How Long IS This Book?!?

 

One down side to reading with Kindle is that there are books that you have no idea how long they are. This book was recommended by a friend and respected reader. That is all I need. I jumped in. The book seems to go on and on and on. It isn’t that I am not enjoying it, but I think you have some sense of what you are getting into when you hold a tome in your hands. This Kindle book doesn’t even give you percentages, let alone page numbers – simply ‘location’. I finally went to look on Amazon – 640 pages. No wonder it feels like I am getting no where!

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things to be thankful for, large and small. Here are a few on my mind tonight…

Garlic Parmesan mix to sprinkle on popcorn

A new mattress

Getting to share this grand adventure called ‘life’ with my best friend

A job that is different everyday and stimulates my brain

An unplanned ice cream outing in the middle of the day

A daughter who keeps me on my toes

Fellowship

Air conditioning

A kitchen that has the space and equipment needed to make whatever I might dream up

Cup of tea with a splash of milk

A good night’s sleep

Wordless Wednesday–The View From Here

Little Miss Hospitality

Just over a week ago my five year old daughter asked if we could invite some guests over for dinner. In particular she had seen each part of a teaching couple over the course of a couple days and asked when we could invite them.

I love that she knows our home is a place to share space and meals with other people.

I love that she knows she is part of the family and can suggest possible guest lists.

Today was the day.

When she heard the buzzer she hurried to the door to wait for the elevator and then opening our door, welcomed them to our home. This was their first time visiting our home and she proceeded to give them the tour.

(Her sense of hospitality continues, welcoming them in and wanting them to feel comfortable in our space.)

It was quickly obvious that she has paid attention as I have shown people our home. When she entered the kitchen she went directly to the storage features that are unheard of in this part of the world, and proudly pointed them out.

Her favorite place to end the tour is her room, naturally. She loves her space and wants other people to enjoy it as well. Our guests were happy to oblige and I didn’t need to ‘help’ the conversation as she is a primary grade teacher and he is paying attention as they think about starting a family.

She carefully thought about who should sit where at the dinner table, placing the cloth napkin for each person and inviting them to sit. The conversation was child friendly and often engaging her specifically and directly.

Before heading to bed she read them a book and gave high fives, fist bumps, and hugs.

The entire evening was enjoyable, with a couple hours of adult conversation as well. But, the part I enjoyed the most was seeing my “Little Miss Hospitality”.

Wordless Wednesday–Both Marked “Lower Cabinet”

THAT Group

Every school has at least one, the grade level that has been notorious since they first arrived. Stories are whispered (or louder as frustration levels grow) amongst teachers. Everyone watches that group as they moved up. You hold your breath as they approach your grade level (or even switch grade levels to avoid them).

That group has something about its chemistry, something about the combination of individuals that seem to make learning and cooperating a challenge for all.

That group is in fifth grade this year at my school.

One advantage about being in the middle grades is that you know they are coming. We knew they were coming. We were ready. Even during “Move Up Day” last June we sent a clear message, as a grade level, that we have high standards and expect those standards to be met.

(During “Move Up Day” I let two different students visit the hall, due to sheer lack of respect for others, myself included, until they could join the group appropriately.)

School started with a clean slate for all. Expectations were revealed, modeled, discussed, role played, and continue to be reviewed and practiced. We are in the second week of school and they aren’t there yet. At times I wonder if there will ever be a time that ‘one voice at a time’ is heard this year. At other times I catch them going seven, or twelve minutes, meeting the expectations – and we celebrate.

Today we sat on the carpet at the end of the day and I asked them what is and isn’t working for them.

I started with what isn’t working. (I wanted to end with the positive.) They only had three things; two behaviorally and one about the size of the carpet in our room.

I then asked them what is working. I was blown away with the list they came up with! I forget that there are things I do that aren’t done by other teachers. These things are part of the way my room has always run. These students have fresh eyes and things like “no line order”, “we get to choose where we sit”, and “lots of books” were shared. The what IS working list took up the entire side of the board.

We admired how much longer the what IS working list is than what is NOT working.

Then we set about looking for solutions for the three things on the shorter list.

This was a refreshing way to end the day, for all of us.

Ugh

Achey

Feverish

A bathroom nearby is a good thing

And my students start school tomorrow

Ugh

I am a very strong supporter of the “24 hour, fever free” before you are in the classroom - for students and teachers alike. It keeps our schools healthier overall. That being said, how do you have elementary students start without their homeroom teacher? I will go in to set the tone and get some routines established and then head back to bed.

Ugh

What Are You Reading?

“It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is a chance for book lovers to share their reading accomplishments as well as what is on the proverbial nightstand. She even does a giveaway. Subsequently Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Textsadded an opportunity for those reading kidlit to join the fun. Since I read both I will post to both. Check them out, join the conversations, and discover more great books.

Books marked with an '*' I would put in my classroom library.
Books marked with a ^'#' would be in an middle or high school library.

#  The Last Brother by Nathacha Appanah
A boy named Raj lives in a village with his family with an idyllic lifestyle until a life changing event. The move changes his lifestyle and serendipitously has him meet a new friend, David. David is Jewish refugee interned on this remote island, but Raj has no idea what is happening in the wider world for this to matter.

*  Not A Box by Antoinette Portis
Maker Movement inspiration!

# Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
I really enjoyed following Callie as her life went from living with a single parent mom to being in a household. This book is about loyalty and finding one’s true self.

 Somewhere, Home by Nada Awar Jarrar
Set in Lebanon following a few families, with life in the mountain village being primary.

 Odd Girl Speaks Out by Rachel Simmons
Girls sharing antidotes about their experiences as bully and bullied.

*  The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm
Hot off the press! An adventure of friendship and family with famous scientists acting as inspiration.

 Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
You have to be in a certain mood and have a particular sense of humor for this book as it is very quirky. If you like quirky this is a book for you. It starts with a vacuum cleaner turning a squirrel into a possible super hero.

 The Twistrose Key by Tone Almhiell
Another fantasy book with talking animals and magic throughout the adventure.