Whales on Stilts!

Book #19 Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson

"On Career Day Lily visited her dad's work with him and discovered that he worked for a mad scientist who wanted to rule the earth through destruction and desolation." This is a very different book. The writing is quite outlandish with a hint of the author making fun of himself and other mystery adventure writers. This blog also reviews books and has one on this book. I'm a bit lazy and pressed for time so I'll just let you read that one. I haven't read through the blog thoroughly but it's worth a look.

One of my favorite parts of this book is at the end of the book. It's entitled A Guide for Reading and Thinking: Questions for Further Study. The author states they hired Child Learning Specialist to help write these questions. Here are some of my favorite:

1. Who chose this book?
2. Can I hit him or her in the stomach?
8. Which whale book with a character named Lily and another one named Jasper is your favorite?
9. Oh, really?
15. Anchovies. Why?

Father's Day

What?!? Today is Father's Day and you still don't have a gift? All is not lost. I have a great idea for you and you won't have to fight the crowds at Brookstone or Sears. All you need to do is go to your local Target.

I know you've all been waiting with utmost anticipation since you read this post to see what this stellar Father's Day gift is. Wait no longer, here it is folks...

It's the Tampon Toupee. Visit this site for instructions. So, if you still have not bought a gift for your father, all is not lost! This is a great gift for all dads, not just bald ones. Think of the hair style versatility you would give the special man in your life with this wonderful creation. And because it's hand-made, he'll know you really care.

Goodbye Old Friend

Today was my last day at The Children's Center.

It was a bittersweet ending. I have loved this job but some things went on that made it difficult to work with one person in particular.

I did get to work with my good friend Karla and she made it such a nice night.

My little buddy asked me why I have to go. It broke my heart.

It is nice to know that I have the weekends (and every other day of the week) free until I begin teaching but I will miss seeing these kiddos every Saturday.

I wish them and the center all the luck in the future and I can only hope that I did my part to help them.

Why we love Ashley

Reason #92:

She often speaks in a British accent when talking to herself.

Becoming Independently Wealthy

Great Idea #49:

Buy a mountain.

Build a house at the base of the mountain.

Create fun mountain resort on top of mountain.

Place a wishing well at resort on top of mountain.

Make wishing well hole go from top of mountain through your chimney.

Bingo! Your house rains money. You are rich!

Perpetual

Book # 18 Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Great book! I don't know what to say about it more than that though. The story is about Winnie Foster, her interactions with the Tuck family, and deciding whether or not she should drink from the spring and become immortal. Winnie reminds me a little bit of Bella in the Twilight series (just the basic premise--mortal or immortal? What would you choose?) Here is a Scholastic site with teacher resources and a pretty good summary. The resources aren't great (I think any decent teacher could come up with these things in 1 minute but it gives a starting point if you're not as amazing as me and my school buddies)

"The sweet earth opened out its wide four corners to her like the petals of a flower ready to be picked, and it shimmered with light and possibility till she was dizzy with it." (p. 45)

"The way I see it, it's no good hiding yourself away, like Pa and lots of other people. And it's no good just thinking of your own pleasure, either. People got to do something useful if they're going to take up space in the world." (p. 86)

Quotes

Hello Everyone! Blog followers and stalkers alike! I am thinking about what I want my classroom to look like and I really think I want to do something with quotes. I'm not sure exactly what I want yet but I need to begin gathering quotes.

I need a plethora of quotes that are appropriate for 6th graders in a public elementary school. If you have a favorite quote leave it in a comment for me. I'd like the quotes to come from everywhere--books, movies, music, speeches, anything!

Thanks so much!

Happy Endings

Book # 17 Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

This is such a great story about a bunch of lonely people who are brought together by a dog. Opal finds a homeless dog at The Winn-Dixie grocery store and he soon helps her to make many friends. This book is written at about a 4th grade level (Christina, use it as a read aloud or for book club in your class!) and I don't think I'm giving anything away but I think this is the only book in existence with a dog on the cover that won an award (Newbery to be exact) where the dog doesn't die. I definitely recommend it. It's a really quick and fun read.

