#31 out of 31 Made It to the End

31 out of 31!! SOL

It is the end of the journey. Well, that's if you think journeys have ends. Some believe that journeys are about transformation. We take journeys to transform ourselves. I'm not sure journeys ever end. Maybe we reach our designated transformation and it's time to start a new journey. Can I call myself a writer? I'm not sure. Maybe it's because I have a different definition of writer. Maybe it's because I'm not sure my writing serves the right purpose. All of my post didn't entertain or inform. Some of my posts were just for me. And, maybe that is what being a writer is ... someone who writes for themselves.

#30 out of 31 SOL Friday Evening

It is Friday evening. However, it is not just a normal Friday evening. It is the Friday evening before Spring break which makes it a very special Friday evening. It is a completely stress free evening. I have to DO NOTHING this evening. I don't have to prep for a lesson. I don't have to catch up on emails. I don't even have to start the laundry. Why? Because it is the Friday evening before Spring break. There is no other Friday like this Friday evening. It is home stretch Friday evening. We are closer to the end of the school year than we are the beginning. I have been overcome with a complete sense of laziness! I think it will last for a week.

#29 SOL Unless Random Facts about Shoes!

Tonight I was looking around for something to write about and landed on shoes. I love shoes! I started to form something to say about shoes and realized I know very little about shoes. So, I went searching for some information about shoes. I've been spending tons of time in informational reading, so I used my recent teaching to go digging for some facts about shoes. I love Google!

The earliest form of shoes can be found in Spanish cave drawings from 15,000 years ago. Humans were shown with animal skins wrapped around their feet.

An ice-man that was found well-preserved and estimated to be 5,000 years old wears leather foot covering.

Sandals are the oldest crafted foot covering known.

Matzelinger was the first to mass produce an affordable pair of shoes.

Lyman Blake invented a sewing machine to sew soles to the upper section of shoes.

Shoestrings were invented in England around 1790.

Shoes are meant to protect and comfort the human foot.

The foot contains more bones than any other single part of the body.

Until 1800 shoes were made without differentiation for left and right.

A pair of Ruby Slippers sold at Christie's in 2000 for $666,000.

Stuart Weitzman designed a pair of shoes for the Oscars costing $3 million.

#28 SOL Post Observations Questions

I made it through my formal evaluation today. Now I have to answer the post observation questions. There are several questions, but I can only muster the energy for one answer tonight.

1. In general, how successful was the lesson? Did the students learn what you intended for them to learn? How do you know?

I feel the lesson was successful. The lesson required higher-order thinking on the part of the students and I feel most students pushed themselves to attempt the task they were given. The students have a very clear understanding of the expectation for learning within their classroom. I believe the students are beginning to understand that concept of synthesizing informational task which is a skill not learned / mastered in one lesson. While conferring with the students I noticed partnerships that needed assistance in forming a big idea about the American Revolution and partnerships that formed a big idea and needed assistance deciding on a text structure to use to present the information. Evidence of student learning can be seen, or not seen, in their notebook entry.

#27 SOL Questions for my Pre Evaluation Meeting

Tomorrow I have my formal evaluation. I have a Pre-Observation Meeting which requires I respond to a set of questions. So, tonight's post contains some of my answers.

What are your learning outcomes for this lesson? What do you want the students to understand?

The learning outcomes for this lesson are: students will decide what they want to say about a topic (American Revolution) and organize what they know; students will read to develop opinions about past events; students will use reading skills to learn content.

How does this learning fit in the sequence of learning for this class?

Students are progressing through the history GLCEs and need to understand the sequence of events that led to the American Revolution while forming connections between historical events and current events. Students are progressing through the skills needed to read multiple types of texts and gain background knowledge in a content area. Students are also increasing the amount of reading in informational texts.

Not much tonight considering the fact that I'm preparing for my evaluation lesson tomorrow.

#26 SOL Parts of a non-ficiton reading lesson

I'm working on another non-fiction reading lesson and in the connection I need to share some narrative nonfiction text about my weekend. So, here it is.

Over the weekend my husband and I went out "on a date" and we had dinner and we also worked around the house and Sunday we went to visit some friends and we went to bed early to get a good night's sleep before a long week ....

