Blog stalking has made me a little depressed and irritated.
I was just reading through some blogs and I realized that 99.9% of people with blogs also have husbands and babies. And those that don't have blog titles like "The boring life of (insert generic girl name here)," "Waaa! Look at me I'm single," "Single and Pathetic," and "Why can't I find someone to love me?" Where does that leave me?
Ugh. Us single girls are so obnoxious. No wonder we don't have boyfriends. I'm turning it around. This is no longer an I'm so lonely blog. It's an I'm-amazing-and-I-do-great-things-and-if-you'd-like-to-join-me-you're-more-than-welcome blog. I'm even changing the name of it my blog.* Just a working title and maybe I'll think of something better but I'm just going to go with my name right now.
*If you still would like to set me up on a date, I am more than willing. I'm still looking for someone great but don't need to whine about it via blog.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FBI Agents, Ghosts, and International Smuggling Rings
Now that my MEd. classes are over, I've gone on a reading kick. I will accomplish this goal!
Book #27 Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ok, technically I didn't read this book this summer, I read it with my 5th grade students in April but I loved it so much that I had to write about it.
Found is the first book of the Missing series (Sent, book #2 in the series, comes out August 25, 2009. Please don't read about Sent until you read Found, it will spoil the end of Found if you do!).
Jonah is 13 and has always known he was adopted. He becomes friends with Chip who is also adopted but didn't know until he and Jonah did some investigating. They both begin receiving letters. The first one says, "You are one of the missing." The second one says, "Beware! They're coming back to get you." This leads Chip, Jonah and his sister Katherine into a mystery that involves the FBI, ghosts, smuggling and an airplane that appeared out of nowhere.
This book is written so well and is great for book groups because almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. My students were begging me to read more. It was great.
Book #27 Found by Margaret Peterson HaddixOk, technically I didn't read this book this summer, I read it with my 5th grade students in April but I loved it so much that I had to write about it.
Found is the first book of the Missing series (Sent, book #2 in the series, comes out August 25, 2009. Please don't read about Sent until you read Found, it will spoil the end of Found if you do!).
Jonah is 13 and has always known he was adopted. He becomes friends with Chip who is also adopted but didn't know until he and Jonah did some investigating. They both begin receiving letters. The first one says, "You are one of the missing." The second one says, "Beware! They're coming back to get you." This leads Chip, Jonah and his sister Katherine into a mystery that involves the FBI, ghosts, smuggling and an airplane that appeared out of nowhere.
This book is written so well and is great for book groups because almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger. My students were begging me to read more. It was great.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Julie of the Wolves
Book #26 Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
Miyax is a 13-year-old girl who's mother is dead and her father disappeared while hunting. She runs away and intends to use the survival skills her father taught her to get from Point Barrow to Point Hope. From there she hopes to get a job on a ship as a laundress or cook and work her way to San Fransisco to meet her pen pal Amy who always ends her letters with "When are you coming to San Fransisco?"
Miyax finds that the tundra of Alaska is much different than home and soon becomes lost. She remembers what her father told her and begins to use body language to communicate with a pack of wolves, hoping they will take her in and feed her.
I think this must be one of those books that I "read" in elementary school or it is very similar to another book I've read. I'm going with the I read it in school and the memory of it got lost in my brain until I rediscovered it.
Miyax is a 13-year-old girl who's mother is dead and her father disappeared while hunting. She runs away and intends to use the survival skills her father taught her to get from Point Barrow to Point Hope. From there she hopes to get a job on a ship as a laundress or cook and work her way to San Fransisco to meet her pen pal Amy who always ends her letters with "When are you coming to San Fransisco?"
Miyax finds that the tundra of Alaska is much different than home and soon becomes lost. She remembers what her father told her and begins to use body language to communicate with a pack of wolves, hoping they will take her in and feed her.
I think this must be one of those books that I "read" in elementary school or it is very similar to another book I've read. I'm going with the I read it in school and the memory of it got lost in my brain until I rediscovered it.
Hope is the thing with feathers
Book #25 Feathers by Jacqueline WoodsonWoodson begins the book with the following poem by Emily Dickinson:
Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all
I think it was that point that I knew I'd love this book. (That is one of my favorite poems ever!)
Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all
I think it was that point that I knew I'd love this book. (That is one of my favorite poems ever!)
I began reading this just because it was a quiet Sunday and I didn't want to watch tv or do my homework. I didn't imagine I would be reading long. But once I started, I could not put it down. Woodson's language is lyrical, she creates scenes with such poetry. I was amazed by her writing.
Feathers takes place in the winter of 1971. Frannie is a 6th grader. She lives with her parents and deaf older brother on the wrong side of the highway. One day, a tall, skinny white boy with long hair walks into the classroom "white and softly as the snow." He has long hair and soon students begin calling him Jesus Boy. He must stand up to bullying because "there aren't white people on this side of the highway. You didn't notice until one appeared. And then you saw all the brown and light brown everywhere." Frannie's best friend, Samantha, begins fantasizing that this boy may really be Jesus returned to the earth.