"It's hard not to immediately fall in love with a dog who has a good sense of humor." (p. 12)

I am officially crazy!

I love going to school and learning...I hate doing homework. I don't want to do it. I hate to read long articles that talk themselves in circles. I have so much to do to get ready for school and can't really get started because of all the homework I have to do. Maybe if my time management was a little better and I didn't procrastinate by writing this blog, I would get things done sooner but that's beside the point. The point is I hate reading research articles and trying to apply them to my experiences. My experience is student teaching. 16 weeks of trying to keep my head above water. I was at most a day ahead of my students, usually more like 1/2 an hour ahead. Now I'm supposed to take that and apply it to something? Ugh. What was a thinking when I signed up for a Master's program this early in my career? But I guess it will all get done. Wish me luck!

I checked on that D track opening at my school, like I said I would, and my principal said it was wrong on the web site and should say C track. Darn. But she did say if it opens up I will be the first one she'll call.

Why we love Ashley

Reason #31:

She wanted to be a ninja and a garbage truck driver at one point in time...watch out evil garbage.

I need your help!

I want to make a picture like this one but better. I want a quote to put with it but can't think of any good ones. Any suggestions? Maybe something about positive influence, love, changes, hope...I don't know for sure. Please help! Leave comments!!

End of an Era

I don't know how I let myself do this but I'm reading 3 novels at once. ugh. What was I thinking? I'm going to try to finish one tonight and finally post about it tomorrow. The other two may take a bit longer because I'm not really into them yet.

I worked at The Children's Center today. I also gave my two weeks notice. The group home isn't shutting down until July 31 but I just felt like I needed to get out now and concentrate on me. That sounds selfish but I've spent the past 5 years worrying and losing sleep over the issues that these little guys face on a daily basis. I need to spend the summer doing what I want and need to be doing. I need to prepare for the new school year. I need to just have time. I miss my family, I miss my friends.

Let's make something clear. Even though I have complained about the center many times and I think some policies there are ridiculous, I love love love what I do at the center. I love the kiddos and think we do very impressive work. I'm going to miss the kids so much and it makes me sad to think that I won't get to see any of their last days. There is one boy in particular that I want to see leave and go to a loving family. He's the boy I talked about in this post. I'm happy to say the "trainees" are doing very well and it seems like the placement will move forward. I hope it does. I really like this family and my little buddy is growing really attached to them (which is super difficult for him). Because he has such difficulties, he will be the last one out of the group home.

The center will always have a special place in my heart. I will always remember the things I learned there, the wonderful people I met, and the differences I made in the lives of children.

Rainy Days

Alright...it's June 10 and I live in Utah...a desert. I have worn long sleeves every day this month because it's been so rainy. I'm not complaining at all though. I absolutely love this weather! It could rain every day and I would be a happy camper. But it is definitely weird Utah weather. I can't remember it ever being like this. It's almost like we're living in Seattle. I really wish I could just snuggle up in a big blanket and read my 30 remaining books but I have homework and school and life to do.

The two pictures on this page were taken seconds after each other. You can't tell but in the first one is is raining just as hard. This second one is just kinda ugly so I thought I'd lead off with my nice green yard.

Mysteries and Possible Changes

Book #16 The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

This is the book that has taken me so long to finish. That makes it sound like it was a horrible book...IT WASN'T! I just had difficulty reading large portions of it at a time. It's probably has to do with the format and the difficulties I had with reading as a child. This book has very small print and when one chapter ends another starts...no turning the page and looking like you're making more progress than you really are...just start the next one.

That aside, this was a great book. It's the story of Sam Westing's will and his 16 heirs. All of these heirs happen to have moved into Sunset Towers just before Sam Westing is pronounced dead. The heirs are paired up and given a set of clues. Their job is to figure out who killed Sam Westing. It's a great mystery book and I always thought I had the mystery figured out only to be told I was wrong a few pages later. The end is a twist that is not expected.

I always check the available jobs on each district website just because I'm nosy. Anyway, there's now a 6th grade D TRACK opening. I'm totally calling my principal later today to see if I can trade. That would mean I wouldn't start til August 17th which gives me a lot more time to prepare. Woot! I hope she lets me trade!