Slice of Life: A Tune for Tuesday
It's day 18 of the March Slice of Life Challenge. We're more than half way through 31 days of writing. Thanks to the amazing Two Writing Teachers team for all of their support in this event.
I'm enjoying a young blog called The Lead Goose by Scott Jones. On Tuesdays Scott always shares a tune and a story. I'm not sure if the idea originates on his blog, but it is the first place I have seen it. As I was driving to school today I heard the song, Happy by Pharrell Williams. I don't know what it is about this song, but it makes me happy. I doubt anyone can listen to it without starting to feel the happiness rise from her/his toes. I knew as soon as I heard it the day would be filled with happiness.
The Happiness of a Stinky Lunch
I hurried to get my lunch and get back to the classroom after recess duty. I was looking forward to our Slice of Life lunch. It would be nice to have extra time to chat with students participating in our Slice of Life Challenge. I couldn't wait to hear about how their writing was going and to share tips with one another.
It wasn't long until I heard them coming down the hall. They chatted as they came into the classroom, getting their lunches from their book bags. We started a circle on the floor and began to pull out the contents of our lunches. Taggart excitedly pulled out strawberries and raspberries. Grace was thrilled to find she had not one, but two, packages of Gushers. Students who were buying began to come into the classroom with their lunches too. We made room for everyone in our circle.
I pulled out my salad and began to peel back the plastic cover. We were laughing and talking when a terrible smell reached my nose. What was that I wondered? The smell was strong and unpleasant. It didn't take me long to realize it was my salad. Apparently the cheese was a little stronger than I imagined. I lightheartedly apologized to everyone for the smell.
Of course, right away the kids on both sides of me started to laugh and hold their nose. Before I knew it everyone was fanning in front of their noses and, of course, asking to smell it. The joy of stinky food. I jokingly said, "I think I know what my slice of life was going to be: Stinky Lunch." They facetiously agreed and my lunch quickly became the topic for everyone's slice of life (Madeline wrote about it here). Funny how a few first graders and a stinky lunch can fill a room with happiness.
I'm enjoying a young blog called The Lead Goose by Scott Jones. On Tuesdays Scott always shares a tune and a story. I'm not sure if the idea originates on his blog, but it is the first place I have seen it. As I was driving to school today I heard the song, Happy by Pharrell Williams. I don't know what it is about this song, but it makes me happy. I doubt anyone can listen to it without starting to feel the happiness rise from her/his toes. I knew as soon as I heard it the day would be filled with happiness.
The Happiness of a Stinky Lunch
I hurried to get my lunch and get back to the classroom after recess duty. I was looking forward to our Slice of Life lunch. It would be nice to have extra time to chat with students participating in our Slice of Life Challenge. I couldn't wait to hear about how their writing was going and to share tips with one another.
It wasn't long until I heard them coming down the hall. They chatted as they came into the classroom, getting their lunches from their book bags. We started a circle on the floor and began to pull out the contents of our lunches. Taggart excitedly pulled out strawberries and raspberries. Grace was thrilled to find she had not one, but two, packages of Gushers. Students who were buying began to come into the classroom with their lunches too. We made room for everyone in our circle.
I pulled out my salad and began to peel back the plastic cover. We were laughing and talking when a terrible smell reached my nose. What was that I wondered? The smell was strong and unpleasant. It didn't take me long to realize it was my salad. Apparently the cheese was a little stronger than I imagined. I lightheartedly apologized to everyone for the smell.
Of course, right away the kids on both sides of me started to laugh and hold their nose. Before I knew it everyone was fanning in front of their noses and, of course, asking to smell it. The joy of stinky food. I jokingly said, "I think I know what my slice of life was going to be: Stinky Lunch." They facetiously agreed and my lunch quickly became the topic for everyone's slice of life (Madeline wrote about it here). Funny how a few first graders and a stinky lunch can fill a room with happiness.
Thanks for sharing that video, Cathy. I had never heard the song before and now I need to get it! Great story about the stinky lunch too!
ReplyDeleteI love that your lunch inspired writing in your room! You have really taught your students that you can write about ANYTHING! :) I love the song Happy too! I love it so much that it is my ringtone. I always sing a little bit before answering. :)
ReplyDeleteLove this! I love that song - we Zumba to it and it just makes me smile, just like the stinky lunch made all of those kids laugh! Great post
ReplyDeleteDid you eat it?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea...a tune and a story. There's just something about that beat that gets you going every time. It was fun reading the slice not knowing what grade you were with. I was, for a reason unknown, thinking you were with HS students. It was fun to find out they were first graders at the end. Love that you share experiences at lunch time. I could just imagine it!
ReplyDeleteJeff used to bring some interesting lunches to school...especially when Sid was the secretary...they would share items sometimes. I remember some strong aromas....not sure I would call them stinky...but...well, maybe. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this song. Today was the first day I did NOT sing it all day long. Now, I will fall asleep singing, "Because I'm Haappyyyyyyyyy." Pharrell Williams is such a great songwriter, and this is a perfect example why. Something about this song makes me want to skip.
ReplyDeleteHow could anyone not be happy after listening to that song! Sounds like everyone enjoyed your stinky lunch!
ReplyDeleteThat is our class theme song, Cathy. The kids want to listen to it all the time. I love your story. I can just imagine all the commotion after you opened your stinky salad. :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun that you could bring a little "stinker" in for your kids! :) What a fun slice.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard this song until last night when I saw a spring break video that my son, his wife, her sister, and mom put together this past week for spring break. I showed it to several people today and it made me happy all day! And now I get to see Pharrell on your clip. I really should connect more with the real world.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to a slice of life the stinky cheese salad could inspire some fiction too. The song you shared is a wonderful one to listen in the morning, even when it is rainy and cloudy, it cheers me up.
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ReplyDeleteToo funny! Great moment!
...And Happy is one of my favorites right now!
So happppyyyyy (love the song!) to read a cute slice! Kids' reactions remind us to smile!
ReplyDeleteI read Madeline's slice before yours! Cracked me up! I told her she better bring you a sandwich next time!
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