I'm working ahead this evening. Last week I realized that I'd taken a big bite of this Slice of Life challenge by committing to students in all of my classes. I didn't think anything of it at first. I love writing and I especially love writing with my students.
Of course I would want to slice the month away with kids, my kids, in my classes. Of course I want to connect my students with others around the country (Jennifer's students in Ohio or Mrs. Terhuene's students) or the globe (we've loved reading posts from Ms. Kim's class at an Intermediate School in Singapore).
In order to participate, I knew I'd have to get a few of my own slices written ahead of time. I only 4 socked away, but I need 11. I'll explain why in another post. I also need to get my round up slices put together for students. Those are easier to write than my own pieces, so I played on the computer today and knocked out a dozen or so. Here's a screen shot of the first ten lined up scheduled to publish each morning this week.
From the comments noted for days one and two (70 and 41 respectively), I know my students are still struggling to meet the challenge. I have close to 140 students (a couple moved and withdrew recently, so my count is not exact). Half or so posted on day one and less than a third today. It could be access. It could be the weekend interrupting the momentum of the kick off. It could be that students forgot to add their links to the round up. It could be the great weather or a birthday party. We'll sort it out on Monday and see what's what.
I know students are going to come into the room a buzz with comments. They've been busy on the Ning all day. When they left Friday we didn't have any guest comments yet. They've gotten some since and they are sure to question me about who? How did they know? Why did he comment on mine? When will they comment back? I can hear the questions already and the excitement that will carry us through the week.
In the meantime, I'm having fun creating quotes to use each day to lead and inspire my student writers. I posted them here. Ten down, twenty-one more to go!
Happy Sunday, all!
I'm with you. I'm anxious to see how my students do over the weekend. Monday will be a good time to share. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is goingto be a good discussion and problem solving day. Are you commenting on every slice your students write?
DeleteI hope I can find time to read and comment with some of your students, Lee Ann. It's so busy with all the slices, but I love reading what the students have to say, too. Thanks for sharing how you're organizing all of this.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing what they say too! Isn't it wonderful?!
DeleteThis slicing thing is distracting and addicting. I did read some of your students' posts and loved them. I will make sure that I comment the next time I do.
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DeleteThank you, Melanie! I love the fun and connection of slicing too.
DeleteLee Ann, I admire you! It takes a lot to be organized. I, too, have tried to write a few draft blogs in case life gets crazy. I will be showing your ning to my students again on Monday, but then we have standardized testing happening....we'll see how that will affect slicing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jaana, I am planning to visit your students' posts this morning with my classes too. Sending positive thoughts to carry you through testing season.
DeleteMy students slice every Friday - and with the March Challenge, there are also those 50 slices I need to read and comment on by tomorrow a.m. So, I know what you are going through, satisfying though it may be, Lee Ann!
ReplyDeleteI like seeing how teachers have adapted the challenge to fit their students and classrooms. Are you responding to each of your students each time they post? I'm not commenting on everyone's slice everyday. I couldn't do that and still cook dinner, do after-school pick up, or grade the other work I have from students. But I am commenting quite a bit and trying to rotate or shift which slices I comment on each day.I'll check in with students this morning and see how it's working for them.
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