Best Laid Plans Gone Awry...Slice of Life Challenge Day 2

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for hosting the March Slice of Life Challenge.  Bloggers, both newbies and seasoned have committed to blogging every day in March.  Please visit Two Writing Teachers to read other Slice of Life stories.


When I woke up this morning, I thought I knew what I was going to write about today...introducing first graders to Slice of Life writing.

I love first grade writers...their enthusiasm is contagious!  I had grand plans for my post.  I paid particular attention to our before lunch gathering, keeping mental notes of what my piece would look like.  The kids were so excited as they left the room, talking about what they might write about and making plans for inviting the principal to join them.

However, best laid plans...we all know how that goes.

12:20pm

"Mrs. Johnson, are you alone?" came the voice of the school secretary over the intercom this afternoon. That "are you alone" phrase is never good news.

"Yes," I replied.

"Can you teach kindergarten this afternoon?  Mr. S. is ill."

"Sure," (although inside my head I'm thinking about all the time I've missed with my reading groups due to testing).

12:30 pm

I head over to kindergarten, half-eaten salad in hand.  This was a last minute absence (Mr. S. stopped at Walgreens on his way to our school to get a strep test and lo and behold...he was positive).  

Hmmm...here's another Slice of Life I could do.  Although notice, there are no pictures.  I was too busy doing kindergarten.

3:15pm

I say good-bye to wonderful kindergarteners and head upstairs to after school digital writing club, questioning whether maybe I'm too old to teach kindergarten.

More introductions to Slice of Life writing...(maybe another Slice of Life, or combine both stories of getting kids excited about the challenge).

3:51pm

I send a text to husband:  I had to teach kindergarten and I'm really tired.  Can we go out to eat?  His reply?  Yes!  (Thank goodness, because otherwise it was going to be PBJ for dinner).

5:30pm

We had a lovely dinner at the local Mexican restaurant.  Chips and salsa are always good for making you feel better.  As I crunch through the basket of chips, I dream of heading home and collapsing into my bed.

6:19pm

Finally, I walk in the door, and drop my coat and bags on the chair.  I let the puppies out, feed the puppies, and grab my computer.  Deep sigh!

6:31 pm

I trudge upstairs...put on pajamas and plop into bed.  My plans for Slice of Life fizzle into a puddle of exhaustion.  There will be no deep thinking tonight.  

Tomorrow is another day...