Slice of Life Tuesday is hosted by Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers
On Saturday morning I unloaded four book bags from my van and hauled them up to my office. I made neat piles, fixed myself a cup of coffee, and then got to work.
It was slow going. Every once in a while I glanced out of the window and took in the same old view of a dreary winter day in New Jersey. A neighbor's cat sauntered onto our patio and paused for a bit to clean his paws and survey the scene. With not a bird or squirrel in sight to provide entertainment, even he looked bored. Turning back to my journals, I heard my phone "ping" - incoming message! It was my daughter, Elizabeth, first a photograph:
and then a message: "I'm in a cafe right now, working on my paper. Sooo cool...It was a big folk place back in the 60's and 70's. Bob Dylan played here! I so hope you can come so that I can show you all these places I've discovered!" My mind wandered to this wonderful looking place somewhere in London. I could just picture Elizabeth, all her books and papers spread out on a big, pub-like table, having her coffee, too, and working away. Just like I was. So...I went back to it.
Within the hour, my phone "pinged" again. This time it was my son Ben, finally responding to a text message I had sent early that morning asking how he was. In typical Ben fashion, the message was succinct and to the point: "Great!" Followed by the reason why:
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So there he was, hiking somewhere in the Marin headlands above San Francisco - and I could momentarily feel a part of his life as well.
How strange to be so far apart and yet so connected. Strange, and beautiful, too.
What a wonderful piece of multimodal writing... we had wonderful text that can stand on its own, but with the photos...wow! We are so there. I was thinking too as I have been listening to the Bill Gates approach to ed reform in contrast to Chris Lehman, how do we include the work you've done for you students as you gave up your Saturday to do justice to their efforts. Measurement is just so narrow and simplistic, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteThat last thought reminded me of a book club discussion in my class last week (posted here:http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8980716437568580007#editor/target=post;postID=1797426340018319720) - the kids' discussion was so rich, I thought: how can this be even measured for grading purposes? So many of my rubrics now need to be thrown out and redone in order to address just what you are getting at, Bonnie.
DeleteThank you for sharing your "ping" moments. I am so thankful for iPhones for that specific reason because we're so far apart but I always feel connected. As for your Saturday morning, again we were on the same page as I brought home my students readers' NB to read their thoughts about Wonder such a valuable time to connect with our students.
ReplyDeleteI felt the anticipation when your phone went 'ping'. I am far away from two of my children, but technology is such a blessing. I think today I would love to be hiking, but it is such a tough choice...love the cafe too. It is amazing that with technology we can virtually be in both places ! XO
ReplyDeleteBeing connected to your children, being part of their lives, through technology - gives your heart and mind peace to focus on your students' work and being connected to their lives. Alone, yet not alone.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you stay connected with your kids despite the distance.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for technology that allows us to stay in touch when the miles are so far! I loved this glimpse into your Saturday, especially when I can put it into the context of what I was doing on that day too.
ReplyDeleteIt's always special when I get a text (& a picture) from my kids. Thanks for showing just how meaningful it can be, Tara. It made a lovely Saturday morning, didn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post on so many levels. You were working (as a teacher) and it was Saturday!!!!!! Yet, you were trying to connect and be a mom at the same time! So many challenges for teachers and moms as we try to connect with them all - all the time. your post made me think of / remember responding to journals at HS baseball games and grading papers at college football games. We have multiple intersecting identies.....but our teacher-roles take lots of time - to do it right!
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple Saturday, but with a powerful message. Connections and relationships. And maybe, a reminder that upgrading to a smart phone could bring more joys to my Saturdays:-)
ReplyDeleteThat stack of notebooks looks so familiar! So fun that you heard from your children. Thanks for sharing the pics.
ReplyDeleteBeing connected to your children is so special! Thanks for sharing a glimpse into their lives! Both of their places sound like neat places to experience!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun distractions!!
ReplyDeleteI love that in this day and age we can get pictures and texts so quickly and be transformed to another place. My daughter is in Chicago, so I've gotten some cold looking snow scenes. And there are always the pet pictures of my grand-pets. Thanks for sharing! I came by to check on the status of Poetry Friday and seeing that you are in New Jersey, I'm now wondering if you will be posting due to the blizzard. I'll check back in the morning. Stay warm and safe!
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