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Friday, May 23, 2014

Always Celebrations At End of May

     Join Ruth Ayres for Celebration Saturday! Tweet at CelebrateLu  Link up here!  Thanks Ruth!

The concert was outside, and Carter plays the
trombone, just like I did.
          It's a pleasure to share my celebrations and to hear yours about the week. I didn't post last week because I was visiting my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson in Texas, to see them all, but specifically to hear my grandson's spring concert and to watch two baseball games. It was a terrific few days, seeing a few sights, eating out more than once, and being at those special events. I miss them being here in town every day!


Number eight, here he goes!


Amazing look at North Texas.
Home again-Pike's Peak!


          The week was filled. Aren't all of them like this at the end of the year? We're out in 7 1/2 days, but really, the end is next Friday. The following week is picnicking, room-cleaning, attending Continuation of the 8th graders, and so on.

        This week - the art show, writing workshop, a dinner party for the Continuees to welcome them into the alumni group, students all over the school completing work for their open house sharing of work accomplished since Expo in February. This week I loved the words shared in writing workshop, helped a student glue dirt to a "green" house he's creating that will have a garden on part of the roof, helped a student burn the edges of paper so it would look 'old', edited hundreds of words for final drafts, read aloud, and on, and on. The term used is work, but it is a joyous time of creating, sharing, and both staff and students celebrating the students each has become. 

          Here's a quote sent to me. Enjoy for yourselves too.  A truly special teacher is very wise, and sees tomorrow in every child's eyes. - author unknown

EXTRA: My plans are complete. I'm all ready to go to the All-Write Conference in Indiana, June 18-21. So, so excited to attend for the 2nd time, and to see/meet many of you! In less than a month!

34 comments:

  1. I love how you acknowledged the contradiction between "work and the joyous time of creating, sharing, and both staff and students celebrating the students each has become." We are still more than a month from the end of the school year back here in NY, but I can hear the anticipation of summer and summer learning clearly in your post! It's a busy exciting time of year for us all.

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    1. When I wrote, I realized that the connotation of 'work' is not always positive, & wanted to be clear that we all are having a great time doing 'work'! Thanks for noticing, Anita!

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  2. Congrats on a great week! The best times for us are when we've been able to linger with our parents--the Grandparents-and it doesn't feel rushed. We're blessed to get to do that a lot. Thanks for sharing about your exciting times! You have much to celebrate!

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  3. Glad you had a great trip to Texas! It's hard to believe this school year is ending. There is always so much to do but summer has fun things to look forward to as well! Enjoy All Write. Maybe next year for me :)

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    1. Thank you, Michele. It was a good time to visit with so much happening at the end of May. Wish you were going!

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  4. Your trip to see your grandchildren looks wonderful. I love that you immersed yourself in that moment. I am jealous of the All-Write Conference. I need to figure out how to have money to do stuff like that. Thank you for sharing. I always love to read what you have to say.

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    1. Thanks Kimberley. I did have a wonderful time with my family. I hope you'll get to All-Write someday!

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  5. Time spent with family is so special!! I love how you describe work!! Thanks for taking something that can seem negative and putting a positive spin on it! Enjoy All Write! I hope to get there someday! :)

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    1. Thank you Michelle-it was a good week in every way!

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  6. Lovely celebrations! I wish the All Write Conference was in the beginning of July. New York schools go till the end of June and the dates with the last days of school are always a conflict. I will enjoy hearing about it through you and my other blogging friends!

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    1. I've heard about the date conflict before. It really is too bad. Wish you could be there, Deb. Thank you!

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  7. So glad you were enjoying family last week! An outdoor concert and baseball - a delightful way to head into summer. We just finished a week of SBAC testing, so it's back to "work" for us. I love your words - creating and sharing. I'm planning to use them this week with my students. The best possible way to end a year of learning together!

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    1. Wow-seems like your testing is so late, but perhaps others were 'early'! Yes, it was a terrific visit-over all too quickly. Have a lovely week with your students, Ramona!

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  8. What a nice week! I love seeing how the work we do really pays off in those nice final copies. I am sure it will be a wonderful celebration of writing workshop.

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    1. Thanks Andrea. I agree that's it's really a pleasure to see where students are at the end of the year! Yes, for only being together for a few times, I'm impressed with the students' work!

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  9. Enjoyed reading and seeing your photos!

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  10. I agree with you that the final weeks of school are filled to the brim - so much happening at school and after school and even on weekends. But it's all good. I am glad you had time to spend with your family - to hear the concert and see baseball games.

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    1. We do get tired here at the end, but there are so many rewards in the time. Thanks, Terje!

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  11. I am breathing easily now because we are finished, but I do love the work of creating and becoming that happens at the end of the year. I'm so glad you had a celebration time with your family in Texas. My niece is in the band in Roundrock. It's a big deal! I'm glad you are going to All Write. I thought long and hard about tacking it on to my trip to Chicago in June, but decided the logistics were too complicated. I am going to NCTE in the fall. Will I see you there?

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    1. Thanks Margaret, will share about All-Write. I haven't decided about NCTE yet, maybe not this year. I go to our local conference in early February & perhaps that's enough. Maybe IRA next? Hope you will have a wonderful beginning to your summer!

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  12. I can't get over how stunning those photos are. I keep going back to that view of North Texas. Incredible. And the photo of your grandson with that perfect blue sky behind him. I can almost hear the concert music. And the details about your "work" with students capture the variety and the way each student has individual goals, tasks, and needs. I love it!

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    1. I couldn't help taking that picture, revealing the effort in those dry lands by farmers, Christy. The sky is beautiful, isn't it? I hadn't given it much viewing, really. Thank you!

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  13. I agree with Christy. I loved all the pictures And that picture of Texas could be a painting. Interesting how we feel "work" is a bad thing when in fact "work" is the good part of life. We need to either find a new word or change the feeling attached to work. Can't go to All Write, but I'm looking forward to what I know you'll share!

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    1. Yes, will share, & wish you could come sometime. I had such a great time last year, a special conference, not so crazy as the bigger ones, but much learning! Thanks, Julieanne.

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  14. What a lovely time you've had with the Texans! Loved the pictures of Carter at play - I know how much these moments of shared memories and togetherness mean! Loved that shot of Texas from the sky - what a landscape! And, just had to say how jealous I am of All Write - I wish it took place a few days later.

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    1. Thanks, Tara, I wish we could coordinate for something again, too. Maybe someday? The visit was just great!

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  15. Work never feels like work when I am caught up in enjoying what I am doing with students. I can't believe school ends in a few days for us. Three more student days. Your trip to TX sounded wonderful and I am jealous that you will be at ALL WRITE.

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    1. Only three days! I know you will enjoy the minutes! Thanks Alyson-wish I could meet you at All-Write!

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  16. Such lovely photos! Your grandson is adorable - what fun to have an outdoor concert. So excited for you to go to the All Write Conference. I look forward to the reflections I hope you will share about your experiences.

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    1. Thanks for all, Carrie, will share all I can from the conference.

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  17. A great reason not to post last week - visiting family and sharing experiences. Sounds like your finals week-ish of school will be fun filled.

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Thanks for visiting!