So, the lesson connection continues by eliciting feedback from the class. Was the text I wrote narrative nonfiction? Students should share the missing elements: meaning and coherence. Was that a true story, a bit of narrative nonfiction?

What was missing? Hopefully the students notice that there are no facts, no information. So, I share another story deliberately studding the text with irrelevant facts.

Three days ago, at 7:10 my husband and I went out "on a date" and we had dinner at Jerry's and, then, we went to see a performance at the Portland Playhouse which was 1 hour and 45 minutes long and on Saturday we also worked around the house doing four loads of laundry and emptying the dishwasher. Sunday we went to visit some friends wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. We went to bed at 9:15 pm to get a good night's sleep before a long week ....

Am I on my way toward "writing" a good narrative nonfiction text about my weekend?

Hopefully the class realizes that I have NOT. The connection continues with, What was wrong? I told one thing we did, then the next, then the next and I included lots of specific information, facts, and times.

Hopefully the students realize there is not topic and that it doesn't really say anything.

Exactly, I didn't really say anything.

Again, I'm using the Navigating Nonfiction in Narrative and Hybrid Text by Lucy Calkins and Kathleen Tolan session X Seeking Underlying Ideas in Narrative Nonfiction

#25 SOL Today I ...

Today I ...

woke early.

prepared for a busy morning.

was part of a team.

smiled at some of my favorite people.

played in the bell choir at church.

shared with my congregation about the MEF.

did one of my favorite things, sang with the Praise Team.

drank too much coffee and didn't eat enough breakfast.

made music.

finished the laundry.

counted the blessing of a dream kitchen as I prepared lunch.

exercised patience.

felt the love of a husband.

spent time reading.

tried to keep up with my racing mind.

forgot to take my allergy meds.

paid some bills.

scolded myself for too much retail therapy.

practiced my guitar.

took a nap.

thought about the future.

listened to the sounds of the lawn mower.

snuggled with my dogs.

thanked God for the life He has given me.

thought about my hair style.

Today I ...

#24 SOL A Simple Saturday

A simple Saturday is blessing. A Saturday with no commitments. A Saturday with time. A Saturday with a act of kindness.

A simple Saturday is a blessing because I had no commitments today. The calendar box was blank and I had the gift of filling it with my choice of activity. It's sad that a simple Saturday is considered a blessing because I had no plans. It's sad that I'm on the run so much and so often that I don't have more blank calendar boxes.

A simple Saturday is a blessing because it feels like I was given extra hours. Time to get back into an old habit. Time to wander around Meijer and buy too many clearance items. Time to soak in the tub and give this aging body a little overdue TLC.

A simple Saturday is a blessing because I was able to spend the day providing an act of service. I was able to spend the day being creative in the kitchen. I was able to spend the day cooking a chicken pot pie, from scratch, for a friend recovering from surgery.

A simple Saturday is a blessing, a gift, an usually occasion. No commitments, time and kindness add up to a simple Saturday.

#23 SOL Counting My Blessing

I awoke up at 6 am today. It is now 11 pm. That is 17 hours. I lost about 12 of those hours. How in the world can a day go by so quickly? Tonight is a short post about a few of the blessing in my life.

I am thankful for...

... a mechanically inclined husband who can fix just about anything.

... the talented members of my community who dedicate hours of time to create a performance.

... rainy days that wash away the uglies and brings beauties.

... good health.

... friends that make you think.

... the opportunities in my life to explore and pursue my interests.

... the ability to feel passion for my work.

... Two Writing Teachers for pushing me to form new habits.

#22 SOL Feedback!

Last night I shared by journey message that I have spent several days writing. WOW! To post my writing on my blog for a community of writers to read hasn't been easy, but I have held onto the idea that it's unlikely I will meet any of my fellow bloggers on the street. There is safety in distance and the digital world.

However, to stand in front of my church family and share my writing with people I see all the time, now that is stepping out-of-the-box.

It went so well. AMAZING! And I think I know why...the feedback. Instant feedback on their faces, their nods, their eye contact. The instant feedback made me feel like I was on cloud nine.

It's great to check everyday for feedback on my posts, but to receive it on demand, so to speak, so beyond powerful! And, then, came the verbal feedback after I finished. AMAZING! I was lit-up! The power of the music, the beautiful windows and the acceptance of my words...AMAZING! Did I already say that?

I'm so thankful. God doesn't call the equipped; he equips the called. Amen!

