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Saturday, February 28, 2015

SOLC # One - Looking Out The Window

SLICE OF LIFE CHALLENGE 2015 - #1

      It's an exciting day, March 1st, day one of the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge. It's my fifth year, wonderful itself, but this time I'm slicing with my class. Welcome them please at the classroom posts at Linda & Jonathan's Class Blog. My assistant Jonathan is also participating at JK's Slice of Life, my colleague, Max at TeachingFromBehind, and his assistant, Kam at A Moment With Kam. Their class blog is Max and Kam's Class Blog.

  I'm one of the concierges for the Classroom Slice of Life, with Margaret Simon of Reflections on The Teche, an old Slicer friend. In fact, I just read her first post, so filled with advice for those doing this with their classrooms. Go right over to see what she shares! 
        And as she said on her blog, some day we'll actually meet.  Please ask questions of either of us if you need help! 


I've written about looking out my office window, but now I'm back in my former classroom with the best view in the school. Sometimes when I’m here in the quiet after school, I take pleasure of looking out the window, to my lovely view of the mountains. I imagine all the things I’ll see during the year.  On this snowy day I'm here working out the plans for the coming week, imagining what I might see soon, when the snow melts, and green things starts appearing. It's going to be spring before we know it, at least I hope so!  This time, I am now looking forward to the changes it will bring, like the leaves that seem to pop open overnight, that faint light green on the ground that soon becomes something to mow, and then the color: yellow daffodils, lavender lilacs, red tulips. I’m also ready to see the students playing outside, but this time in bright colors, shorts and tank tops.  I’ll watch the birds return, and those who stayed busy themselves for new families. 


I’ll also look a little farther to the mountain peaks, and wonder white snow will be replaced by browns and greens.  Students will sit outside with their notebooks, sketching or writing.  It’s a great thing to look out windows.  I'll be sure to take a few more pictures to remember this fabulous view before I leave. 

67 comments:

  1. Gorgeous view! Lucky you! It's nice to know that it WILL soon be spring and we will get our colors back! Looking forward to a fun month.

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    1. Did you post? I just checked in again. We've been through some times, Donna! Happy slicing! Yep, the view is terrific. I couldn't get a snow pic the other day because of the glare.

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  2. That is some view, my friend! There is something special about having an expansive view like that to get us thinking, and to settle us down. Looking forward to another March Challenge...and more Denver views.

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    1. Thanks, Tara, this will be quite a month with the students, too. I'll need that view for a wee rest!

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  3. You have a great view from your window. I face a brick wall and the only bit of nature I see is when I lean out of the window to look a the sky and few tree tops.
    Happy fifth year of slicing! I doubted I would join this year but eventually couldn't resist.

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    1. I'm very happy to see you here, Terje, always enjoy your thoughts about school and family, life! Sorry about the brick wall-graffiti?

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  4. One photo reminds me of a tour I took of Herman Melville's house in Massachusetts. The guide brought us to his writing room and showed us the desk pressed against the window and then he pointed to mountains far off in the distance--much like your view in the one photo--and then he speculated that the mountains inspired Moby Dick. He said, "can't you see a great whale? can't you imagine a great white whale when they are covered in snow?"

    It almost ruined the tour for me! But thank you for reframing my view of mountains off in the distance. Now I just see mountains and beauty...and not a whale :P

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    1. Oh wow, I don't want to imagine that Moby Dick is there either. Thanks for the story, though. We love seeing our mountains!

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  5. You and Tara both wrote about views from your window...it's an idea I may be borrowing! I pray your words are true, "It's going to be spring before we know it..." I am ready for winter to be over. Happy Slicing!!!

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    1. We have snow coming again, then they say at the end of the week, fifties! March is traditionally our snowiest month, so we never know what it will bring. Thanks Michelle, will look for your views!

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  6. I love the concept of "seeing" your world from your perspective. Right now, my world is covered with snow with more planned tonight; however, it will be exciting to watch that change over the next 31 days. Perhaps that will be a slice or two! Jot that in the notebook. Thank you for all you do to make this magical month happen for so many.

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    1. Thanks, Anita. My view really is a snowy one, but it was full of glare when I tried to take the picture on Friday. Hopefully I'll see the snow disappear soon! Happy slicing!

