tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56355453204373440502024-03-20T04:53:50.512-04:00Ars Longa- Vita Brevisart is long, life is briefAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-8948609935779202862016-07-12T23:00:00.001-04:002016-07-12T23:00:06.962-04:00Summer Reading Ideas<p>Here are just a few examples of projects students have done in the past for summer reading.</p>
<p><span id="selectionBoundary_1468376292657_48083788831718266" class="rangySelectionBoundary" style="line-height:0;display:none;"></span><span id="selectionBoundary_1468376321663_23196770437061787" class="rangySelectionBoundary" style="line-height:0;display:none;"></span><a href="http://ift.tt/29CrmpG"><img src="http://ift.tt/29G8V74" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-89" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/29Crzcl"><img src="http://ift.tt/29G922y" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-90" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/29Crgyf"><img src="http://ift.tt/29G96iS" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-91" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/29Crk0Y"><img src="http://ift.tt/29G9dem" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-92" /></a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-29878173390760672622015-01-24T21:03:00.001-05:002015-01-24T21:03:20.375-05:00In My Own Backyard<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div class='wpcom-reblog-snapshot'><br /><div class='reblogger-note'><br /><p class='reblogger-headline'><img width='32' height='32' class='avatar avatar-32' src='http://ift.tt/1zHG1tS' alt=''/><a href='http://ift.tt/1CQ0tXb'>nataleestotz</a>:</p><br /><div class='reblogger-note-content'><br /><blockquote><br /><p>Many times books read for fun lead me to deeper thoughts on my teaching. This happened today.</p><br /></blockquote><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class='reblog-post'><br /><p class='reblog-from'><img width='48' height='48' class='avatar avatar-48' src='http://ift.tt/1zHG1tU' alt=''/>Originally posted on <a href='http://ift.tt/1CQ0tXd'>Adventures in Education Reform</a>:</p><br /><div class='reblogged-content'><br /><p>This afternoon I celebrated the end of two very stressful, busy weeks and National Readathon Day by reading <em>Paper Things</em> by Jennifer Richards Jacobson. The book doesn’t officially release until February 10, but somehow Letterpress Books of Portland was able to secure copies to sell at the nErDCamp Northern New England Author Night last week. I love Jennifer’s writing, I’ve been hearing good things about the book, so of course I needed to get a copy and have it signed.</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1zHG3lG'><img alt='IMG_2148' width='225' height='300' src='http://ift.tt/1CQ0ryv' class='aligncenter size-medium wp-image-32'/> </a> </p><br /><p>I wasn’t very far into the book before I was wiping my eyes, moved to compassion for Ari, the 11 year old main character/narrator. Ari, through a series of events completely out of her control, becomes homeless. The story takes place right here in Portland, Maine (called Port City in the book). This is a fabulous book that I really think should be read by every teacher and young person.</p><br /></div><br /><p class='reblog-source'><a href='http://ift.tt/1CQ0tXd'>View original</a> <span class='more-words'>832 more words</span> </p><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br/><br /><a href='http://ift.tt/1zHG3C4' rel='nofollow'><img src='http://ift.tt/1CQ0ryz' border='0' alt=''/> </a> <img height='1' width='1' src='http://ift.tt/1zHG1KA' border='0' alt=''/><br/><br /><br/><br />from WordPress http://ift.tt/1EgLCsQ<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/16Xitlp'>IFTTT</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-14952642761112061242015-01-06T17:33:00.001-05:002015-01-06T17:33:56.725-05:00First Book Shares of the New Year!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>My students delighted me this week by doing books shares right back from vacation. I gave them the option of waiting until next week, when they’d had time to prepare themselves. In my 10th grade class, the student scheduled to share chose to wait, I was ready to do one, when Noah volunteered. He finished <em>BZRK</em> by Michael Grant a month or so ago and had talked about it as he was reading it, but hadn’t formally shared it. He did a fabulous job with his summary and explanation.</p><br /><p><img alt='/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/http://ift.tt/1xPrkl2' src='http://ift.tt/1xPrhWp' class='alignnone size-full'/> </p><br /><p>9th grader Jordyn quickly scanned my shelves for one of the series she read in the past, and shared Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel, explaining its connection to Clare’s previous series, and giving students advice on reading order.</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1xPrhWv'><img alt='/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/http://ift.tt/1FiObfu' src='http://ift.tt/1xPrhWx' class='alignnone size-full'/> </a> My seniors are challenging each other to read books that are completely the opposite of what they normally would select for themselves. Today Alex shared the book his classmates selected for him: Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson.</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1FiOdUs'><img alt='/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/http://ift.tt/1FiObvO' src='http://ift.tt/1FiObfA' class='alignnone size-full'/> </a> </p><br /><br/><br /><a href='http://ift.tt/1FiObvS' rel='nofollow'><img src='http://ift.tt/1FiObvW' border='0' alt=''/> </a> <img height='1' width='1' src='http://ift.tt/1FiOdUD' border='0' alt=''/><br/><br /><br/><br />from WordPress http://ift.tt/1wlDeAo<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/16Xitlp'>IFTTT</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-63207568868804579182014-12-03T14:50:00.001-05:002014-12-03T14:50:52.391-05:00Student Book Talk: The Rook by Daniel O’Malley<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>This week we only had one book share. Last week was a short week, and I forgot to remind the sophomore and freshman who would be next. I gave them the option of going next week, which they gladly took. I had reminded my senior, and he was ready. CJ is an avid reader and many of his books he donates to my classroom library. Even if he forgets it is his turn, he can plunk from the shelf a book he has enjoyed and talk about it.</p><br /><p>He read The Rook by Daniel O’Malley a couple of years ago, but the story stuck with him.</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/11VgIWb'><img class='alignnone size-full' alt='IMG_0906.JPG' src='http://ift.tt/1wt2NnG'/> </a> </p><br /><p>It does sound like an intriguing story</p><br /><br/><br /><a href='http://ift.tt/11VgIWf' rel='nofollow'><img src='http://ift.tt/11VgIWh' border='0' alt=''/> </a> <img height='1' width='1' src='http://ift.tt/1wt2Lwh' border='0' alt=''/><br/><br /><br/><br />from WordPress http://ift.tt/1wt1tRN<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/16Xitlp'>IFTTT</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-40991096504437869832014-11-22T13:18:00.001-05:002014-11-22T13:18:07.795-05:00Friday Night Reads- Book Lovers Unite<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Friday nights in our house are reserved for listening to In Tune with Sara Willis on MPBN radio and reading. In Tune is a fabulous local music program on our public radio station that airs week nights at 10, Friday nights at 8 for three hours, and Sunday mornings at 10 for two hours. Sara plays some fabulous music and often will feature local artists. Friday nights we put the radio on and settle in with a good book. Some weeks I’m so tired I don’t make it the whole three hours and I fall asleep reading. Other weeks I finish an entire book. Both last week and this week were the latter.</p><br /><p>Last week I read <a target='_blank' href='http://ift.tt/1fwLDuD'>I Kill the Mockingbird</a> by Paul Acampora. This is a book that I have been hearing about from many people, and it did not disappoint. It is a fun book. It takes place over the summer between 8th & 9th grade for three friends. The new English teacher has assigned among other wonderful books, To Kill a Mockingbird. Not everyone is excited about the list, and Lucy, Elena, and Michael come up with a plan to get everyone talking about the book. But the plan gets away from them. Acampora creates a beautiful blend of friendship, growing up, love for books, and teenage decision making (which, as anyone who has teens or works with teens knows, isn’t always well thought out!) I kill the Mockingbird is a slim novel, but one that I’m looking forward to reading again because it has so much depth.</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1qP66UD'><img height='300' width='200' alt='18465605' src='http://ift.tt/1qP66UG' class='aligncenter size-medium wp-image-66'/> </a> <a href='http://ift.tt/1qP67bk'><img alt='16054808' src='http://ift.tt/1qP66UK' class='aligncenter size-medium wp-image-67'/> </a> </p><br /><p>This week I read Escape from <a target='_blank' href='http://ift.tt/1qP66UN'>Mr. Lemoncello’s Library</a> by Chris Grabenstein. Again, another book that I have had recommended to me by numerous people. It’s been sitting on my shelf for close to a year. I’ve wanted to read it, but hadn’t gotten to it yet. Last night I picked it up, and I am glad I did! Anyone who loves books, games, puzzles, and libraries will enjoy this story of a group of 12 years who get to spend the night in a brand new library playing games and reading books. In the morning they discover they have the opportunity to participate in an ultimate game: find their way out of the library by finding and solving clues and in the process, learn the value of libraries and reading.</p><br /><br/><br /><a href='http://ift.tt/1r9V2fl' rel='nofollow'><img src='http://ift.tt/1qP67rD' border='0' alt=''/> </a> <img height='1' width='1' src='http://ift.tt/1r9V3jA' border='0' alt=''/><br/><br /><br/><br />from WordPress http://ift.tt/153Ivpi<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/16Xitlp'>IFTTT</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-68581015837687213582014-11-18T22:03:00.001-05:002014-11-18T22:03:14.743-05:00Student Book Recommendation<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Today Jenny shared Stolen by Lucy Christopher with the seniors. This is a book she read awhile ago, but it has stayed with her and has left her wishing for a sequel!</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1utovo9'><img class='alignnone size-full' alt='IMG_0877.JPG' src='http://ift.tt/1uO1NZi'/> </a> </p><br /><br/><br /><a href='http://ift.tt/1utoy3t' rel='nofollow'><img src='http://ift.tt/1uO1NZk' border='0' alt=''/> </a> <img height='1' width='1' src='http://ift.tt/1utovog' border='0' alt=''/><br/><br /><br/><br />from WordPress http://ift.tt/1utnJaO<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/16Xitlp'>IFTTT</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-42707138136631103182014-11-17T18:10:00.001-05:002014-11-17T18:10:35.166-05:00It’ Monday, What Are You Reading?