I started this last night, but I’m finishing it tonight after my first day of school with my new brood. They’re such a good bunch.
Here I sit on the porch. The last of the sunlight is shimmering through the old oaks turning some of the low hanging leaves gold-green. It is the last day of summer break. Tomorrow bright and early school begins.
I took photos of my writing journal today because I’m in the process of making a slide show for my students about keeping a journal. I’m also including photos of the journals of Lynda Barry, Austin Kleon, and a few others.
In my students’ journals I want them to be able to add photos, stickers, doodles, and of course writing. They will determine the content. I have decided to let whatever they do be OKAY.
There are other times in the day when we write in the classroom and use the writing process to edit, revise, and all that jazz. The journal is a different sort of animal.
Some kids will take to it like cats to cream. Others will not understand the purpose or will get lost along the way or be disgruntled or resist.
But I’m hoping to coax them gently towards a writing practice knowing full well that only some will latch on and keep writing until they are old people.
I caught the bug at the age of 11 or 12 and never let go. Writing has saved my life on more than once occasion. I want kids to know it can save theirs too.
Writing reflecting processing the world through words and maps. Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? How will I get there?
But we will start with:
What did I have for lunch? Why doesn’t X like me?
The Donor’s Choose journals arrived and they are truly spectacular. I decorated mine with stickers and a white pen. This will be my classroom journal into which I will deposit many thoughts while at school. These are not intended to be art journals per se. I have sketchbooks for that.
These books are for flexing their young writing muscles. For understanding that some of us need to write
I enjoyed last week in my class. Puttering in the golden light of the big windows. I am lucky to have this old room in the old wing of the school. Most of the other classrooms are like bat caves with no windows.
I’m as ready as I can be. Tomorrow some children who’ve been at home since March of 2020 will be returning to school. I have a roster full of kids, but all may not return if they didn’t receive their baseline COVID test. My classroom will probably have a revolving door this year with lots of movement in and out. I’m ready for whatever comes.
In times of great mental turmoil I stare out the windows at the trees and sky. They help to connect me to a deeper sense of what is truly important. I hope to allow for small moments of BEING in the great hamster wheel of doing.
I’m ever grateful for the Donor’s Choose projects that were funded. 2019 was my last one and I was simply out of so many things. I forgot a few things, so I’ve created an Amazon Classroom Wish List. It takes a lot to run a classroom and my parents are in no position to contribute like they are in more affluent areas. This is a little classroom in the inner city. It’s never easy to put these requests out there, but please know I do so with plenty of gratitude and NO expectation.
If you do contribute please email or comment so I can properly thank you. When I had a wishlist last in 2016, Amazon did not always include a packing slip to let me know who gave what to our class. Also, I sent some people thank you notes through a QR code scan and I don’t think everyone got those either. The system is imperfect, but perhaps by now it is improved. We shall see!
I love the stickers on your journal cover. Do you happen to know where they are from?
Hi Mary Ann,
Last post I went to purchase some things and everything had already been bought up!! I was excited this morning to see that you’d added a couple of things on Amazon so I purchased a couple. I love that you are teaching the children to journal. My twin daughters are 25. I started them writing when they were in grade school and they still write today. We were cleaning out boxes of their childhood things a few months back and all the notebooks they’d used were at the top of the “Keep” list!
Your classroom reminds me of my childhood classrooms. I love it!
I was 11 when I started keeping a diary too, and haven’t stopped since! Love that you’re making some of “your kids” into journal keepers and letting them all give it a try! Love that so much!
I am one of the kids that stuck with journal writing after being introduced to it by my 9th grade English teacher! I was going through my oldest journals recently and the first entry was dated October 18, 1971. Almost 50 years! For decades they were private journals where my writing provided a sort of therapy, working things out on paper and sometimes just releasing feelings that I needed to get out before I could move on. I’m in the process of one last big read before I delegate them to the shredder. Nobody need know of all the teenage angst and the difficulties of my early adult life after I’m gone. It’s hard letting go of them.
Today I make art journals and junk journals rather than scrapbooking or regular photo albums to document the things and people in my life. These I can let stay forever. I think it’s great that you are introducing journaling to your students!
This was so sweet to read. Sounds like you are ready. Your classroom reminds me of those I went to grade school in. I am glad you have windows. I imagine some of your young ones will stare out them endlessly and probably pay only half attention but there is a tiny part of me that wonders where those wee minds go when they stare out a window even if just for a second. I think windows are a good good thing. I do hope the journaling goes well and that a few indeed catch the bug. I remember having a love/hate relationship with writing, tho eventually it became a lifeline late in my teens. I also remember being introduced to collage in art class in 2nd grade I believe and I spent years filling plain notebooks with anything I could glue into them. My visual voice was much braver than my writing one. Sending you all the good vibes that this year of many changes, ongoing and present are good for you and as stressless as possible.