#21 SOL 15 Random Things About Me

I was inspired by a fellow bloger's post from last night. (I need to look back to give credit where credit is due.)

15 Random Things About Me

15. I eat peanut butter and jelly toast as an snack at least 6 days a week.

14. I have no appreciation for the beauty of birds; they give me the willies.

13. I learned to swim at 40.

12. I DVR Days of Our Lives ... it's a connection to my grandma.

11. I have never been fishing.

10. I want to be a rock star.

9. I can butcher a chicken.

8. I collect writing utensils.

7. I have more shoes than one person could ever wear, need or want.

6. I am a home-body that loves to travel.

5. I am fascinated by William and Kate.

4. I love being lazy.

3. I'm little worried about growing old.

2. I like organization, but I'm messy.

1. I think being a farmer's wife has it's perks.

#20 SOL Teaching Portion of Reading Lesson

I worked on the teaching section of my reading lesson. It has been a crazy, long day and I'm brain dead. So, here is some of my teaching section. Most of the words came from a mentor text, Navigating Nonfiction in Expository Text Determining Importance and Synthesizing by Lucy Calkins and Kathleen Tolan. I'm using Session VI Talking to Grow Ideas About Nonfiction Texts.

Writing mini-lessons is hard work!

Teaching Point

The important idea that I want to teach you is that as we read deeper, we start asking questions that get at the core of the motivations and consequences of the events we study. We may ask ourselves, ‘Why does this matter?’ or ‘What difference does this make?’ or ‘What parts are important to explore?’

Has readers of non-fiction books it is important to develop and grow ideas. It helps to use deep questions that push us to think and increase our understanding. One way to do these is to pause when we sense our minds getting full to the brim and ask, ‘Why does this matter?’ See if you can be readers who talk back to the text. This is one of the few times it’s okay to talk back or back talk. Push yourself to remember what you have reading to form an answer. Your goal is to use talk as a way to mull over the information you are reading, so that you can go from trying memorize every word on the page to actually growing thoughts, theories and ideas about what we read.

(Need to write a demonstration here, but I don’t have a text to use tonight.)

We ask questions that lead to deep thinking. ‘How come?’ ‘Why?’ You are doing just what nonfiction readers do. You are digging, probing, wondering. Now, nonfictions readers go a step further and try not only to ask deep questions but also try to speculate possible answer, saying. ‘Could it maybe be ….?’ We work with our reading partner to grow ideas and thoughts together.

I working a reading lesson for Thursday. I am using the Curricular Plan for the Reading Workshop, Grade 5 (Unit 8 Informational Reading).

The Units provide teaching points, so I'm working on writing the other sections of the mini-lesson.

Here's what I have so far.

Becoming Specialists and Reading as Researchers

Connection

Two years ago, I learned to swim by enrolling in an adult swimming class. When I was registering for the class I remember asking the assistant what I needed for class. Simple questions: Can you recommend a brand of swimming goggles? Is this class appropriate for someone who has very limited swimming skills? Will I need to bring anything else?

My questions were ‘definition questions,’ simple questions that gave me the basic information I needed to get started on my new learning.

Now that I have been swimming for a couple of years, now that I have learned the basics needed to swim, the questions I ask my swim instructor are deeper. Is my torso rotation in sync with the downward pull section of my stroke? Is my hand entering the water at the correct angle? Is my kick starting at my hip joint? The questions are deeper and get to the specifics of being an effective swimmer.

Teaching Point

The important idea that I want to teach you is that as we read deeper, we start asking questions that get at the core of the motivations and consequences of the events we study. We may ask ourselves, ‘Why does this matter?’ or ‘What difference does this make?’ or ‘What parts are important to explore?’

On the agenda for tomorrow night the Demonstration / Teaching section.

#18 SOL Final Version of my message for this week

I decided to put the final touches on my message that I wrote for this Wednesday's Lent message at church. Whew, it's been a nerve-raking experience. I also have to work with the Praise and Worship Band to select songs. So, here it is ... my journey. It's time to surrendered control of it to God and let the words flow on Wednesday night.

Please pray with me.

Father,

You have taught us to overcome our sins

by prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.

When we are discouraged by our weakness,

give us confidence in Your love.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with Your and the Holy Spirit

One God, forever and ever. Amen.