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Today we had two student book shares. Sam shared Cormac McCarthy’s The Road with 10th grade and Heather shared Hunger, the second book in Michael Grant’s Gone Series. You can see she is already on to Plague. She is very much enjoying this series! Sam requested I not take his picture.</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1t0bDCZ'><img class='alignnone size-full' alt='IMG_0875.JPG' src='http://ift.tt/1xym0oe'/> </a> </p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1t0bDD3'><img class='alignnone size-full' alt='IMG_0801.JPG' src='http://ift.tt/1xym0og'/> </a> </p><br /><br/><br /><a href='http://ift.tt/1t0bDD5' rel='nofollow'><img src='http://ift.tt/1xym2N5' border='0' alt=''/> </a> <img height='1' width='1' src='http://ift.tt/1t0bDD9' border='0' alt=''/><br/><br /><br/><br />from WordPress http://ift.tt/14BdPvt<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/16Xitlp'>IFTTT</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-19219539604831590622014-11-15T17:59:00.001-05:002014-11-15T17:59:19.852-05:00Student Book Share: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Allison highly recommends The 5th Wave and is currently reading the second book, The Infinite Sea. Sure alien invasion has been done, but Yancey writes it in a way that doesn’t feel cliche.</p><br /><p><a href='http://ift.tt/1sS5TuV'><img class='alignnone size-full' alt='IMG_0865.JPG' src='http://ift.tt/1q57qm1'/> </a> </p><br /><br/><br /><a href='http://ift.tt/1sS5TuY' rel='nofollow'><img src='http://ift.tt/1q57qm5' border='0' alt=''/> </a> <img height='1' width='1' src='http://ift.tt/1sS5RmT' border='0' alt=''/><br/><br /><br/><br />from WordPress http://ift.tt/1ByQHMF<br/><br />via <a href='http://ift.tt/16Xitlp'>IFTTT</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-5387029774969091782014-08-15T10:20:00.000-04:002014-08-15T10:20:03.832-04:00Gearing Up For a New YearJust one more week of official summer vacation left. The last week of August we have back to school teacher meetings. Yesterday I had the privilege of sitting in on the Elementary teachers' summer meeting. It was fun to hear about the ways God has been work in their lives over the summer, and to hear their excitement for the coming school year.<br />
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Between tutoring and sitting on the back porch with my kitties, I have spent the last few weeks moving into a new classroom. I'm very excited! We got new carpet installed in two of the high school rooms, and I've been moved into the slightly bigger room. My student who is advising me on color schemes (she's hoping to go into interior design) stopped by yesterday, her response was, "It looks so homey!"<br />
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For most people, what they first notice is the books. I get comments such as, "you have more books then the school library!" (which is sadly true), and "people will mistake this for the library". I've also been asked, "Is this your office?" No, no. This is my classroom!<br />
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Last fall at the NERA conference in Portland, Donalyn Miller asked the audience, "How do people know that books are your brand?" I chuckled. There is no doubt in people's mind that books and reading is "my brand". My classroom, my Facebook feed, my Twitter feed. Books, books, books.<br />
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I'm a literacy teacher. Kids need to be exposed to books if they are going to learn to read and write!<br />
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In addition to my new learning space, I'm planning to bring some new practices into the school year. We will be using the Whole Novel method of studying literature (see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1118526503/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=I2T3QK4PHS2G&coliid=I27MFQLRVYBM28" target="_blank">Whole Novels for the Whole Class</a> by <a href="http://arielsacks.com/" target="_blank">Ariel Sacks</a>); we will be using a new vocabulary study website, <a href="https://membean.com/" target="_blank">Membean</a>, and we will be doing 20% Time (also known as <a href="http://geniushour.wikispaces.com/" target="_blank">Genius Hour</a>).<br />
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Here is a brief video tour of my new classroom.<br />
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I am excited for this new school year, although I still have a lot to do to get ready!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-81553807672714521462014-07-17T16:22:00.001-04:002014-07-17T16:22:32.782-04:00ARC Blog Tour <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am very excited to announce that I have an ARC of <a href="http://www.lyndamullalyhunt.com/" target="_blank">Lynda Mullaly Hunt</a>'s <i>Fish in a Tree</i>, due out 2015 from Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin! I'm announcing this because I'm excited for this book and thrilled that Lynda & Nancy sent me an ARC. I love <i>One for the Murphys</i>, Lynda's first book. I also had the opportunity to meet Lynda at nErDcampNNE last January. She is a delight!<br />
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The real reason I am announcing that I have an ARC is that I'm going to share it! This beautiful book is going to travel about the country! The list is growing, but there is still plenty of room for you! If you would like to be a part of this tour, leave a comment on this post.<br />
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Lynda and her publisher have not attached any strings to this tour, therefore, I encourage you to do at least one of the following:<br />
*blog about it<br />
*share your love for it on Twitter & Facebook<br />
*buy the book from your local independent bookseller when it comes out<br />
*post a review on your GoodReads account<br />
*post a review on Amazon (you'll have to wait until we get closer to the publication date for this one)<br />
*tell people about the book<br />
*encourage your local library to buy it<br />
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The ARC just arrived at my house today and both my husband and I have to read it before I send it out to the first person on the list. Once the book begins it's journey, I'll put up a post where those who are reading it can link their reviews.<br />
I'm so excited!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-26307225044461035762014-02-17T17:45:00.001-05:002014-02-17T17:47:11.215-05:00I went to the woodsWhen I was single and living in New Hampshire, I lived for getting into the woods. Every weekend practically, I'd be hiking or skiing. I lived in the perfect area- practically on Lake Winnepasauki, a short drive to North Conway or to the western side of the lake. I could hike the Whites or the Sandwich range. I could ski Gunstock, King Pine, Cranmore, Attatash-Bear Peak, Cannon...there were several friends that I could call up and say, "Let's hit the slopes". And I often went on my own. <div><br></div><div>I miss that life. I've become too sedentary. I have a wonderful husband who loves the outdoors as much as I do, yet, we hardly every go to the woods. We have a canoe and live on a wonderful little pond. We're in an area, maybe not quite as perfect as the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, but the Lakes Region of Maine is pretty darn close. We have snow shoes and hiking boots. My husband can't down hill ski anymore due to severe knee injuries when he was younger, but he still hikes and snow shoes. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgum_C83QZTjflK8no87OZJAKXFkqDCTccIDFBIFj4HB9CI0E7MEsNmXTpEVRA3tEealrueY-pO1ygvGj8A1HCwlkV9_LmWKNoTq4rAOEtn4yrJJgZ01xd7Bo0zknU_O_-Ag74LS5KNI6x5/s640/blogger-image--985023476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgum_C83QZTjflK8no87OZJAKXFkqDCTccIDFBIFj4HB9CI0E7MEsNmXTpEVRA3tEealrueY-pO1ygvGj8A1HCwlkV9_LmWKNoTq4rAOEtn4yrJJgZ01xd7Bo0zknU_O_-Ag74LS5KNI6x5/s640/blogger-image--985023476.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>This weekend we got out snow shoeing two days in a row. Sunday we went through our backyard to the pond and today we climbed the ridge across the road from our house. It was spectacular! It felt so good to get out, to be in the woods. I want very much to get back to the woods on a regular basis. Hopefully there will be many more snow shoe treks before this winter is over, and that this spring and summer will find the two of us exploring the woods and trails of western Maine and rediscovering my favorite trails in New Hampshire. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfjSMFb4MrM2qDCKg7_PePLwOErp04qtP9I-hwlJBPgQm81B59Q594wMgdsOwXWlZMu6_PZuvJ0fYbWBHWa0PsPG-TMphWSfCDji9oTuUEZoTFLeqiRy2MzGPcxPrQrMnSj6fdjyq1dRX/s640/blogger-image--1813050698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfjSMFb4MrM2qDCKg7_PePLwOErp04qtP9I-hwlJBPgQm81B59Q594wMgdsOwXWlZMu6_PZuvJ0fYbWBHWa0PsPG-TMphWSfCDji9oTuUEZoTFLeqiRy2MzGPcxPrQrMnSj6fdjyq1dRX/s640/blogger-image--1813050698.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-59029729226401238402014-01-11T20:15:00.001-05:002014-01-11T20:15:38.375-05:00Benefits of a Student-Centered ClassroomMidterms are next week. Over the Christmas break I needed to finalize my exams so I could handout study guides when we returned to school. I was agonizing over it.<br />
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<tr><td height="48" width="48"><img height="48" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="border: 2px solid white;" width="48" /></td><td><b>nataleestotz</b><br />Struggling with having to give an English midterm exam to my Ss. Just want to keep working on the things they need to learn, not test them!<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/nataleestotz/status/417682172615884800">12/30/13, 10:42 AM</a></td></tr>
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LQgJY+Rb0YqSARun5ohMy7kk1koraFTkdt1A9qi0vcb3uEw0eCvq8WGVLfCraN4Cae7HcHO82mxj7fu3QORfewJxAUbXpcXawZkG/24imbmi7wjtkroxEuIFQEhXu4nbQBrg+EN9DACltBxibdEMBFnZHcstnSoMWZPe2fsgnRqqWG1AP9o7i5phg3XGOVsaLbpsf3ozgMGGcUKSlwxAS1dvSHM3bmTeRXfe+tuvPnG3djj/i9eb+Pzr1/EfF7Eb733OL77ziPkBi88tvH8nO1ylJvOjkARTEGuryZkKIzbbuP6inTKunc2P2F+oEQm/xSsCFuC8oCywGmGzcWORqmnRroOyXnAOzmr0soY0MJLgvCrn36WnWu2uGd3jjKoj+jUgLBvdY4ou3uy1pffrOOr55u4My/j3e/ei4eg//J8H9+craHTNdPDLEGxNpKSMBLlAImgecTez5agvbpuCfo1JUMZ9wn4ZxcLEgTFo/wXCfpJc7NhrtrQuURPZmKDgyzur9sftJNW02kTY94PO4kZ4OYA09QIuvTUSi1xMoZC7hZvSY3H1DtvnjLbksv3ZKXLq028JiiPT+Zxh8zU7uE+0blcbaBfEa+Jga5dxccffhz//emnvKG5ZDY+jbt3juPhfbYWz87jP59dsnfMWMSX782ymMMaDXcTzWoBD+AMrPNlQy44tBhFCSNSozazOUUnFw+isDM+6CPJ1hRlMe/Zva7YXVuRMRiMYFxTPhgvPXneya1K3g7vlUErJ6kdoz989DYBvgV5XleRUsdQbIEXmjUkUqcbL+kxN8jgSVaxCTTPjdU0QN5riNvpeqQnM/iqR8+4O2GmGEIfy+GOc1oJCnvi4YJ9HV/0eK8ikN3z2ezIVAR0MZrEHG/sdxdskQSZzAwyilNeTF8wkVmOfPb5V6RVQDi9F1+/XsSLxTJ+9vQF7zYwHAAsKQ68f8h1ueygPz7IABZ4iZWK+ns782ZmAvvcGoSH3tcY/SGX5Kmx4ptEdgVifnKMS40jBNNexCxJGlyHjaA7jtP79+PZN2fIoZDjzUvB5+J6CaaAhKtXVARXS64BJrnNmDUe1au+OAFJR88Sxl918mC+aSRHcl2+e+7D7OOF3eCsCxwXHT3x4A7zQD1T7BV1zzInJgf25XZDNrl3esrA7lwzkR2dJKVeXyyxb0rAUgOBXklyUNKa+eYS5UvWBu6SnMznWSBO0GeOV2d8LCtSaW3BC2gY0/m0rd557/vPP/vkPx6nrqqL8u76OhE5YQwpVeBJaaIMV3ScWcv1qZOf244TUNbWNchfsx1p0M2h04qirmKH7RLKPHrrHRY0pGSyDu938bBqsKahf0eqnuG9OYbli2484cbXlPiylFdpnKD2CTYn8d4HP3he/PGf/NlP+D8HvIfwKTxGKT2hjam8I/C5LabcUiGNZ4zYRZdbKjMGA5CvKUEuzDAM/s5bj5ioanb+djGZHiXlrpnMOjwlqg0Vp2/3LSkaNhCse+YoPGe9cDSt44j/Z1GyF+q74mHTeKC13mtms/2f/vlf/KT8u7//h5998NHvfv/s2Vcn68XlhJKhUCnJ2+Fay2cnmUFpfglo6eUN8fP/WOiRofgzbWkM3mL5OGWRcsCgy8UiZjMLNxY8fAq8NePDrro9kWcGFACSBH3NerkT7nYjfy5jcTmDllYH7Q8/+ujsr/7mb//lw48+/vH/Ap5YJR+t9zj6AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC" style="border: 2px solid white;" width="48" /></td><td><b>Beth139</b><br />@nataleestotz Does it HAVE to be a test? Can it be some other assessment of ability?<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/beth139/status/417689278169509888">12/30/13, 11:10 AM</a></td></tr>
