Slice of Life Day Thirteen: First Grade is Going to the Dogs!

     About a month ago, I asked the second grade teacher what areas she thought maybe could use some more focus in regards to instruction.  Because there is only one of us in each grade level, that can be scary.  But it is so necessary.  It is so easy to get into what I think is important, but I need to spend time reflecting above and below to see where the students are coming from and where they are going.  So the short story?  More time writing. 

I settled in to really refocus on making the writing authentic.  Engaging.  Meaningful.  (Don't we all?)

The next writing project I settled into was persuasive writing. 

I modeled.  We used graphic organizers to plan.  The children wrote.  We started with bringing in cookies.  I used mentor texts. 

They didn't do it.  I learned from this writing that we needed to really work on organization of thoughts. 

So we tried again.  This time, their goal was to convince me to bring Griffin for a visit. 

We started with a mentor text:


Then, we used a graphic organizer.  We organized some ideas with modeling to consider why having my dog at school would be a good idea.  (Or why it wouldn't be a good idea!)  The graphic organizer isn't mine to share, but had space to write a main idea and 4 supporting ideas. 

Then they wrote.  To me.  And to my Mr.  And convinced us to bring Griffin to school because:

• They could read to him.
• Puppies make them feel calm.
• They could practice sharing their faith with him.

So.  We took the leap.  Griffin is not a therapy dog, so we knew we needed some safety guidelines in place.  Because even an 8 pound dog can cause mayhem.  So here's what Mr. and I came up with:

• He took time off to bring him in.  When he arrived in the neighborhood, he walked him a little bit.
• If Griffin was too anxious (barking, etc.) Mr. would leave quickly.
• Students were NOT required to meet Griffin.  They could get up and walk away from him.  They could say, "No thank you."  They weren't required to sit with him at all.  
• He stayed on his harness at all times.  

As this student started to read, he settled down and placed a paw on his arm, as if he was listening to the story.  

This friend.  Read and scratched his head the whole time.  

As I reflect on this project, here's what I've learned (other than dogs at school are fun!):

• The writing has to have a purpose.
• We can try again if it's not what we are looking for. 

After spring break, I'm considering writing on nonfiction topics of interest as well as nonfiction writing in connection with a study on economics.  Stay tuned.  

Joy!
Kendra

Slice of Life Day Twelve: What Is Being Read.

Friends.  Are you familiar with the March Book Madness Bracket?

I use the picture book one, because I'm in first grade.

This year my heart sung a little because a second grader asked if we were going to hang the bracket in the hallway at school.

We did.

I'll spare you the pictures, because the tape won't stick, and it is driving me crazy.  But it's up!

After we started reading these books, we've been having some great conversations. 

But this book:



Friends.  I have a class of kids who want to love kindness and act justly.  Currently we are tying fleece blankets for the homeless with a grant I received. 

But after we read this book, they had so many questions about helping people who don't have clean water.  So much so, I had to slow them down to remind them to we'll finish the project we are on! 

So, I'm researching and looking at ways that they can help.

Do you know of organizations that kids (first graders) can connect with and serve by providing clean water?  Leave some comments below and I'll start my research.  :)

Spring break is off to a slow start here.  Some time in the walk in clinic for my 13 year old (viral) slowed us down.  So I'm off to start a cleaning project. 

Joy!
Kendra

Slice of Life Day Eleven: A Teacher Needs to Eat.

Oh Friends.  We made it to spring break. 
Last week?  Crazy. 

We could have eaten out every day. 

But we've been playing with this app:



And that's been helping us from mindlessly grabbing food on the run.  (I'll write about this app another day.)

I've always been a meal planner, but as the kids have schedules too, dinner time at our house can get dicey. 

So here's what we ate this past week as we were running everywhere:
(Photos from iclipart, because I'm not a food photographer most days.)

You'll also notice there are choices at each day.  Our food allergy groove includes offering choices at every meal, so there is something for everyone. 

Monday:  Homemade Lunchables. 
Instead of buying them, we by turkey sausage sticks, cheese, a good snack cracker, fruit, chips, and a sweet treat. 
We could fancy it up and call it a cheese board.  Some day we will.  Today is not that day. 
We place it all on the counter, and some paper plates.  Please put some food on your plate and enjoy.

Tuesday: Baked Potatoes.
We put out cheese, butter, steamed veggies, chicken, etc.  to offer some choices there. 
And because speed is the theme, we just cook the potatoes in the microwave. 

Wednesday:  Church Dinner!
Taco Buffet.  Even if you don't attend church on a regular basis, there is something to be said for eating with a church community. 

