March 2022 SOLC–Day 5
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
Mornings this week have been especially gorgeous. I have a beautiful commute through rolling rural hills and over a river to get to school. With overnight snowfalls and perfectly timed sunrises, I’ve been treated to one spectacle after another– sun-lit birches like candelabra rising from the snow, a river obscured by an incandescent mass of glowing fog, dried flower heads gathering snow like blossoms. My classroom view isn’t bad either.
So, I arrived at school on Friday feeling particularly grateful for living in Maine and decided to focus our morning meeting share on things we felt thankful for. I told my fourth graders they could share something about living in Maine, or they could mention anything they were grateful for. We went around the circle sharing.
“I’m thankful for family and friends.”
“I’m thankful for ice fishing, snowmobiling and sledding.”
“I’m thankful for all the open places.”
Then it was A’s turn. A is a petite, quirky kid who likes to contribute to conversations with his own twist.
“I’m grateful that I used to live in Alabama where it was 80˚ in the winter!” he announced emphatically.
B. (who is also quirky and once tried to convince me that a character with a dark outlook on life had probably previously had his amygdala damaged in an accident even if, “No, Mrs. Hogan, I can’t back that up with evidence from the story.”) turned to him. “If it was 80˚ in winter, what was it in the summer?”
“Oh, it was in the 100s,” he said.
There were a lot of “Whoas” and “Wows” from the northern-bred kids in my classroom.
Then I heard B. say to himself quietly, in all seriousness, “Well, I guess that explains why you’re so small. You probably had all the water boiled out of you.”
You can’t make these things up.
Nix the comfort zone 
Hilarious! Living in the Southeast US, I do feel like I’ve had the water boiled out of me sometimes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is why I stay in Maine! lol
LikeLike
Hahahahaha! That’s amazing. And – as funny as it is – may I pause for a moment to admire this line, “sun-lit birches like candelabra rising from the snow” – perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for noticing that, Amanda. The birches along my school commute have been fascinating me this winter, and they aren’t in a spot where I can pull over to try to snap a photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is your classroom room number? I love stories from Room ___ (whatever your classroom room number is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My room number is a bit lengthier now that I’m in the modular–Cubhouse Room 2. I think. It was a bit easier when it was just 107.
LikeLike
That is AWESOME. I love how kids say the most wonderful, humorous, sincere, perfect-for-the-moment things. Thank you for sharing this slice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It definitely made me laugh. Keeping a straight face at work can be tough sometimes!
LikeLike
Laughing hysterically! Love 4th graders and you’re right…ya can’t make this stuff up! 🙂 Thanks for the chuckle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were quite a few quotable moments this week. Glad to be able to share a bit of laughter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is quite an outstanding comment! How does a kid’s mind work at times? I’m amazed you remember what they say, I tend to forget unless I write it down immediately (which I don’t usually do!) Lovely slice together with your gorgeous descriptions of winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often forget what they say, but I usually have a clipboard and a pen nearby and will often jot down a word or phrase–especially this time of year when I’m hyperaware of small moments and gathering ideas for slices.
LikeLike
I do love your storytelling and the noticings of the things your students say! And of course, it’s the photos for me…beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely can’t complain about the view from my classroom!
LikeLike