Write It, Draw It, Experience It, Dream Big: Lit Jam

This was our annual Lit Jam week. For those of you who have figured out that I like to write, you'll know this is a big deal to me every year. I know, it shouldn't be - after all it's all about the kids - but it is. A large part of that is because I work with my kids on their submissions. I don't change them - I do let it be their own - when or fail. But I'm the one who combs through their work, asking them deep thinking questions so they can improve what they've put together if they want to.

Of course, I can't do the same with drawing, painting, or any of that kind of art. That's not where my talents currently lie. But Beth makes sure that every year she submits a piece of art work along with her writing. I'm glad she does because I know art is really important to her - and I think she's amazing at it. Now, if only I could help her more in that area….

Lit Jam here is an opportunity for kids to not only submit writing and flat art, but for them to meet new authors and illustrators and to learn more about the processes that make for great writers and illustrators. It's open to grades three through eight, so this year we had Jeremy, Beth and Gabi attending. Every year, Bob attends as well as an educator (room monitor), so I stay home with my little monster and the others (this year, it was just Peter and Jacob). I don't mind the time with just a couple, but I know I would LOVE to be at Lit Jam. Crazy, but that's the kind of thing I get excited about. This year, I missed an amazing professional storyteller!!!!!!! I love those kinds of people!

In past years, awards were based solely on the rubric. This year, according to what I read, each student's work went through the rubric and then those with a full rating on the rubric were judged a third time to determine excellent or superior. In other words - they made it harder to get an award!!!!!!! Actually, I think this is good because over the years they've had more and more awards handed out. It was time to challenge them more - help them improve and stretch.

Each kid could enter up to two things. Gabi did narrative and poetry, Beth did narrative and a painting, and Jeremy did narrative and poetry.

Our kids did well and were able to place with at least one of their pieces. Proud Mama Moment for sure. Gabi placed excellent for both her pieces. Jeremy placed excellent with his poetry. And Beth took a superior rating on her narrative.

Additionally, we had the privilege of hosting Adam Glendon Sidwell for dinner and dessert, along with our dear friends. The kids and I had read his book, Evertaster, before I went to LTUE (a writers' conference in Utah). He was on a panel that I went to, and then I went to his presentation as well. I managed to introduce myself knowing he would be coming to our area for Lit Jam and that my kids (ages 3-11, at the time) loved the book.

He was great with the kids - talking to them about everything from his book and writing to whatever interested them. Jacob insisted that he was "Adam Sidwell" every time he said his name… but think a three year old voice in a very humanized form of robot and you might understand why that was so cute.  Additionally, earlier in the week, Jacob had said that Adam, the prophet, was coming to our house. When corrected that it was Adam the guy who wrote Evertaster, he said "But Adam was a prophet, Mom."

Adam Glendon Sidwell also spent his day before Lit Jam presenting and doing work shops at our school. So my kids got to see a lot of him. They really enjoyed all that he did, and his very dynamic presence.

If you're interested in learning about Adam Glendon Sidwell and his books you can see them at these sites:
http://www.evertaster.com/about-the-author/
https://www.facebook.com/AdamGlendonSidwell

He write middle grade fiction and also has a picture book coming out next month.

Our Little Competitors - Around the World and Throughout the Dictionary

Around the world, or throughout the dictionary, our two girls really have enjoyed learning a lot.

Gabi has competed in both the local Geography Bowl and the local Spelling Bee for the past two years, and this was Beth's first opportunity. This year, they both competed. They were in different competing groups for the Geography Bowl, but were in the same group for the Spelling Bee. 

This was Gabi's first year on World Geography. There was so much more to try to learn and understand - and to guess in terms of what would actually be on the list of questions for the competition.

Beth was on US Geography - which still has plenty to learn, though some of the stuff is studied in the classes along the way.

I would have to say that Bob did a pretty good job with his questions - and keeping the girls from having any hints regarding what to expect - since neither girl placed in their competing groups. Regardless of that, it was fun to watch them, and they both competed well. (To top it off, Jacob actually behaved quietly throughout both competitions - back to back - which meant I was able to watch all of it this year!)

Spelling Bee was much more exciting for us. The girls spent lots of time studying words - drilling each other, having mom (and maybe dad, I don't remember) quizzing them. Beth, being her first year, was especially focused on learning her list of words.

Gabi went back and forth about which group she'd be competing in. First she was told she'd be competing with 4-6 grade, then it was that 6th grade was competing with the middle group (6-9). In the end, it was 4-6, so the girls ended up competing against each other. But all the back and forth kept tossing Gabi from one word list to another. I don't think it hurt her any.

They both tied with two other kids for first place initially. Then, they ended up competing head to head for third place. And, because they had to do the first place tie breaker first in order to see figure out who would be doing the third place tie breaker, the girls ended up spelling a bunch of harder words for their third place tie breaker then when everyone was competing for first place. For a parent (that would be me) it was fascinating to watch - to see both my girls excelling and spelling words correctly over and over (especially since spelling - especially verbally - was never my strongest suit). Bob and I could not have been more pleased with their performance that day. They really did amazing! In the end, Gabi took third and Beth took fourth.

Of course - I can't leave it at that - because I have one truly amazing husband. Both these programs would have been done away with a couple of years ago had he not stepped up to keep them going when the county office no longer provided them. This year, he ended up doing a lot more of the work himself - though he had some great judges and announcers in the form of retired educational professionals. Thank goodness for such wonderful support so these programs can move forward and the kids can continue to be challenged in a fun way!

Getting Back into Things

Okay - I'm terrible. I won't bore you with the whole story of how we're just so busy and I just couldn't take my hands away from my knitting needles long enough to get you all apprised of what was going on in our little neck of the woods. What I will say is this:

Coming Soon:

Updated pictures (yes, we really have some)
Kids' Accomplishments
And a few looks at our crazy lives

And I'm not going to promise to be regular with this again, because I hate finding out I make myself into a lier. I will try - and I might succeed, but I leave you no promises because I cannot see the future and cannot promise that life won't get in the way once again. But I will try!

See you soon!