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src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="border: 2px solid white;" width="48" /></td><td><b>MrsSaad24</b><br />@nataleestotz @Beth139 make the exam a lit analysis paper on passages they've never seen/a theme related to what you're doing.<br /><a href="https://twitter.com/mrssaad24/status/417808068811190272">12/30/13, 7:03 PM</a></td></tr>
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I really didn't want to give an exam for the sake of giving an exam. I wanted it to be meaningful. I decide to have them write a major literary analysis. My seniors would write about the topic of Pilgrimage or Journey as a motif in life and literature. The freshmen and sophomores would write about the Human Experience in literature, and the juniors would have complete choice of their topic. </div>
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And then there is my senior government class. I could have used their chapter tests and create an exam, but what really would that show me? So I asked them to think about how they could best demonstrate to me what they understand from this semester. It's a small class, four students. We discusses ideas and they each settled on a topic and a product. One is writing a paper about privacy and the gaming industry specifically related to a recent incident with an on-line game. One is doing a creative writing piece using the different forms of government. One is writing an essay on the different forms of government. The fourth is creating a series of info graphs that display key words and concepts for each chapter. </div>
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On their way out of class on Thursday, after a very productive block period of work, one of them said to me, "I think is neat how what each person chose reflects their individuality!"</div>
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That right there is one of the things I love about a student-centered classroom!</div>
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In my English classes, we've spent this week developing thesis statements, drafting, and conferencing. When I assigned the essay, I asked the students to look at the works we read in class (both whole class study and pleasure read alouds) and at what they have read on their own. I have students comparing Arthur Miller's <i>The Crucible</i> with Robison Wells's <i>Variant</i> and <i>Feedback</i>, and students examining how suicide is delt with in Jay Asher's <i>13 Reason Why</i>. B is writing about the power of words to create and destroy, it's a topic he's been thinking about a lot lately and he recently finished the <i>Chaos Walking</i> series by Patrick Ness. S is writing about revenge after having read Jonathan Maberry's <i>Rot & Ruin</i> series. N is writing about the masks we wear- something he noticed in a memoir he read. A is writing about love stories as she compares <i>Romeo & Juliet</i> with John Green's <i>The Fault in Our Stars</i>. C is looking at how authors in his favorite fantasy books deal with the depravity of man. </div>
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The conversations that are happening as my students work in class on these essays are more valuable in assessing their knowledge then any 50 questions exam I could ever write. As I talked with several of the boys who regularly struggle with English class, helping them to identify a topic and develop a thesis, our conversation revealed the things they had noticed in their reading. They didn't think it was what I was looking for for the essay. When I pressed them to tell me their ideas, I was delighted with their thinking: turns out it was exactly the kind of idea I was looking for and was pretty insightful!</div>
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On the second day we were working, one of the boys said, "I'm bad at writing." Another immediately chimed in that he, too, was bad a writing. I responded right away, "No, you're not! I've read your writing. None of you are bad writers. You just don't like to write. There's a difference. Not one of you is a bad writer." The boy who original spoke thought for a moment, then replied, "You're right!"</div>
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Later, the same two boys were sitting just looking a their thesis generators- organizers they had filled out after conferencing with me and contained excellent ideas. </div>
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"I don't know what to write." </div>
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I knew they could explain their ideas, but were hung up on the process of getting thought to paper. "Just think about how you explained it to me. That's where you start. Pretend you're talking to someone. If you're at home, record it. Go into your room and talk to your cat, but record it."</div>
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"There's an app that does speech to text!" And they proceed to explain how the app words, even show it to me on an iPad, and laugh about the funny way the app gets things wrong.</div>
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"Exactly! Then you go back and edit to fix the words it got wrong. That's much easier than struggling to get your ideas written or typed out." </div>
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The conversation continued as they realized they could use their technology to help them write their papers in a way they never imagined. I swear, angels were singing in that moment. When I relayed this story to my husband this morning, he quipped, "They say 'find your voice', well this is 'use your voice'!" </div>
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I think these boys are finding their voice and learning to use their voice! These are revelations and learning moments that they would not have had if I had given them a study guide of literary terms and vocabulary words. </div>
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I'm not dreading midterms and end of quarter. It will be a pleasure to read the English papers and see the final products from my government class. I love the ideas these kids are generating and developing. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-55899367834445657762014-01-03T15:25:00.005-05:002014-01-09T18:48:55.445-05:00A Little Late to the PartyWe were suppose to go back to school yesterday. Winter storm Hercules had other plans, and our Christmas vacation was extended by two days. I'm not complaining. While I do miss my students and I'm eager to hear about their vacations, the things they did and the books they read, I have used my extra time well. I spent time reading and researching.<br />
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I've been researching some trends in education and in my research on Genius Hour (more to come on that later), I reconnected with a guy I ran cross-country with my freshman year at PCB (now Cairn University). We weren't super close because I was a dorky freshman and he was a cool upperclassman, but he was (and is) a really nice guy and was part of the family that helped me make a smooth transition into college. Turns out he's been doing Genius Hour for a couple of years. Its been fun to reconnect and swap ideas and book titles.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Like-PIRATE-Engagement-Creativity/dp/0988217600/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388779260&sr=1-1&keywords=teach+like+a+pirate" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFN_S0EEI8HO_wHjKQj6_x8yBfZ_PZVs9Wz9WzmIKHin3V2G8Wtc7wzC0Wc1QX2p2MNEIROBK6E3LI6mfUuqij-38cdrmpQYnSsLsRiGA78bxyKhiCJm-9uOylUKpYp7GvNujqJ5lI1JL/s200/51c7vKRzfFL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I also spent time reading TEACH LIKE A PIRATE by Dave Burgess. When the book came out, there was a lot of buzz on Twitter and a large number of people all read it and had chats about it. I lurked in some of those chats (how can your curiosity not be piqued by a hashtag like #tlap?) but didn't participate. I hadn't read the book, and the impression that I got was it was something for elementary and involved dressing up to teach your lessons. So I kind of passed it off. That's just not my thing, and I teach high school.<br />
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Then came time for the executive board of the Maine Reading Association to plan it's spring conference. One of the names that was floated was Dave Burgess. "Who?" I asked.<br />
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"Teach Like a Pirate".<br />
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"Oh."<br />
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My fellow board members had all read they book (They are elementary teachers. I still was so clueless!) and gushed about how amazing it was. From a marketing stand point, it made perfect sense to me. I hadn't read the book, didn't know the guy from a hole in the wall, but I knew from Twitter that he & his book would be a big draw.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRMi0frcyhG7JPng8BOcFFdmI9xyNNAB3A1AzmzPCj6NCdhrPBxUE6ZE1XIQVWgcY0jKOHXxARH2DWvNFroBn6hPf0m0WHAHGc5aDgDC3llwuBHrSdOgeW3zck6O5e8sQfyGlbHsZKORy/s1600/1505604_10202925474716825_1655081950_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRMi0frcyhG7JPng8BOcFFdmI9xyNNAB3A1AzmzPCj6NCdhrPBxUE6ZE1XIQVWgcY0jKOHXxARH2DWvNFroBn6hPf0m0WHAHGc5aDgDC3llwuBHrSdOgeW3zck6O5e8sQfyGlbHsZKORy/s200/1505604_10202925474716825_1655081950_n.jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a>Now I needed to read the book, preferable before March 8. After all, I was helping to plan and promote the event and would certainly be attending, even if just to support MRA. So here we are, back at the first of two snow days at the end of Christmas vacation. I started reading and playing around with visual note taking. This morning I finished reading Part 1 and spent about 30 minutes talking with my husband about the ideas that I took from just this first part of the book.<br />
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I can honestly say, I drank the Kool-aide. I came away from the reading encouraged, inspired, and challenged. What I thought was a gimmick that didn't apply to me, is actually very appropriate to my situation. I've been working hard to try to find the best practices that are the best fit for our school and am coming to the realization that we can't keep trying to fit into the traditional model of school. It just isn't producing the outcomes we are looking for. My co-worker and I have been lamenting that our high school students are disengaged from the learning process and unenthusiastic about school. You see, PIRATE is an mnemonic. The cornerstones are Passion (both professional and personal) and Enthusiasm. These are two things that we want in our students. These are two things that our teachers need to have. Students are not going to be passionate or enthusiastic about learning if their teachers are not exhibiting those qualities.<br />
