Update

In the last week and a half, I've read...

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

and

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

The first three books I listened to on CD. It's my newest way to read now that school's taking up so much of my life. I listen to and from work, while I'm getting ready for work, and in the evenings when I am cleaning up the kitchen/preparing dinner. I did not enjoy the narrator for Riordan's book. He made everyone sound like evil surfer-dudes. The other two sound recordings were terrific.

Monday Morning Inspiration

The only reason I always try to meet and know the parents better is because it helps me to forgive their children. ~Louis Johannot

Monday Morning Inspiration

Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task. ~Haim G. Ginott

Just Finished Reading...

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
Let's discuss this cover, shall we?
First off, in reading workshop we've been studying the characteristics of different reading genres. While one of my students was reading this book, I asked him what genre he thought his book was. He told me, "Uh, fantasy, I think." Now, mind you, he was comprehending the story and having no trouble summarizing his reading, however this particular cover that he had threw him. This student is visual and was using the cover to help with his comprehension. So in his mind, the bear that the two boys encounter really was larger than the forest. Not only that, but do you see the two "boys?" They look like grown, strapping men. Sometimes, I wonder.
Okay, so I finished this book last weekend and it's already back on the library shelf, but I have a 50 hour work week so my posts are going to be a little slow coming.
While reading this book, I had an odd sensation that I've read this before, kind of like book deja vu, I'm guessing in my 6th grade reading class. No matter, it was still fresh enough that it felt like a first read.
I recommended this book to my fifth graders because they are studying American Indians and soon early colonial days and this book is a perfect tie in. Two of my students had just finished reading it and recommended it to me. That's the great thing about my class. I get just as many recommendations as I give, mainly from my fifth graders. My sixth grade class is still attitudinally (did I just make up a word?) challenged.
I'm currently reading/listening to Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. I ordered Al Capone Shines My Shoes for my classroom library so I figured I should at least read the first first.

Monday Morning Inspiration

The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think - rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of other men. ~Bill Beattie

Fall Into Reading 2009

It's here! The first day of Autumn and it's a blistering warm day. This is Florida after all. So no, I don't see leaves turning beautiful bright colors on trees; I don't smell those wood fires burning; nor is it anywhere near appropriate to put away the summer wardrobe. However, I have pulled out last fall's Pumpkin Spice lotion from Bath and Body Works; I've plugged in the "leaves" scented wall flowers, as well as the cinnamon scented ones, and I'm using pumpkin spiced creamer in my coffee. It's official: today is the first day of my favorite season.

And no one needs more of an excuse to read than me so today is the kick off of Callapidder Days annual Fall Into Reading. My goal this fall is to read 25 books. Wish me luck!

Here is what's at the top of my To Read List (or already sitting in my library bag).

1. The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare (starting it today)


2. Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn


3. The Brooklyn Nine by Alan Gratz


4. Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech


5. Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements


6. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman


7. Skellig by David Almond


8. Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix


9. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


10. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness


11. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko


12. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Monday Morning Inspiration

Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions. ~Author Unknown