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  7. I'm so thrilled to be starting this adventure. It's as exciting as when I did Teachers Write the first summer and that was a transformative time for me. Now if I could just get my son to stop talking to me...

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    1. Ha! The trials of March are to find that short time to write, not always easy. Best wishes Kimberley. Everyone will be with you all the way!

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  8. I savor those quite times at the end of the day, too, Linda, but my view is nothing like yours! Looking forward to a month of slicing with you and seeing how the view out your window changes!

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    1. Maybe that 'view' will be a weekly slice, Catherine. There is so much going on this month! Looking forward to seeing what's going on in your life, too!

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  9. I would never get anything done. I would just stare at that view all the time. Happy March! It will be great to connect some more through slicing.

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    1. I do turn to the view often, trying to decide what's next, Kendra. Looking forward to your slices this month! Thanks.

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  10. Linda,

    I treasure your writing. I also treasure the wonderful way you make connections with so many of us. You will never know how important your comments have been for me over the years. Thank you.

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    1. Hi Ruth, it's just great to see you here in March, will look forward to your slices from the north! Thank you for your kind words.

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  11. Beautiful view! My classroom doesn't have windows, so I've tried to make up for it with colorful posters and some twinkly lights. Looking forward to your slices this March!

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    1. I love the idea of twinkly lights! I remember subbing in a classroom with no windows-not easy. I kept glancing around to look out. Thanks Jackie, will look for you, too!

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  12. What a beautiful picture. I love spending quiet time in my classroom. My view isn't as wonderful as yours, but I do have several big windows and I love that! We got more snow last night and I am so ready for it to be gone and to start seeing green!

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    1. Snow is coming again this afternoon, but warmer by the end of the week! I think all of us teachers love that calm time to plan and just think about what's happening, Leigh Anne. That's why I enjoy going in on Sunday afternoons most weeks-get a lot done! Thanks, looking forward to our slicing together!

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  13. You and Tara are on the same wavelength! It is a great thing to look out windows.

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    1. Yep, the views are interesting no matter where we are. Thanks, Julieanne!

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  14. Great view. I walk along our driveway when I go for the mail and look at our bushes. Even though snow covers the ground, the buds are on the lilacs. The pussy willow is just waiting to explode with warm fuzziness. I am ready.

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    1. Oh, happy to hear about those lilacs, which I love. I don't have a lilac bush where I live now, but look forward to seeing them all over town. Happy slicing!

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  15. Linda, this is a great slice, I loved it. Sometimes I look out my window onto the street. :)Sometimes my brother and I would go outside onto the roof and watch the backyard, when we were younger of course. Awesome slice! :)

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    1. Anika, thank you for these words. I love hearing all about your own experiences looking out, or from the roof. That sounds like a good slice to write! Happy March!

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  16. A beautiful view indeed. I love my window view by my computer. So many amazing animals seem to want me to watch them. Looking forward to many more great slices from your life.

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    1. Me, too from you, Judy. I know the beautiful place where you live, envy that! I hope you'll share what you see! Thanks!

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  17. Your window on the world is spectacular! I love the focus on seeing and enjoying every change of season.

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    1. Thanks Holly, it is a good place to be, at least when I'm at my desk! Will find you soon. I'm at school now working, back to reading slices later!

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  18. What a lovely view! Good luck with the class slicing. I feel the energy in the kidlitosphere. Maybe a slight quaking.

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    1. Yep, many have linked, but others still need to. Lots of kids go skiing Saturday & Sunday so will link later today. Thanks Margaret.

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  19. Linda! The view through your window IS beautiful. I love how your Slice views the past and the future through the lens of the window. I will probably use windows as a prompt for myself and my students in a future SOL. Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Max, just finishing up at school, going home to read some more slices, including yours. Using a window makes good metaphors!

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  20. What a beautiful view. It almost looked like a herd gathered at the foot of the mountains. I was trying to make out cattle or horses... the expanse, the field, the meadow. I can imagine what it will look like blooming! My students are going to blog this month, but I do not think any of them signed up for today--we will likely be on again off again as we're pulled in testing directions. I thought about writing the first post today but then thought that would be cheating them their blog space. There is time enough... happy Slice of Life, Linda!