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This is challenging me to rethink how I'm teaching. I'm not going to be able to change everything instantly. As Dave Burgess points out, "creativity results from properly directed attention, laser-like focus, relentless effort, and hard work." It takes time, and I admittedly have a lot on my plate, but it is important, and so I will start targeting bits of my lessons and figure out how to approach them in a way that will better engage my students.<br />
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I've already been thinking about that handful of boys that I know I'm losing. They're great kids, and are definitely capable, but they are struggling with the complex texts and the writing assignments I'm asking them to do. I don't want to lose them. I want them to know that while English might not be their cup of tea they can still succeed. I want them to learn to see the connections that I see between life and the books we're reading.<br />
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As I work on researching best practices and what works, and prepare my proposal for the school committee, I'm going to keep all this is mind. We want our kids to be engaged, enthusiastic, and passionate learners. That's not going to happen with a special program or schedule, they have to see it in their teachers before it can be fostered in them.<br />
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This is one of those times that I wish I had endless funds so that I could purchase this book for all my colleagues and pay for them to attend the workshop with Dave in March. I maybe a little late to the party, but I'm glad I made it.<br />
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If you driving distance of Auburn, Maine, and would like to attend the workshop, click <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c0evurHUskg8C4RaLzWpLrzGpjW2oeTNR9NiBRNpiwc/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a> for a link to the flyer for the March 8 event.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-88703529477888471682014-01-01T15:13:00.001-05:002014-01-01T15:14:16.581-05:00Getting to Know You, by 11sLast week I was challenged, given homework, tagged, nominated...not sure what to call it...by <a href="http://kbakerbyodlit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kate Baker</a> to take part in a 4-part blog post intended to help bloggers connect and share. Kate is an invaluable member of my PLN on Twitter. I've enjoyed reading the different blog posts from people who have been participating in this.<br />
Here is how it works:<br />
1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.<br />
2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.<br />
3. Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.<br />
4. List 11 bloggers after you write this.<br />
5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. Don't nominate a blogger who has nominated you.<br />
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Here we go:<br />
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<b>Part 1: 11 Random Facts About Me</b><br />
1. My only foray into working retail lasted two weeks. I got a job at Staples the semester after I finished student teaching. As much as I love Staples, I hated working retail and gave my week's notice after my first week!<br />
2. I grew up spending my summers on a lake in north-central Maine.<br />
3. I am the third generation of teachers in my family- on both sides!<br />
4. I love the color orange.<br />
5. When they first met me, some of my students thought I was going to turn out to be a hippy because I wore a tie-dye sweatshirt and had a water bottle covered with peace signs. They were relieved to discover that I was not a hippy.<br />
6. I have always wanted to become a published writer.<br />
7. It is a toss up for me between the mountains and the water. I love both and I'm happy when I'm hiking, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, or sitting and looking at the water (or the mountains).<br />
8. My husband and I met in September, started dating in January, were engaged in April, and married in June (six years ago). When it's right, you know it!<br />
9. Aaron Sorkin is one of my all time favorite screen writers. I still haven't seen Newsroom, and that is bugging me. West Wing remains my ultimate favorite TV show.<br />
10. I hate to cook.<br />
11. Even though I am an English teacher and an avid reader, I am a horrible speller. One word I can NEVER remember how to spell correctly is "guarantee". I'm always at a loss.<br />
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<b>Part 2: 11 Questions from Kate</b><br />
1. What is your favorite type of cookie?<br />
My favorite store-bought is Oreo, but I love homemade cookies. My mom baked all the time when I was growing up. Chocolate chip can't be beat!<br />
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2. As a cook, what is your signature dish?<br />
Even though I hate to cook and I am blessed by a husband who is willing to do most of the cooking, I try to do my share since he works 10hr days. I've learned to make a pretty good meatloaf which he loves. When I told him I was putting the meatloaf as my signature dish, he said, no, it was my coconut beef curry. So there you have it!<br />
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3. What was your best Christmas/Birthday/Holiday gift ever (either given to you or you gave to someone else)? 4. Why was that the best gift ever?<br />
I'm combining these because it's easier to explain that way. What immediately comes to mind is my birthday in August 2011. We had just moved to Maine a few weeks before so that I could start a new job as Head of the High School and Humanities Teacher at Windham Christian Academy. Growing up, I had always spent my birthday at our family's cottage on Sebec Lake and I wanted to do that again now that we were back in Maine. We got up to the cottage and I called my folks to let them know we were there and to ask my Dad if they would come out to see us on the day of my birthday. His answer was, "We'll see." His health had gotten pretty bad with the COPD and they were living day by day, taking the good days when they could get them. Mid morning on my birthday my parents drove to the cottage. We had a delightful visit. Dad spent the afternoon on the screened porch, did some reminiscing, and visited with family friends who stopped by. That was the last trip Dad ever took to the Lake, the place where he spent his summers growing up and where he raised his own kids. That was the last time he ever drove. About a week later he went to the hospital. We discovered that his body was full of cancer. He died a month later, never leaving the hospital. The fact that Dad's last trip to the Lake was for my birthday will always be a special memory for me.<br />
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5. What is your favorite tech tool?<br />
I think I have to say Google Drive. It has changed my paper management as an English teacher. It makes organization and collaboration so much easier!<br />
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6. Oxford comma, necessary or superfluous?<br />
Necessary because it just makes sense!<br />
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7. What is your favorite book?<br />
This is such a hard question because I have read so many amazing books and I keep discovering more. I don't have one favorite book, I have lots of books that I love, that stay with me, that are simply beautiful for different reasons. A book that struck me when I first read it was <i>O Pioneers!</i> by Willa Cather. I remember just being in awe of Cather's description of the plains and admiring the main character.<br />
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8. If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be?<br />
1) Christian schools would have the funding they need to pay teachers appropriate salaries. 2) My husband could start his own woodworking business. 3) We could live on the coast (of Maine).<br />
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9. If you were to name one piece of clothing that describes you, what would you say?<br />
A broken in, cotton, hoodie sweatshirt.<br />
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10. Would you rather visit the world 100 years into the past or 100 years into the future?<br />
I think the past. The early 1900s was a fascinating time, and I love and appreciate the older way of life.<br />
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11. What's the kindest act you have ever seen done (either to/by you or another)?<br />
This is a tough one. I do see acts of kindness big and small all the time and I try to do what I can. It's hard to rate these acts with superlatives. Thinking about it, what comes to mind is the most recent acts of kindness I've seen. There is a family in my school that is constantly experiencing the kindness of others. The dad was diagnosed with ALS 6 years ago, in fact, when they got the diagnosis, he was only given 4-5 years to live. His wife and son (my student) are his primary care-givers. They are full of joy in the face of their trial and are constantly sharing stories of people helping them, from clearing snow to bringing meals, to a patient sales clerk in a shoe store.<br />
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<b>Part 3: Nominate other Bloggers.</b><br />
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1.<a href="http://paulwhankins.edublogs.org/" target="_blank"> Paul Hankins</a><br />
2. <a href="http://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gigi McAllister</a><br />
3. <a href="http://1stinmaine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kimberly Moran</a><br />
4. <a href="http://www.mariaselke.com/" target="_blank">Maria Selke</a><br />
5. <a href="http://mrstygleclass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Justin Stygles</a><br />
6. <a href="http://feltlikereading.com/" target="_blank">Jenn Felt</a><br />
7. <a href="http://chartingbythestars.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Cindy Minnich</a><br />
8. <a href="http://thereadingzone.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Mulhern Gross</a><br />
9. <a href="http://cynthialord.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">Cynthia Lord</a><br />
10. <a href="http://english228.edublogs.org/" target="_blank">Ken C</a><br />
11. <a href="http://melissaguerrette.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Guerrette</a><br />
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<b>Part 4: 11 Questions for those I've nominated.</b><br />
1. What was your first car?<br />
2. What would be your ideal vacation?<br />
3. What is an idea that you had that you were very proud of? Why? How did it work out?<br />
4. What is a book that has stuck with you?<br />
5. Are you a Mac or a PC person and why?<br />
6. If you had 3 hours to do with as you pleased, how would you spend them?<br />
7. What is the craziest idea you ever had?<br />
8. Did you ever follow through with that idea?<br />
9. What and how many pets do you have?<br />
10. Which teacher had the biggest impact on your life?<br />
