Fly Away Home and The Wall are also great classics by Eve Bunting. The first touches upon homelessness and the second explores feelings of the survivors of war veterans.
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While many of my colleagues around the globe are participating in the National Book-A-Day Challenge (where educators average reading 1 book per day of their summer vacation), I have decided to simply read more than last summer. With Montessori and STEM training, I think this is enough. Mostly, I am reading books that are already on my student shelves, and that they have approved, but I have not yet read.
I take pride in knowing that I can almost always select a book for even the most reluctant reader that they will love, and that nearly all my students become readers for life, even if they didn't enter that way. Yep, no reading logs or daily assigned reading, but rather reading in class that seeps into reading after class. So, I am busy reading all those books on my list this summer before my Montessori training begins. Here are some more finds. Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci is a wonderful account and explains the heart of a mathematician.
The Scar had me in tears from the first line! I have already decided to read it aloud in September. The Friar Who Grew Peas is the story of Mendel as the father of heredity. I also read Freedom River, which is definitely a keeper because of its historical importance. I think we all deserve to know more names than Harriet Tubman. Currently, I am reading Roots (I can't believe I never read it in all these years) and Absolutely Almost, which I have been trying to read for years. What are you reading?
![]() I often wonder if people in industries other than education get this tired at this time of year. Preparing for fifth grade graduation, wrapping up the school year in a meaningful way, getting grades done, final testing and analyzing results, packing up a classroom, and yes, moving to a new one. It's a wonder it all gets done, but it does, magically, each and every year. A teacher friend reminded me today that I really don't need to make any drastic changes, but to stay true to my authentic teaching self. Actually, a few friends have said this. I am so fortunate to be in such a supportive community, where we lift each other and truly want the best for each other and the kids. So yes, I am tired, but I am blessed, too. Not to make excuses, but I thought I would be switching to another website, so I didn't update this one. In over a year. Anyway, I'm back - in a new school and in a new teaching situation for next year. I finished my math endorsement, do compliment adults daily, and finally earned 10,000 stickers on First in Math. So that's the update on 2015 resolutions.
What am I doing now? Preparing for the end-of-year festivities for my fifth graders, a move to a new room, new students in 2 grades, and a new teaching format - Montessori. And, I'm presenting to my district on data next month. Having fun and staying busy. Check out my latest obsession! With the new year comes the inevitable resolutions. Some of these I am proud to say I started a few weeks ago and have lasted so far. The first is probably to be kinder to my feet. To relieve my foot pain, I have begun regular foot and leg stretches, icing a few times per day, and even have purchased seven new pairs of athletic shoes. My fifteen-year-old son has helped me tremendously to keep my swag points (Thanks, Sam), as I now have a pair for each color combination of work clothes. I am not ready for orthopedic shoes. Hopefully, this will do the trick.
I also have recommitted to regular blogging. I do love to write, and it is so therapeutic for me. This is the first of many this year. Other resolutions include, in no particular order,: complimenting and adult at least once per day completing my math endorsement homework the day BEFORE it is actually due tweeting on a few PLNs earning 10,000 FIM stickers publishing an academic article |
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June 2016
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