store I like, being happy with how I look in pictures, moving with ease, feeling good inside my skin. There are many other dreams to work towards, but Rachel says to concentrate your efforts because a boulder makes a bigger splash in a pond than many different pebbles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, even though my family is celebrating with Chinese food and ice cream cake later today, I am doing what I did this summer when I was really focused- bringing my own food. I'm bringing cauliflower rice and slow cooker stew that I prepared. I'll drink my water. I'll enjoy the time with my family and I will make the food choices that make me feel like I am saying YES to my goals and moving closer to my dream becoming reality.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are your hopes and dreams in 2019? </span><br />
<br />Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-91635489614729686702018-12-30T22:54:00.000-05:002018-12-30T22:54:17.721-05:00#MustReadin2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDkvtFiXji4/XCmIot4cZJI/AAAAAAACnLY/3Rpd2NS0VWgwPr42gD-n42eT9znq8Jy3wCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-12-30%2Bat%2B10.09.55%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1600" height="109" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDkvtFiXji4/XCmIot4cZJI/AAAAAAACnLY/3Rpd2NS0VWgwPr42gD-n42eT9znq8Jy3wCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-12-30%2Bat%2B10.09.55%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've always loved to read. Walking into a library, I feel like I'm home. Visiting a book store, I can't believe all the possibilities waiting for me. Reading has always been such a big part of my life and it's where my heart is as a teacher first and now a mom. But this past year, I didn't read all that much, unless you count scrolling through my phone. Social media has become a mindless pastime. And the more I scroll, the less I read real books. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my goals for 2019 is to rediscover my love of reading by making time to read actual books. I am deeply appreciative of Carrie Gelson, who is such a reading inspiration and has put together the #MustReadin2019 community. Visit Carrie at her site, <a href="https://thereisabookforthat.com/">There's a Book for That</a>, to learn more about setting your own reading goals in 2019. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make my goals, I'm starting first with the books I've bought and haven't read yet. There are many, sitting on my shelf, waiting for me to pick them up. I've also asked friends for recommendations. Some books are geared for children (middle grade novels/ YA books) and others are meant for adults. Some are just for fun, some are to improve my teaching, and others are to inspire my life. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the books I plan to read in 2019:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>High Performance Habits</i> by Brendon Burchard</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Girl, Stop Apologizing</i> by Rachel Hollis (publishing in March)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Party Girl </i>by Rachel Hollis</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This Life I Live</i> by Rory Feek </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Open a World of Possible </i>edited by Lois Bridges </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Lions and Liars</i> by Kate Beastly </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>A Tangle of Knots</i> by Lisa Graff </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Writers are Readers</i> by Lester Laminack and Reba Wadsworth</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Writing Teacher's Companion</i> by Ralph Fletcher </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>When In Doubt, Add Butter </i>by Beth Harbison</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Daring Greatly</i> by Brene Brown</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Perfect Couple</i> by Elin Hildebrand</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World</i> by Michelle Borba </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Wild Robot Escapes</i> by Peter Browne </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Prince and the Dressmaker</i> by Jen Wang </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>In Sight of Stars </i>by Gae Polisner </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Breakout</i> by Kate Messner</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Harbor Me</i> by Jacqueline Woodson</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Benefits of Being an Octopus</i> by Ann Braden</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Front Desk</i> by Kelly Yang</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Bridget Jones- Mad About the Boy </i>by Helen Fielding </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>One of Us is Lying </i>by Karen McManus</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This is Where I Leave You </i>by Jonathan Tropper </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Pie </i>by Sarah Weeks </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">24 books feels like a reasonable goal....2 books a month. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What books are you hoping to read this year? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-59950356743990602672018-12-28T14:47:00.000-05:002018-12-28T14:47:47.475-05:00#OneWord2019 #OLW2019 TIME<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Pqn4Q1iLk/XCZ1BRQF9WI/AAAAAAACm80/_3yM808qfzADe9mRcURcfWGdbNccusXIQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-12-28%2Bat%2B2.05.23%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1066" height="244" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E4Pqn4Q1iLk/XCZ1BRQF9WI/AAAAAAACm80/_3yM808qfzADe9mRcURcfWGdbNccusXIQCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-12-28%2Bat%2B2.05.23%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As one of the co-authors of the <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/">Two Writing Teachers blog</a>, I've been selecting a One Little Word (#olw) since 2016. In years past, each co-author shared his/her word in a post featured on the Two Writing Teachers. This year, we are changing it up and linking all our One Little Word posts for 2019 into one blog post. Betsy Hubbard will be sharing that post on New Years Day. I can't wait to see the words my co-authors selected to guide their year. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2016, my word was <a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/2016/01/06/kathleens-one-little-word-of-2016/">HAPPY</a>. In 2017, I chose<a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/2017/01/07/kathleens-olw-for-2017/"> AUDACIOUS.</a> My word last year, in 2018, was<a href="https://twowritingteachers.org/2018/01/03/kathleens-olw/"> DO</a>. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2019, about halfway through the year, I will turn 40 years old. I will be married for ten years. My mother will turn 70. These are milestones. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I sat on the floor the other night, in a quest to organize, photo albums around me. Pictures, cards, and notes from times gone by. The days before I was married and had children, when I was just becoming a teacher and a grown up. Then pictures of my wedding and pictures of my children as babies. How those days have flown! My children are both in elementary school now and those gummy toothless smiles, feety pajama days didn't last nearly as long as I thought they would. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a feeling that time is flying by me. Days go fast and are filled from the moment I wake up until the moment I can't keep my eyes open any longer. There is a feeling of never being caught up, never doing enough, rushing, rushing, rushing. Too busy to reach out to a friend. Too busy to chat with my mom. Too busy to play a board game with my son or cuddle on the couch with my daughter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"The way we spend our time defines who are," Jonathan Estrin once said. And Jim Rohn said, "Either you run the day or the day runs you." I'm kind of over the day running me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This new year, 2019, my #onelittleword is TIME. I want to take time to appreciate all the beauty in my life. I want to give my time and attention to those I love without thinking of all the other things I should be doing. I want my time in the classroom to be joyful and intentional and purposeful. I want to make time for my goals, my health, my dreams. As I approach a new decade in my life, I want to enter into it as my best possible self. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2019, I will take time to...