Saturday, March 1, 2014

SOLSC #1 The challenge begins for my third time!



I am posting every day during March as part of the annual "Slice of LifeChallenge for Two Writing Teachers.  Check out their website for lots more reflections on teaching.

*******

March 1st.
And so it begins!

Although this is my third year participating in the Slice of Life Challenge for Two Writing Teachers,
I have butterflies in my stomach,
here, at the outset,
as I think ahead,
imagining the daily writing,
fitting it into my daily schedule,
making it happen.

I typically blog once a week.
This month, I'll write every day.

This is not a soothing thought -

"Hey, I'll get 31 weeks worth of writing done this month!!"

This year, I am a little disorganized at the outset...
I haven't planned out topics,
I haven't written a couple posts in advance, so that I have something to post during a particularly rough or busy time.
I'm sure this lack of planning adds to this morning's butterflies.

Last night, about 2 a.m., deep in sleep,
I woke up startled by a brilliant thought for a blogpost,
one to begin this writing challenge.
"Oh, yes! That is exactly what I will write about in the morning."
I repeated the thought to myself over and over,
to ensure its memory, and
I fell back asleep.

By morning,
the thought was gone.
Totally gone.
Not a wisp of a memory.
There is nothing there.

So, I begin the challenge, truly,
with a blank sheet of paper.

Let's see what happens!

What I know for sure:

  1. I'll be writing about teaching preschoolers.
  2. I will share from my heart.
  3. I'm keeping pen and paper next to my bed.




***

This year, I'm really excited to participate in the Slice of Life Challenge for Two Writing Teachers, because I have convinced two other teachers to join me! Thanks in advance to the Two Writing Teachers community for welcoming and encouraging them, as they begin their first foray into blogging. I know they will be inspired by this writing challenge and community.




8 comments:

  1. I am one of the two teachers and I posted my first blog! Maureen, I feel the exact same way but I couldn't have expressed my feelings the way you just did. I may bring my computer to your classroom to make sure I blog every day. So nervous but so excited and glad you brought me into this. I feel more powerful already! You continue to be a blessing in my life. Here's to blogging!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Latisha, I am so excited that you are participating! This is awesome! You share so many inspiring thoughts and reflections with me "in the hallways" - they need to be shared with others, too. I look forward to your blogposts.

      Delete
  2. Hi,
    Visiting from the Slice of Life Challenge. I will look forward to reading your posts about life and preschool! Ccome over for a visit.
    My first post is: Teaching Under a Rock
    http://www.teachingresourcesfortheclassroom.com/slice-of-life-challenge/
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you, Sarah! I look forward to reading your posts during the SOLSC!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Maureen, you know how much I love your posts about teaching, so I'm so happy to see you here today. I bet you'll have much to say all the "other" 30 days! Terrific that you have two other colleagues writing-me too! See you tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you, Linda! I am excited to participate again...and I know I am going to enjoy your posts!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am the other of the teachers that Maureen talked into doing this challenge. Maureen, I can empathize with your butterflies. I've been wanting to write forever but haven't been doing it. I think/write/reflect daily but rarely share it beyond my classroom parents. There's something so nerve wracking in making myself vulnerable by putting myself out there. Luckily, there is the payoff that I'm finally sharing my thoughts and that doing so will hopefully lead to conversation, dialogue, and idea sharing with other teachers. Thanks for pushing me to do this, Maureen! I'm excited to do it and to become better at keeping up with your blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am truly looking forward to seeing your blog evolve, Laura! You have so much to share. Happy writing!!

      Delete