Resolve to Read

 As an educator, I recognize the importance of reading, not just for myself but for our children.  After all, studies have shown that reading builds both vocabulary and cognitive thinking skills. Also, children who are poor readers when they enter 3rd grade, are more likely to drop out of high school. (read more about that here)

Years ago, I made a resolution, not to make resolutions.  In 2014, I've decided to change that.  It's amazing how easy it is to sit down and share a book with a child, but how often we just can't find the extra few minutes to do it.

This year I ask everyone to take a few minutes to read to a child.

 For those of you who need other avenues to help promote literacy, check out Barbara Bush's Foundation for Family Literacy website.  You can also follow the Foundation's Twitter feed here.

Happy New Year!

The worst of all injustices is to fail to teach kids how to read.

— Barbara Bush Fndn (@BarbaraBushFdt) December 31, 2013

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
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Chai Lattees a Demon and a Crutch - My Friday Finds

So, I can't believe that summer is almost over.

Actually, no I can't believe the school year is almost here.  It's been over 100 degrees every day.  I pray that summer is almost over.

On Monday, I have to go to work and bring something that represents my summer.  Since I spent so much of the summer watching Hubbie heal from his ACL/Meniscus tear and the following surgery, I don't have anything really exciting to talk about. 

I think I'm bringing a crutch.

On a less whiny note, my Friday Finds this week have brought me great joy.  If you did not know, I bought a Kurig Coffee maker this summer.

I am not going to sit here and shout the wonderfulness that is the Kurig - OMG THIS IS THE BEST COFFEE POT EVER.

Sorry I shouted a little!

In case you have not experienced it, this is how the magical Coffee-Genie that is Kurig works.  Get ready for my brief and not very scientific explanation.

You put your KPack (that is what the coffee comes in) into the machine, your water and press a button. That is it people!   Sounds kind of normal doesn't it?

Then,  magic happens.  Steam comes from the pot, coffee is dispensed in a cup, and for a short time, I'm in coffee heaven.  (This all happens in one minute)  But again, I'm not raving about my Kurig, I'm raving about something new and exciting I found because of my Kurig.

OK, actually I raved about the Kurig.  

Thanks to the awesomness that is my Kurig - I found Chai Lattes.

*Sigh* My new love! *Sigh*

Seriously, how did I NOT know this yumminess existed?

Spicy goodness, enveloped into a warm tempting morsel of black tea.  My life is complete!  The first time I drank one I thought it might just be a fluke, the second one was equally as filled with awesome!  I have a new favorite drink in the morning.

If you have not tried Chai Lattes, then run to your local coffee shop and try it.  If you have, then you should have told me about it sooner.

One teeny warning.  Apparently black tea has TONS of caffeine in it.  So, yeah be prepared.  Drinking four or five a day can give you quite a jolt!  

My Friday Finds book suggestion this week is The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan.  While this book has been out for a while, I am just getting around to reading it.  It's the first in a trilogy and is totally awesome.


If you've read my blog then you know I'm working on a group of fun lesson plans that focus on YA author studies.  My goal is to create sets of fun projects that are technology based that will work with students who are reading in literary circles. 

Sarah's trilogy is one I can see fitting in nicely to a lit circle.  First, her website is filled with information about her life, her book signings and help the reader grasp who she is as a person.  When looking at an author study, it helps those reluctant YA readers want to read if they feel a closeness to the writer. (You can follow her on Twitter here)

These lessons are designed to be fun, so of course the reader needs something that is engaging to read.  I've not completed the series, but the books are so exciting, with the right blend of magic, humanity and action.  The characters are so richly developed that you feel the connection with them and Sarah's detailed descriptions of the setting really help the reader visualize the story as it happens.

If you've not checked out her trilogy do so.  Two of the books are in paperback, so they are not expensive.  All three of the books were easy to locate in my public library, so for kiddos who can't purchase their own books, there is an option for you.  I read the books on my Kindle.

I'm spending the afternoon with boy #3 and hubbie on a college visit.  Hopefully I can persuade them into a  Cheescake factory run for dinner tonight!

Enjoy your weekend, stay cool and drink Chai Latte.  

Doris


Check out my GoodReads reading log for 2011.

July Reads

Vacation is over and work begins next week!  I always love the start of a school year.  Great plans, great people and new goals make me feel so efficient.  If I could end the year with the energy that I have at the start of a year I'd be unstoppable!  (and quite possibly annoying)

This month gave me so much time to focus on writing and reading.  I've loved using the time to focus on some of my long-term writing projects, and to knock out some serious reading.

This past month afforded me tons of time to read.  I was worried I'd fall so far behind my reading goal of 100 books this year, but July gave me time to get a little ahead.  I also started the #bookaday reading; focusing on one children's book a day.  This has allowed me to broaden my reading horizons and given me some great ideas for lessons in the future.

This week I'll be speaking at UHCL to writing teachers.  I'm looking forward to spending time with them.  The National Writing Project and the Greater Houston Area Writing Project has been one of the most inspirational things I did as a writing teacher.   I adore working with them.
 

Following are the books I read for this month.

1. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass  (This was a reread, but it is one of those books I find very inspirational.)
2. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by: Sally Walker
3. Ladybug Girl at the Beach by Jacky Davis (great book for pre-readers)
4. French Colonial Louisiana And The Atlantic World by Bradly Bond (book for a research project I'm working on.  Very interesting if you are a history buff)
5. Real Revision: Authors' Strategies to Share With Student Writers by Kate Messner (awesome book for writing teachers)
6. Parcours De L'Ombre: Les Trois Indecideab by Sernin (More research, but reading in French is not easy!)
7. Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy by Jacky Davis
8. The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner
9. Focus: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning by Mike Schmoker (great book with new ideas on improving student achievement) 
10. Hydra's Secret by John Stancik
11. A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5) by George RR Martin
12. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen (great book with one of my newest favorite characters)
13. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zabin
14. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare 
15. All the World by Elizabeth G Scanlon
16. Bad Taste in Boys by Casandra Harris (READ THIS!  You will love it)
17. The Stinky Cheese Man 10th Anniversary by Jon Scieczka
18. The Emerald Atlas (The Books of Beginning #1) by John Stephens
19. Wolfsbane by Andrea Creamer
20. The Masterwork of a Painting Elephant by Michelle Cuevas
21. On What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery, #1) by Cleo Coyle 
22. Journal of a Schoolyard Bully: Notes on Noogies, Wet Willies, and Wedgies by Farley Katz

Since I was traveling on Friday, I did not post my Friday Finds.  I'll go back to my normal schedule this week, so you can look forward to Wordless Wednesday and my Friday Finds this week. 

Have a great week!

Doris

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

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