I have been awed by the messages shared during this lent season: the stoic, pillar of salt Bob Beckett; the contagious, energetic Mary Arlth; and the articulate, graceful Jennifer Davlin. Thank you for the words from your heart.

A Chinese proverb tells us "a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." Sometimes that first step is difficult to take and we're faced with uncertainties. Where is it that I have come from, and where am I going on my journey?

Mary Magdalene's Sunday morning walk to the garden tomb could be considered too short to be called a journey. Yet, that is exactly what it was, a soul-transforming journey. Much like my journey, Mary traveled from darkness to light, from fear to hope, from despair to joy.

Where is it that I have come from? I come from an un-churched childhood. I come from darkness, fear and despair. My father was raised in the Catholic Church, however as an adult he chose to distance himself from the church. Although dad never speaks poorly of the Church, it is easy to sense the resentment he feels towards his Catholic roots. Right or wrong that attitude shaped my understanding of religion as a child and young adult.

I also had a close high school friend who was Catholic. I remember wanting to be part of her church life. As any teenager, I wanted to belong. However, when I attended church with Cindy I was reminded of the things I could not do; communion, stand or kneel at the right time or recite the correct response. These experiences convinced me that “church” was unavailable to me. In my young mind I didn’t meet the requirements.

I spent much of my early adult years, searching. Searching to belong, searching for acceptance, searching for love. One could say I was the non-observant Samaritan woman at the well. Desperate.

That need to be part of something took me to the Portland Playhouse one evening in the fall of 2004. (This is where you all will need to use your imagination and hang with my metaphor.) When I got to the Playhouse there was more than just a man there, there was a group of man and women, who in a sense, created a “living well” for me. An introduction and many hours of rehearsal grew into a friendship that resulted in a simple invitation.

“Kelly, you should come to church this Sunday.”

Well, I did! I came to the “well” and it seemed as if you all knew what I needed. You knew what I was craving: grace. Although I didn’t ask, you all set about showing me the ‘gift of God’.

The ‘gift of God’ has been shown to be in so many, many ways for which I will be forever grateful. However, there is one thing in particular that seems to speak directly to my heart: the music. (Not only did my new friends from the theater sing on stage; they sang with a band. How cool is that?) I doubt that this comes as a surprise to any of you, but it was through music that I came to know God’s amazing love.

The woman of Samaria, my church family and music have taught me that each person matters to Jesus. Jesus wanted to bring new life to the woman at well; as a matter of fact he wants to bring new life to all of us.

John 4:13-14 “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst-not ever. The water I give will be a spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

This story teaches us that Jesus offers to forgive everyone. He offers new life to all, even if they have been very wicked. I still struggle with accepting God’s forgiveness. Sometimes it’s hard to believe He loves someone like me. Sometimes it’s hard to believe God has forgiven me when I have yet to be able to forgive myself. Sometimes it’s hard to fight off the evil.

When the evil strengthens its hold, it is music that speaks telling me, and hopefully Samaria woman, ‘you are more than the choices that you’ve made. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You’ve been remade. Thank you Tenth Avenue North for those words.

The hold of my sins is weakening … He forgives me of my sins. He has given me great hope and I find my hope in Him because of my community of faith here at PUMC. The woman at the well had her sins “washed away” by Jesus. This church (as a body of Christ) has helped me realize that God through Jesus “washed away” my sins. I have discovered His divine mercy in the living water of grace. The woman went to the well to get a jug of water. I went to the theater to find acceptance. Instead, I got so much more, a cleansed and refreshed spiritual life.

The journey that Mary Magdalene took that morning is for me, and you and you. It is for those who have doubts and questions or those who accept it all without any doubts. It is for all of us who are willing to leave the comfort of where we are to discover where we might be. It was a journey that started in darkness and ended in the light.

When Pastor asked me to give a message about my journey my first thought was music. 30 minutes of Praise and Worship music could easily be my journey. However, I quickly realized there are way too many songs for 30 minutes.

