Let's Celebrate!

Ruth Ayres is creating a space for those who want to join in to celebrate all the great things going on. When I first read about her idea, I knew immediately that I wanted to join the party.  I seem to be evolving right now as I step back and look at my life.  It started poking  into the edges of my conscience last year when I turned that certain age when you realize that time flies by way too quickly and if you don't pay attention, you miss a lot of great things.  Last month, my cousin's husband lost his life very unexpectedly at the age of 52 (only a year older than me).  He was a wonderful, gentle man who made everyone feel like they'd been his friend forever.  I am forever reminded how fragile life is and how important it is to celebrate the wonderful.  So, I plan on joining Ruth on Saturdays and I hope lots of others will too.  I'm looking forward to taking the time to write...I've missed the blog world.  Writing my blog is something that brings me great joy.  I realize more and more every day the importance of taking the time to do the things that bring joy and to connect with those people who bring joy into my life.

My celebrations and joys...

I wish you could have heard my classroom as I asked my fourth graders to write a story for me.  JOY filled the room.

"You mean I can write about anything?"

"Yes!"

"How long does it need to be?"

"As long as you need it to be."

"Can we write until the end of the day?"

"Absolutely!"

"Can we illustrate it?"

"Of course you can!"

We had spent the week looking at narratives  to get ready for a narrative unit of study, I wanted to get an idea of what the kids knew about writing narratives.  (Who knew that preassessment  could bring so much joy to nine and ten year olds).  They wrote for over an hour...lying under tables, sprawled on the pillows, and lounging in comfy chairs.  Lamps cast a soft light over the room, piano music played quietly in the background, and kids wrote (and wrote and wrote) with abandon.  Imagine my joy when several of them came back on Friday morning and wanted their stories back because they thought of new things to add.  It was one of those afternoons where everything just went right!  

What brings you joy?