The lyrics from the Byrds have been going through my brain lately as I’ve lost track of day and night, days, and now even weeks, and WOW, how did it get to be August?
“To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven . . .” Video, 1965.
What does it take to be an award winner?
This song won a Grammy back in the 1960’s. Ah, yes, before many of you were born. So what is a classic? What is real? What needs to be repeated? What needs to be retired?
Cherish . . . and another tune instantly comes to mind.
Do I have songs on my brain?
Everything’s coming up roses and in verse!
There’s something about the JOYFULNESS of song!
I’m hopeful that the joyfulness in my life spills over to ensure that joyfulness is a part of every classroom this fall. Enthusiastic teachers. Refreshed. Relaxed. Rejuvenated.
Ready for challenges.
Ready to toil anew.
Ready to advocate for EVERY student.
Ready to lose your heart to that next room full of students!
And yet, every day the clock will continue! Can you find precious minutes for MORE reading and writing? Can you redistribute the time you have?
The students . . .
Excited students. Excited and eager for routines. Eager for learning. Eager to make a difference. Eager and enthusiastic to be back at school.
A time to be curious and focus on their brilliant minds and all the great things they do know. A time to think about next steps and small nudges of growth that will start spinning the success wheel.
Time shows what we value.
I love this quote from Ralph Fletcher.
“Time is a new kind of poverty. A schedule
that features daily writing communicates to
students: ‘Writing is one of my non-negotiables.
It’s too important for me to squeeze in
once in a blue moon’” (p. 45).
~ Ralph Fletcher
The Writing Teacher’s Companion
Scholastic, 2017.
What is on your daily schedule?
What are your non-negotiables?
How will we know?
And just to come to a full circle . . . “So what is a classic? What is real? What needs to be repeated? What needs to be retired?”
What is really necessary in your classroom?
What do students really need to learn?
How will you know?
Life is all about decisions. Time is in your favor. Many have just begun. Many begin soon. Others have about three weeks. How will you use every precious second in honor of worthwhile and necessary learning?
Before we can ask for MORE TIME, we must make sure that we use our existing time wisely!
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Kelsey, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here. 
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I’ve been thinking so much about time. I love your line, “Time shows what we value.”
So much thinking about time . . . for so many reasons! Such a valuable resource that we MUST make sure that we do not “fritter” it away!
There’s so much JOY here and so much to think about too. WRITING is always a non-negotiable, so is reading. I saw a post this summer on twitter about a teacher asking about bellringers and how to fit in reading & writing around that. Sigh…still so much work to be done, isn’t there? (I will say, when I suggested reading & writing AS “bellringer” time the tweeter seemed open to it…so maybe there’s hope!
Michelle,
So important to remember the JOY and the best use of time. ARGH: bell ringers!
Time is always something I think of. I almost didn’t post again today because I felt I didn’t have time. Glad I made the time. Thanks for this important reminder of the need to make time for what is important to us.
Rose,
So glad you made the time! ❤
Time is a blessing giving us the opportunity to take our students on a journey exploring avenues they have never before dared to venture. Time is a curse as well especially when we are told what we must cover in our classrooms in order to be ready for meaningless tests.
Time is a two-sided coin that needs to be used wisely! Important points!
Thanks for the continued inspiration!
________________________________
Lindsay, you are so welcome!
HAVE a marvelous FUN year!
Im not in the classroom anymore, but writing will always be with me. Wonderful post, Fran.
Tara,
I can’t wait until we have “time” to compare our after “work” lives. I’m not sure where TIME always goes. Maybe that’s why it’s been such a prevalent topic this summer! LOL
You craft questions masterfully. And I’m old enough to remember those songs:).
Thanks! And I definitely know more “old” lyrics than new ones! LOL!
Your questions are beautiful. They focus on what matters. Student joy. Love the Ralph Fletcher quote.
Thanks, Julieanne! That quote is on my reminder page that I see at least once a week! So true!