Like I've already said, I loved this book. The only problem I see with reading it in a classroom is that Jesus Christ and religion are a central theme. Is that going over the edge? Would I be integrating church and state instead of keeping them completely separate? Other than that aspect, I think it's great for elementary students. It deals with themes of racism, acceptance, hope, love, segregation.
Even if I don't read the entire book, I think I'll read chapter 20 and part of chapter 22 because in each of these sections, Ms. Johnson (the teacher) talks about how each person has memories that he or she can write about and that everyone has a story but some of us are scared to write it and we call that fear writer's block.
It is just a beautifully written book and I recommend reading it for the poetic language alone.
Feathers takes place in the winter of 1971. Frannie is a 6th grader. She lives with her parents and deaf older brother on the wrong side of the highway. One day, a tall, skinny white boy with long hair walks into the classroom "white and softly as the snow." He has long hair and soon students begin calling him Jesus Boy. He must stand up to bullying because "there aren't white people on this side of the highway. You didn't notice until one appeared. And then you saw all the brown and light brown everywhere." Frannie's best friend, Samantha, begins fantasizing that this boy may really be Jesus returned to the earth.
Like I've already said, I loved this book. The only problem I see with reading it in a classroom is that Jesus Christ and religion are a central theme. Is that going over the edge? Would I be integrating church and state instead of keeping them completely separate? Other than that aspect, I think it's great for elementary students. It deals with themes of racism, acceptance, hope, love, segregation.
Even if I don't read the entire book, I think I'll read chapter 20 and part of chapter 22 because in each of these sections, Ms. Johnson (the teacher) talks about how each person has memories that he or she can write about and that everyone has a story but some of us are scared to write it and we call that fear writer's block.
It is just a beautifully written book and I recommend reading it for the poetic language alone.
"Strange how one day you can believe in something. And the next day you don't anymore. And then, when you don't have that thing anymore, you don't have anything." (p.95)
"If I could walk through the world and just touch people and lift their pains right out of their bodies, I'd never stop walking." (p. 60)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
A Wrinkle in Time
Book #24 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Meg Murray, her younger brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin O'Keefe must find Mr. Murray, a physicist working to explore the 5th dimension, by traveling to other planets in other galaxies. They find that Mr. Murray is a prisoner on the planet Camazotz. On this planet, all suffering is gone and in exchange the people are expected to conform completely. It's a story of love, courage, and personal strength.
I read this book because I remember it being read to my 4th grade class. Read alouds were much different then and all we were to do was listen. There were no questions, no talking about the book...you just sat and listened and moved on with your day. This book is written at about a 6th grade level. While children can understand much higher levels when read to them, they still need some discussion of difficult or important parts to fully understand. I think this is why I remember enjoying some parts but being confused and not getting the whole story as a 4th grader.
It made me wonder, what would you be willing to give up to live in a seemingly perfect world with no suffering?
"Maybe if you aren't unhappy sometimes you don't know how to be happy." (p. 157)
Rainbows, Sunsets and Mushrooms
Like I said in this post, it has been an incredibly wet start to the summer. These are some pictures I've taken in the past few days.
Because of the massive amount of moisture, our grass is covered in mushrooms. This is just a small patch but the entire yard looks like this.
This picture was taken as I drove to work after school on Friday night. It was an incredible night! It was a downpour earlier then the clouds lifted and we had this amazing sunset.
More sunset from the car.
This was the same day. In the East was this amazing rainbow. It was huge and there were no breaks in it, completely went from north to south.
I take a lot of pictures when I'm stopped at red lights. These clouds just looked so cool and the sun was trying to shine through. Loved it but the quality of my camera doesn't do it justice.
My Slightly White Trash Weekend
I worked at The Children's Center this morning (I know what you're thinking..."What? I thought you quit?" Yep. I did but they need more help and I'm broke so I went back. Silly me.) Anyway, I worked from 9PM Friday til noon Saturday. I was greasy and probably smelled like sweaty little boys but I went shopping right after work anyway.
Going shopping without getting ready at all = Slightly white trash scenario #1.
I came home and got ready and dressed and my dad called to see if my sister and I wanted to go to Rocky Mountain Raceway. My dad is super into it and I hate it because it's so loud. Usually I say not to these invitations but decided to go this time. Wow! Am I glad I did!
Being glad you went to RMR = Slightly white trash scenario #2.
This night was IHRA Nitro Nationals. I don't know what all that means other than these cars are super loud and blow fire out of some car parts.
Woot! Court and I are ready for them to start racing. We felt a little over dressed. I didn't get the shirts are optional memo.