So, here is my journey, in music, it goes something like this:

Come just as you are, taste the living water…

I’m desperate for you, I’m lost without you…

Oh how I need you

I once was lost and oh so bound by your grace I have been found…

Open the eyes of my heart Lord…

Lord I come to You, Let my heart be changed, renewed …

I surrender it all to you

Let you love surround me…

You lifted me out; your love rescued me

To you I lift up my soul

I choose Jesus

You hold my life, you know my heart and you call me by name…

Here I stand forever in your mighty hand…

My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength…

Your love is a mountain firm beneath my feet…

Living everyday in the power of your love…

It’s my joy to honor you…

He calls me friend…

#16 SOL Miserable

#16 SOL

Good Evening

It's been another long day with a terrible head cold. I'm beginning to wonder if it has progressed into a sinus infection. Well, whatever it is, it stinks!

It has kicked me in the butt.

Taken the wind from my sails.

Drained my tank.

I've been pretty miserable all day. I was only up for a couple of hours before I had to crash which led to a nap. I was able to pick up some of the house and do two loads of laundry, one of which is still in the dryer.

The weather has been beautiful here today and I'm too tired to even think straight let-alone go outside and do any kind of spring yard clean-up.

And, it has obviously made me very whiny. So, instead of going on feeling sorry for myself I will just call it a night. I'm hoping to finish the month strong.

#16 SOL Stuffy Nose An Unwelcome Guest

So, you sneak in

Trashing my day off

Unwelcome

Friend? No!

Foe

You're like a wrinkle in a sock

No! You cannot stay

Out you go

Sour someone's else day

Enough already

#15 SOL Seven Minute Essay

A few days I wrote a seven minute essay. It was a late night and I needed to write quickly. Stacey commented that she would be interested seeing my notes. There was so much happening at the Content Literacy Institute I could hardly write fast enough which is clearly evident in my notes.

Colleen Cruz present the concept on the third day of the institute. We were studying the Civil Rights movement and had been immersed in the content for three days. Colleen called it Essay Bootcamp in which students write a content essay (for third grade it may be a speech, letter or review) in seven minutes. The purpose is to development the skills of boxes and bullets creating a habit of mind so to speak. Colleen stressed it is about the process NOT the product.

We worked as a class to set up the essay framework develop a thesis (box) and supporting evidence (bullets). It is the structure used in the Personal Essay, book 3 of the UOS for writing.

Before we wrote Colleen had us turn and talk (rehearse) our essay. We shared our thinking before writing.

Here is the thesis we developed: History clearly shows that separate, but equal is not possible.

Our bullets included inequalities between schools, use of public places and employment opportunities.

It was an amazing week of learning and encourage anyone interested in content literacy to attend the institute next year. It is worth every penny you will spend.

SOL #14 Mini-lecture on the French and Indian War

Tomorrow I am planning a mini-lecture, another technique I learned at the TC Content Literacy Institute. I am hoping to gather some Google images to go along with my mini-lecture. I will also be encouraging the students to use one of our note-taking technique we have been learning.

French and Indian War Mini-Lecture

In 1753, the British had settled along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to South Carolina. The colonies were growing richer, however it was not so in the far west. News came to the east that the French were moving into the Ohio Valley from Canada. London, England wanted to French to withdraw.

The Governor of Virginia wrote a letter to the French warning them not to settle on the land that was property of the Crown of Great Britain. George Washington was called upon to delivery the letter. In early November, Washington with a small party of horsemen left Virginia for the Ohio Valley.

Washington reached the French fort and delivered the letter to Captain Pierre. Pierre wrote a letter in response stating that the French had no intention of obeying the request. Washington tucked the letter into his pocket and ordered his men to return home.

The next year, the British needed a base along the Ohio River. However, before the British could finish the fort, 500 French soldiers and Indians forced them to leave. The French actually finished building the fort and claimed it for France.

Washington helped the defeated fort builders find a new location and build a fort call Fort Necessity. 500 French and 400 Indians attacked the fort and Washington was forced to surrender. However, the little battle at Fort Necessity began a world war. Britain sent soldiers to North America to fight that war. France made a different decision and focused their attention elsewhere.

The British fought shoulder-to-shoulder while the French and Indians fought as individuals. They spread out to take cover. The red coats of the British made for easy targets. The colonists and British soldiers did not fight the same way, which contributed to a disorganized army.

The British had the advantage of more soldiers than France and also had control of the waterways along the Canadian coast.

The French also had two advantages: the soldiers were better trained and formed alliances, or partnerships with the Native Indians.

