I sit in my classroom, eating lunch and blogging with five students. Slicing is an option for my students. They can join me if and when they like. For now, I’m letting it grow organically. I’m finding lunch is the perfect time to get my post going, next to my students.
Two more students walk in. They sit scattered around the classroom — side by side on the carpet, at the computers, at random desks. All quiet. Involved, independent in their writing lives.
Joy…. Check out their writing for today here. And find adult slicers here.
This morning I woke up in the usual way. I don’t need an alarm clock, I have a cat.
My cat has needs and he makes them known. A creature of habit, he requires that I am up at at the same time each day.
A gentle tap on the shoulder coupled with purring signals his presence.
I roll over. Silly me, I think that today he will be content to settle down and sleep next to me.
Not likely.
The gentle touch becomes more of a jab.
I stay still, hoping he’ll give up.
Not today.
He presses his entire weight on one paw, and then he shifts the weight to the other. It’s like he’s stomping on me.
I know his next move.
The purring gets louder and he approaches my pillow on the way to the bedside table. It is just a matter of moments before… WACK! My glasses go flying off the table and hit the hardwood floor.
Miserable thing.
I’m up. He knows this always does it. I move toward the door, and he’s watching, looking back every few steps as if to say, “Are you coming? Come on this way!”
When I turn toward the bathroom, not the hall, he stops, takes a step back, and gives my ankle a nip.
Naughty thing. I scold him.
This is the dance we do every morning.
Funny thing.
Eventually I get to the place he wants me to be. He gazes out the window. He looks back, I open the door. Off he goes into the dark, my alarm clock.
To Read To Write To Be 
Pets are entertaining, aren’t they? My cat has cabin fever because of all the cold weather we’ve had, and is very restless. This morning when I woke up he was sitting on my dressing table like a statue peering down at me!
The picture you paint of you classroom at lunchtime is so inviting! I’d love to be there with you.
I wish I’d introduced my students to slicing this year, but it was one thing too many to manage. Your lunch time routine sounds PERFECT!! I love the story of your living alarm clock, your cat. It makes me smile. Thank you!
This story brought back great memories of the cats I have had. We are now just a one dog family. You really made me feel as if I was right there with you. I fell in love with your cat!
Love the description of you and your students in class quietly writing, Julieanne. I think they too must love it. And your cat, like mine of a long time ago, would sit on one of the dressers and start knocking things off, as you so accurately wrote, our alarm clock!
Mornings – how different they can be. I am glad you shared your morning. I am always fascinated when I read abut cats with a plan. I have never had a cat and i think it is interesting how they do what they like.
I, too, loved the fact that you sliced alongside your kids – that’s really the best way to show your own commitment to your writing life. And, having one of the same kind of alarm clocks myself, I loved that bit, too.
I have a few students who are writing with me. I invited, but not many interested. Did you check out Katherine’s blog today on Read, Write, Reflect? She used three different level. I really liked that. I think I could have gotten more to write with this. Good luck with your students.
Your classroom is somewhere I would like to hang out – which speaks to why students are comfortable coming in. And your cat – love it. My dog wakes me with a bark each morning and I often try that waiting game of maybe she’ll go back to sleep. Great descriptions.