(Since it's nearing the end of the month, I'm pushing myself to collect ordinary Slices that represent my daily life.) It goes like this: Good Night Sam Here's a keep-you-forever-hug, Momma. He hugs me tight, tighter, and then some more. You're the best Momma ever. I love you. He snuggles in, then pops up Can… Continue reading Good Night (Ruth’s SOLS 24/31)

This week I've been working with a team of extraordinary fourth grade teachers. They are on the brink of a unit of study based on research. I launched the unit with an inquiry into feature articles. I brought a couple of samples with me and posed the question: What makes a feature article? Most of… Continue reading Feature Article Inquiry

I used to be wiped-out after school. I spent every ounce of energy during the day and came home completely zapped. 4:00 pm in the summer seemed to be a completely different time than 4:00 pm during the school year. Four o'  clock pm summer felt like there was still an entire day left to… Continue reading After School (Ruth’s SOLS 23/31)

Our kids want a Wii. So we decided to start a "Wii Jar" and the kids could use it to save money for a Wii. This is how their friends got  a Wii, so our kids think this is a great idea. They get money by doing extra chores around the house. We had a… Continue reading Wii Money (Ruth’s SOLS 22/31)

I've read three new books recently that have brought a smile to my face -- not to mention to the faces of all my family members (the 4, 6, and 8 year olds + my husband). Because of this, my husband and I have been asked to read them again and again and again. All… Continue reading Lighten Up!

Here's a little slice from my life: Stacey and I have completed all 180 reflections for our book! All that is left is the introduction, closing thoughts, and compiling the appendix. We'll discuss our final reflections on Wednesday and complete the revisions. (Plus I have to write the opening to the Assessment chapter.) I know… Continue reading 180 Reflections — CHECK! (Ruth’s SOLS 21/31)

Today we did a little Spring Cleaning and a bit of organizing. The kids cleaned their rooms. Andy did a couple of "handy-man" projects around the house. I organized my studio -- again. It seems every few months I change things a little in there to make myself more effective when I create. It feels… Continue reading Spring Cleaning (Ruth’s SOLS 20/31)

Tonight we ate dinner outside. Although it was a little chilly, we gathered around a patio table with some of our closest friends. The kids ate on a blanket in the grass. The breeze carried their giggles to us. Perhaps it was because of the sunshine . . . Perhaps it was because I spent… Continue reading Dinner Alfresco (Ruth’s SOLS 19/31)

Six months ago I learned the truth about slavery. There are 27 million people living in slavery worldwide. A slave is someone who is forced to work for little or no money and is not free to leave. In our modern society, there are 27 million slaves. Many of these are children. As I've learned… Continue reading I’ve Become an Abolitionist (Ruth’s SOLS 18/31)

On Monday I attended an All-Write meeting with literacy coaches across Indiana & Michigan. One line from the meeting has been glued to my mind. Kristen Horrell and Karla Hayden commented about Workshop teaching: "It's so simple!" they said. Sometimes we spend our time making things more complicated than they need to be. If we… Continue reading It’s So Simple

I've been serving on a committee at my church for a couple of years. It is a committee which was formed for a purpose and now the purpose is almost complete. I was heavily involved in the process early on, but haven't been as active the past several months. I was honored to be asked to be… Continue reading Perspectives (Ruth’s SOLS 17/31)