Because it was so hard to move an army through the American wilderness, armies had to use rivers and lakes to carry supplies. More supplies could be carried by water than a wagon pulled by horses.

The decisive battle of the French and Indian War came in 1759. It took place on the Plains of Abraham in Canada. France and England made a Peace Treaty giving Canada to the British. The victory also ended the French threat to the colonies in North American. Americans and Britons shared the in the victory. The France has a common enemy had held the America and England together. It was like glue holding the colonist to their motherland England. Now that glue was gone.

SOL #13 Seven Minute Essay (Quick Write)

Tonight I am using a technique I learned at the content literacy institute last month. It's called the seven minute essay, boxes and bullet format. I will complete my essay in seven minutes and complete a quick edit when the seven minutes are finished. It is very much like a quick-write. Timer set; ready, set ... go.

Learning to play the guitar in difficult. Learning to play the guitar is difficult because there are six strings and 13 frets along with using all four fingers. Learning to play the guitar is difficult because it takes strength and flexibility in your hand, fingers and wrist. Learning to play the guitar is difficult because you have to practice.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult because there are six strings and 13 frets. That equals over 78 different combinations of fingers on strings in different frets. It's so hard to learn all the different cords and notes. Each cord has a minor and major. Some are sharps. Some notes are called suspended. Learning the guitar requires that you memorize tons of cords.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult because it takes strength and flexibility in your hand, fingers and wrist. The hardest part is gaining strength in your fingers. The ring finger is the weakest finger and is used in almost every cord on the guitar. Also, stretching the fingers to reach the strings is painful. To learn to play the guitar you have to do hand exercises.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult because you have to practice. Practice is boring. You have to give up other things you like to find time to practice. It takes hours and hours of practice and who knows if you'll ever be able to play like David Gilmore.

Learning to play the guitar is difficult... It's been 9 minutes and I wasn't able to finish the conclusion. This is a great exercise! It forces you to be concise.

#12 SOL Essential Questions

I am currently teaching a content based informational reading unit centered on the Revolutionary War. Tonight I blended our unit timeline (used to focus on key events) and the essential questions. I am trying to find a balance between the enormous amount of content and the main ideas I want students to learn.

Here's the unit timeline with some of the essential questions linked to events. The classroom teacher and I worked to select the essential questions from several I found on the internet.

Revolutionary War Timeline and Essential Questions

1756 French & Indian War

How did competition for land in North American lead to the French and Indian War?

What is an alliance?

1759 French Surrendered

Battle of Quebec

Pontiac’s Rebellion

1763 Treaty of Paris

How did Britain’s victory in the French and Indian War mark the end of the French empire in North America?

1763 Proclamation of 1763 (Oct.)

How did the Proclamation of 1763 outrage the colonists?

1765 Stamp Act

William Pitt’s Speech Against Stamp Act

May 29^th, 1765 Patrick Henry

Repealed (1766)

How did taxation without representation further contribute to the struggle for independence?

1767 Townsend Acts

Repealed 1770 (except tea)

1770 Boston Massacre (March)

1773 Tea Act

How did Bostonians react to the Tea Act?

1773 Boston Tea Party (Dec.)

1774 First Continental Congress

How did the First Continental Congress prepare the colonists for the American Revolution?

1774 Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)

1775 Patrick Henry’s Speech (March)

1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord

May 2^nd Continental Congress

June-Battle of Bunker Hill

July-Olive Branch Petition

1776 Common Sense (Jan.)

Declaration (June)

Signing Declaration (July 4^th)

Key People

Who were some of the important leaders in the war and what were their roles?

What impact did each of the leaders have on the war?

• George Washington
• Patrick Henry
• Samuel Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• Benjamin Franklin
• John Adams
• Thomas Paine

SOL #11 Short Reflection

It is Sunday evening reflection time. I have been tossing around my Lent message for several weeks. I find myself reflecting about the impact of my words all the time. I'm feeling the pressure to make it memorable. I have realized the role revision plays in the writing process and that feeling that there will always be ways a piece of writing could be improved.

What's been easy? Nothing! For me, nothing is easy about writing. I reread and retype constantly and still don't feel my words express the true meaning in my heart. It's good to be reminded of the difficulties writing brings when we saddle up next to a student who just can't seem to get the words to flow.