Holy cow! Fire! Sparks! And it smelled like cinnamon!
They let us walk on the track after the race. They kept saying how sticky it was. I didn't believe them until I couldn't pick up my feet. You probably shouldn't wear ballet flats to RMR.
Because I forgot my camera, all these pictures are from my sister Courtney. Also, because of that we didn't get all the pictures I wanted.
The pictures I wanted were of the on slot of celebrities at RMR. We saw Carrot Top, Allison Iraheta (American Idol), Daughtry, Willie Nelson, Corbin Bleu and Santa Claus. Honestly who who have thought RMR attracted such celebrity. It was amazing even if they were just slight look-alikes.
Going shopping without getting ready at all = Slightly white trash scenario #1.
I came home and got ready and dressed and my dad called to see if my sister and I wanted to go to Rocky Mountain Raceway. My dad is super into it and I hate it because it's so loud. Usually I say not to these invitations but decided to go this time. Wow! Am I glad I did!
Being glad you went to RMR = Slightly white trash scenario #2.This night was IHRA Nitro Nationals. I don't know what all that means other than these cars are super loud and blow fire out of some car parts.
Woot! Court and I are ready for them to start racing. We felt a little over dressed. I didn't get the shirts are optional memo.
Holy cow! Fire! Sparks! And it smelled like cinnamon!
Taking a picture with a blow up Jelly Belly and giving a thumbs-up = Slightly white trash scenario #3. 
A jet engine on a semi truck? Yes, it's possible and it's amazing.
Saying this is amazing = Slightly white trash scenario #4.
Freaking amazing sunset!
They let us walk on the track after the race. They kept saying how sticky it was. I didn't believe them until I couldn't pick up my feet. You probably shouldn't wear ballet flats to RMR.Because I forgot my camera, all these pictures are from my sister Courtney. Also, because of that we didn't get all the pictures I wanted.
The pictures I wanted were of the on slot of celebrities at RMR. We saw Carrot Top, Allison Iraheta (American Idol), Daughtry, Willie Nelson, Corbin Bleu and Santa Claus. Honestly who who have thought RMR attracted such celebrity. It was amazing even if they were just slight look-alikes.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Giver
Book #23 The Giver by Lois LowryWhere Jonas lives, life is safe, orderly, and predictable. Rules are strictly adhered to; every aspect of a person's life is carefully planned. People rarely make choices on their own; everything is decided for them by the community. There is no snow or sunshine, no colors or music, no animals or nature.
People in the community take special care to avoid doing or saying anything different. In the community, one must not say anything that causes discomfort to others, and one must use language precisely. Husbands and wives are matched as couples by a Committee of Elders who reviews each individual to see if a person's characteristics will be compatible with those of his mate. Exactly two children-one male and one female-are assigned to each family unit.
At the Ceremony of Twelve, children are given their job. Jonas is given the job of Receiver of Memories, the one person in the community who has access to all the memories of the past. He must keep these memories within himself until he can train a new Receiver to whom he can pass them. The Receiver has knowledge of things that no one in the community has access to, but the Receiver also has the responsibility to shoulder the burden of sorrow and pain that the memories bring.
I have read this book many times and I absolutely love it! I tried reading it to my 5th grade class and they didn't really get it. It's probably my fault though. I wasn't being a great teacher at the time and I just read it. Didn't ask questions, didn't clarify, I just read it. We also didn't finish because I was done student teaching. I will probably read it to my 6th graders but do a better job.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Beautiful Russian Poems
My writing class is seeping into my dreams.
Last night I had a dream that I was writing poems with Kara DioGuardi (new American Idol judge)
Last night I had a dream that I was writing poems with Kara DioGuardi (new American Idol judge)
and a very tall, very blond Russian man.
He was having a lot of difficulty writing his poem and I was trying to help my hugging him as he wrote (what?!?).
Kara was getting annoyed with him because he was such a downer and kept saying how much he hated writing poems. She gave him a beautiful line as an example and in my dream I wrote it in my Writer's Notebook (a journal you're supposed to keep with you at all times and write things that interest you, are beautiful, thoughtful...so you can live "a writer's life." I don't really have one but just gave a presentation on it on Wednesday). I wish I could remember the line to see if it really is a beautiful line.
We then change scenes and this Russian is someone's manny and I'm in love with him and so is the mom/wife in the story. The rest is a bit fuzzy but I'm pretty sure I broke up that affair.
Freckle Juice
Book #22 Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
Andrew Marcus, a 2nd grader, wants to look like Nicky Lane, a fellow 2nd grader who has freckles. Andrew wants freckles so his mom won't be able to tell if his face is dirty. Sharon, who often tricks Andrew, sells him a secret recipe for Freckle Juice for 50 cents. He drinks the concoction and becomes sick. He then decides to draw freckles on his face with a blue marker. All the kids laugh at him and his teacher gives him a magic freckle remover. Nicky Lane then asks his teacher if he can use the remover also.
