Monday, March 6, 2017

Every morning...{Slice of Life Story Challenge}

Hello Monday.  I open the door and keep the light off.  I like the way it's makes my entry into the day ahead a little more peaceful for me.  I set my backpack, lunchbox, and purse in their locations.  I toss my raincoat inside my coat closet and think, please don't be raining during either recess time today.  I turn on my desktop on so it can warm up for my morning message and then I am called.  There's a routine that provides a rhythm to my day.  It's a few extra steps round the room which increases my daily step count.  I take down each student chair from the tops of tables and push them in.  Every four chairs is a measure and there are six measures in this routine.  This helps prep my soul for the day.  It just feels right.

I finally had a teammate ask me one morning why I do this.  To be honest, I'm not sure anyone else in my current building does.  I told her when I started teaching my colleagues and mentors did it.  I look at it now as a way to welcome my students.  Having them put down the chairs can be loud.  They stagger in with their arrivals stretching out the loud taking down the chair period.  Also, the chairs tend to be a bit heavy for little learners.  I think it preps the room for the day and is an invitation to the space we share; an invitation to learning.  Maybe it's just a sign that I care.

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for organizing this Slice Life Story Challenge.


7 comments:

  1. HA - and I am still awake. Love seeing your post before the sun goes down. It shows you have a vision and a tone for learning. You are making sure your environment will set that tone. All of this shows you care. Your slice is so well described - I can see and hear you. I think all your poetry writing has really benefitted your narrative - your word choice, rhythm, and description is perfect. Thank you for inviting us into your morning.
    Clare

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love picturing you in your classroom preparing for your friends to come! I understand rhythm and routines. Happy Monday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. When the day starts out with rhythm and routine, I would think it starts out on a positive note. There is a lot to be said about routine. I started my day with the light off today too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mandy -- Such a vivid image you create in your slice. Interestingly enough, it is exactly my routine as I begin each day in my Kindergarten class. I leave my lights out, too, upon arrival, and I do this for two reasons. The first is that sometimes there are deer gobbling up bird feeder leftovers outside my windows, so I like to spy on them. And secondly, I love, as you do, the way the light is barely shining and then all of a sudden illuminates my classroom. I take the chairs down, too (does this count as a workout?), as they are quite heavy and it just isn't a welcoming sight to a Kindergartener ready to take on the day. I'll think of you and your slice tomorrow as I begin my day. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Students aren't the only ones who thrive on routine. This is a gift you give your students (plus it saves your nerves from the clatter of chairs coming down). A peaceful start to the day. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the way this slice feels. I'm right there with you taking down chairs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This slice makes me miss the rhythms of mornings in the classroom. Like you I always put the chairs down. I guess I wanted the room to look like I had been expecting the learners to come join me. There was message writing, material gathering, book selecting, and the prep required to make the day go as smoothly as possible. Your slice had a feeling of calm, of joy, of peace. I'm sure your students notice it when they enter to start their day. I'm glad you've found the rhythm that gets everything going just right.

    ReplyDelete