Calling All Slicers! Would you assist us with this year’s month-long challenge?

Last April, when we took our first official blogging vacation in almost five years, Mrs. V. posted the following comment:
Mrs. V on Sunday April 15, 2012 at 10:04 am said:
Yes, I agree well deserved! Enjoy the break. I was also thinking about what we could do as a community to help alleviate some of the extra time-commitment that the challenge ends up being for you since there are a lot of people in the community now who have sliced multiple years. As you two reflect on what took a lot of time, if there is anything that we can do to support you, let us know. A couple of thoughts that come to mind are:
1. I remember that Stacey mentioned she commented to every single person in the early days, wanting to make sure that everyone had a comment. Maybe we could do some type of a system where different slicers commit to commenting on a certain number range (although we can never completely anticipate the number of total slicers, we could estimate high).
2. It sounded like you both spent a significant amount of time answering emails about technical issues. At first I was thinking that there was not anything we could do about your inbox, but then I got to thinking about how we could have a system of volunteer SOLSC mentors. It could either be something formal where prior to the challenge new slicers are matched with those who have already been slicing for a while and who are willing to answer questions as they arise (and could also be committing to commenting every day on their posts to provide encouragement along the way) or it could be something where there is a post listing those who are willing to answer questions.
Those are just a couple of thoughts that come to mind. I know there could be many other ideas as well, so that could be something to consider.
This year we’ll be hosting two month-long Slice of Life Story Challenges in March. Ruth will be hosting the adult blogger challenge (which you’ve seen for the past five years) and I will be hosting a new classroom challenge for teachers whose students are participating in the SOLSC with their own blogs. (Ruth will blog about these two challenges soon.) Therefore, March is promising to be a bit more hectic than in years past. This is good stuff since it means teachers and kids will be writing a lot. However, it means Mrs. V.’s suggestions need to happen this year. Therefore, I’m coming to you with a request.
If you’ve participated in one or more of the March Slice of Life Story Challenges, then please leave a comment on this post letting me know if you’re willing to take on one of the following roles:
- We Need Tech Support! The first few days of the Challenge are tricky for newcomers who might leave their blog url in the website field rather than in the comment field. To that end, there might be someone who includes the url to their blog, but not the unique url to their post of the day. Since either one of these will disqualify someone from being in the running for prizes, we want to make sure we can support those people. Therefore, we’re looking for a couple of people who are available to troll the comments several times a day for the first week of the Challenge to help us contact people who linked incorrectly. Obviously, you cannot do the back-end updates to the comments like we can, but you can contact people who need help linking properly and can shoot us an e-mail a few times a day (depending on whether it’s the adult or classroom challenge), letting us know whose comments need to be fixed.
- We Need a Concierge (or two or three)! Just as a hotel concierge is a wealth of information, I’m looking for at least one person (or two or three) who is willing to help us field questions during the entire month. This “job” will start a week prior to the Challenge and will continue throughout the month. You’ll be a person who will help us field general questions. If there’s a question you cannot answer, then you can refer the person to one of us (depending on which Challenge it’s for — adult or classroom). People who volunteer for this job should have participated in at least TWO March-long Challenges.
- We’ll need to publish your e-mail address online if you volunteer for this job. It’ll look like this, stacey[at]staceyshubitz[dot]com, to reduce the risk of spam.
- We Need a Welcome Wagon! Those of you who’ve been slicing in March know it’s hard to jump in and feel comfortable leaving comments. Therefore, I’d like to find a few people who are committed to supporting newcomers during the entire month. Not only will you identify new slicers, but you’ll commit to commenting on at least three newcomers’ blogs every day for the entire month (barring any unforeseen circumstances).
Participating daily in the Slice of Life Story Challenge is a big commitment. Therefore, please do not volunteer for one of the jobs mentioned above if writing and linking for 31 days straight is a big enough commitment for you. If you are interested, please leave the words, “I want to be tech support,” “I want to be a concierge,” or “I want to be the welcome wagon” in your comment, along with the link to the slice you’re sharing, today. Ruth or I will contact you soon.
Thank you, in advance, for considering one of the above mentioned roles to help our Community this-coming March. When the SOLSC began in 2008 it was quite small. Now there are a lot of people, if you count all of the classrooms who blog in March, participating in this writing challenge. I’m amazed at how it has grown and appreciate any support you can lend to us as we prepare for our Sixth Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge.
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I am happy to be a welcome wagoneer for either adults or students. We ran a mini challenge for students last year and are planning to do it in March this year.
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I would be happy to be a concierge (or whatever else you need help with). If it is possible for me to be of any assistance organizing prize giveaways or shipping items or anything like that, I would be happy to help (not sure if you hadn’t thought about that or if that is the king of thing that is too tricky to delegate). I second everything Deb Day said about the impact you have both had on my professional and personal life. This blog, this community, your friendship sustains me.