The challenge is to put words down on paper EVERYday. Now, those are words in a public community. It might be easier if the voice in my head was not whispering, 'someone may read your post and see how awful you write.' And, again, this reminds me to think about my students and how fragile they are about their skill and ability level.

There has been a few nights where I just don't think I write. Then I remember I'm not much a quitter and focus myself to write something. I try to do the kind of writing I ask my students to do; it helps to put one's self in their shoes.

The largest impact to-date is how powerful feedback is to a writer's motivation. I need to comment myself.

Thanks Two Writing Teachers for pushing me!

#10 SOL Caring for Vanna

I spent the day convalescing with my sweet Vanna. She continues to recover from her tumor removal surgery on Friday morning.

I noticed three similarities about her and I over the last 24 hours. First, both of us like to be home when we don't feel like ourselves. Who doesn't want to be in their own place, with their own bedding and their own comforts? Upon our home Friday afternoon, she went immediately to her favorite place next to my work space and settled in for a much needed quick nap. I always sleep best in my own bed.

We are both sensitive to pain drugs. It takes just a tad for both of us to stager, sway and stumble. They make both of us loopy.

Lastly, both of us have to be coxed to eat. Even our favorite foods lose their appeal. Nothing sounds good, looks good or smells good. It takes a persistent person in our lives to remind us that we have to eat to feel better.

So thankful for the occasional wag of her tail. It's her way of communicating that she doesn't hate me for putting her through hell.

(Vanna with her pal Tracer several years ago in the flower garden.)

SOL #9 Man's (or woman's) Best Friend

"Hi, Kelly. You're here to for Vanna," said Tina glancing up from her front desk position at Sterner's Vet Clinic.

"Yep, ready to take my sweet girl home," I responded.

"Robin will bring her right out. She did great today," reassured Tina.

I heard her before I saw her; I recognized her raspy breathing as Robin led her into the lobby. I was grateful for the relief that swept over me when I saw her. However that relief vanished as quickly as it appear when I saw the incision. An evil, jagged marked stretched vertical up her side. It was as if that incision nailed me in the chest. I was not prepared for what I saw.

Immediately, Vanna staggered towards me. Immediately, I dropped to my knees and took her into my embrace.

"It's okay, sweet," I whispered into her mane. Incentively, I began to gently stroke ears. It's her favorite form of contact. A soft crease of her royal velvet, black ears immediately easies her anxious. Those classic Labrador ears.

I could no longer restrain the tears. My heart filled with regret. Did I make the right choice to have the tumor removed? Cancer, I HATE you!

Tina offered me a Klneex. Then I realized they both, Tina and Robin, were offering me comforting words. "She is a great dog. So cooperative and eager," said Robin.

Tina agreed, "She is a tough cookie. I real trooper. Dr. Milsap will be out to speak with you in just a minute. She is completing the discharge paperwork."

I turned my attention back to Vanna. "Ready to go home, Vanna Girl. Come on, sweetie, let's go home." I took the leash and led her out of the clinic. Tina began to check in the next patience. "So, you brought in Ellie today for a broken toenail."

A broken toenail? I shouted in my head. Really, a broken toenail? Life is truly all about perspective.

SOL #8 Informational Reading Mini Lesson March 8

Tonight I felt the need to write "long-hand." I find myself struggling to write because I prefer to write long-hand verse typing. It appears I still have some technology skills to learn when it comes to scanning images and posting them to my blog. Although, I feel a sense of accomplishment considering the fact that I was able to post the images.

I launched a content literacy unit in fifth grade today! It is centered on the Revolutionary War and my teaching is based on the information I learned at the TCRWP last month at the content literacy mini-institute.

Tomorrow I'm teaching a mini-lesson from the UOS for reading Navigating Nonfiction. It helps me to take notes while I read a lesson from the UOS. I need to pick out the key points and write them out to organize my thinking. I believe it also helps me visualize how the lesson will go. I picture myself sitting in the gathering area chair and the faces of the students. I hear my voice. I plan my moves. It is my style of planning.

SOL 3/7/12 Just a little revision work.

Just a few minor revisions (text in blue) to my message tonight.

Please pray with me.

Father,

You have taught us to overcome our sins

by prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.

When we are discouraged by our weakness,

give us confidence in Your love.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with Your and the Holy Spirit

One God, forever and ever. Amen.