Thursday:  Pasta.
Fast.  Easy. 
We put choices out again.  Sauces, meatballs, bread, salad.  Yum!

Friday:  Everybody Out!
Because you have to relax sometimes. 
I went out with Mamas.  The boys got pizza. 

How do you feed your family when it's crazy?

Joy!
Kendra

Slice of Life Day 10: 6-ish Words and A Photo

A reflection on a recent retreat at a local AirBnb.

Retreat.

Rest. 

Doris.

Laughter.

Conversation.

Peace.

Shhh...  (For my Dorises...)  

Joy!

Kendra

Slice of Life Day Nine: A Commercial

Man we love this puppy.  He's two years old.  He just had his birthday in February.

A rescue pup.  We know Mama was a terrier, like Toto from the Wizard of Oz.

Overall, I'm an "Adopt, Don't Shop" kind of girl.  Dogs have stories too, you know.  

We're pretty sure Dad was a Papillion.  Just look at those ears.  (That need some grooming!)

Currently, he's curled up on my lap as I type sideways.  He's just stubborn enough to fit right in.  

You might notice as you look at his right eye, it looks a little odd.  

About one year ago, we let him in the backyard to run.  He Loves to chase squirrels.  

It was then that he ran into a fallen branch and lost sight in his right eye.  

That was some journey.  It was so laborious at the time.  

3-4 eye drops, 6 or 7 times a day.

An e-Collar for 6 weeks.  

No playing outside.  (Did I mention he's a terrier?)

I could write and write about how the vets took care of him.  How I'm located close to the Iowa State University Veterinary Med school, and how Griffin got the best care we could give him.   Now, it was a Monday.  It was after dinner.  Of course we are talking emergency room vets and an ophthalmologist from the university.

How did we do that?

This is where I give a little commercial about our pet insurance from Trupanion.  

Because we had this insurance, we were able to attempt to save his eye sight.  Trupanion was great.  The night my husband was driving to the university, they pre-approved everything over the phone with me.  And they were so patient.  By the time we got around to calling them, I was fried emotionally.  They were so kind.  We were also able to recover about 1/2 of what we paid financially for this endeavor.  

Why would I be so excited about slicing on pet insurance?  Because it allowed us to care for our puppy, who was only 1 year at the time.  Weird things happen, and it allowed us to be somewhat ready.  

Now, Griffin doesn't want you to feel sorry for him.  He's thriving and getting all the snuggles and love a puppy could want.  

"Hey Mom, where are the lessons about dogs?"

Li'l T declared that Griffin makes the best piano practicing partner.  

This past Halloween, he was thrilled to be dressed up as a pirate.  

If you are thinking of getting a puppy, and have questions, I'm happy to answer them.  

Joy!
Kendra

Slice of Life Day Eight: Where I'm From

It was Decade Day at school.  Because we are nearing the end of Lutheran Schools Week, I cannot put on any more themed clothes thank you very much.  But I could rustle up this 1992 Vintage Cross Country T Shirt. 

I've been thinking about my home town all day.  It had me thinking of where I'm from. 

Fran McVeigh wrote in this format and it was a format I tucked away.

I come from South 6th Street,
Across from the bowling alley
Right in the middle of town
You could walk anywhere
you needed to.
Sometimes we did.

I am the 3rd child of 3.
6-10 years between the rest of us
Enough to sometimes feel like an only.

Born in October
To a Vietnam Vet
And a Mama who loves Math and wanted to be a Teacher.

A family who worked Hard for what we had
I didn't know it wasn't very much
I thought we had everything
Because we had family and friends.

I come from a line of spicy women.
Women who got it done
And said what needed to be said
Because it was the right thing to do.
No time for foolish drama.  Women just support.  They don't scuttlebutt. 

I come from a family that didn't find faith
It found us
In the form of neighbors who cared enough to help us grow it.

I come from a place where love leads
loyalty matters
you honor your faith family and friends
And there is always time to hear the stories again over a cup of coffee.

I come from Central Iowa.
The middle of the Midwest. 

Joy!
Kendra

Slice of Life Day Seven: 3 Favorite Things About Morning.

This year my One Little Word is Abide. 

When I think about abiding, I think about moments like my early morning routine:

A thought from this morning's reading:  "God's grace is for the heart.  That is very good news."

A warm cup of coffee.  

He's a little grumpy in this picture because I put my hand on his paws to keep him from licking them.  (We've got meds, wipes, etc.  #highmaintenancepuppy)

But he snuggles the most in the morning.  

This year, I gave up trying to get out the door before 5 to exercise.  That was a good move for me.  I save that for the evening time, it allows for a more peaceful start to the day. 

Joy!

Kendra