</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">drink water, eat healthfully, and exercise</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">write what I'm grateful for and my dreams in my <a href="https://www.thehollisco.com/shop">Start Today journal </a>each morning</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">read more books and limit my scrolling through social media</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">be present in conversations</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">send notes and cards to people I love</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">have family outings and activities to make memories</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">find joy in each day and time for myself</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2019 is my TIME to be the best version of myself and to be grateful for each day. What word will guide you this year? </span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-43179457815173872102018-12-24T13:08:00.000-05:002018-12-24T13:08:30.308-05:00#SOL18 It's in the Doing <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Alexa, play Hallelujah Chorus," I instruct, washing my hands. It's Christmas Eve day. Megan and I are trying to bake sugar cookies for Santa Claus. As I knead the powdery, crumbly dough (something has gone wrong with these cookies, I fear), the first notes start and soon I hear "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm back in high school, in a green robe, on risers in the auditorium, singing my Alto part in our holiday concert. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is 22 years later and I still remember my part. I remember the Sopranos part, too and where the Altos came in again and when we harmonized. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"And he shall reign forever and ever....And he shall reign forever and ever.....King of Kings and Lord of Lords. King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And he shall reign forever and ever...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I attempt to make balls of dough. Megan squishes a Hershey Kiss in the middle. I'm singing and rolling and squishing and remembering how even though I was not a good singer at all, I loved being part of the chorus. I loved singing the Hallelujah Chorus at every holiday concert. I don't remember many specific lessons from my days in school but I remember almost every line of the Hallelujah chorus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cookies? They were a major fail. Somehow they flattened and leaked to the bottom of the oven. I apologized to Megan and Alex and said we would find other cookies we could leave for Santa tonight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My #onelittleword for 2018 was "Do." It is in the doing that memories are made. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes it's being in a chorus and learning a challenging song which lives in your memory forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes it's baking cookies with your little girl and completely messing it up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes it's putting one foot in front of another when your whole world feels upside down- making the appointments, driving on the highway, waiting in the offices, hoping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes its stopping to notice and appreciate all that is right and good and breathing it in while it lasts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and peace and love for all of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-4010128817984551482018-11-27T05:56:00.003-05:002018-11-27T05:56:49.550-05:00#SOL18 Same You, New Mood <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Same you, new mood."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Rachel Hollis </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While our thoughts and feelings are real, did you ever stop to wonder if they are true? When you tell yourself you can never x, y, or z, is that really the case? I've been thinking more about my thoughts and how shifting them can really change so much in my day to day happiness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Situation: Our elf on the shelf, Smiling Max, has returned.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old Thought: Oh no. I already don't have time for all I have to do and now I have to remember to move this freaking elf every night and think of creative things for him to do! And since Thanksgiving came early this year, there are so many extra days of this torture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Thought: My kids are so excited and happy to see our elf again. While it's some extra work, it makes their mornings joyful and captures their imaginations. It's making this holiday season memorable. They won't always be 8 years old and 5 years old and soon enough they won't believe in/care about an elf on the shelf. This is special time to make memories. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Situation: I need to lose weight.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old Thought: I feel so deprived. Why does everyone else get to eat what they like and stay thin? It's so much work to lose weight and then it all comes back. I'll always be overweight, it's just who I am.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Thought: I feel so much better having lost some weight already. While I have more to lose, I know I will accomplish my goals. It feels good to eat healthy and nutritious foods that are good for me. With a little thought and planning, it isn't hard to stay on track. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Situation: The alarm goes off- time to workout.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old Thought: It's so cold and dark and I'm so tired. My days are full and working out earlier will make me tired later. I don't really need to workout- I'm eating healthy and that's what counts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Thought: I am lucky to be able to move freely and be healthy enough to exercise. Adding exercise into my routine might be the push I need to get better results towards my ultimate weight loss goals. It feels good to move and it will give me more energy for my day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Situation: It's Tuesday morning and I don't have a Slice of Life ready.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old Thought: I am so freaking busy as a classroom teacher and mom- I have no time to write. I barely have time to do all the work in my bag. Actually, I don't have time to do all the work in my bag. I cannot take time to blog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Thought: It might not be the best post ever, but show up and say something. Writing is an important habit to keep and being part of the Slice of Life Community adds joy to your life. Make time for it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">****</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are some of your old thoughts and new thoughts? How do your thoughts shape your day?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-13590517261672276772018-11-05T06:00:00.004-05:002018-11-05T19:55:56.621-05:00#SOL18 It's a Noisy World After All <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The click of the light switch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tap tap tapping of my fingers on the keyboard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tick, tick, tick of the car indicator. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rip of a paper towel. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are sounds I've just begun to hear again since donning hearing aids as of last week. Under 40 years old, I have made the decision to wear hearing aids as I have a fairly significant loss in my left ear and some hearing loss also in my right ear. Coming to the decision to get hearing aids wasn't easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I first realized I had a hearing loss over 6 years ago. I would be on the phone and could barely understand at all when the receiver was held to my left ear. I started switching to the right but was troubled by this. My father's family all had hearing loss and most of his siblings started wearing hearing aids in midlife too. While I was pregnant with my daughter Megan, I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor and had my hearing evaluated. The doctor was stunned that I had as much loss as I did, especially on the left. He sent me for an MRI to make sure there wasn't a tumor wasn't causing this sudden loss. This was all done a few days before Hurricane Sandy and I remember the power being out and no one answering phones as I waited for the news about my possible tumor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, no tumor. But still, the hearing loss. I waited until after Megan was born and then saw an audiologist. At this time in my life, my son was two years old and I had a newborn. The hearing aids were not an easy addition into my life. They kept slipping out of place- it turns out I (of course) have atypical eardrums and need a custom model for it to fit my ear. My newborn would be screaming up by my ear. Nothing seemed clearer but everything felt so loud. Hearing aids are very expensive, but New York State gives you 45 days to get your money back. I took that option, returning my hearing aids and figuring I could do without them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For over 5 years, I did. If a person was talking near me and I could see their mouth, I was mostly fine. Background noise complicates things. I watched television with close captioned on. I told people about my hearing loss so they would understand if I said the wrong thing or misheard. Still, it became more and more embarrassing in new social situations, or on the soccer field, or at a party when I just couldn't hear what people were saying. In the classroom, I had to work very hard to hear and understand and would ask children to repeat themselves if I misunderstood. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A friend who is a speech therapist working mostly with hearing impaired children encouraged me to see about my hearing. She said undiagnosed hearing loss can lead to dementia. There are many poor health outcomes that follow a hearing loss being untreated. I felt ready to try again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And so, here I am, with new custom-fit hearing aids. They can stream podcasts, music, Voxer, and phone conversations which is so awesome. They fit in my ear so much better. My expectations are more realistic. I know that clarity will still be an issue but I'm hoping in time for better overall hearing. Last time around, the rip of a paper towel felt deafening and annoyed me. This time around, I'm amazed at all the sounds in the world that I haven't been hearing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It will take time to adjust and to make the hearing aids a natural part of my life. I think this was the right step and I feel more confident that this time around, my hearing will improve, and be a positive addition to my life. </span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-63016532408428236962018-10-16T06:05:00.001-04:002018-10-16T16:09:03.617-04:00#SOL18 No Mud, No Lotus <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been listening to the most interesting, inspiring stories of redemption and success after adversity. I follow <a href="https://www.msrachelhollis.com/about/">Rachel Hollis</a>, the author of <i>Girl, Wash Your Face </i>and the founder of a multi-media company (which she created, as she likes to say, "with a high school diploma and a Google search bar.) Rachel's "Rise" podcast is perfectly named, as every episode I've listened to has a person who has had the worst Good Fridays become a life of Easter Sundays. In other words, people who have had trying or difficult circumstances have taken their pain and made something beautiful, or helpful, or inspiring. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The most recent episode I listened to featured <a href="https://www.charitywater.org/thirst?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=thirst&utm_content=thirst&gclid=CjwKCAjwmJbeBRBCEiwAAY4VVboxUGiYbwjJDb5XWuMGCjN1RkUfy9r2AyuUJOSepVEl03kgZxNttRoC7SQQAvD_BwE">Scott Harrison</a>, the founder of Charity: Water and the author of a new book called <i>Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World.</i> His story was completely captivating. It began with a move to a new home when he was 4 and a carbon monoxide leak that left his mother forever damaged and his childhood completely altered. He became a club owner in New York City and by his words, a heavy drug user/smoker/drinker. Today he has created an organization that helps people all over the world access clean water. After this episode, I want to buy the book (where all the proceeds go directly to Charity:Water) and learn more about his story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But all of this has me thinking about pain, scars, and life after. Princess Eugenie just got married and chose a dress that allowed the world to see the scars on her back from previous surgeries. What an interesting and brave choice. Do our scars make us who we are? Do they change our lives and push us into places of light and growth? How do we get through the pain to the other side? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No mud, no lotus, right? No rain, no rainbow. We all have hard things, some harder than others. Some unthinkable. Life, unfortunately, is not sunny days all the time. But what do you do when it rains and you think the storm will never cease? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The stories I've heard on the podcast remind me that even in your darkest hours, it's not over. You can choose the next choice and you just might find a way to a better life than you could have imagined. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm still mulling over the implications of this on my teaching, but I think mostly it comes to this: Don't write anyone off. Believe all of your students have the ability to lead amazing and inspiring lives. Let them know you believe in them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What inspiring stories have you heard lately? </span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-33180446966732690082018-10-09T06:32:00.003-04:002018-10-09T06:32:55.954-04:00#SOL18 This Is Just To Say (Sleeping in)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Apologies to William Carlos Williams)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stayed in bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when the alarm </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beeped loudly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the darkness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and pressed "snooze"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and cuddled close</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to the little blonde haired girl</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">who ran into my room</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">somewhere at 3 am.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forgive me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for not writing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a better post</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this morning</span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-15590219571510584062018-10-02T05:32:00.000-04:002018-10-02T05:32:15.045-04:00Before I was Your Mom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Alex</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, it was all I wanted to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every month when the pregnancy test was negative, my heart broke. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blood tests and doctors and specialists and odds against my dream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Early morning drives to the fertility doctor</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blood levels measured and waiting for the perfect timing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I wanted you with all my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I was a young-ish kindergarten teacher. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found out I was going to be your mom in my classroom closet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A voicemail from the doctor saying, "Congratulations, you are pregnant!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">while I stood among the crayons and construction paper. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the best phone call I ever, ever received.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I wanted you with all my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I never imagined how I would know you from the start,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How seeing your round little face after you were born was like seeing someone I've known my whole life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How you would turn at the sound of my voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How calling myself your mom would be my favorite title ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I became your mom, I loved you with all my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I didn't know how fast the years would fly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How one day you would be sleeping on my shoulder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and the next day you were too big for me to pick up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How you would depend on my for everything until </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you could do so much on your own without me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How you would go from zooming around the living room</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pretending you were an Octonaut</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to zooming around the soccer field</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">scoring goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I didn't know how hard the job would be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How life's bends and curves would roll us and shape us</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and the mistakes and the worries and the fears </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">are wrapped up with the joy and the happiness and the love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How being a mom to you means every feeling and emotion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and times I worry I've done it wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How being your mom is still the privilege of my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I didn't know it would be the most significant job I'll ever have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you turn 8, I am holding tight to the bedtime stories and snuggles,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the checkers games you always win,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the soccer tournaments where you play with speed and passion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The times you want me to sit in your chair as you fall asleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll blink and you'll be a teenager</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll blink and you'll be a man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll blink and you will be a dad yourself, maybe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I didn't know being a mom means letting go when you just want to hold on with all your might. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was your mom, I couldn't wait for you to be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I'm your mom and I couldn't be prouder of you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are brave, resilient, smart, creative, kind and everything</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always dreamed of while I was anticipating </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">being your mom. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-45026986674370674442018-09-03T12:17:00.001-04:002018-09-03T12:17:16.985-04:00#SOL18 It Was The Summer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of two wheelers without training wheels (Alex) and a new two wheeler with training wheels (Megan). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of camp and wet towels and bathing suits every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of too much money spent on ice cream from the same truck we saw each afternoon at camp. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of front teeth lost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of pools and cousins and tie dye shirts with beads. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of catching baseballs and kicking soccer balls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of a new watch, a new phone, a new car. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of movie theaters and a Broadway show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of candy (not me) and packing veggies (me).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of reading books for grown-ups and finding new mentors. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of reconnecting with friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of Uber rides and cocktails. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the summer of healing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, Summer 2018, for space to breathe, for long sunny days, for splashes in pools, for fireworks, for my children's smiles. For time to think and pause. I will miss you. </span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-6098284972666799432018-08-28T07:08:00.000-04:002018-08-28T07:08:11.093-04:00#SOL18 Calendar Filling Up <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My summer calendar was pretty open. A few appointments here and there but mostly stretches of sunny days without many to-do's. We haven't turned the calendar to September yet, but my September calendar is full! Doctor's appointments, sports, activities, back to school nights for my kids, back to school nights for me. I'm feeling a rising panic about how much there is to do and how to fit it all in, like a jigsaw puzzle I can't seem to place properly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was kid-free, I would spend weeks getting my classroom ready. Now, with two school-age kids, that type of time isn't available. I'm grateful for two amazing Grandmas who are willing to take the kids for pockets of time so I can set up. But even that feels like the crunch- appointments sandwiched in between those hours to make sure my hair is back to school ready, too. Playdates set up so the kids can have some fun with their school friends before heading back to class next week. The days aren't an endless stretch of time for me to prepare for back to school, as they used to be. Since I've been teaching for 17 years, you would think I wouldn't need all the time in the world but if you saw my classroom currently, you would understand why I feel a little panicky. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time is a fixed commodity. We all get the same amount each day. I need to figure out how to make this all work without feeling crazy and completely overwhelmed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer's not over, but the summer feeling is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-81953788732339554082018-08-20T20:59:00.000-04:002018-08-21T07:14:21.517-04:00#SOL18 Flexible Seating, Flexible Thinking <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am so lucky! I am one of the classrooms in my district piloting brand new, beautiful furniture that emphasizes flexible seating options. Today I had the opportunity to see my new furniture for the first time in my classroom. Helpful custodians assisted me in rearranging a few items and now everything is in place- furniture-wise. There is still so much to do in regards to organizing, decorating, and getting the classroom ready for my 24 third graders. There is also much to do in the way of thinking through potential problems and possible solutions. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Name tags taped down on the desk or table always helped students initially find a spot on the first day of school. It also helped me get to know students' names and match their faces to the name. Students are assigned a number and they learned their number because it was on their name tag. How would I learn their names without desk tags? How would they learn their numbers? How would I match names to faces without the name tag? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thinking through this issue, I decided to make desk tags with names and numbers, as I always do. I just won't tape them down. The first day of school, each student can find a spot by finding his/her name. Then, we will have opportunities to talk about flexible seating and how this will all work! The next day, students desk tags will be moved to another spot, giving them a chance to experience another seat. After a few days of putting name tags out, we will transition to students finding their own space. Name tags will be hung on a ring and available if a student needs to see the name or their number. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are lots of other situations to think through. How will students access all their individual supplies? How will we deal with children rolling around (chairs have wheels) or fighting over spots? This whole new classroom set-up requires flexible thinking- understanding that there WILL be hiccups but as a classroom community, we will come up with solutions. It's not about fancy new furniture- it's about creating a classroom that supports innovative thinking, isn't bound by traditional structures, and allows students space to discover their best learning styles. I know this year will push me to think more deeply and more flexibly. I am excited for this new challenge!</span></div>
Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-62799658381190032802018-08-14T07:55:00.000-04:002018-08-14T07:55:14.810-04:00#SOL18 Just a Number <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I padded down the hallway in the early morning light, I visualized the scale reading a certain number. A number that would put me in a decade of numbers I haven't been in quite some time ( 8 years!). I'm so close! I worked so hard yesterday and I just FEEL thinner. I step on the scale, hold my breath and am crushed to see it exactly the same as the day before. Which means an ounce less and I'll be in that new decade. But stuck I am here, in this one I desperately want to leave behind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since May, I've been following a program called 2BMindset through BeachBody. It's a deviation from the usual BeachBody programs which mostly focus on the workout and then an eating plan that accompanies it. 2BMindset was created by Ilana Muhlstein and it focuses on the mindset you need to lose weight as well as the strategies she offers. Ilana herself has lost 100 pounds and is beautiful and inspirational. The program doesn't involve points or containers and is quite common sense. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yet- it's hard work. It's a big change in lifestyle- in the beverages I drink each day (now mostly water), to the meals I eat ("veggies most"). I bring my own food to social events sometimes. I skip outings that involve restaurants when possible. I have tea in the evening if I want something sweet. When my son asked me what my favorite foods were yesterday, I answered "pizza and pasta" but I don't eat them very much at all anymore. (While they are my favorite, they are not my body's favorite.