Reflections for Today I Write 12-31-19

REFLECTIONS

Representing 2019

Goal-setting for 2020

I receive emails from Ryan Sheehy (@sheehyrw), author of Be The One For Kids. Yesterday's email included a weekly challenge to ask myself two questions. I responded to the two questions in my notebook, and decided to record them on my blog as well.

Question 1: What 5 things would represent your 2019 year? (no particular order)

• My cellphone represents my connection to the world through social media, specifically my favorite site, Twitter. I have connected with authors, speakers, and educators who have contributed to my personal and professional growth, social and emotional well-being, and health and fitness goals.

• This past summer I started a journey of writing, so my writer's notebook is a representation of this time.  Two of my writing pieces were published in a blog; I read some amazing books as a part of a summer writing camp with Kate Messner; and I participated in the #100DOSW19 (100 Days of Summer Writing).

• Books would make the list every year, probably, because I love to read. I read some insightful professional education books that have grown me as a teacher/leader. I read some very entertaining picture books and middle grades books. I have received and read some culturally diverse books that my Scholars and I have enjoyed in the classroom, thanks to the #clearthelist movement.

• Fitness and living a healthy lifestyle have been important to me for most of the last 4-5 years. Running was my primary means of staying in shape, until I was introduced to CampGladiator. It has completely changed my life, my mind, and my body. My workout mat and weights represent the health and fitness aspects of my life.

• A baseball represents my being a Baseball Mom. My 12-year-old son plays Select Baseball, for most of the year. Being present at every one of his games is a high priority.

Question 2: What are my goals for 2020?

Responding to this question was actually easier than I thought. I tend to be a "go with the flow" kind of person and with a "let's just see what happens" mindset.  But, after experiencing Rachel and Dave Hollis and Trent Shelton via social media and podcasts, I had already given some thought to what I want to achieve in 2020.

• Write Daily - I began my writing journey again on December 15, 2019. It felt like an old hat. I challenged myself that day to write something everyday. (I prayed to God for help, too.) So far, so good.  I started blogging my notebook entries, and am scheduled to participate in the #100daysofnotebooking with Michelle Haseltine (@Mhaseltine).

• Stop Snacking - I know the importance of eating healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks for overall health and fitness, and I do a fairly good job with being consistent with breakfast and meal-prepping lunch. But, I so enjoy chips. My sweet tooth has been tamed, but salty snacks are my nemesis. Ya'll pray for me!

• Create Graphics - Shout out to Meredith Johnson (@mjjohnson1216), who tweeted about educators creating a #OneWord2020 graphic for her bookcamppd.com/oneword2020 web page. I had no idea how to create a graphic, but I learned by trial and error after receiving suggestions on which apps/resources to use.  I played around with a couple of apps; creating a graphic or two.  I even modified a graphic to use in one of my recent blog posts.  I think I'm hooked. I can't wait to show my 2nd Grade Scholars what I learned and how to use these apps, too.

I am beyond excited for what's to come in 2020. I challenge you to reflect on the two questions above. If you are a write or ever thought about writing, join me on the notebooking journey for the next 100 days. Until next time.

Today I Write 12-30-19

Writers' Notebooks

Today I had the pleasure of writing with a group of established writers from various parts of the United States, as well as across the pond in England. We each shared the type of writing on which we would be working. From proposals to poems, journaling to writing a book, our writing projects represented the variety of purposes that written text can have.

I, personally, brainstormed ways I will introduce and implement writers' notebooks with my 2nd Graders in January. I want to provide my Scholars a means to write creatively using picture prompts.

I was able to flesh out a weekly writing plan, a schedule for conferring with Scholars, and a procedure for allowing them to share daily. Scholars will have the opportunity to choose daily whether to revise/edit their work-in-progress or to begin again, changing the direction of their ideas altogether.

I hope this experience will help my Scholars understand that writing is a process, and it's okay for our writing to be messy and ever-changing over time.

Today I Write 12-29-19

Putting yourself out there for everyone to see is very scary.

I did it anyway. I made the decision to record my journal entries on this blog I created in the summer when I initially began this writing journey.

Today, at 5:08pm Central Time, I posted a piece to Facebook and tweeted the same piece to Twitter.

I desperately want feedback, comments, and critiques. But, maybe I shouldn't really worry about that. Maybe I should just count it as a move toward stepping out of my comfort zone.

Yeah, that's it! That's exactly what I will do!

#TodayIWrite

Today I Write 12-28-19

I hope I'm not alone.

There are times when I need help, and I ask for help. But, I often ask for help just before the thought comes to me that I could probably find answer to my question, the solution to my problem, the information I am seeking, with a click of a button or a stroke of a key. In my defense, there is so much information and technology currently accessible. Honestly, it's hard to keep up with it all and with what it all can do.

Well today, I am proud of myself. I am proud to write that after asking for help, and researching for my own solution, I created a graphic for the first time using an app I downloaded on my phone. I, then, went a step further and dabbled with creating a graphic on my computer using a different app.

All this learning and growing started when I read a tweet on Twitter about creating a graphic of my #OneWord2020 by Meredith Johnson (@mjjohnson1216). "Determined" is the One Word I felt spoke to me for 2020. I am determined to write, determined to step out of my comfort zone, and determined to immerse myself in the use of technology for creativity-sake.  Moreover, I am determined NOT to wait until 2020 to get started.

#NoTimeLikeNOW

#TodayIWrite

Check out the #OneWord2020 web page - bookcamppd.com/oneword2020/

Today I Write 12-15-19

Today I write.

I write, because I have not since school started in August. I write, because I want to do something at which I am not good; something that seem impossible until it's DONE. (Thanks Amanda!)

Today I write.

I am making time to put pen to paper and to get my thoughts out of my head and on a page. I write through anxiety, thoughts of judgement from those who walked my short-lived writing journey from this summer, and fears that I won't stick with it.

I know the value of being a writing teacher and a teacher who writes.

God help me make this a habit.

Today, I write.