Reading Out of Your Comfort Zone

Get Out of that Comfort Zone

Today, when I left for work, I did something totally radical.  I took a different route.

My new route is largely due to being at a different school, but hey I changed what I normally did.  The drive this morning was AMAZING!  I mean, like Hallmark Card quality driving.

First, there were deer.  As in Bambi and his mom, adorable deer.

The drive includes fountains, small hills and beautiful houses.  I was worried about this new route taking me longer then the old drive, now I wish it would have taken me longer. My moving from my regular routine I found something truly beautiful, even amazing that I never would have known existed without being forced from my comfort zone.

     Recently, a friend of mine tweeted about a book that she'd read.  I admit, I'm a YA reader, so other then the occasional adult novel, I never take the time to read picture books.   Like my drive this morning, I was forced out of my comfort zone.

I forgot how much I loved the high quality picture books that are available.     The stories are rich in meaning and have so many applications to the real world.  As a teacher, many of the high quality picture books can help students grasp concepts without taking the time involved in reading longer pieces of work.

I encourage you to consider reading out of your comfort zone.  Pick up that book that you'd normally skip over and give it a try.  You might be surprised how that one change in your daily routine can open your eyes to something beautiful.

Enjoy your week.  For my friends and family in education, welcome to another year!!


Doris
Support my Walk to end Alzheimers

Sunday Salon - Bad Taste in Boys and other books this week, Writing Time, San Antonio

Bad Taste in Boys

This has been a great reading week.  Putting aside several hours a day have allowed me the opportunity read several new and exciting books.

Bad Taste in Boys and other Books of the Week

The first book that I HAVE to recommend for its fun factor is Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris.  First, check out her blog, it rocks! Think of teen drama, meets steroids and add in a healthy dose of zombies and you've got the magic potion that makes this the funniest LOL book I've read in a long time.

After reading the book, I had to check our Carrie Harris' blog.  Totally fun!  If you have middle grade girls who are reluctant readers, pass this book onto them.  Show them her website as well.  (They'll love Carrie for her cool-factor)  The book is also the first in a series, which means you can keep kids reading long after these zombie attacks end.

I've truly enjoyed the reading this week.  Other reads this week include ...

The Emerald Atlas (Books of Beginning)
The Stinky Cheese Man 10th Anniversary (Viking Kestrel picture books)
 All the World

Writing Time

Without the pressure of the school year, I've been able to focus on my personal writing time.  Next week I'll continue spending time writing, while also working on long-term lessons for my teachers.  I'll be at University of Houston Clear Lake where I'll be speaking to graduate level writing teachers, and a few new ones. 

The one thing I don't think writing teachers focus enough time on is their own writing.  If I understand the process from a first hand point-of-view then I'm better able  to deal with the frustrations of children who hit the writing-wall.

San Antonio

This time next week I'll be in San Antonio.    We're going to hang out as a family, spend time with friends and generally just enjoy ourselves.  I'm sure I'll blog with pictures from there, so check back for pictures of our fun time in San Antonio.

I look forward to the time I'll spend with the family!  I hope you have plans for a great week!




Doris

Wordless Wednesday - Why your students should do it!

Never Ending Meal Preparation

Spending time on the lake

 

Physical Therapy

         

Never Ending Cooking means Never Ending Cleaning

(ok it's not that bad)

Writing

From a writing teacher's standpoint, using Wordless Wednesday, helps kids think about words in visuals.  That is such an important concept for students.  So many reluctant writers don't understand that their words are really just pictures in a symbolic form.  If they understand that they can put their words in images, then it becomes easier for them to do the same thing in reverse.

Have a wonderful week!

Doris

Writing Marathon, #BookADay, Rain

Rain - It rained in Galveston County today!  For some people, rain is no big deal, but with this epic drought we've experienced even the kids are thrilled when it is raining.  Today's rain day, also fell on my anual writing marathon day.

I love days like today.  The rain started early this morning and allowed me a day filled with writing.  To help improve the quality of my personal writing, I find that using outside influences like weather help me build on the mood.

For example, today my writing time was filled with describing sounds of water hitting pavement, or waves splashing in Galveston Bay.    As a writing instructor, I found that allowing the students to experience an event while they are writing really helps their descriptive abilities.  Here are a few ideas I've used with good results.

• Listen to recordings of thunder or clapping
• Watch videos of ocean waves or of babies crying
• Show multiple images of rainbows or sunsets
• Dogs barking or cats meowing brings a good result when looking for animal characters
• Sound of aluminum foil crackling in their hands
• Smell a piece of sour candy

I would play recordings over and over again, having students write down reactions or details of the sounds.  Using the images I would have students label details and make sure they included many of those details in their writing.  These small details really help pull the imagery out of a reluctant writer and of course once they've encountered success, they'll continue without the added stimulus.

My writing today took on new depths.  Loving the break in the summer heat and drought, I took every opportunity to write outside as I spent the day writing.

#BookADay  

I've talked about my desire to read 100 books this year. (I'm at 65 books right now!)  Since most of my books are young adult books I decided to add in a few picture books as well as a couple of adult novels.  I decided to take part in the Twitter #BookADay challenge. (Not sure if this is a real challenge or more like a reminder we should be reading)   Essentially, after reading a book, you tweet about it using the hashtag above.  It's a great way to make sure you are reading some of the wonderful literature available.  Follow this link to see what others are reading for their #BookADay.

You can follow me on Twitter here.

Rain Rain Come to Stay - Come again some other day!

Hope you enjoy my rainy day!!

Doris