A Chinese proverb tells us that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." Sometimes that first step is difficult to take and we're faced with uncertainties. Where is it that I have come from, and where am I going on my journey?

Mary Magdalene's Sunday morning walk to the garden tomb could be considered too short to be called a journey. Yet, that is exactly what it was, a soul-transforming journey. Much like my journey, Mary traveled from darkness to light, from fear to hope, from despair to joy.

Where is it that I have come from? I come from an un-churched childhood. I come from darkness, fear and despair. My father was raised in the Catholic Church, however as an adult he chose to distance himself from the church. Although dad never speaks poorly of the Church, it is easy to sense the resentment he feels towards his Catholic roots. Right or wrong that attitude shaped my understanding of religion as a child and young adult.

I also had a close high school friend who was Catholic. I remember wanting to be part of her church life. As any teenager, I wanted to belong. However, when I attended church with Cindy I was reminded of the things I could not do; communion, stand or kneel at the right time or recite the correct response. These experiences convinced me that “church” was unavailable to me. In my young mind I didn’t meet the requirements.

I spent much of my early adult years, searching. Searching to belong, searching for acceptance, searching for love. One could say I was the non-observant Samaritan woman at the well. Desperate.

That need to be part of something took me to the Portland Playhouse one evening in the fall of 2004. (This is where you all will need to use your imagination and hang with my metaphor.) When I got to the Playhouse there was more than just a man there, there was a group of man and women, who in a sense, created a “living well” for me. An introduction and many hours of rehearsal grew into a friendship that resulted in a simple invitation.

“Kelly, you should come to church this Sunday.”

Well, I did! I came to the “well” and it seemed as if you all knew what I needed. You knew what I was craving: grace. Although I didn’t ask, you all set about showing me the ‘gift of God’.

The ‘gift of God’ has been shown to be in so many, many ways for which I will be forever grateful. However, there is one thing in particular that seems to speak directly to my heart: the music. (Not only did my new friends from the theater sing on stage; they sang with a band. How cool is that?) I doubt that this comes as a surprise to any of you, but it was through music that I came to know God’s amazing love.

The woman of Samaria, my church family and music have taught me that each person matters to Jesus. Jesus wanted to bring new life to the woman at well; as a matter of fact he wants to bring new life to all of us.

John4:13-14 “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst-not ever. The water I give will be a spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

In a way, Jesus was telling the Samaria woman and me, ‘you are more than the choices that you’ve made. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You’ve been remade. Thank you Tenth Avenue North for those words.

This story also teaches us that Jesus offers to forgive everyone. He offers new life to all, even if they have been very wicked. I still struggle with accepting God’s forgiveness. Sometimes it’s hard to believe He loves someone like me. Sometimes it’s hard to believe God has forgiven me when I have yet to be able to forgive myself. Sometimes it’s hard to fight off the evil.

John 4:23-23 It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.

But the hold of my sins is weakening … He is saving me from my sins. He has given me great hope and I find my hope in Him because of my community of faith here at PUMC. The woman at the well had her sins “washed away” by Jesus. This church (as a body of Christ) has helped me realize that God through Jesus “washed away” my sins. I have discovered His divine mercy in the living water of grace. The woman went to the well to get a jug of water. I went to the theater to find acceptance. Instead, I got so much more, a cleansed and refreshed spiritual life.

The journey that Mary Magdalene took that morning is for me, and you and you. It is for those who have doubts and questions or those who accept it all without any doubts. It is for all of us who are willing to leave the comfort of where we are to discover where we might be. It was a journey that started in darkness and ended in the light.

So, here is my journey, it goes something like this:

Come just as you are, taste the living water…

I’m desperate for you, I’m lost without you…

Oh how I need you

I once was lost and oh so bound by your grace I have been found…

Open the eyes of my part Lord…

Lord I come to You, Let my heart be changed, renewed …

I surrender it all to you

Let you love surround me…

To you I lift up my soul

I choose Jesus

(more to fill in here)

When times were tough and I faced one of my darkest valleys

Trust if Jesus; everything is go’ in be alright…

Just hold on a little while longer…

Somebody is praying me through…

You hold my life, you know my heart and you call me by name

Here I stand forever in your mighty hand…

Your love is a mountain firm beneath my feet…

He calls me friend…