My first "Slice of Life" story for the SOLS Challenge!
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Music blaring, heavy beat.  Pink, purple, and yellow scarves float through the air.  Fifth graders laughing, cheering each other on.  This is how I spent the last writing class period before the state writing assessment. 

I taught these reluctant learners to juggle for a variety of reasons.  I wanted them to have a break.  I yearned to hear them laugh.  I wanted to build comraderie.  I wanted to share some fun music with them.  I wanted them to know that if they can learn something as challenging as juggling, then they could learn anything. 

Above all, I wanted them to see that effort creates ability.  I wanted them to see that the degree of their effort was directly proportional to their juggling prowess.  We discussed the fact that the same is true in any learning.  I could tell some "got it," while others might have been pretending to get it, thinking instead about what was on the lunch menu today.  That's okay, though.  I considered it a success when I saw how learning to juggle bolstered confidence, created a joyous atmosphere, and made folks smile.  It's all good.