11. Which student has had the biggest impact on your life thus far?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-89299661640804692072013-12-03T14:25:00.000-05:002013-12-03T14:25:16.187-05:00Write Beside Them ( with a nod to Penny Kittle)Nearly every workshop on teaching writing that I have sat in over the last few years, from Linda Rief to Penny Kittle, to Kelly Gallagher, has emphasized the idea that I am the best writer in the room and that I need to write beside and in front of my students. In fact, Penny Kittle wrote a book by that very name: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Write-Beside-Them-Clarity-Writing/dp/0325010978/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386094623&sr=8-1&keywords=Write+Beside+Them" target="_blank">Write Beside Them</a>, (Heinemann 2008). It is very helpful to write with my students. They need to see me modeling writing, from the struggle to focus or find the right word, to getting into the flow. It also helps me to understand they struggle they may have with a particular assignment. Unfortunately, I don't always get to write with them or I have the best intentions but don't follow through with completing the assignment.<br />
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I have a unique situation with my sophomore English Composition and Literature class this year. There are just three students in the class and two of them are ELL students whose native language is Chinese. Because of the ELL students, I have another teacher in the class with me. Her job is to work one-on-one with the ELL students, both in the classroom and outside of class, to improve their English and be able understand and complete the work in their classes. She always tries to do the assignments so that she can best help the ELLs. That inspired me to make a greater effort at doing the writing assignments with my students.<br />
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We are wrapping up our study of Romeo and Juliet. I'm not completely happy with how the unit went. Things took way too long, November was broken up with days off, half days, special events, and testing, and we weren't able to cover everything I would have liked to. Still, I tried my best to stick to the lens of relationships that I use (thank you, Jim Burke, for the idea of this lens as well as many of the textual analysis assignments!) and I think we've done enough that they can write the final paper on relationships. We reviewed the characters and their relationships to each other, I gave the students the prompt and guideline and took them through the thesis generator (again, thank you Jim Burke!)<br />
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We are taking this week to write the draft in class because the ELL kids need a lot of support. Today, after getting everyone rolling on their writing, I sat down and started my own essay. As I got going with the thesis generator and then moved on to planning out the examples I want to use from the play, I realized that this will be really good prep work to show to my 9th graders as they start the same process in our next class. They need to see the steps and see the model for this paper. This is when I wish I had a document camera! But I'll do what I can. I would like to try to carry through on writing this paper. I need the practice and it will be good for my students. I'm also excited about apply to this an idea that I read yesterday on Kate Baker's <a href="http://kbakerbyodlit.blogspot.com/2013/12/cel13-connections.html" target="_blank">blog</a>. Rather than use the term "Final Draft", use the term "Best draft (for now)". I love this idea! It makes so much more sense!<br />
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I'm excited about the thesis statements the sophomores have crafted and I am looking forward to what the freshmen will come up with. I like using the lens of relationships for the study of Romeo and Juliet because it allows for such a broader understanding of the text- it's not just about Romeo and Juliet, but also about the other relationships in the story.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-73435269716371440002013-11-25T06:00:00.000-05:002013-11-25T06:00:00.847-05:00It's Monday! What Are Your Reading 11/25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once again I am the guest blogger over at the <a href="http://mainereadingassociation.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Maine Reading Association's blog</a>. So to find out what I'm reading, head on over there!<br />
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Maybe some day I'll get back into the regular habit of blogging without the assignment from MRA. In the mean time, it's good to have that responsibility because it does get me blogging and it helps me to see that I am getting some reading done, even when it doesn't feel like it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-36450101809587449552013-11-11T06:29:00.000-05:002013-11-11T06:29:10.504-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11/11/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have to admit that right now, if it weren't for my responsibility to post to the Maine Reading Association Blog once a month, I wouldn't be getting a IMWAYR post up at all. This week I blogged over at the <a href="http://mainereadingassociation.blogspot.com/2013/11/its-monday-what-are-you-reading.html" target="_blank">MRA blog</a>, you should check it out! Also be sure to check out <a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a> and <a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a> for links to other IMWAYR posts.<br />
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And a big thank you to Gigi McAllister of <a href="http://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Late Bloomer's Book Blog</a> for innocently asking me if I knew who was supposed to post this week, and therefore reminding me that it was indeed me, so that I could get the post up on time!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-21346308140463599062013-11-10T21:17:00.000-05:002013-11-10T21:17:07.190-05:00NeglectMy poor, neglected blog. Every once in a while I blow the dust off, lament my neglect, then log out and let the dust collect again.<br />
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I need to write.<br />
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There is so much swirling around in my brain. School, family, books. I struggle with so much dissatisfaction- mostly in myself. I set the bar so high and then scold myself for not making it over such an impossible height.<br />
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Writing will help me process. Writing will help me think.<br />
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Right now my biggest frustrations lie in two areas:<br />
My professional life and my personal life.<br />
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Professionally I am feeling a bit stuck. I know what I need to do. I know what works. But trying to actually flesh that out is where I feel stuck. I strongly believe in two major pedagogical practices: Workshop and Standards Based Grading. But these ideas are progressive and go against what everyone else believes and expects. I feel like Jeremiah- a voice crying in the wilderness. So I am trying to make mid-stream corrections. Sometimes mid-stream corrections are easier because you have momentum. Sometimes they are so much harder because you need to go in such a different direction.<br />
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Workshop and SBG require a lot of initial time and energy to establish- you need to think through everything you are doing and look what the students need to learn, how they're going to learn it, and how they're going to demonstrate that learning. I love Understanding by Design (UbD). It makes so much sense! But it's so much work. And when you are teaching five different subjects, and you're on your own for planning and implementing, it quickly gets overwhelming and discouraging.<br />
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I'm still trying to wrap my head around what the reading/writing workshop looks like in the high school English classroom. I am facing the following hurdles:<br />
mindset of students & parents<br />
space- a tiny classroom<br />
schedule- currently running an A/B Day block schedule with 80 minute periods.<br />
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When I went to NERA in September, I grabbed a few minutes with Penny Kittle after her keynote. I expressed my frustration with trying to do workshop, yet feeling that I was coming up against the expectation that "that's just not how high school English is done". Penny surprised me with her response, "Who's expectation is that? The parents' or your's? Most parents are thrilled that their kids are reading." Her parting words to me were, "I've read your tweets. You know what you need to do. Do it. Trust yourself."<br />
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I keep reminding myself of those words. I know what I need to do. Just do it. I need to stop giving into the fear that I'm going to be judged or criticized and just do what I know is what needs to be done. I've been thinking about Penny's question- who's expectation is it? Maybe it really is my own expectation and it is that that is causing my fear and preventing me from just moving forward in what I need to do in my classroom. Maybe this also applies to my struggle with constantly feeling that I'm not measuring up as a high school teacher or that I'm being weighted and found lacking because I don't have a masters degree in education or literacy. Maybe those feeling are coming from me and I'm projecting them onto my students and their parents. Whether it's real or perceived, it is a constant struggle. It does lead me to realize I need to be practicing 2 Corinthians 10: 5 "...take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ."<br />
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My professional struggles are tied to my personal frustrations. I need to reclaim my life from my job. I feel like I've been stuffed into a mould that isn't really me. This morning I told my husband, "I feel like I'm not allowed to be myself and I'm sick of that." I can't fully articulate that feeling or where it's coming from and after reflecting on the possibility of the transference of my professional expectation, I wonder how much is true and how much is transference. But I don't always feel like me, or that I can truly be me.<br />
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It hit me this weekend that I really missing hiking and skiing. I haven't done much of either in a very long time. I put so much of my time and energy into my job and my relationships and my personal time suffers. Unfortunately it's been that way for a very long time. I need to get back into the woods, back to the mountains, back on the water, and I need to find me. Thoreau said,<br />
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></blockquote>
I'm not planning to go spend a year in the woods, living in a cabin I built myself, foraging for food (and nearly burning down the woods!). But I do need to get back to the woods to find what I've lost- namely myself. I think I've been so concerned with succeeding, that I've forgotten to be me.<br />
