Just go back to last Monday's post. Nothing has changed. I didn't finish any books last week, and I didn't start any new ones. This is VERY odd for me.
Next week I promise to have different books.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Why I Cannot Be Replaced
- Who would harass the freshmen?
- My friends would miss out on book recommendations.
- No one would get my chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies anymore (and I've been told both are some of the best).
- My husband goes a little nutty without me for a few days - I'd hate to see what would happen if I was never coming back.
- The world would lose a little humor from my airheadedness, stubbornness, and general cluelessness.
Monday, September 16, 2013
What I'm Reading - A Slightly Smaller List
At school:
I'm just getting ready to start For The Win by Cory Doctrow. I haven't even opened it yet, so I can't give any info about it.
At home:
Same list as last week - and I haven't touched any of those three except for the race book. Tomorrow, I'll start Covet by my friend, Tracey Garvis-Graves.
So, I guess the title is a bit of a lie because I'll actually be reading more books by the end of the day tomorrow.
What I finished last week:
All of these I'll be doing book talks on, so I'm not going to give much info on here about them.
Escape from Camp 14
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I'm just getting ready to start For The Win by Cory Doctrow. I haven't even opened it yet, so I can't give any info about it.
At home:
Same list as last week - and I haven't touched any of those three except for the race book. Tomorrow, I'll start Covet by my friend, Tracey Garvis-Graves.
So, I guess the title is a bit of a lie because I'll actually be reading more books by the end of the day tomorrow.
What I finished last week:
All of these I'll be doing book talks on, so I'm not going to give much info on here about them.
Escape from Camp 14
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Monday, September 9, 2013
Students' Voices
It isn't easy to hand over the reins to other people. Especially when we, as adults, don't think that teens/kids know what they're talking about. How could they? They don't have life experiences or general life wisdom.
But, they aren't complete idiots. They know what works for them, which is why I think students should have some say in their education.
I'm not saying they should sit down and tell teachers what they need to do or write the curriculum on their own, but it doesn't hurt to hear what they have to add. Sometimes, it could be more helpful than a bunch of "oldsters" hanging out for a day determining the next 180 days for 14-year-olds.
At the end of every unit, my students do a reflection on their writing. One of the questions I include on this is "What could I have done differently as your teacher to help you be more successful in this unit?" (And saying "Not make me do it" is clearly stated as not being an option for an answer.). This simple question has helped me frequently since I've added it in. Being an "expert" or having done the unit so often, there are things I overlook. Things that I take for granted because they are obvious to me or done so often, I don't think it needs to be taught. That question and answers clue me in to what I've missed. I've also been given ideas on teaching techniques that could help some kids that are different from my normal style. This feedback is a great gauge for me to determine what I'm doing is effective.
So, while some of the suggestions may be off the wall, some of them are helpful. And, I'll continue asking for your input.
But, they aren't complete idiots. They know what works for them, which is why I think students should have some say in their education.
I'm not saying they should sit down and tell teachers what they need to do or write the curriculum on their own, but it doesn't hurt to hear what they have to add. Sometimes, it could be more helpful than a bunch of "oldsters" hanging out for a day determining the next 180 days for 14-year-olds.
At the end of every unit, my students do a reflection on their writing. One of the questions I include on this is "What could I have done differently as your teacher to help you be more successful in this unit?" (And saying "Not make me do it" is clearly stated as not being an option for an answer.). This simple question has helped me frequently since I've added it in. Being an "expert" or having done the unit so often, there are things I overlook. Things that I take for granted because they are obvious to me or done so often, I don't think it needs to be taught. That question and answers clue me in to what I've missed. I've also been given ideas on teaching techniques that could help some kids that are different from my normal style. This feedback is a great gauge for me to determine what I'm doing is effective.
So, while some of the suggestions may be off the wall, some of them are helpful. And, I'll continue asking for your input.
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? - Too much right now!
I've got several books going right now. I'm having a hard time getting excited about anything right now.
At school:
Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden: This is about a man who was born in a North Korean political prisoner camp and managed to escape. He's the only person to have done this successfully. The book details his accounts of the horrors that go on in these camps (even though North Korea denies they even exist). I've just started this one, so I don't have much to say about it yet.
At home:
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult: Zoe and her husband have tried for years to have a baby, but they've been unsuccessful. After another miscarriage, Zoe is ready to try in vitro again, but her husband refuses and ends up asking for a divorce. I followed the story up to this point, and then it gets a little different. I stopped reading it because it just wasn't holding my interest. I'll end up finishing it, though.
The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski: Just started this one, so I don't have much about it yet. I got it on my Kindle because it was an Amazon daily deal - a book for only $3! Bonaventure is a mute child - so he doesn't speak at all. But, he has amazing hearing abilities. Right now, he's still in the womb, but it follows him and discusses what he can hear and how he reacts to it.
My Best Race: 50 Runners and the Finish Line They'll Never Forget by Chris Cooper: Even though is a collection about runners and their races, this has more to do with overcoming any challenge. This one I'm just reading when I have a few minutes because it is easy to pick up and read one race.
At school:
Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden: This is about a man who was born in a North Korean political prisoner camp and managed to escape. He's the only person to have done this successfully. The book details his accounts of the horrors that go on in these camps (even though North Korea denies they even exist). I've just started this one, so I don't have much to say about it yet.
At home:
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult: Zoe and her husband have tried for years to have a baby, but they've been unsuccessful. After another miscarriage, Zoe is ready to try in vitro again, but her husband refuses and ends up asking for a divorce. I followed the story up to this point, and then it gets a little different. I stopped reading it because it just wasn't holding my interest. I'll end up finishing it, though.
The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski: Just started this one, so I don't have much about it yet. I got it on my Kindle because it was an Amazon daily deal - a book for only $3! Bonaventure is a mute child - so he doesn't speak at all. But, he has amazing hearing abilities. Right now, he's still in the womb, but it follows him and discusses what he can hear and how he reacts to it.
My Best Race: 50 Runners and the Finish Line They'll Never Forget by Chris Cooper: Even though is a collection about runners and their races, this has more to do with overcoming any challenge. This one I'm just reading when I have a few minutes because it is easy to pick up and read one race.
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