It was a grand morning to be diving into a new collaboration with my good buddy, Tara Smith, slicer extraordinaire, as many of you know first-hand.
I was sure Tara would be a great teacher and wow, is she ever.
Today, she kicked off her annual year of slicing with her two 6th grade sections and I was given all the freedom I needed to capture the day with stills and video.
As you can see Tara, doesn’t sit still and she keeps her students moving with her. She began on her Smartboard, sharing a Slice reflection from a student from last year, just to give these new slicers a taste.
Then we all moved back of the room into the comfy, cozy area for note-taking and slicing specifics… then back to the desk area for the kids to work in small groups reading slice of life models, writing comments and then sharing their observations with all of us. We could feel the excitement rising.
And then finally, the assignment deadlines and final questions. But of course there’s no end to the questions, right?
All in 45 minutes.
Then Tara and I had precious downtime between sessions to digest and chat! Why not have me join in on the fun: share my slices and leave comments. Maybe get some back as well.
Looks like we have a lot to process. A year of slicing has begun; a year to deepen and enrich our friendship.
I am jumping out of my skin, ready to work with Tara and her 6th graders.
Life is good!
More to come…
Digital Bonnie 
Ah, such a delight to rewind and replay the day. Thanks for making it a great one, my friend.
Wow! That’s so cool! I haven’t done this with my students yet, but seeing your pictures makes me want to!
This is really fantastic! I see such energy in the students’ faces and body language! Wow – here’s to their slicing!! What great teaching.
I love EVERYTHING about this post. From kids writing about pieces of their lives to your collaboration to the meeting area in Tara’s classroom. I have goosebumps!
I love the photo collage and am a little jealous that you and Tara get to work together. There is a lovely thread of friendship through the photos and words. So glad you took the time to share this one! (Of course, I’m always partial to slices about slices!)
Ruth
Can’t wait to read more about this collaboration!
All these words of glee want to jump out all at once! It is so exciting that you two are collaborating and what writing joy is ahead for these sixth graders! I am so happy that you are allowing us to share in it all. 🙂
Collaboration and cooperation modeled and lived this morning. I love that you captured the words and the images of learning. As I read your post I was thinking of Cambourne’s Conditions of Learning. http://www.education.com/reference/article/Cambournes-literacy-development/
Love the peek into this awesome collaboration. I wish we could all be together like this. All my best for your continued excitement that will naturally spread to the kids.
“We could feel the excitement rising” – great line. It’s what happens each time I begin to read a slice and then another and another. I love having the feeling throughout the week as I go back and read. Your pictures, as always, are spectacular and I love seeing the action. Thanks, Bonnie!
I was hoping you would share your time in Tara’s class, and I was not disappointed. What a great collaboration! I can’t wait for more glimpses into this project. Are you making a video? That would be so powerful to show classroom teachers who are doubters.
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