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    1. Hi Lee Ann, what I "think" you're seeing is a nearby neighborhood. We have a berm, a wetlands and a park straight out west, then the houses, then the city, THEN the foothills & mountains. We're definitely on the flat! Hope my students can connect with yours sometimes! Happy to hear from you, will look for you in the links!

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    1. We have snow everywhere we look, but I love that too!

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    2. If you read above, you could see that we do, too, but I couldn't get a good picture, had to use an older one. Snow is coming later this afternoon, too. Happy March, Loralee!

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  22. Views, viewpoints and the importance of windows to bring the light and to allow an important connection between the inside and outside world. Happy viewing and happy writing Linda.

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    1. Thanks Alan, being in that 'window frame' is a good place most of the time. Happy writing to you, too!

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  23. So glad to have you back this year, Linda! Thanks for all of the help you've given to me leading up to the Classroom SOLSC! I greatly appreciate your time.

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    1. Fun to be back, Stacey, & you're welcome to the help.

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  24. Love the pictures! It's fun to imagine where you are! Excited for another March of connecting with you, Linda -- your comments are always such an encouragement to me! I hope we can connect our classes this year too!

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    1. I'll find your slice, Jennifer-so great that you're back & it will be good to connect the classes. Thanks!

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  25. Linda, with your bright hopes for spring, I wish you a wonderful entry. Today, snow returned in full force and left us with another six inches on top of ice. Wow! Thank you for being one of the Slicer cheerleaders.

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    1. You're welcome, Carol, & thanks for the wish. Sorry about the snow. I guess it missed us this time, but my brother in Missouri is getting it! Yikes, what a winter!

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  26. It's good to read your words on the first of March. I told Elsie let's raise a glass *clink* CHEERS to March!
    Hugs,
    Ruth

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    1. AW-such a nice message from you, Ruth. I really am looking forward to June!

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  27. Linda,
    Like you, I'm looking forward to spring- yellow daffodils, red tulips and those early bird crocuses (I actually saw a few of those before this last round of snow). Your view looks beautiful-- someday I'd love to visit!

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    1. I wish you would visit Carol, would love it. Thanks for stopping by. Will look for you tomorrow!

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  28. My goodness, you have a lot of comments, Linda, but I can't resist leaving my tracks on your blog. You have blown in a little spring to a wintry night, reminding me that some day the snow will melt and we will see some different colors--I'm really looking forward to that!

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    1. Thanks, Melanie, you are dear to come by. There are so many whose slices I'd love to read. Perhaps a little at a time! Surely spring is near...

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  29. I love the beauty you share of pictures with radiant colors. They refresh my senses and bring much happiness.

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    1. Thanks Mary Helen, I'm looking forward to seeing you in June.

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  30. What a nice view! I've done a lot of writing in Starbucks lately with all the cold weather. I'm definitely ready for it to warm up and to get outside again. I'm not a huge fan of the cold weather and having to bundle up...anything below 20 and I'd much rather be inside. Now that March is here though I can feel spring coming. Thank goodness! I'm happy to be slicing along with you!

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    1. Thanks Jen, glad you are coming along with everyone this month. I'll enjoy your writing! I just posted my Monday slice!

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  31. I am a gardner so I truly connect with your post. I love being outside! I have been looking out the window wishing for warm spring days. I do this as I flip through my Burpee seed catalogue! I do wish I had a view of the mountains outside of my classroom! Thank you for the reminder of the changes to come!

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    1. You're welcome, Marie. Those seed catalogs make us very wistful, don't they? I do love my view, but there are many windows & beauty outside everywhere.

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  32. Lovely post! I really liked your use of images and colors! Those pictures are making me think about spring!

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    1. Surely it's only about a month away, Elizabeth. Thank you!

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  33. Hi Linda!
    This was good. I new exactly what you were talking about in your description of the view from our classroom. Your last sentence of the first paragraph was my favorite part. You have definitely given me some ideas for future posts.
    -Brynn

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    1. Thanks Brynn, so great to see you here. I imagine you are one of the few who really know what view I'm writing about.

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