What a BAD Example!

I cannot believe it has taken me this long to post to my blog. Not sure why I say that--I am actually meeting myself coming these days. Our electricity was off when the alarm went and I thought "If I get up, it will just be dark--no coffee, no light--just dark. Might as well stay here and sleep." It was awesome to just lay there in bed, in the dark, and not have to get up. How long has it been since I could do that?

Life is going on--MATs, Lake Village 4th and 5th graders, Midlevel Interns--UAM SOE, AfricaReads, family. (I think I got that in the wrong order....) Oh. and I forgot Tenure and Promotion. Fun, fun.

I have a video I want to post if I can. The Lake Village 5th graders I tutor did a Reader's Theater today, Advice from Dracula. They really had fun. I will try to get it posted this week.

Also, I have to tell you about the book I just finished, Unwind, byNeil Shusterman. Wow! The characters are still running around in my mind. A very haunting book. You should read it. You might like it. Or not.

A Day in the Life of an Eighth Grader

Wow! Did I have a good time last Thursday! I got to be an 8th Grader for one whole day! Some of you may be doubting my sanity, but it always blows me away how much fun it is to be with a group of young adolescents. Of course, the secret to my happiness may be the fact that I get to leave and don't have to come back the next day...
I will post photos and tell you about the fun things I did later..

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I read this book last year and had to re-read it before I went on the the sequel, Catching Fire. I found the book depressing and difficult to get out of my mind. However, it was a great read! One of my criteria for a really good book is that the characters and the story don't fade away after I read the last page. This one stayed, and stayed, and stayed. The setting is futuristic in a country which seems to be the United States. The country is divided into "Districts" with "The Capitol" being somewhere close to Denver, CO. All of the Districts are ruled by "The Capitol" who used cruel, inhumane strategies to keep people hungry and in submission. The cruelest strategy is the Hunger Games in which teenagers must fight to the death in a created environment completely controlled by The Capitol. Everyone is required to watch the monstrosities that take place in the name of competition. Not only is the story one of survival but also of love and loyalty to family and friends. Katniss, the protagonist, is caught in a love triangle with her best friend, Gale, and a boy who has befriended her family, Peeta. Too find out more about this captivating story, read this book!

Literacy Lab!

I just spent an incredible two days at Lit Lab with Ken Stamatis! Seeing and hearing the things he had to say made me really want to be back in the classroom. I watched so many of the teachers around me either grading papers or reading books or doing various and sundry other things instead of trying to take in what he was saying. Teachers can be so rude! Well, maybe they don't have a corner on rudeness but it sure showed up! I just wonder what goes on in their classrooms? Are their students as bored with them as they seemed to be during this incredible learning experience? Our secondary students are in trouble. And maybe it's because some teachers just don't want to take the time to be challenged to do something different.
However, let me tell you about this one incredible (that's my word of the day) teacher I have been observing using the Lit Lab philosophy. She teaches 9th Grade English at a nearby High School. Her students are so turned on to reading and, watching her class is like watching a demonstration vidoe of what Lit Lab should be like. Talk about engaged! Now my observations are not a one-time thing. I have been trying to go at least once a week so I have seen this class over time. Today they were doing Book Talks and I wanted to borrow some to show my college students. Every student should be so fortunate (blessed) to have a teacher who models a love for reading. She does great "think alouds"--just like we all are supposed to do. If anybody would like to observe her "in action", let me know and I will set it up for you!

Blogging!

I truly enjoy reading all the blogs--even though I don't do it often enough! It is amazing to see the depth in some of the writings. I wish it were true for everyone. Some see this only as an "assignment" while others are beginning to get the value of writing their thoughts and ideas. Hopefully, some will have the time and energy to read what others are writing. You know, we all should be writers if we expect our students to write--just as being a reader is important to being a model to our students.

Very interesting book--especially after our conversation about student "expectations". This book made me stop and think about what we actually expect from teenagers. In the context of brain development I really have a lot to think about. This book has a definite Christian slant to it, but I can apply everything said in the book to almost every part of life--and I mean not just teenagers. I think this is a must read for those of us who work with teens or have teens living in our homes. Definitely a perspective that needs to be considered.

Fun Saturday!

Well, it was fun for some of us anyway! I hope it wasn't too painful! The stories were great and I am actually thinking about adding a "Whack a Mole" game to the agenda next summer. Wonder where I can find one?

It is always gratifying that I actually enjoy being with the MAT students. This group seemed a little more up-beat than previous semesters. I know this is a tough semester and, in spite of all the "experiences", they seem to be doing fairly well. I am looking forward to next semester when we are all together as a group. There has to be something wrong with me!