Today’s Wins #sol22 11/31

Yesterday was a rough day in my building. Among many other things, a teacher walked out and resigned in the middle of the day. Today, we may have more subs than teachers. I am grounding myself for the work ahead by writing my morning slice. It’s not even five a.m. and already there are wins to celebrate.

My coffee is still hot.

A cat purrs in my lap.

The streetlamp illuminates snow falling. Enough to quiet the city. Not enough to interfere with my drive to work.

I will teach the same lesson I taught yesterday in two of my classes. No need to whip up something new.

I’m actually looking forward to the next six weeks of instruction after my instructional coach approved my idea for a brand-new-created-by-me unit to end the year (instead of the poorly-designed-not-chosen-by-me required curriculum): a poetry study of Clint Smith’s Counting Descent. My mind is busy with all of the materials I will layer into this study, all of poetry Smith’s poems are in conversation with, all of the poetry we will not just read but write.

It’s Friday.

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My theme for Slice of Life 2022 is finding inspiration in the writing of others. Each day I plan to find my slice in someone else’s words or forms. Today’s idea came from Elisa Waingort; a post of wins was just what I needed to start this day.

Posted

March 11, 2022

slice of life

Elisabeth Ellington

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16 responses to “Today’s Wins #sol22 11/31”

Juliana Ellington

March 11, 2022

What a great way to begin your day! Today is the 10th day of slicing for March, and you have used ten different mentor texts–that’s amazing.

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humbleswede

March 11, 2022

This is a great post. I’ve been pitching this idea of having at least one teacher-created unit for elementary school teachers for a while. We’re so deeply invested in the TC units that I think teachers begin to lose their sense of creativity…and then investment. I love everything Clint Smith writes. My daughter gave me Counting Descent last year. She’s very proud of Clint as a fellow Davidson alum. I hope your unit goes well. I’m betting it will.
Have you seen or heard any of Clint Smith’s Crash Courses on history? Not necessarily as entertaining as the John Green versions, but very good nonetheless.

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TammyB

March 11, 2022

WOW. It sounds like there was a lot from yesterday that you needed to focus on your wins today! Perfect timing. I am glad you can look at something that moves you forward rather than wallowing in what could sink you down. Sending you peace for today!

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Erika

March 11, 2022

Hoping the rest of the day goes well- sounds like you need to hold the wins close!

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livinglife816287820

March 11, 2022

Another great post, your new unit sounds intriguing (cos I have no idea who Clint Smith is!) and all the other stuff you are dealing with at the moment, but you have coffee and a cat and it’s Friday!

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wordancerblog

March 11, 2022

I had a bad school day yesterday – no one resigned in the middle of the day, though! Teaching is so rewarding and so hard all at the same time. I’m so glad you get to teach that poetry unit. AND I love your idea – My theme for Slice of Life 2022 is finding inspiration in the writing of others. Each day I plan to find my slice in someone else’s words or forms.- That makes so much sense. I may steal it! Thank you!

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arjeha

March 11, 2022

It is so important to celebrate those wins, big or small. I believe out outlook sets the tone for the day. Your positive win celebrating shows that you will make the best of whatever comes along and will also guarantee many more wins throughout the day.

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Terje

March 11, 2022

I hope that your morning full of wins was followed by a day full of wonderful things also.

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Trina

March 11, 2022

That sounds like an awful Thursday. It’s really been a year, hasn’t it?

I hope that celebrating your wins helped reframe your day in a positive way.

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rdicarne

March 11, 2022

Your post inspired me to think of the wind of my week! So much better than being negative.

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hsatlas

March 12, 2022

I love how you so perfectly set the scene at the opening of this post. Love the hot coffee, the cat purring and especially “The streetlight illuminates snow falling.” It is certainly important to focus on the positives despite all the obstacles. I hope to read Clint Smith – How the Word is Passed. Such a fine post.

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Leigh Anne Eck

March 12, 2022

I love creating units! This is such a great way to end my Friday!

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karpenglish

March 12, 2022

I like the positive spin on what must have been an extremely difficult week. Hot coffee and purring lap cats do improve a lot of things though, and your new unit sounds exciting.

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aggiekesler

March 12, 2022

Wow…that’s definitely tough. I’m glad you found the little joys though!

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Susan Kennedy

March 12, 2022

Wins for the win. I recently did a pd for teachers on noticing the small wins and helping students do the same. Small wins all around.

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