Slice of Life #22: Day 18: Hmong Egg Rolls

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life #22: Day 18/31

Hmong Egg Rolls

Many people do not have the opportunity of eating Hmong egg rolls unless they are involved in Hmong culture. However, in the Fox Valley (where I live), we have a large Hmong population. Therefore, you can order Hmong egg rolls from many local restaurants, at local farmers markets, or outdoor festivals. As an added bonus, on parent teacher conference nights at my school, our Hmong Club makes Hmong egg rolls as a fund raiser. 

Students in our Hmong Club take orders for egg rolls, prepare and cook the egg rolls, and then they deliver them on conference night. They arrive hot for the time that you request them. They taste amazing, and I love helping our Hmong Club. 

Have you ever tried a Hmong egg roll? 

A combination of pork and veggie egg rolls

Slice of Life #22: Day 12: Missing School

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

Slice of Life #22: Day 12/31: 

Missing School

Friday was a rough school day. Due to a planned medical procedure, I had to take two days in a row of sick days this week. Although I left detailed sub plans and worked from home as much as I could while I was out, I began Friday morning frazzled. That feeling did not cease for the whole school day.

My substitute was good and even left me a short note that my students were great. (Even better, I was grateful that I didn't have a sub failure and did not need to rely on my colleagues to take over.) It looked like most of my students followed directions and some were productive when I was gone. Score! 

Several of my students wanted to know where I was and why I was gone. They were concerned that I was gone for two days. One of my freshman students even told me that she was nervous that I would be gone for the rest of the week. 

It felt good to be missed. 

I have been teaching for over twenty-two years. I know how to effectively prepare for a sub and what to expect when I return. Yet, it is still difficult being out of the classroom. 

Looming over my head is the knowledge that my absence means that I will need to do a lot of catch up this weekend in order to be ready to go on Monday.

I know, friends. I'm preaching to the choir. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #16: Inhale, Exhale

For the last three years, I've intentionally spent time writing and sharing a Haiku-A-Day for the month of December. The first two years I exchanged a daily Haiku privately with willing friends, mostly through text and email. Last year I wrote and shared each Haiku on my blog. Throughout this process, I've discovered that the practice of noticing and reflecting through writing a Haiku grounds me, provides with with a certain kind of peace, assists me with better practicing gratitude, and helps me better navigate this "hurry up" world. This year my goal is the same as last year: to pen and publish a daily Haiku on my blog throughout December. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #16: 
Inhale, Exhale 

Winter break does not begin until 3:20 this Friday. However, many of my students already seem to be in break mode. In my classroom, this looks like off-topic and loud conversations, students on social media (not even trying to hide their inappropriate cell phone use), teenagers avoiding academic work, and all sorts of student drama. Passing time in the hallways is louder than usual. I have spent a lot of time re-directing students, having honest conversations, and encouraging "above the line" behavior. Readers, this is exhausting to manage.

Today I spent several moments taking extra time to breathe. Inhale, exhale. I will need to remind myself to be patient as a classroom teacher this week.

Week before Winter/

Break:escalating drama,/

work apathy. Breathe.

Striving for learning,/

wise use of time, management./

Now inhale, exhale. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #15: Self-Care

For the last three years, I've intentionally spent time writing and sharing a Haiku-A-Day for the month of December. The first two years I exchanged a daily Haiku privately with willing friends, mostly through text and email. Last year I wrote and shared each Haiku on my blog. Throughout this process, I've discovered that the practice of noticing and reflecting through writing a Haiku grounds me, provides with with a certain kind of peace, assists me with better practicing gratitude, and helps me better navigate this "hurry up" world. This year my goal is the same as last year: to pen and publish a daily Haiku on my blog throughout December. 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #15: 
Self-Care

It's Sunday night. I didn't sit around all day, but I did not accomplish everything that I wanted to. Laundry still needs to be folded. I didn't get to all of the correcting that needs to be done or extended lesson planning. I did not finish all of the Christmas shopping or do any baking today. But I did take the time to take a short afternoon nap - something I used to feel incredibly guilty about. 

Lately, I've been working on taking better care of myself, including prioritizing sleep. In the last two years I realized that I could not show up as a decent human being if I put everyone else ahead of my needs.

Sunday afternoon/

lends for uninterrupted,/

peaceful self-care: nap.

Tuesday Slice of Life: Not Worth My Time

Looking to connect with a positive, supportive online community?  Consider sharing a slice of your life with Two Writing Teachers. All writers are welcome! 

Tuesday Slice of Life: Not Worth My Time 

"I don't try in this class. It's not worth my time," *Jesse announced to his entire class. My class.

Ouch. 

Did Jesse realize just how much time I spent planning for his class? What about all of the books I've read and conferences I have attended so that I could better meet my students' needs, including his? What about all the money I spent buying books that kids would have good experiences in reading? 

I had to restrain myself not to loudly sigh. I took in several deep breaths. 

All I wanted to do was shut down Jesse's conversation, but instead I asked him some gentle coaching questions, "Tell me more, Jesse. Can you explain more about that comment?" 

"I want to be a welder. I want to build something. I don't need read and writing to do that. I just need to be able to use my hands."

"Oh, I see. How do you think that a welder uses reading or writing?"

Sixteen-year-old Jesse looked at me, his face void of expression.

"I have never welded before. So you might need to tell me if I am completely off. As a welder, don't you need to read blueprints? Interpret them? Don't you need to be able to follow directions so you don't mess up your welds?" I gently inquired.

He nodded. 

