Workaholic

Workaholic. That's what I am. I think about it from the angle of doing and giving my best, yet other people see it as never putting work down. 

My work never ends. I could work from now until the end of my life, and there is probably always more that I could do. There’s always, always, always more to do, but I need that mental break at night and on the weekends.

It's making the choice that enough is enough. I'm not going to put anymore time. I need a life. 

Change of Plans

I arrived back at my apartment after really having been out of it almost all week and weekend because of work and weekend plans. I was going to enjoy some football and sorting letters for my kids, and then I found out a friend had lost her mother. Now, all I want to do is to be there to comfort my friend. Plans can change in a moment.

Reply: The Purpose of Reading

I NEVER post questions to Facebook like this one, but I was so curious to see what people would say if I asked them about the purpose of reading. I asked this:

I've been pondering this question, and I'm wondering what the world of Facebook thinks. What is the purpose of reading? 

Is it to be actively engaged? To think about the book as you are reading and after you've finished? For pure pleasure and enjoyment? To understand and comprehend? For knowledge, to learn? Something else? 

What do you think is the purpose of reading?

Here were the varied responses:

NB: We were discussing this in my American Masterpieces class, so I had been thinking of it too. The things you mentioned are all big components of why we should read. Even if it’s only value was pure entertainment, that would be good enough for so many purposes. In 1987, E. D. Hirsch wrote in his Cultural Literacy 6 reasons why we should study literature: 1. To gain insight into the human condition. 2. To learn about history and historical persons and actions. 3. To learn about language and literary forms. 4. To become cultured. 5. To become a better person. 6. To gain pleasure.

KL: That is a fabulous and thought-provoking question! I think I read for these reasons:
-to relax
-to learn/gain specific information
-to see and understand the world through a wider lense; to empathize
-to keep myself learning and growing
-to enjoy-which is a little different/more active than just "to relax"
Corollary question: what is the purpose of writing? Do they fully coordinate or not necessarily?

KDS: Stress relief. Needed escape from the moment.

KA: I read to gain knowledge. This is why I prefer non-fiction. I read about topics I'm curious about.

JWDA: escape...(unless it is for a study of some sort)

DM: To discover the thoughts of another, without the need of their immediate presence.

HEH: to learn important, or interesting or mundain new things, to help keep my brain or what is left of it active!

My Response: Thanks for all your thoughts on this question. I see a running line of individuality regarding the purpose of reading. There are many purposes and reasons to read and as we are all unique individuals with various interests it makes sense that peoples purposes for reading will vary. Thanks for the input!

K, Wonderful corollary question. Reading and writing are reciprocal. The more you read, the better you write. The more you write, the better you read. You can separate the two, but it's not wise. They feed and grow off of each other. 

I teach my students three broad purposes of writing--to inform, to persuade, to entertain. At the core of all of those is thinking. I firmly believe that writing is thinking. That's what makes writing incredibly difficult to learn and to teach. Writing enables and forces me to think about my topic. I have to understand it enough to write clearly and concisely. I have to be able to organize my thoughts coherently for my reader to follow the story, topic, or argument. Writing slows my brain down, so I can process the new information which in turn, makes me a better writer. To see the reciprocal nature of reading and writing. As I read, I can study how the author crafts his/her writing, so I, as the reader, can understand and learn his/her thoughts and ideas. 

Not sure if that answers your question at all!

A Year Makes a Difference

A year makes a difference. 

My eyes opened one morning, and I was excited. Today was the day I would meet, hopefully, the majority of my students and their parents, and as the day continued, my excitement built and grew. These were the kiddos I would be with for the next two years, and I could not wait to meet them. Today was my second open house at school.

A year ago, my eyes opened, and I was unbelievably nervous. A year ago, I was going to meet, hopefully, the majority of my students and their parents, and as the day continued, my nervousness built and grew. These were the kiddos I would be with for the next year, and I was semi-excited but mainly nervous. A year ago was my first open house.

A year makes a difference. 

At the open house this year, I started to build relationships with students and their parents. Some came and just dropped everything off and others spent half an hour in my room. I told some about the 40 book requirement, others about my belief in open and honest communication, while some were brief hellos and explanations as my room was full and I needed to get to all the students and parents. Last year, I'm not even sure what I said to parents. I just know that I was terrified of them worrying if they would make my first year miserable or not. 

A year makes a difference.

I'm more enthusiastic this year as opposed to last. I'm more confident, more self-assured. My comfort level has boosted as I interact with students and their parents. I feel more prepared about various aspects of the curriculum. I have a much better plan in mind for the year.

A year makes a difference.

This year, I still couldn't sleep before the first day of school. The reason was different though. This year, my excitement level was off the charts which led to a night of sleeplessness. Last year, nervousness brought on a night of sleeplessness. This year, I over planned the first day of school and was more confident in my carry out. Last year, I under planned and felt like I only just survived. This year, I feel more purposeful in my community building activities. Last year, I ached to start content because all the beginning of the year routines and procedures were unfamiliar to me.   

A year makes a difference. 

If a year makes such a difference,  what will 5, 10, or 20 make?