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Part of the program means weighing yourself each day. The idea is to make the scale less an enemy and use it for information. Understand why what you ate one day might have influenced that number. Understand that it fluctuates and look for patterns over time. Use it as an accountability tool to get you to your goal instead of seeing it as a scary judge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm working hard and seeing results but when there is so much more to go, it's hard to have a number not reflect the effort. This made me think about high stakes tests and how it is one snapshot on one day, much like today on the scale. And all the effort and facets of a student that are not seen in that one snapshot. What will truly make a difference to my weight loss? Developing the habits, the mindset, the confidence, and putting in the effort. Tomorrow, it could drop 2 pounds or be up 1. It will be the consistent effort over time that will lead to my ultimate weight loss. Learning and growth will happen along the way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, so this is true too, for our students. It is their consistent effort over time that matters. It is their belief that they are learners- readers, writers, curious people who want to learn about the world and ultimately make a contribution to it. It's not about being defined by a test score. It's not about being defined by a scale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's look at our students test scores as one piece of a larger puzzle. Might it offer us some information? Sure! Is it the whole picture? Absolutely not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off to my healthy breakfast and another day of working towards my goal. I'll get there! </span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-34148425564307678922018-08-10T06:55:00.001-04:002018-08-10T06:55:36.926-04:00#PB10for10 Books to Build Community <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gy4WTm0MdJ8/VbzGeamvRmI/AAAAAAAAHCo/Irvz_SeD71sEteWM6OJd69lw8xaa9mL8gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/pb%2B10%2Bfor%2B10%2B015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gy4WTm0MdJ8/VbzGeamvRmI/AAAAAAAAHCo/Irvz_SeD71sEteWM6OJd69lw8xaa9mL8gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/pb%2B10%2Bfor%2B10%2B015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been reading a lot this summer. Books for "fun" and books for professional learning, which I also find fun! I read <i>Being the Change</i> by Sara K. Ahmed as part of #cyberPD and <i>I'll Give You the Sun </i>by Jandy Nelson as part of a teacher book club. You can see the other books I've read by clicking on my<a href="https://farmingdale.edu.buncee.com/buncee/6192B9820B4F40D591C97A5FE9BEAEE2"> Buncee shelf.</a> Many of the books I read circled back between the themes of identity and then community. Knowing yourself, appreciating who you are and then honoring other people's identities within a community. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For this year's #PB10for10, I decided to select 10 books that will help me build a strong classroom community. The books I selected tap into students' identities and beliefs about themselves. They also will help begin conversations about respect and what it means to be part of a community of learners. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Without further ado, here are the ten books I will read to foster identity and community in the beginning of the school year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. <i>All Are Welcome</i> by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HG6Rih11xOQ/W2zdmQDZ_iI/AAAAAAACblQ/8zNzjnkXqRQSA9QMyNJGCkEH_snoaCgywCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-09%2Bat%2B8.34.03%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="479" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HG6Rih11xOQ/W2zdmQDZ_iI/AAAAAAACblQ/8zNzjnkXqRQSA9QMyNJGCkEH_snoaCgywCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-09%2Bat%2B8.34.03%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love the message in this book- everyone has a place here, no matter what. The illustrations show many different types of children and families and the whole tone of the book is very loving and accepting.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2. <i>Wolf!</i> by Becky Bloom and illustrated by Pascal Biet</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVeO4e9Ald0/W2zebIEbfmI/AAAAAAACblY/ctAK67cWm5YCZCTzW7RGhrbvVc8aUuX2wCLcBGAs/s1600/wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVeO4e9Ald0/W2zebIEbfmI/AAAAAAACblY/ctAK67cWm5YCZCTzW7RGhrbvVc8aUuX2wCLcBGAs/s320/wolf.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is one of my favorite stories to read at the start of Reading Workshop. At the beginning of the book, Wolf is sad, hungry and alone until he stumbles on a farm "for educated animals." It is through learning to read and becoming part of community of readers that Wolf's life becomes more satisfying, happy and peaceful. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">3. <i>What Do You Do With a Problem? </i>by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVGocFp7Whc/W2zjwfFUHfI/AAAAAAACblk/s6jjPSS-HKcCiqj8RMzYRkH1_k7TEp4VQCLcBGAs/s1600/what%2Bdo%2Byou%2Bdo%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bproblem%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVGocFp7Whc/W2zjwfFUHfI/AAAAAAACblk/s6jjPSS-HKcCiqj8RMzYRkH1_k7TEp4VQCLcBGAs/s320/what%2Bdo%2Byou%2Bdo%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bproblem%2B.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every person will encounter problems in his/her life and every community will face problems together. What do we do with a problem? Hoping this book can open up conversation and discussion around ways to solve problems and keep kindness at the heart of all we do. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4. <i>The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes</i> by Mark Pett and Gary Rubenstein. Illustrated by Mark Pett. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLKNSWcmQUU/W2zlZ5QhEXI/AAAAAAACblw/6MBiXWgGgqIAz3ZLF1F0i0YHn6-AUPTCQCLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Bgirl%2Bwho%2Bnever%2Bmade%2Bmistakes%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="192" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLKNSWcmQUU/W2zlZ5QhEXI/AAAAAAACblw/6MBiXWgGgqIAz3ZLF1F0i0YHn6-AUPTCQCLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Bgirl%2Bwho%2Bnever%2Bmade%2Bmistakes%2B.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My son hates to make a mistake. He would rather not try then to fail at something. I think many kids feel like him and are fearful of being wrong. The safer we make it to make mistakes, and model our own mistakes, the more comfortable kids will feel taking a risk. Learning comes with a lot of mistakes! Mistakes are part of the process of learning and growing. This book is a must-read as we form our classroom community of risk-takers and mistake-makers. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5. <i>The Dot</i> by Peter H. Reynolds </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vUgqVrL_8eM/W2zmLtpa_nI/AAAAAAACbl4/SRPb0fK7MhwZ1acc6KA4YmO9Nnesi10dwCLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Bdot%2B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vUgqVrL_8eM/W2zmLtpa_nI/AAAAAAACbl4/SRPb0fK7MhwZ1acc6KA4YmO9Nnesi10dwCLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Bdot%2B.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">#DotDay is always one of my favorite days of the year. It falls around September 15th and celebrates the idea of "making your mark." <i>The Dot</i> is another book that pushes kids to be more fearless and worry less about perfection. If you haven't celebrated #DotDay yet, be sure to check out the hashtag- it's such a special day! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">6. <i>The Word Collector </i>by Peter H. Reynolds</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMnWaAX4U5s/W2zo2rl4B2I/AAAAAAACbmE/-Y3Be_Ijs_8S5p-_BRMVqGm01hrnj73fwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-09%2Bat%2B9.22.11%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qMnWaAX4U5s/W2zo2rl4B2I/AAAAAAACbmE/-Y3Be_Ijs_8S5p-_BRMVqGm01hrnj73fwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-09%2Bat%2B9.22.11%2BPM.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is such a beautiful book! I plan to use this book in the early days of Writing Workshop. We can become word collectors, noticing the beautiful/interesting/precise words in the books I read aloud and the books the students read themselves. I'd like to make a display of all the words we find. Another perfect book to share from Peter H. Reynolds!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">7.<i> Alma and How She Got Her Name </i>by Juana Martinez-Neal</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkQcebjpK_Q/W2zplrNromI/AAAAAAACbmM/Evq4ppAQ5kw92S9O6FikTFk9lvxRMNcQwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-09%2Bat%2B9.25.14%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="623" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkQcebjpK_Q/W2zplrNromI/AAAAAAACbmM/Evq4ppAQ5kw92S9O6FikTFk9lvxRMNcQwCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-09%2Bat%2B9.25.14%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last year, I used <i>Thunderboy Jr</i>. to open up the conversation about our names and where they come from. This year, I'm thinking I could create a text set based on the idea of names, including <i>Chrysanthemum</i> and now this moving new book, <i>Alma and How She Got Her Name.</i> My students write letters to their families in our Family Dialogue Journal asking about their names. Last year, some of the stories were so touching. I'm excited to share this book with my students and their families. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">8. <i>After the Fall</i> by Dan Santat</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gONgmg3ildU/W21tSJ_wA_I/AAAAAAACbmk/2lC_V8v8Jbsc-15gAcQ_tZAKhs5T2zu_wCLcBGAs/s1600/after%2Bthe%2Bfall%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gONgmg3ildU/W21tSJ_wA_I/AAAAAAACbmk/2lC_V8v8Jbsc-15gAcQ_tZAKhs5T2zu_wCLcBGAs/s320/after%2Bthe%2Bfall%2B.