"Maybe you can help me understand better how else a welder uses reading and writing. Maybe we can come up with different kind of work for you in reading and writing that incorporates what you want to do with welding." He nodded again.

For the rest of class Jesse was quiet. 

This conversation occurred several weeks ago, but Jesse's comment of "it's not worth my time" keeps spooling in my mind. I have a group of ninth and tenth grade students who need more opportunities to succeed in literacy, but like Jesse, many of them do not want to be in my class. Most of my students have not found the value of literacy yet or the drive to want to do better. Although I have a lot of experience with reading instruction and love working with this age group, it has been a difficult class to teach. I doubt myself all the time. 

Jesse's comment is the kind that keeps me awake at night. I want to give Jesse a learning experience that he cares about and feels is worth his time. I have not returned to this conversation with Jesse yet, but I know that I need to. I would like to figure out a way to help Jesse realize that he will need strong literacy skills in work beyond high school. 

*pseudonym 

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 16: Recommendation Request

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 16: 
Recommendation Request

"Mrs. Haase, can I ask you a super big favor?" *Ellie shyly approached me in the hallway.

"Of course. What do you need?"

"Well, um...I was wondering...um....I need a recommendation letter written for me. It's for a scholarship."

"Sure, Ellie. I am glad you are seeking out opportunities! What would you like for me to highlight?"

"Oh. Um, I don't know. Good stuff about me?" Ellie replied. 

There was an awkward silence. 

"Well, when is it due?" I asked, praying I would have at least a few days to work on this one.

"Oh, um, tomorrow. You can still get it done today, right?" Her brown eyes flashed me a quick look of panic, "I didn't realize it was due so quickly. I could really use as many scholarships as possible."

Fourth hour - my prep hour already had a meeting scheduled. That meant the only time I would have today to fill out Ellie's form would be during my lunch today, and that was supposed to be time that I was making out sub plans for the next day's field trip. Yet, I knew that Ellie was likely the first person in her family to attend college. She was probably navigating scholarship information with little assistance. I had to find time to write this for her. 

"I'll do my best to get it done in time, Ellie." 

"Thanks, Mrs. Haase. You're the best."

Later in the day, after I wrote Ellie's letter, Ellie wrote me a kind email expressing her gratitude. In my experience, not all students take the time to write a thank you, even through email. Her heartfelt message made writing her recommendation worth it.

*pseudonym    

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 11: Earbuds

For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. 

March Slice of Life Challenge Day 12: 
Earbuds 

Have you seen Lois Beckwith's The Dictionary of High School B.S (Zest Books, 2008)? It's a fun little book of snarky high school definitions, written to provide a bit of humor to the high school adolescent. 

Using an entry from The Dictionary of High School B.S. as my mentor text, I came up with my own entry (about something that drives me bonkers as a teacher), written from the perspective of a high school teacher:

Example entry from The Dictionary of High School B.S. 

earbuds (n.) 1. a small, useful and lightweight device that acts like speakers to wear inside your ear so you can listen to music, audio books, or gaming anywhere. 2. a great way to easily block out any freshman drama or ignore office announcements in the hallways. 3. in some cases, a fantastic way to ignore what teachers are saying during a mini lesson - plus easy-to-hide underneath long hair or a hoodie. 4. a more subtle way to play Fortnite in class.  

This is a great mentor text for students to have fun with - the opportunity to play with topics and words and humor! 

What would your entry be about? 

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #21: 'Twas the Day Before Winter Break

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December.

Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #31: 

'Twas the Day Before Winter Break

Although I wasn't at school any longer than normal today, I left school this afternoon drained. It's not even five in the evening, and I am ready to retire for the night. 

I could barely muster enough energy and motivation for writing and posting today's Haiku:

Full day before break.

Sugar-coated drama, zest

creates exhaustion. 

Haiku-A-Day December #14: Frustrated Friday

I am joining Elisabeth from The Dirigible Plum in writing a Haiku-A-Day during the month of December. 

Haiku-A-Day December #14: Frustrated Friday 

Picture high school students off task - cell phones out, checking their latest Snapchat notifications, viewing You Tube videos. Students talking over me, lots of giggles and raised, excited voices. If you could have peeked into my classroom this morning, this is what you would have seen. 

My students are not usually allowed to check Snapchat or watch You Tube unless it is a part of that day's learning activity. Students were supposed to be finishing up a written reflection about learning from recent guest speakers. My students were engaged, but not with anything academic from my class. I used the proximity move - hoping that physically standing by students off task would remedy the problem. That didn't work. I gently (and privately) asked students to put away their technology. That didn't work. I used turn-and-talk followed by a full group share out, calling on random students. That didn't work either. 

To my surprise, there is no full moon on the horizon. No upcoming storm. It's just Friday and the week before Winter Break. There is a lot of energy that I could not harness, and most of my students didn't show up wanting to learn today. 

In reflection, my lesson plans were okay. I was prepared with teaching provisions. I shared my learning targets with students. I tried to get students moving and talking. I held students accountable for conversation. I did my best to be responsive for my students' needs.  

Yet today was a day that I felt like nothing worked to nudge my students back to work. I got so frustrated. If I am honest, I don't feel like many professional teaching books or blog posts share enough about difficult teaching days like today. For me (and most teachers I know), these frustrating, difficult days happen.  

I already know that I will spend a lot of time carefully planning next week's instruction this weekend. 

In reflection, here are today's thoughts in a triple haiku:  

Is there a full moon?

Has a pressure change occurred? 

Extra energy

makes me wonder if 

external factors create

classroom chaos here. 

How can I create
conditions for meaningful
and worthy learning?