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I'll probably read this tomorrow and think. Wow. What a bunch of self-righteous crap! But tonight, this is what is on my mind, and I've written.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10264.Henry_David_Thoreau" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Henry David Thoreau</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2361393" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Walden: Or, Life in the Woods</a></i></blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-1231338513815132362013-10-21T21:40:00.003-04:002013-11-10T21:17:52.704-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Rtq_xLptZh2WPev6Dr7_iWLxke0Q-5A0HEdPWZD_ic2A9pVHAyj7HbrSELgeBVYzWvxBe_4ulvozCE-vEc6nlocpr3RYT3VR4UryyhSuu9ym_9QSsyV0WXlXlEwNSb58vox_EtwuBDp/s1600/IMWAYR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Rtq_xLptZh2WPev6Dr7_iWLxke0Q-5A0HEdPWZD_ic2A9pVHAyj7HbrSELgeBVYzWvxBe_4ulvozCE-vEc6nlocpr3RYT3VR4UryyhSuu9ym_9QSsyV0WXlXlEwNSb58vox_EtwuBDp/s1600/IMWAYR.jpg" /></a></div>
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This week I am the guest blogger at The Maine Reading Association Blog. So you will find my IMWAYR post there. Just follow <a href="http://mainereadingassociation.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this link</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-11223985854534137762013-09-09T07:00:00.000-04:002013-11-10T21:18:12.449-05:00It's Monday, What Are You Reading? September 9, 2013<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at </span><a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/" style="color: #3d81ee; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Book Journeys</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">. Be sure to visit Jen at <a href="http://teachmentortexts.com/" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a> and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Kellee Moye, of <a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" style="color: #3d81ee; text-decoration: none;">Unleashing Readers</a>. They decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Back to school sort of snuck up on with the subtle of a freight train. It seems like it was just August and we were finishing our move and then BAMB! week 1 of school is in the books. August did not afford me the time to read that I would have liked, and now that school has started with my 4 different English classes and 1 American Government class, my reading life has changed quite a bit. I'll focus today on a few books that I did manage to get in during August and some that I am trying to get to now.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262246-bluffton?ac=1" target="_blank">Bluffton by Matt Phalen</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I was at my local library browsing the YA Graphic Novels section and saw Matt Phalen's name. That was all I needed. I absolutely adored The Storm in the Barn and Around the World and knew that I would enjoy this no matter the story! Matt's work is simply beautiful. It was a delight to discover that this was a story about Buster Keaton. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16100974-tommysaurus-rex" target="_blank">Tommysaurus Rex by Doug TenNapel</a></span></div>
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There are certain authors that you know will never disappoint. Doug TenNapel's books are all a bit quirky, but they are fun to read, have a great theme, and have appeal to multiple ages. Besides, who wouldn't want a Tyrannosaurus Rex as a pet?</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12432220-the-false-prince?from_search=true" target="_blank">The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen</a></div>
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I kept hearing so much hype about this book on Twitter, but my copy disappeared from my classroom before I had a chance to read it. Last year at got a new copy at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale and kept it at home until I had a chance to read it, which wasn't until the middle of August. I couldn't put it down! I sort of feel ashamed to admit that I still have not gotten the second book, The Runaway King, but I do have every intention of getting it and reading it. The book really did live up to the hype. I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue. </div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15858191-the-english-teacher-s-companion-fourth-edition" target="_blank">The English Teacher's Companion, 4th Edition by Jim Burke</a></div>
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I have been reading this all summer. There is so much valuable information to absorb. I read the 3rd Edition several years ago, but Jim has completely rewritten the book. So much of the English classroom has changed in the last few years and I believe will continue to change. I appreciate that Jim is a current classroom teacher. He writes out of his experiences. He shares what is working for him and gives valuable resources for developing your curriculum. I have used so much of his material and have become a stronger teacher. I still have a few sections to get through and am determined to keep chipping away at it.</div>
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Now to the books that I am hoping to get to! I have a little stack sitting on my dining room table. I have a really hard time walking out of a library or bookstore with out books in hand, even if I don't have time to read. These caught my eye recently.</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13147478-flesh-bone" target="_blank">Flesh & Bone: Rot & Ruin book 3 by Jonathan Maberry</a></div>
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This series has been popular with my students and I have enjoyed them myself. I've read books 1 & 2, but this is the first time I've gotten my hands on book 3. It is a zombie series, but it isn't really about the zombies. </div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18457422-william-shakespeare-s-star-wars?from_search=true" target="_blank">William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doescher</a></div>
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William Shakespeare and Star Wars. Really what more needs to be said?</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave?ac=1" target="_blank">The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey</a></div>
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This is another that I have been hearing a lot about. I think it's going to become a popular one in my class. </div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13316328-the-last-dragonslayer?ac=1" target="_blank">The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde</a></div>
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And still another that I keep hearing about. </div>
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<i>cross-posted at the <a href="http://www.mereading.org/blog.html" target="_blank">Maine Reading Association's blog</a></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Georgia Serif'; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-46102820439459179502013-08-31T11:20:00.001-04:002013-08-31T11:20:40.703-04:00Blog Face LiftI decided that I really needed to change my class website, which led me to playing with format and design of my blog. I was reading Katherine Sokolowski's blog <a href="http://readwriteandreflect.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/classroom-management-or-should-it-be_30.html" target="_blank">Read, Write, Reflect</a> and really liked her layout. Then I thought, I need to redesign my blog. It feels old and tired.<br />
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I still haven't solved the problem of what to do with my classroom website, but I think I like my blog's new look!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-14428846028964986782013-08-19T09:46:00.001-04:002013-11-11T06:30:16.389-05:00Wagon WheelsI had the best of intentions, really I did. I started off the summer so well doing my IMWAYR posts. I was going to blog at least once a week. Then things got real with our move, and the wheels fell off the blogging wagon. Blogging didn't happen, my Twitter feed grew dusty, school plans got pushed to the side. Now here we are, two weeks out from the start of school and I'm trying to get back in the saddle, get the wheels back on the wagon, and hoping that it's not to late to be at least a little prepared for the school year.<br />
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Early in my teaching career, my dear friend, pastor and administrator explained to me the Rotter-Covey Square.<br />
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(image source: <a href="http://www.achieve-goal-setting-success.com/set-priorities.html">http://www.achieve-goal-setting-success.com/set-priorities.html</a>)</div>
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Too often we allow the tyranny of the urgent to take over. As I enter the last two weeks of the summer and look at all the planning I wanted to do and did not get to, as well as the planning I needed to do and did not get to, I feel my stress level rising. I need to manage that stress well. I want to enjoy my job as a high school administrator and I want to enjoy teaching- both my high school students and my fellow teachers. I think it's time to fill out a Rotter-Covey Square and try to enjoy my last two weeks of summer in this beautiful house that we have moved into. If I sit on the porch, I can look at the pond and not the piles of boxes that still need to be unpacked!<br />
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It may be 9:30 and I'm still in my pajamas, but I've emailed three teachers and one teacher candidate. So that's good, right?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-53168504063819011162013-07-22T05:00:00.000-04:002013-11-11T06:30:43.496-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/22/13<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Rtq_xLptZh2WPev6Dr7_iWLxke0Q-5A0HEdPWZD_ic2A9pVHAyj7HbrSELgeBVYzWvxBe_4ulvozCE-vEc6nlocpr3RYT3VR4UryyhSuu9ym_9QSsyV0WXlXlEwNSb58vox_EtwuBDp/s1600/IMWAYR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Rtq_xLptZh2WPev6Dr7_iWLxke0Q-5A0HEdPWZD_ic2A9pVHAyj7HbrSELgeBVYzWvxBe_4ulvozCE-vEc6nlocpr3RYT3VR4UryyhSuu9ym_9QSsyV0WXlXlEwNSb58vox_EtwuBDp/s200/IMWAYR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Jen at </span><a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz2X8ZT5Oyw" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a> and Kellee and Ricki at <a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">It was originally hosted by Sheila at </span><a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Book Journey</a><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, but Jen and Kellee put a Picture Book to YA spin on it.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What I Read This Week:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Picture Books<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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Once a week I volunteer at my local library. This
week I was assigned to shelf read the picture books looking for popular authors
who have multiple titles; I was to make a list so we could check to see what we
needed to order. The end result was a stack of books that I needed to check out!