Welcoming my new OLW: NOTE
http://readwriteinspire.blogspot.com/2013/01/welcoming-new-word.html
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Wallflower blog: http://meanderingmaya.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/wallflower-blog/
I am not sure I can handle the commitment, but I will think about it. I will definitely try to read and respond to lots of blogs. Thanks to all of you for all you do. I am truly inspired by the words of this writing community.
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Happy to be part of the Welcome Wagon and perhaps if needed Technical Issues.
Shared my One Little Word and my intentions!
http://seekingsix.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-word-brave.html
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I’d be happy to help with tech support.
Here’s my post for today: http://chartingbythestars.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/24-hours-just-isnt-enough-slice-of-life/
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I picked my one little word!
http://teachingtomorrowsleaders.blogspot.com/2013/01/grow-with-me.html?m=1
I am looking forward to the slice of life challenge! I am planning to write, read and be involved in the challenge. It was fantastic for me last year and changed the way I looked a many things. While I don’t feel like I can commit officially to a job, I will commit to write every day, read as many as I can and comment as often as I am able. Can’t wait!
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I’ll make sure I make others as welcome as I felt last year!
A look at one of my final days of vacation.
http://you-get-what-you-get-lori.blogspot.com/2013/01/this-is-not-day-id-planned.html
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With getting divorced this month and it being midterms for me, I should not volunteer, but I will try to participate a bit extra when I can. I can’t wait for March!
Musing inspired as I rushed to my class the other day… http://iheartpurplestuff.blogspot.com/2013/01/passing-time.html
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Just reading your post about the upcoming challenge gets me excited. Last year’s challenge transformed me and I can agree with other slicers that this community has made me a better teacher.
I would be happy to be on the Welcome Wagon.
My slice is also about my OLW of 2013 as I see this is also a topic for others today.
http://teachingyoungwriters.blogspot.com/2013/01/pacing-myself.html
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My class inspires me and others. Big time.
http://ourclasswrites.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/morning-meeting-and-mali/
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A little adoption news and how faith plays a role in it: http://ruthayreswrites.blogspot.com/2013/01/waiting.html
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Dear Ruth and Stacey. I am delighted to be included in the Tuesday Slice of Life Group. I would love to comment on new Slicers in March. But, they may not welcome comments from a cat. All the best, love Pooh
http://thecatwhowrites.com/who-shredded-the-paper-towel-roll-by-pooh-hodges/
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Ooh, I’m so excited you’re going to host a classroom challenge! 🙂
Today was one of THOSE days. But I’m going to keep going. http://ihabloespanglish.blogspot.com/2013/01/teacher-tears.html
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Ruth and Stacey, I will do anything you need. This community is the best thing to happen to my professional life. I am a better teacher because I joined this group.
I really wasn’t going to write today. But my one little word showed up so wonderfully today that I just had to share. JOY http://deb-day.blogspot.com/2013/01/little-bits-of-joy.html
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Trying out an alternative to an annoying event…
http://writekimwrite.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/this-might-work/
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http://www.lolawrite.blogspot.com/ being bold
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Appreciating life’s interruptions…http://www.raisingreadersandwriters.com/2013/01/lifes-interruptions-slice-of-life.html
Knowing how much I appreciated others’ comments on my blog last year, I’d love to welcome new bloggers and will commit to commenting on their blogs each day.
I’m also excited to see you will be hosting a classroom challenge. SOLC changed many of my writers last year. It’s an experience they’ll never forget.
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The OWl has landed. Oops. I mean the OLW arrived.
http://justforamonth.blogspot.com/2013/01/no-owls-just-words-olw.html
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here is my slice about my little guy and his wet surprise this morning.
http://snowflakes6.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/slice-of-life-baby-mess/
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My OLW grew out of 2012’s… Moving on from SAVORING.
http://livewriteteach.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-one-little-word-2013.html
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My One Little Word found me.
http://literacyzone.blogspot.com/2013/01/sols-room-to-grow.html
My first instinct is to jump in and help, but I’m all about keeping life balanced. 🙂 I’m always willing to comment on new slicers!
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I enjoyed lots of books during winter break!
http://www.readingamidthechaos.blogspot.com/2013/01/winter-break-reading-blitz.html
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I am sooo looking forward to the challenge this year. I can help with the welcome wagon, or wherever you need me most.
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I would love to help with the Welcome Wagons and maybe with some easy questions about technical issues. I sure wish I could be a conceirge – maybe next year!
http://drferreri.blogspot.com/2013/01/oh-how-i-long-for-slice-of-biscotti.html
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An encounter with an unexpected tour guide while visiting Seoul. http://teachtoinspire.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/seoul-style-bukchon-village-part-2/
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Yesterday my site crashed. I had to take my own advice. http://www.ipaintiwrite.com/2013/01/08/three-steps-to-help-you-solve-any-problem/
I would be willing to comment on newcomers posts. And make a prize. Working on that this week. An original painting.
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I would be happy to help in tech support. I would also be willing and happy to do the other two, or any combination of the three!