I bought two sets of the zipper bags and hope they make it to you! I was a teacher for 37 years so know the value of teacher wish lists!! Hope you have a wonderful year.
Nothing was left, so be sure to update and keep us posted when needs arise. Good luck to you and your kids – they’re lucky to have a teacher like you! xo
Well, it appears that I missed out on donating, but happy to know that your wish list was filled! Love the windows in your classroom. I hope the sunlight that spills in the windows helps fill the hole that Corky left behind. Connecting to nature, even just staring out a window, can be a great soother. Wishing you a wonderful school year Miss Moss. (And I am now hoping to have a clear sky tonight to be able to go star blind). ✨
Oh enjoy the star show! If only I could see it from my corner of the gleaming metropolis
Your beautiful bright classroom is so very cheery and appealing. A school with old classrooms will usually have big windows and they make a real difference.
I taught in a classroom with big windows all along one side and it was so nice to be there every day.
I send my best wishes for a happy and productive school year!
I agree about the windows. They change everything. My window to sanity and wonder. I remember the year the pandemic began… and we spotted a giant double rainbow and we all leaned out the windows and sighed.
Hi there Mary Ann!
I love your posts… would love to see them all in a book!!
I was going to donate and there aren’t any items!
XOX
Thank you dear, Linda. Everyone bought up the store! I just hope I remembered to make it all go to the school address. If not the kiddos and I will be making some trips to the chariot. I better wash it. Wouldn’t want to give the wrong impression. HAH!
I looked at the picture of your beloved kitty, window and famous orange chair and the only thing I could think was, “I want to be there!” What a lovely image. I’ve told you before how I wish you had been my teacher or someone like you. I might have turned out better! Well, I had Miss Sweeney – she did pretty good. Blessings on your new school season. You and the kiddies stay well!
Awww Miss Sweeney. I bet she was a good egg. I wonder if it was with her that you began your own writing journey…
What lucky kids to have creative you as their teacher. I’m sure you will coax out their innate gifts and have fun doing it. Cheers to a great school year for you and them.
Thanks so very much, Sharon. xo
Oh that’s so awesome you’re going to teach and encourage them to journal! I journal and sketch, usually separately. I personally wish I had started sketching years ago, I think of the stack that I could have by now, and it would be so interesting to look back on. I checked your wish list and there is nothing on it?
Friend, I had a medical appt near my old elementary school this week and was filled with gratitude on so many levels. Mostly for the teachers who showed up with their game faces on but I’ll admit there was a ton of gratitude that I’m retired. You guys that have muscled through during these challenging pandemic times have my utmost respect and admiration. I sent your pens with a sweet memory of how my dad honored my desire to write by giving me my first ink pen. How grown up I felt with that special pen! I hope your year flows, expectations are fluid and you continue to have the energy to be at the helm of your little light filled boat. With my greatest respect, SusanS
I long to feel that retirement gratitude, but know enough at almost 60 to recognize that someday I might long for these days of working. Or maybe not. Mostly I long to do my deep work of living and being here in the world. I will hold this image close to my heart: “your little light filled boat.” beautiful. When I get back to Alba Quirky as my sisters now call it, we’re going out for margaritas with MISSUS Susan Warder. I want to see you both.
I sent you some pens and dots but the pens won’t be there for a few weeks it says. Our schools are providing all the kids with school supplies this year due to covid funding so we don’t have to buy anything so I’m happy to help out. 🙂
Thanks so much Dana, really appreciate. We can wait for the pens!
Cheering for teachers! Clapping for sharing your love of writing with your students. 100% agree that writing (when it clicks) is a pathway to so many other pathways. I participated in a journaling challenge that began July 1 this year. The same fire I felt about writing when I started in grade school came roaring back and is in full blaze again. I couldn’t find words for most of the pandemic, but once I put my pen on the paper all my words came out and my mental health has IMPROVED. Thank you, MAM, for all you do!!!
Oh I love knowing that, Heidi Sue. Writing can carry us through troubled times. From anguish, heart break, clear through to heart breaking joy and wonder and straight into the NOW of noticing what is around me. Good medicine.
There are no items in the list right now. Is that what you intend?
