Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Slice of Life Challenge

The Slice of Life Challenge has provided me with an opportunity.  One that I should have taken and could have taken but never did.  An opportunity to write...but then my internal critic would ask about what---and--- why--- and---who would care.  But once I started on March 1,  I have found I am able to come up with ideas.  I love people reading my posts, but I have found this experience is truly for me.  I am loving it!

I have spent most of my adult life encouraging, prodding, expecting my students from first grade through college to express themselves in writing.  Presently with my college students, I expose them to research, I have them read articles about the writing process and articles on how writing impacts students' lives, I have them read a textbook that they must react to while writing their children's book, I make them write a story to be published, I make them read their story and do an activity to engage their peers in their story.  I make them write, write, write; and I insist they write stories that matter to them.

And yet until now, I haven't taken the time to write for myself.  I write A LOT but not for myself.  I usually say at some point and time in the semester in a whispered tone, "I am going to start writing each day in a journal."  I haven't gotten that done.  But this March I started writing taking on the Slice of Life Challenge.  And what a rush it has been for me!

The benefits to me are endless.  I am enjoying thinking, writing, reading, thinking, writing, reading, etc.  I also find that my college students are benefiting.  And why shouldn't they?  It is proven that those that "do" can teach better and with more understanding.  Again something I have said over and over to my college students and now when I say it I have more credibility.

The Slice of Life Challenge is getting close to the halfway mark...I can't imagine the loneliness I will feel once this experience ends.  So I choose not to imagine it but to continue to enjoy!  Thanks for the platform.  This is a great experience for me!

6 comments:

  1. I totally hear you. I'm not sure why I chose to participate this year but I am so glad I did. Somehow it is easier knowing there are people out there listening to you!

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  2. Oh, but it doesn't end. It just goes at a slower pace. Tuesdays become the best day of the week. Don't leave April 1, just take a 3 day break and come back. I'll be here and many more. I'm glad you said your students are also benefiting from you doing this.

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  3. I'm glad this was the push you needed to really write! I agree with elsie -- please stay for Tuesday slices the rest of the year! It's the same inspiring, encouraging community without the pressure of writing every day. :-)

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  4. First, listen to Elsie. It's a nice easy journey all year long. Second, Thanks for stopping at my blog. I wanted to tell you I lived in KC from middle school until college then came back & lived at one of the lake communities with my husband for a few years. Most of my family is in mid-MO or KC area, & my early days were near Boonville. And then, I liked the way you are processing the writing for yourself and how good it is for you, & then your students. How great for you! I'll look for your next post!

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  5. Now that you've begun, you'll find that you don't WANT it to end...the Tuesday slicing is very different, I feel. You have the time to mull over your notebook jottings and the pace lends itself to a deeper kind of writing. now that you are here, I hope you'll stay!

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  6. "those that "do" can teach better and with more understanding" ... a great line. Congratulations on taking this step for yourself. I am so happy for you that it is proving so beneficial.

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