Some of them were books I have been hearing about but not yet read, while
others were ones that simply caught my eye. There were 13 in all, but some of
my favorites were:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg2wrqqdNEBUItG4Yjum4uygzGMc1qAfIvuCoiAelzxJ_slz4amvm24SgFjtvoAtT6G_yJCxjoTipKFjOlwHFacKKkvcF9wUXvWLYaRe9zk6B9zjwlFViduEpQ2Op555BN1CJVOT6OPsF/s1600/803175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg2wrqqdNEBUItG4Yjum4uygzGMc1qAfIvuCoiAelzxJ_slz4amvm24SgFjtvoAtT6G_yJCxjoTipKFjOlwHFacKKkvcF9wUXvWLYaRe9zk6B9zjwlFViduEpQ2Op555BN1CJVOT6OPsF/s200/803175.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/803175.Russell_the_Sheep" style="text-align: left;">Russell the
Sheep</a><span style="text-align: left;"> by Rob Scotton. The story was a bit goofy, but there was just
something about the illustrations that I loved.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11737304-what-to-do-if-an-elephant-stands-on-your-foot">What
To Do If An Elephant Stands On Your Foot</a> by Michelle Robinson, illustrated
by Peter H. Reynolds. I just love Peter H. Reynolds’ art work. When I first
started reading the story, I was afraid it was going to be a take on If You
Give A Mouse a Cookie, but was pleasantly surprised by the narrative twist.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6135987-crow-call">Crow Call</a> by
Lois Lowry, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Oh. My. Goodness. This book is
absolutely beautiful! Lois Lowry is an amazing storyteller, and Bagram
Ibatoulline’s illustrations are gorgeous. I am always in awe of artists whose
work is so realistic it looks like a photograph.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5btW4MPrlbxOdTgTE5s3d3fjMp3hJ-hKEj4HnwiBCyivlkn0ZS-loUh7Jf4izKLF5Obtg1iJIWyQZuGrb-NRVpyDv0Q9HYcj43cTIfcvEU1E4pgRr-z0m41SIMUau74QnY6hnTPA_E_k/s1600/9551386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5btW4MPrlbxOdTgTE5s3d3fjMp3hJ-hKEj4HnwiBCyivlkn0ZS-loUh7Jf4izKLF5Obtg1iJIWyQZuGrb-NRVpyDv0Q9HYcj43cTIfcvEU1E4pgRr-z0m41SIMUau74QnY6hnTPA_E_k/s200/9551386.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9551386-happy-birthday-hamster">Happy
Birthday, Hamster</a> by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Derek Anderson. Cynthia
Lord has long been a favorite author. This book is so much fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeX_hKbvy54WdCE8aFJ9GGaUGFXj73k4qGgP0gyu1LQQstK9WLplwj4fXWvqYBZN0dlAQpIMSdgDwEU36Jgtaeyk3aUT1g8lK3FWwpya3lutJlTEpxSlWt6x_mTmGVS4H9e6wbujIATes/s1600/748603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeX_hKbvy54WdCE8aFJ9GGaUGFXj73k4qGgP0gyu1LQQstK9WLplwj4fXWvqYBZN0dlAQpIMSdgDwEU36Jgtaeyk3aUT1g8lK3FWwpya3lutJlTEpxSlWt6x_mTmGVS4H9e6wbujIATes/s200/748603.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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by Allen Say. This caught my eye for two reasons: 1. Allen Say. 2. After
reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet I am interested in learning
more about the Japanese culture.
This is a beautiful story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Young Adult<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZWmS7QM3AMNY3kYmcKyneZvt2YjlpXP8SfqK2r_FwS7RSbl7isb41FJsAQWOBGpZRgE036JXSRF4ES6C2ZIllnlphF3WReTyXTJBrrUBABiEVqrzY9-esa7wqmMwCSEhkJYVXMEmP7mn/s1600/175395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZWmS7QM3AMNY3kYmcKyneZvt2YjlpXP8SfqK2r_FwS7RSbl7isb41FJsAQWOBGpZRgE036JXSRF4ES6C2ZIllnlphF3WReTyXTJBrrUBABiEVqrzY9-esa7wqmMwCSEhkJYVXMEmP7mn/s200/175395.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/175395.Code_Talker"><span style="color: #0000f6;">Code Talker</span></a> by Joseph Bruchac<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is a book that I have long had on my TBR list
and the time just seemed right. Last week reading <i>Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet</i> by Jamie Ford got me
thinking about the American Identity and how the United States has treated
minority groups who proudly identify themselves as American. My husband was
reading Code Talker and as we discussed the books, it was clear that this would
be a good follow up for me. Code Talker tells the story of Ned Begay, a Navajo
Indian who becomes a Marine Code Talker in the Pacific theater of World War II.
After attending boarding school where he was told that everything Navajo is
bad, Ned, is eager to join the Marines when he learns that Navajos are being
specially recruited. Upon completing basic training, where the Navajos discover
they are better equipped to handle the physical demands, Ned begins training as
a Code Talker, and is delighted to discover that his sacred language, for which
he was previously punished for using, is now highly valued.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuZQNgoxBFwZdEQ6Lwxsr2tGFyvFV28eCMtJvEdpYyPoP-_NnSt7_oq5JIf1KvpLcE73zuY01XAGRbKNx7YkTYXL83Wf94OGfStwFJVbc2ihgRngmVSbatX4vKttbbhPX2F0RUoWEjWDG/s1600/13648165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuZQNgoxBFwZdEQ6Lwxsr2tGFyvFV28eCMtJvEdpYyPoP-_NnSt7_oq5JIf1KvpLcE73zuY01XAGRbKNx7YkTYXL83Wf94OGfStwFJVbc2ihgRngmVSbatX4vKttbbhPX2F0RUoWEjWDG/s200/13648165.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13648165-the-island-of-lote"><span style="color: #0000f6;">The Island of Lote</span></a> by Emily Kinney<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have to confess that I have abandoned this one.