Here’s my link for today: http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/2013/01/cabella.html
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I will help with comments , welcoming newcomers…
Here are thoughts on my OLW:
http://newtreemom.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/choose/
And here is my post from last week, which was way too
late:http://newtreemom.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/her-fluffiness-has-been-happy-again/
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Here’s my slice for the day: http://enbuscadeequilibrio.blogspot.com/2013/01/snow-day-solsc.html
I would be happy to help with the challenge as well. Please let me know where you see the greatest need based on what others are able to do.
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Listening to book voices and longing for time to respond . . .
http://pleasuresfromthepage.blogspot.com/2013/01/listening-to-my-gifts.html
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I would be happy to help with the Welcome Wagon role.
And here are some ramblings about the importance of good service:
http://fireflytrails.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/paying-the-bills/
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You know I will help any way I can, so if you see a need, ask and I can try to help. Looks like you’ve got quite a list of volunteers so far. Should be a fun month! 🙂
Finally decided on my OLW, http://lcinmo.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/one-little-word/
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I will help with welcome wagon. I know how important it is to know someone actually reads my posts. Here is my post about OLW. http://windows2mylife.blogspot.com/2013/01/have-you-heard-of-wheat-belly.html
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My blog today is about reading being a family affair and how I used Christmas to help with this tradition!
http://writeonkathy.blogspot.com/
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I could let you know closer to March if I can help. There is a chance we will be traveling for a week that month and I’m not sure if I can commit if we do.
Today’s slice is about finding the time to read. http://readwriteandreflect.blogspot.com/2013/01/slice-of-life-time-to-read.html
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Here is my slice for the beginning of the year…http://readcreateplay.blogspot.com/2013/01/reading-goals.html
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oops forgot my link, it might be a new year…but it is an old brain:)
http://twoyearsandfinishingstrong.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/just-one/
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I will help with Welcome Wagon. I was out of the country reading about ‘one word’. I pondered and then wrote about it today. XO Happy New Year…a bit late!
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Finally decided on my word for the year…
http://www.mariaselke.com/2013/01/one-little-word.html
I’m not sure I can be an ‘official’ help this year. I’m already a bit worried about keeping the life and writing balance that month. But I definitely will comment on as many as I can, and try to focus on any new faces I see.
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Morning SLicers,
I am so ready for the challenge coming and I don’t think I’ll be traveling which could be a good thing. I am happy to help, I love jumping on that Welcome Wagon, but put me where you need me.
As for my Slice, it’s not ready yet. I have a full day of PD and I’m dressed and eating breakfast at 6:15. What a strange experience. But I will have something as the day unfolds. Should be fun… new digital piece to share,
Bonnie
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I can help with concierge or the Welcome Wagon.
I’m in with a few snippets from life with my man-child.
http://carolwscorner.blogspot.com/2013/01/slice-of-life_8.html
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I can help with the Welcome Wagon. My slice today is about one of gifted students who has taken on the OLW “different.” Read to find out what a difference she is making. http://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/dare-to-be-different/
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Here’s my slice for today.
http://ateachersruminations.blogspot.com/2013/01/new-years-resolutions-redux.html
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After a couple of weeks away, here’s my OLW for 2013 – Grateful.
http://myreadingblog-jac.blogspot.com/2013/01/tuesday-sol-1813-olw-grateful.html
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Here is my word for 2013 re-defined
http://jaanaswritingblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-word-for-2013-re-defined.html
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I’ve retired One Sunflower – but will continue my “teaching” blog at Crumpled Notes. My first slice and I’m still figuring out what I want to be saying in this new space. I guess this entry goes along with Ruth’s wishes that we all “shine” and know we are enough!
http://binthinkin.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/admitting-brilliance/
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I’ve taken on some new responsibilities and I probably won’t be participating in the challenge. I will be reading as usual!
http://wakeupandwrite.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/what-kind-of-picture-would-you-create/
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I love to read everyone but I’m not savvy enough to help at all, sorry.Here’s my slice for a winter day.
http://otterlanding.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/back-to-talking-with-strangers/
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I’ll be happy to do any of them, Stacey. Add me into one of the lists where needed. Thanks for including those of us who’ve done it for a while. I won’t be having a class so if you divide it up, I might be best with the adults. Sounds like a terrific March! Here’s my slice! http://teacherdance.blogspot.com/2013/01/hm-m-my-olw-is-good-one.html
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I will help out with Welcome Wagon!
Here’s my slice for this week-Balance in the Learning
http://theamyrudder.blogspot.com/2013/01/balance-in-learning.html
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Having taken part in so many challenges and knowing the comfort of friendly voices commenting and encouraging my writing efforts, I’ll be happy to take on the welcome wagon role, as well as to lend a concierge’s hand. Thanks for doing this, again, Stacey and Ruth…and what fun to have a student blog – I’ll have to pass this on to my classroom slicers!
Here’s my slice o’ the week:
http://tmsteach.blogspot.com/2013/01/slice-of-life-tuesday-flu-finally.html
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Friday night traditions with my daughter, http://raisealithuman.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/raisinchallah/.
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