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What do you do when "All the king's horses, and all the king's men" can't put you together when? For Humpty Dumpty, his fall actually means the start of something amazing in his life. I'd love to teach my students that mistakes and setbacks are not the end, but the beginning of their journey.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">9. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerfeld</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctHKCMA0COs/W21tuvHzMXI/AAAAAAACbms/HDrjJdSIP24tf5pnXPM-v_svKNxEv323ACLcBGAs/s1600/the%2Brabbit%2Blistened%2B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctHKCMA0COs/W21tuvHzMXI/AAAAAAACbms/HDrjJdSIP24tf5pnXPM-v_svKNxEv323ACLcBGAs/s320/the%2Brabbit%2Blistened%2B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend recommended this book last year after my son went through a traumatic experience. It's an amazing book about how people talk to you after something terrible happens- the ones who want to fix everything, the ones who want to pretend nothing happened, the ones who want to hurt other people to feel better. Each of those roles is represented by an animal. It's the rabbit who just sits with the girl, who lets her go through her own stages of grief and is there for her as a steady presence. Just listening. I think this book could open up conversations about how we help our friends when they have a problem and how to ask for what we need when we are upset. I recommend this book highly!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10.<i> What About Moose </i>by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca Gomez. Illustrated by Keika Yamagucci</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tMWWk4sZNI/W21usA2yj0I/AAAAAAACbm4/5V31pI3-RTo3TPvJd1TzQjjdSaWOaGMZQCLcBGAs/s1600/what%2Babout%2Bmoose%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="500" height="263" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tMWWk4sZNI/W21usA2yj0I/AAAAAAACbm4/5V31pI3-RTo3TPvJd1TzQjjdSaWOaGMZQCLcBGAs/s320/what%2Babout%2Bmoose%2B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love every book Corey Rosen Schwartz writes! (The Ninja series is my favorite). This is a perfect book to share before any type of group work or project. It's also a book you can use to inspire at STEAM challenge! (Moose gets stuck in a treehouse after being very bossy!). I plan to read this book early in the year to help my students understand that they need to listen to each other and hear all the ideas when working together.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy #PB10for10! Thanks Cathy and Mandy for this fun day for educators! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-70028117713556143752018-08-07T14:48:00.001-04:002018-08-07T14:50:36.277-04:00#SOL18 What Do You Love About Teaching? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Recently on Twitter, author Lauren Tarshis posed a question: "Teachers...what do you love most about your work? What inspires you?" I saved this question to come back to because it is a compelling one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been a teacher since 2001 but dreamed of being a teacher long before that. A high-achiever and a hard-worker, I've had some internal conflicts about my decision to stay in the classroom rather than "climb the ladder" and seek a position with more respect, more authority, more clout. More money. More prestige. Shouldn't one keep striving for higher dreams and goals? Have I been complacent by staying in the classroom? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The thing is, I love being a teacher. There is always more to learn, so you never really feel complacent or like you are stagnating. When I switched from teaching kindergarten to third grade, it was like getting a totally new job! There were so many new lessons to learn and it felt exciting and scary but not at all boring. Kids are just figuring out their ideas about themselves and life and teachers get to help shape how they view themselves and the world. What a privilege and what a responsibility! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What inspires me? I think of one of my students from last year- I will call him Pedro. With all of his heart, he wanted to learn to speak English. He worked so hard. Seeing him grow with confidence and in his English speaking, reading and listening was completely rewarding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think of another student- I'll call her Jane. She walked in every morning with a bright smile and a warm greeting for me. She was like a sponge- soaking up every single thing I taught. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another student- let's call her Maria. Whenever I made a mistake (there were plenty!), she would say, "Your brain just grew, Mrs. Sokolowski!" with such sweetness. I always told my students that when you make a mistake, your brain actually grows. (True story.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I still get excited about planning new lessons. I still love getting to know a whole class of kids and going from relative strangers to family over the course of a year. I know there is more for me to learn and figure out, which makes teaching still stimulating and a place I can grow. As a teacher, I can pursue National Board Certification (maybe when my kids are older?) and Google Educator Certification. I can share with other teachers what I've learned through workshops and blog posts. Teaching is fertile ground for my soul to continue blooming. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What do I love most about my work? I love that it's important and directly impacts children. I love that my interactions with students can maybe become a voice in their head saying "Mistakes are okay" or "I can do hard things". I love that books I read to them might become part of the fabric of their lives, just like <i>James and the Giant Peach</i> became part of me when my teacher read it aloud. I love that I get to design a classroom layout and curate a library that will help my students fall in love with reading. I love that I can show them possibilities for writing and creating and using words as a tool their whole life through. I love that my students might come to me thinking they are one type of kid and leave me knowing they are a different type of kid- a kid who is a writer, a reader, a creator, a brave learner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Teaching is full of heartaches and heartbreaks, but that is another post. Teachers are often made to feel voiceless, but that is a story for another day. Today, I am thinking about why I love to be a teacher and as I head into my 17th year of teaching, it's still the job for me. The students and the chance I have to make a positive difference in their lives....they are my why. They bring the inspiration and they are the reason I love my work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-28469829742143168962018-07-30T17:49:00.003-04:002018-07-30T17:49:52.885-04:00#SOL18 My Summer Self <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self does not set the alarm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self starts the day on my screened in porch, near the blue hydrangeas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self enjoys leisurely drinking a cup of coffee. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self has flip flop tan lines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self meets up with friends and family for lunch and shopping. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self reads whatever she likes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self takes my kids to camp in the morning and picks them up too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self buys my children snow cones from the ice cream truck almost every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self can go to the movies in the middle of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self can enjoy the weekends without grading or planning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self applies sunscreen often, washes beach towels every day and looks for camp shirts and bathing suits in the morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self is more "Mom" than teacher. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self embraces this season. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My summer self will be packed away with the shorts and bathing suits when school arrives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'll look forward to rediscovering my summer self when next summer comes again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-47780495170043908832018-07-23T21:56:00.001-04:002018-07-23T21:56:29.710-04:00#SOL18 From "I Can't" to "I Can!" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The training wheels were off. He hopped on the bike and it wobbled to one side. His foot touched the pavement, pushed off and he tried again, wobbling to the other side. The bike veered one way then the other and I held my breath. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a few weeks ago, he was adamant that he would NEVER ride a bike. Why should he ride a bike, he reasoned, when he plays baseball? He would never need to know how to ride a bike. He could just follow his friends on his scooter. Bike riding would not be part of his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not exactly sure how we went from NEVER being a bike reader to trying again, first with training wheels, then without. But tonight, I watched, holding my breath, as a shaky start lead to continuous, exhilirated pedaling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He rode his bike faster, even riding over speed bumps and navigating turns. I couldn't do it for him, he had to prove it to himself that he COULD do it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stood off to the side and cheered for him, my heart swelling with happiness and pride. Another milestone moment. Another sign of growing up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a bike rider!