This is an extremely quick read (47 pages with pictures)! I don't know if I'm just not into early reader chapter books because they can't really get into a big story or what but I wasn't loving this book. I can see it as something that would be a quick, fun and easy read for 1st or 2nd graders but I'm not into teaching younger grades so I wasn't into it.
Andrew Marcus, a 2nd grader, wants to look like Nicky Lane, a fellow 2nd grader who has freckles. Andrew wants freckles so his mom won't be able to tell if his face is dirty. Sharon, who often tricks Andrew, sells him a secret recipe for Freckle Juice for 50 cents. He drinks the concoction and becomes sick. He then decides to draw freckles on his face with a blue marker. All the kids laugh at him and his teacher gives him a magic freckle remover. Nicky Lane then asks his teacher if he can use the remover also.
This is an extremely quick read (47 pages with pictures)! I don't know if I'm just not into early reader chapter books because they can't really get into a big story or what but I wasn't loving this book. I can see it as something that would be a quick, fun and easy read for 1st or 2nd graders but I'm not into teaching younger grades so I wasn't into it.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
A Team + Dave Meeting
I met with my 6th grade team again today. I am so excited for the year to start. We did a little planning. We've decided that we're going to rotate for science and social studies. I'll be teaching heat, light, and sound and Middle Ages & Renaissance to all the 6th graders. I'm glad that I have things I can start planning now! I'm also on Curriculum Committee. I have no idea what that entails but that's what I'm doing. Also, I'll be helping with student council. Wow. It just all seems like so much right now.
My team seems like we're going to get along very well. I can't wait to get to know them better!
Yippee for having a job and a team I like!
My team seems like we're going to get along very well. I can't wait to get to know them better!
Yippee for having a job and a team I like!
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Book #21 Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
This book takes place in the 1800s. It is about a widowed farmer and his two children (Anna and Caleb). The farmer advertises for a wife and Sarah comes from Maine. She is very homesick and tells the children how much she misses the ocean. One day she goes into town alone and Caleb worries that she will never return. She comes back with colored pencils so she can draw how beautiful Maine is. She tells the children that though she misses Maine, she would miss them more.
I remember reading this book in 3rd grade and hating it. But that's no surprise. I hated everything a teacher gave me to read. So I thought I'd give it another shot. Nope, still hated it. It's well written, it receive a Newbery Medal but it just wasn't a book I was interested in. But don't take that as a reason not to read it. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who love this book.
Death
Book #20 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Check out Zusak's website. The Book Thief opens with "It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . ."
The story is set in Germany during WWII. It is the story of a foster girl names Liesel Meminger who lives with her foster father and mother outside of Munich. The book is narrated by Death. With the help of her foster father, Liesel learns to read and begins stealing books whenever she can get her hands on them. She uses these stories to help sustain her family, friends and the Jew hiding in her basement.
I really enjoyed this book though I would not recommend it for elementary aged children. The reading level is quite easy but the topics and language are not something that would be good for most elementary aged children. I would recommend this for 8th grade and up. If you want to learn to swear and insult others in German, this is the book for you.
"People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and ends, but to me it's quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations, with each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors. Waxy yellows, cloud-spat blues. Murky darknesses. In my line of work, I make it a point to notice them."
Check out Zusak's website. The Book Thief opens with "It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . ."
The story is set in Germany during WWII. It is the story of a foster girl names Liesel Meminger who lives with her foster father and mother outside of Munich. The book is narrated by Death. With the help of her foster father, Liesel learns to read and begins stealing books whenever she can get her hands on them. She uses these stories to help sustain her family, friends and the Jew hiding in her basement.
I really enjoyed this book though I would not recommend it for elementary aged children. The reading level is quite easy but the topics and language are not something that would be good for most elementary aged children. I would recommend this for 8th grade and up. If you want to learn to swear and insult others in German, this is the book for you.
"People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and ends, but to me it's quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations, with each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors. Waxy yellows, cloud-spat blues. Murky darknesses. In my line of work, I make it a point to notice them."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Words to Build a Life Upon
I just read an article for my Writing in the Classroom class. I guess it's a chapter from the book Wondrous Words: Writers and Writing in the Elementary Classroom by Katie Wood Ray not an article. The last paragraph of the chapter blew me away. Here it is:
"I stand in awe at the power our words as teachers can have in students' lives. I am fearful of the strength of one negative word and how it can live with someone forever. But I rejoice at the idea that just a few simple, honest words of support and belief can also stay with someone for a very long time." (p. 298)
"I stand in awe at the power our words as teachers can have in students' lives. I am fearful of the strength of one negative word and how it can live with someone forever. But I rejoice at the idea that just a few simple, honest words of support and belief can also stay with someone for a very long time." (p. 298)
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