I’ve been trying to read it for quite some time. I met the author; she’s a
young gal from Maine. I enjoyed hearing her speak to our middle school
students. A few of the middle school students have read this book and enjoyed
it. I really wanted to like it, but just couldn’t get past some early events
that really go beyond what is realistic. I know that when reading fiction you
have to be willing to suspend your disbelief, but this was a bit too much to
ask. I do hope that Emily continues to write and that her writing matures. She
has a lot of talent and potential. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Graphic Novels<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vy57PS3xLmb6uxmRx-TKc58Z_mr8UUPbh-J3x47OAMuPEAR207KvxrZJZT7hyphenhyphen27469dhR7EiTmPwn0xJHSn3TgOw0FOGA6Juwh6k1S_XHoAgJgeNa8xRHmGV-yX2ejPv8oDMsZr7FCMW/s1600/17014959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vy57PS3xLmb6uxmRx-TKc58Z_mr8UUPbh-J3x47OAMuPEAR207KvxrZJZT7hyphenhyphen27469dhR7EiTmPwn0xJHSn3TgOw0FOGA6Juwh6k1S_XHoAgJgeNa8xRHmGV-yX2ejPv8oDMsZr7FCMW/s200/17014959.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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by Jason Brubaker<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was thrilled to find this at my library on
Thursday. I read volume 1 earlier in the spring and fell in love with Jason
Brubaker’s drawing. My favorite, by far, is Victuals the cat. When I read
Volume 1 my first reaction was that the story was goofy, but suddenly I found
myself sucked into the story. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">What I am Reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Professional Development</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11398861-real-revision?ac=1"><span style="color: #0000f6;">Real Revision</span></a> by Kate Messner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15858191-the-english-teacher-s-companion-fourth-edition"><span style="color: #0000f6;">The English Teacher's Companion, 4th Edition</span></a> by
Jim Burke<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Middle Grade<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15944406-doll-bones">Doll Bones</a> by
Holly Black<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-49533117029902869142013-07-15T08:22:00.001-04:002013-11-11T06:30:58.791-05:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/15/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Rtq_xLptZh2WPev6Dr7_iWLxke0Q-5A0HEdPWZD_ic2A9pVHAyj7HbrSELgeBVYzWvxBe_4ulvozCE-vEc6nlocpr3RYT3VR4UryyhSuu9ym_9QSsyV0WXlXlEwNSb58vox_EtwuBDp/s1600/IMWAYR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5Rtq_xLptZh2WPev6Dr7_iWLxke0Q-5A0HEdPWZD_ic2A9pVHAyj7HbrSELgeBVYzWvxBe_4ulvozCE-vEc6nlocpr3RYT3VR4UryyhSuu9ym_9QSsyV0WXlXlEwNSb58vox_EtwuBDp/s200/IMWAYR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Jen at </span><a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz2X8ZT5Oyw" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Teach Mentor Texts</a> and Kellee and Ricki at <a href="http://www.unleashingreaders.com/" target="_blank">Unleashing Readers</a><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">It was originally hosted by Sheila at </span><a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Book Journey</a><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, but Jen and Kellee put a Picture Book to YA spin on it.</span><br />
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As I've said before, my summer is being consumed with preparing an old farmhouse for habitation. We're almost there- the interior painting is done. We just need to clean and move our stuff (and we have a lot of stuff!), but the water went out last weekend and we're trying to figure out what is wrong and get it fixed. Lack of water has slowed down the cleaning progress.</div>
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Last week I read:</div>
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<b><u>Middle Grade</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_BWCNL0Oe85YDlYoLiN-tyJxpi4tBjoFat0Wci-h4e3WvEyrvnrB2-n-6IH7d2KmaEgNhyphenhyphenT3u8wKvFGYts_cWMzlBsaL0NZSWXQwoZp2KOARx8XP9xmuFvaL7HMLbxyynifP70EkCHGy/s1600/210302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_BWCNL0Oe85YDlYoLiN-tyJxpi4tBjoFat0Wci-h4e3WvEyrvnrB2-n-6IH7d2KmaEgNhyphenhyphenT3u8wKvFGYts_cWMzlBsaL0NZSWXQwoZp2KOARx8XP9xmuFvaL7HMLbxyynifP70EkCHGy/s200/210302.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210302.Wintering_Well?ac=1" target="_blank">Wintering Well</a> by Lea Wait</div>
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<b><u>Young Adult</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9en0uFbJU3HSLCygzmeUh58e65ZdQBNamHnyGtrsvEnKtpZ5kyI4j_CM2W65lHevHB6cQgXO50LqBpXpgwOpEx4hcHszhuuZywUpFQywgdozrvu0VhpDfBVSQCLdR3oJsRRRTyc4QK7n-/s1600/16101126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9en0uFbJU3HSLCygzmeUh58e65ZdQBNamHnyGtrsvEnKtpZ5kyI4j_CM2W65lHevHB6cQgXO50LqBpXpgwOpEx4hcHszhuuZywUpFQywgdozrvu0VhpDfBVSQCLdR3oJsRRRTyc4QK7n-/s200/16101126.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101126-the-moon-and-more" target="_blank">The Moon and More</a> by Sarah Dessen</div>
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<u><b>Adult</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-9FdJd-bElfx6D-9EG-lj2Vl18FZi8ttVcAWDQmRB9PIRVX6SbqrFQiYsNUcYNId3l-iubOPx2NJvcedMhMYKsWJBPfTN35UcnEzwnbbQdJDf-Oe_WB1JW9ZtMAmeL3xlHcd9THxVl5G/s1600/6419614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-9FdJd-bElfx6D-9EG-lj2Vl18FZi8ttVcAWDQmRB9PIRVX6SbqrFQiYsNUcYNId3l-iubOPx2NJvcedMhMYKsWJBPfTN35UcnEzwnbbQdJDf-Oe_WB1JW9ZtMAmeL3xlHcd9THxVl5G/s200/6419614.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6419614-hotel-on-the-corner-of-bitter-and-sweet" target="_blank">Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet</a> by Jamie Ford</div>
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I blogged about my initial thoughts on the book <a href="http://nataleestotz.blogspot.com/2013/07/words-in-expert-hands.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Currently I'm reading:</div>
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<b><u>Young Adult</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6Oeu-LcJ91sz_bBsnkwuU4M7SSTGYbzF9zVAw2uIsz-j0ZqmSw01r1LBa1K8EzDPQo_Zc_lTm2W4LdSYeZmyShYLWGWwI5puStIpp-bwTOnJYk09fXzE7mzMGMobE8aiGHfgMMDjZ9Tz/s1600/175395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6Oeu-LcJ91sz_bBsnkwuU4M7SSTGYbzF9zVAw2uIsz-j0ZqmSw01r1LBa1K8EzDPQo_Zc_lTm2W4LdSYeZmyShYLWGWwI5puStIpp-bwTOnJYk09fXzE7mzMGMobE8aiGHfgMMDjZ9Tz/s200/175395.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/175395.Code_Talker" target="_blank">Code Talker</a> by Joseph Bruchac</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0mFrdaDAXKGZQvrOefy3cOHIINOX4g3v1BF9SSOIWhvPRYqYY-AAdG0svnSWai7nwXODWi6hw6uKa8B2Gu9zV7oMeRFV6Redeop1joJx_GL6hjq9OZvHM6RVY77VEv04_KOWltFRg1Jp/s1600/13648165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0mFrdaDAXKGZQvrOefy3cOHIINOX4g3v1BF9SSOIWhvPRYqYY-AAdG0svnSWai7nwXODWi6hw6uKa8B2Gu9zV7oMeRFV6Redeop1joJx_GL6hjq9OZvHM6RVY77VEv04_KOWltFRg1Jp/s200/13648165.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13648165-the-island-of-lote" target="_blank">The Island of Lote</a> by Emily Kinney<br />
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<b><u>Professional Development</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3p0LFRAALcq7d3PQ2VtltgbaUT6dA7x4Rnv9XOIziboKHKG2ZYLQ4NSO-1fbQDmzPmyzn8-_4-hBgC8klBNAlQ7_mCi31_RQZJEKJ_H5rR1CENKwuZ6q0BSKbgF2vmZz_OfnPELG7Cjq/s1600/11398861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3p0LFRAALcq7d3PQ2VtltgbaUT6dA7x4Rnv9XOIziboKHKG2ZYLQ4NSO-1fbQDmzPmyzn8-_4-hBgC8klBNAlQ7_mCi31_RQZJEKJ_H5rR1CENKwuZ6q0BSKbgF2vmZz_OfnPELG7Cjq/s200/11398861.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11398861-real-revision?ac=1" target="_blank">Real Revision</a> by Kate Messner</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Q1Ca0Xvt8RMzYctcYuJWdUql_etkd9Jv2BTo535Kf86nOYR9yhaIJvBPO8OibRJQxdWzylWtarWsdlX_GLgYNAcYeypb8wpzwZhxTHYYNugeUw4rl9hkWtySJGSbHUZrVORfYLxjIIV/s1600/15858191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5Q1Ca0Xvt8RMzYctcYuJWdUql_etkd9Jv2BTo535Kf86nOYR9yhaIJvBPO8OibRJQxdWzylWtarWsdlX_GLgYNAcYeypb8wpzwZhxTHYYNugeUw4rl9hkWtySJGSbHUZrVORfYLxjIIV/s200/15858191.jpg" width="159" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15858191-the-english-teacher-s-companion-fourth-edition" target="_blank">The English Teacher's Companion, 4th Edition</a> by Jim Burke</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5635545320437344050.post-59081904521382733572013-07-10T16:59:00.003-04:002013-11-11T06:31:25.788-05:00Words in Expert Hands<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your thoughts. Inside you they work their magic." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>~The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield</i></span></div>
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There are certain books that stay with you. You can't put them down, and when after you read the last page, and close the tale, whether with a sigh or a sniffle, they stay with you. They follow you around as you wash the dishes you neglected that day. They tug at your heart and mind as you get supper, grade papers, write lesson plans. They stand at your shoulder as you talk with your family and friends. There are some books that you excitedly recommend to every single person with whom you come into contact because the book is so amazing that you are convinced that every person on God's green earth absolutely must read it. And there are those books that just stay with you because they have touched you so deeply.<br />
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As I look back over my reading life, I can bring to mind numerous titles that have deeply impacted me in various ways. Some are delightful reads, masterfully wrought. Some are intellectually or spiritually challenging, and some have simply stopped me in my tracks.<br />
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I now add Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet to the number of books that are my "favorites". This one carries the tag of "Haunts Me". Its such a beautiful story. The narration switches artfully between 1940s Seattle and 1980s Seattle. We see first generation Henry as a young teen trying to make sense of his traditional Chinese family in a time fraught with patriotism, fear, and suspicion. We also meet him as an adult, looking back at his life with new insight.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6419614-hotel-on-the-corner-of-bitter-and-sweet" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR1VIy4AXTHUyxKe2ePnDEomMNhyphenhyphenulM4uvSql39MQpucQ9sIrgvg6N5HZTn8XpdeS2o9fI44eMUI3GPydCGFnclY1rtraodfMOmeW61NKKlTq1cHiH0MvjCUNT9I1V-rNkSy-TBVo5BF4/s200/6419614.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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This book has gotten me thinking a lot about the questions of what does it mean to be an American, and what is the American identity? Over the centuries so many people have come to America with hope for success, for freedom. So many have proudly taken citizenship. Then there are those who were already here or where brought against their will. Yet so many of these same people have been treated as less then human, let alone less then a citizen.<br />
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This book is haunting me. Even as I try to write about all the thoughts and questions that it has brought up, I realize that I am still meditating on it. I'm going to have to revisit my thoughts on this book. I know that I want to read Farewell to Manzanar, but I think it would be wise for me to wait a bit, to read something a bit different.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01959187238319004873noreply@blogger.com1