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mXLf7joGLw8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXLf7joGLw8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-78001177539391800732018-07-17T13:01:00.001-04:002018-07-17T13:21:02.255-04:00#SOL18 The Things We Think We Cannot Do <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"We must do the things we think we cannot do"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-Eleanor Roosevelt </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Swirly slides that splash you into the deep part of the pool. New bikes. Swimming lessons with a different instructor. Bikes without training wheels. Keynote speeches written and given. These are the challenges my children and I have been facing this summer. The scary, uncertain things we think we cannot do that are also exciting and exhilarating and make us grow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last week I talked about the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we are not. Those stories often stop us from doing the things we think we cannot do. It is safer for our psyche to say "I don't need to ride a bike. I will play baseball" (my son) then admit that riding a bike could be hard without training wheels. It might be hard for a while. It might take time to get it right. But if we tell ourselves that bike riding is not for us and we are not the kind of person who could ride a bike, that isn't really true, right? It's the story we told ourselves to protect our feelings from something hard and uncertain. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The freedom of pedaling down the street, the wind in your hair, the sun on your face. The fun of racing friends. Riding your bike down a path to the beach. Going on adventures. These are all the things you cut yourself off from by announcing "I'm not a person who rides bikes."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been thinking more and more about the limitations I've put on myself, the boxes I've put myself into. The "I could nevers" and the "I wouldn't be able tos". Are they really true? Or was I just protecting myself from the potential hurt that I would feel if I tried and got it wrong? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For my children, for my students, for myself- we must do the things we think we cannot do. We must face our fears and be brave. We must realize that our thoughts are just stories we tell ourselves. We can challenge those stories when they limit our potential. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My daughter's new bike had shaky training wheels to help her get used to riding a bike without training wheels soon. She was petrified at first. Flat out refused to ride her new bike. There were tears. But I'll never forget the look of joy and confidence on her little adorable face when she started pedaling on her own! She sang a song as she rode around the empty parking lot, a look of determination and pride on her face. She faced her fears, started believing she COULD do it, and...she did. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a new school year breathes closer each day, I want to remember the moment when "I can't" became "I can" and help more of my students have those moments. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like today's quote from C.S. Lewis, "We are what we believe we are." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blvUPAsoy68/W04hONkhL1I/AAAAAAAAIVA/9_b0c4fwfG0pHS0yct9JL6nAV-wMzUYgACLcBGAs/s1600/Megan%2Bon%2Bbike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blvUPAsoy68/W04hONkhL1I/AAAAAAAAIVA/9_b0c4fwfG0pHS0yct9JL6nAV-wMzUYgACLcBGAs/s320/Megan%2Bon%2Bbike.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-54822819806729691312018-07-09T20:14:00.002-04:002018-07-09T20:14:53.529-04:00#SOL18 Who We Are, Who We Are Not <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer has brought about more time for reading. So far this summer, I read Liane Moriarty's<i> The Hypnotist's Love Story</i> and Jandy Nelson's <i>I'll Give You The Sun. </i>I'm also reading Sara K Ahmed's <i>Being the Change.</i> All of these books together are making me think about identity and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we are not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was younger, I defined myself by what I was "good at" and "bad at." I also thought in comparisons- if my sister was stronger at math than me, it meant she was good at math and I was bad at it. I've assigned traits to myself and also cut myself off from many things because "I'm not the kind of person who..." fill in the blank (cooks well, entertains well, has a good eye for decorating, is crafty, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the learning I've done around growth mindset has made me question these long-time beliefs. What if I'm not bad at math? Just because someone has a strength, does that mean I have a weakness? What if I can learn to cook better? What if I stopped creating limiting beliefs about who I am and who I could become? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tonight I'm thinking about making space for possibilities about ourselves in own heart and mind. "I can't" or "I'm not" is just a story we are telling ourselves. Maybe there is another story we can write. Maybe we can help our students see this earlier, so they don't have to wait until they are 39 like me to realize we are all a work in progress. But it's the progress that counts, moving forward and believing you can be what you dream to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What have you told yourself that you are not? What have you labeled yourself that might not be true? Can you imagine being the person you would be without the rules you set up for yourself about who you are? </span><br />
<br />Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-35126430632582826502018-07-08T08:22:00.001-04:002018-07-08T08:22:06.459-04:00#CyberPD Week 1: Learning from Being the Change <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k1Q1HXnzIU/VaWq2V9V4aI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/j3ZxfYAm1VoXdz3kr5NwKaIM_03O6xcEgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/cyberPD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="426" height="234" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k1Q1HXnzIU/VaWq2V9V4aI/AAAAAAAAG_Q/j3ZxfYAm1VoXdz3kr5NwKaIM_03O6xcEgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/cyberPD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I've come to look forward to each summer is #CyberPD! Reading a professional book and discussing it with other educators around the world has pushed me to grow each time. This year, we are reading Sara K. Ahmed's <i>Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWQm0ZcPetY/W0H_VT5oX-I/AAAAAAAAISs/9W_o_u5DeSUB2vka7sauBlENmrj6VQ2uACLcBGAs/s1600/being%2Bthechange%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="230" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWQm0ZcPetY/W0H_VT5oX-I/AAAAAAAAISs/9W_o_u5DeSUB2vka7sauBlENmrj6VQ2uACLcBGAs/s1600/being%2Bthechange%2B.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sara defines social comprehension as "how we make meaning from and mediate our relationship with the world"(xxv). As I studied to be a teacher back in the late 90's/early 00's, no one ever talked about this idea. We learned how to teach each academic subject and then spoke about character education as a separate entity. The reality, now that I've been teaching for over 16 years, is relationships and classroom dynamics play into every single thing we teach students. We can't "just teach math" or any subject without teaching kids how to respect each other, how to really listen, how to disagree and yet still treat each other in loving ways. Lord knows our society isn't modeling this for children- from the top office of our nation, we are seeing name-calling, ridicule, and no space for respectful disagreements. It's up to teachers to help this generation learn what it means to respect other's identities and listen with love. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the ideas Sara talked about I have tried with my students. I read <i>Thunder Boy Jr.</i> last year and had students writer letters to their family in a Family Dialogue Journal, inquiring about their name or sharing their feelings about their name. This opened up some interesting conversations and the stories were beautiful to read. I've written my own "Where I'm From" poem, learning about this from my work with the Long Island Writing Project. While I haven't done this with third graders (don't think it is a good fit for the age level) I've done "I am" poems with them, which is another great way for younger children to share more of their identity. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Chapter 2, I respected how Sara talked about forming the Class Compact on the first day of school as a mistake. I've done that, too, and it always feels artificial. The kids are always quick to say all the "rules" like "raise your hand before speaking" but it just feels like they are rattling off what they think they should say. It is neater and easier for the teacher to lead this discussion and get all her own ideas down and have a pretty chart to hang for Back to School Night, but it is less authentic and genuine. I need to rethink how I will frame this discussion this year. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to reading others ideas in the #CyberPD community and reading further! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-37528225755012041622018-07-02T20:40:00.003-04:002018-07-02T20:40:26.398-04:00#SOL18 Walking Down Memory Lane <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been preparing for a Keynote Address, which I am so honored to be giving at Long Beach Literacy Day next week (#LBLit18). The speech is on telling your story as a teacher and being an educator who writes- topics near and dear to my heart. As I've been drafting, I've been going back in time and seeing myself at every age and stage of my teaching life. I've also been rereading my blog posts here and digging up my Long Island Writing Project Summer Institute publications. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't it amazing that the teacher who arrives at a classroom is really a patchwork of all that she has experienced? The teacher I was at 22 years old is different from the teacher I am now, 17 years later. More squares have been sown into my quilt. More experiences, more texts read, more conversations, more reflections. The patterns are more intricate now and detailed. I didn't know what I didn't know then- there was enthusiasm, passion and purpose but there was so. much. to. learn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder what my patchwork will look like 5 years from now? What more will be filled in that I don't know now? What experiences will I have that will continue to shape who I am as a teacher? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The mistakes, the heartaches, the breakthroughs and celebrations....all of these make up a teaching life. It's one I'm lucky to have. </span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-57875032407298152312018-06-12T06:04:00.000-04:002018-06-12T06:04:02.644-04:00#SOL18 The Confidence Factor <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At a recent parent's meeting I attended for my children's school, I spotted a mom wearing a shirt that said, "Any yoga I do is hot yoga." I had to read it a few times. Huh, I thought to myself. I would never have the confidence to wear something that pronounces myself as "hot". Not in a billion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been thinking more and more about confidence lately- how some have it in spades while others, ahem- me- often don't. In teaching as well, some educators seem fully assured of their knowledge and abilities. I so often doubt myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The truth is we can always learn and grow and get better, yes. But the truth is I do know many things after being a teacher for 17 years. Because I'm a teacher who always wants to learn, I read and write and talk a lot about teaching. There are things I know and do well and I need to start owning it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why does that feel so hard?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-15602080533727800162018-06-04T17:40:00.001-04:002018-06-04T17:40:06.330-04:00#SOL18 Friendship and Heartache in Preschool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Mommy, I don't like school anymore," my five year old tells me this afternoon. She only has 4 days left until preschool graduation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"How come?" I question.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Because I lost my best friend. I don't have any friends now." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some more questions, it turns out that another classmate has created "a crew" and my daughter is not part of it. Her (former) best friend is on the crew now and she's been left behind. There is one other girl not on the crew and that is the only friend Megan thinks she has now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Megan decides to make art projects to give to all the classmates, even the ones that are excluding her. The girl who is also not on the crew deserves an extra special, sparkly art project for sticking by her, Megan has decided. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to jump in and fix this for Megan, but I can't. I want to make those other children be more inclusive, more empathetic, kinder...but I can't. I want to shield her from meanness and hurt feelings but I can't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tell her a good friend is one who sticks by your side. I tell her that she will make lots of new friends at camp and in preschool. I don't know how to explain why some girls leave other girls out. I don't know how to make her see that the best friends are the ones who always make room for others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When our children are babies, we try so hard to protect them from every speck of dirt they might try to eat, from every sharp corner of a coffee table, from every breakable object that could topple over onto them. When our children get older, we can't protect them from hurts of the heart, from friends who leave you to join a crew that you've been left out of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Megan navigates the choppy waters of friendship, she will have to sail her own course and find her own way. She will have to find the crew that will be loyal and kind. I'm left to stand on the shore, helpless, but cheering her on nevertheless, always. </span><br />
<br />Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988999290497318131.post-10406422501888577562018-05-22T06:02:00.003-04:002018-05-22T06:02:49.578-04:00#SOL18 Make the Most of Your Time Here <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luofODKxar8/VOQcr9B7PHI/AAAAAAAAGvA/TYVPkpGc82whRZbSrmsPMGxMyAq6-hrQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/slice%2Bof%2Blife.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Make the most of your time here."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-Amy Krouse Rosenthal</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love to look at the "On This Day" feature in Facebook. What pictures and videos did I post years ago? What was happening exactly a year ago? I see my children when they were babies, sometimes hear their baby voices and giggles. When they were those ages, I somehow thought I would always be a mom to little kids. Now, as Megan gets ready for kindergarten and Alex approaches second grade, I'll be an elementary school mom. I'll blink and they will graduate high school. There is not all the time in the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">II. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems every day I wake up to a story that breaks my heart. I've been following 5 year old Avery in the "Bravery for Avery" Facebook group. Avery had brain cancer and passed away on Mother's Day, leaving her twin sister, younger brother, parents, and countless family members and friends. Her mother documented the journey of her illness and death through photos and posts. It was amazingly brave and utterly heartbreaking. There are other stories too- close to home ones with colleagues and people in my community where children are facing similar battles. There is such a sense of unfairness about it all. A child should not suffer illnesses like these. Why do some children only get such a short time to live? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">III.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">My birthday is at the end of next month. I normally don't want anything specific but welcome all presents. (Ha!). This year, I decided for my 39th birthday, I would like an Apple Watch. My Fitbit watch broke and my wrist has been bare. I miss seeing the time and also text messages and phone calls that I would be notified of through the Fitbit. The Apple Watch is a step up. It's an indulgence, but it's saying to myself that at 39 years of age I have earned the right to own something luxurious. And the watch will serve as a reminder that time is not guaranteed, that time is a precious commodity and how I spend it and who I spend it with are my choices. How I spend my time is how my life will ultimately be shaped. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">IV.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Last night, I watched my seven year old son play baseball on his Little League team. The weather was perfect. The sky was that crayon blue, cloudless, and the trees were so lush and green. In Amy Krouse Rosenthal's book, <i>Textbook,</i> she talks about the beauty of green trees against a blue sky. I thought of Amy and how people live on in our hearts and minds long after they are gone. Amy was always advising us to "make the most of our time here" almost as if somewhere inside she knew she wouldn't have all the time in the world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I guess none of us do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I think of Avery. I think of Amy. And I try to appreciate the moments, the cuddles, the flowers, the laughter, the beauty and the sunshine while it is shining. </span></div>
Kathleen Neagle Sokolowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00054303168520658605noreply@blogger.com3