Slice of Life Story Challenge 2020 Day 28

Today, March 28th, 2020, I’m participating in Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life Story Challenge.

The countdown begins.  Wait, didn’t it?  Let me start over…am I recording? Was I recording?  I wonder to myself.  But where is the stop button?  Frantically, my eyes crawl blindly around the computer screen.  Oh wait, there it is.  Bottom left hand corner.  Got it.  Stop.

Okay, I say quietly taking a breath, let’s try that again.  Repositioning the tattered book in front of me, I prepare to read aloud again.  With right hand on my new mouse, I navigate back to the first slide of the presentation.  Here we go.  3, 2, 1, “Hi, readers!” I begin.  Suddenly, from outside my nearby window, a thunderous chopping noise invites itself unwanted into the room.  At first, I endeavor to continue reading the story.  Then, no.  It is just too loud.  Pause the video.  I rise from my “desk” (which is actually a rectangular dining table), walk over and, stepping through the legos and dolls on the floor, peer through the glass.  Outside, tree workers climb into their truck.  Looks like they’re moving down the road now, towing their heavy mulching equipment behind them, away from my house.  Okay, well that’s good.

So let’s begin again, I think.  I settle into my chair, reposition the book, sit up straight, and . . .lights, camera, action!

Then the phone.  Unable to help myself, I glance down at the caller idea screen.  It is my 81-year-old father.  “Hi, Dad,” I say.  He needs help with his email.

Perhaps I’ll try to record this read aloud tomorrow.

Author: Lanny Ball

For more than 29 years, Lanny has taught, coached, presented, staff developed, and consulted within the exciting and enigmatic world of literacy. With unyielding passion and belief in the possibility of workshop teaching, Lanny has worked to support students, teachers, and school administrators around the country in outgrowing themselves as both writers and readers. Working first as a classroom teacher, then as a coach and TCRWP Staff Developer, Lanny is now a literacy specialist, working and living in the great state of Connecticut. Outside of literacy, he enjoys raising his three ambitious young daughters with his wife, and playing the piano. Find him on this blog, as well as on Twitter @LannyBall. Lanny is also a former co-author of a blog dedicated to supporting writing teachers and coaches that maintain classroom writing workshops, twowritingteachers.org.

10 thoughts on “Slice of Life Story Challenge 2020 Day 28”

  1. Love it, been there. I ended up using our little powder room in the basement as my recording studio for screencasts and voiceovers – interestingly it’s the one place where the acoustics line up with the privacy.

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  5. I can relate. I wrote about fumbling with all this new today too. I woke up early again today for another take at a recording opportunity. But when you get it right (ish), it feels good to have accomplished something new.

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  7. So many relatable moments. It’s a whole new world for everyone, especially those living within the same four walls. Your descriptions are simple, yet powerful. I felt myself walking with you through the remnants of imaginative play as you investigated the source of the interrupting noise, “stepping through the legos and dolls on the floor.” The filming will take place and in all likelihood, there will be interruptions, so be kind to yourself and good luck!

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  9. Lanny, I tried to create my ¨recording studio¨in my home on Friday afternoon. I remember you telling us about this experience. I´m sure it was perfect up to that point too! Since I don´t know how to edit these videos, I just need to start all over again or accept far less than perfect final products. It was a wonderful production!

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