That’s what I found as well…hmmm…
Hello Mary Ann
I am so glad you received all of your class room wish list. This makes me so happy. I love this post. I am a long time journaler/writer of thoughts and snippets. I started as a child and have stacks of books; some in the beginning were in school notebooks but as I have grown older, I take joy in finding beautiful journals with gorgeous paper to write on and pens that also make it such a joy. As you also stated, writing has helped me out and continues to do so on difficult day. When life is difficult, I long for a few moments with my close friend to posit my thoughts and feelings and always feel so much better after I do. It thrills me to know you are taking this to your classroom. I wish I had a teacher with a fondness of art, writing and being allowed to know there is no right or wrong in how you do any of it. Just also want to mention that I am a knitter and that is also so meditative and healing. So I get my benefits from both. Good luck to you and your children this year. I hope the year goes smoothly. Carla XOXO
Thank you so much, Carla for your lovely comment. One year I taught with a teacher who had her students keep little knitting bags on their desks. They were allowed to knit whenever they weren’t required to use a pencil/paper or take notes. I always thought that was the coolest. Even the boys knit!
So glad to hear that all the goodies have been purchased.. I thought it was my my non tech. head being unable to find the list !
Good luck with your pupils!
is it possible that everything on your Amazon list has already been bought? wow!
Mary Ann, it looks like you got everything you needed–there is nothing left on the list. You have a good bunch of followers! Happy school year!
Kristi,
I thought there was a mistake because my list was empty. Turns out I was the one who was mistaken – everything had been purchased! My students are lucky ducks and so am I. Thank you for your generous INTENTION. It means so much. xo
Oh! that explains the empty list, then. I’m very glad that worked out!
P.S. I love the stickers you show on your journal pages. Do you mind if I ask where you got them?
Hi Sandra,
Here are some Etsy shops where I purchased stickers at the beginning of July. LEFTOVER BAGELS, SJ COLLECTIONS STORE, PAPER PARASOL PRESS, Casey Girard. In addition my friend Pam sent me a ton of stickers when she did some recent decluttering. My favs are the cats from Leftover Bagels!
Thanks very much! And, good luck with your new students! XO
Purchased and on its way! Not sure if you know about Remainders in Pasadena? They are a reuse non profit craft/fabric/art/ you name it really, shop!! They are always doing free teacher giveaways. Plus they have super fun stuff for art journals as well. I’ll share a link with you on Instagram.
Love the way you put so much thought into your classroom! Lucky students.
I DO NOT know about Remainders so thanks for telling me, Kelli. And thanks so much for your donation to my class. It is much appreciated. xo
Thank you so much for posting the Amazon link! I was so thrilled that there were still some goodies left to purchase, as I was never able to get the Donors Choose site to work correctly. I thought of emailing you to ask if I could send something to you directly, but the thoughts go in and out like gentle waves these days and poof — off it went.
I can’t tell you what a gift it is to see notifications of your blog posts pop up in the email account that I find myself dreading to check. What a treasure each one is, and I’m sure it sounds strange, but each one makes me feel so deeply and moved in ways that I seldom feel these days.
Thank you for sharing your gifts with all of your students — the young ones who are so lucky to find themselves sitting in your classroom, and those of us who are older and just as lucky for what you offer. It is meaningful in ways that I can’t explain and honestly, make me tear up with each read/glimpse. Thank you, thank you.
Maggie,
Thank you kindly for your thoughts tonight. I’m on my way to bed early since I’m rising so early nowadays. I always love hearing that my missives reach you gentle readers. Sweet dreams. xo
p.s. also thank you for your donation to our class. The kids are going to love everything!
Long time reader here… just popping in to say these kids are lucky to have you as their teacher. Your dedication, compassion, and thoughtfulness are a gift, thank you for serving these kids in ways big and small. You probably don’t hear enough of that, so thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do! Because of you Donors Choose has also become one of my favorite places to support, thank you for that as well. You’re doing good work miss Moss, very, very good work indeed!
Dede thanks so much for these kind words. Means a lot…
Thanks for posting the list of items for your classroom. I have just purchased one of each item for your class. It’s going to be an exciting year for you and the kids creating in their journal. Please post pictures when you can. I’d love to see what they create. Big hugs to you and your kids.
I will absolutely do that! Thanks a million dear Marci xo
Ama zon is on its way. Wednesday.
Have a great year!
Please dont take the time to thank me, you’re v busy.
Ahh but I must thank you, Karen. I appreciate your classroom gift so very much. THANK YOU xo