June Reading List

The month of June gave me time to catch up on my reading.  My goal is still to read 100 books in 2011.  I've read 53 of 100 books so far.

I took a notable stroll down Laurie Halse Anderson Lane in my reading this month.  I picked up Chains, and found that I could not get enough of her writing.  If you've only read Fever1793 (which I revisited and LOVED) then you need to read more of her.  She is my suggested author this month!


The most recent book review made to me is 13 Reason Why by Jay Asher.   I've read this book before and LOVE it!  I suggest this book to anyone who likes reading a brilliantly written piece with alternate narrators.

 

The books I read this month follow.  If you decide to do a Laurie Halse Anderson study, read her books in order and look at her evolution as a writer.

Fever1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Forge (Seeds of America, #2) by Laurie Halse Anderson

Houses: a novel by Cynthia Rogers Park

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

If You Were Here: A Novel by Jen Lancaster

Selling Hope by Kristin O'Donnell Tub

Search for the Shadowman  by Joan Lowery Nixon

Healer by Carol Cassella

If you want to keep up with what I'm reading check out my page on Goodreads.
my read shelf:


Enjoy your summer reading!

April Readings and Avon Walk Updates

This month I was super busy with work, but still managed to knock out several books towards my goal of 100 books in 2011.

First, my Avon Breast Cancer Training Walks have been going really well.  I'm walking 15 miles a week, and taking Sundays off to rest.  I am also actively fundraising using my website. 

While the training blog is not active, I'll start updating there as soon as Avon opens up that blog.  This is my third year of training and walking.  I know this is a difficult journey, but I choose to help fight breast cancer for my friends and family that have been affected.  If you'd like to donate please go to the Avon website here.  

Reading this month has been a challenge.  Work keeps me busy, but June should be the month I catch up on my reading.  Below are the books I've read.  If you order a book from this blog, the proceeds will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer In it to End It campaign.

3 of 5 stars


4 of 5 stars



4 of 5 stars

3 of 5 stars

5 of 5 stars

4 of 5 stars

4 of 5 stars


Professional Reading of the Month
4 of 5 stars

I've read 38 of the 100 books I'm aiming for this year. 

Breaking Night - Avon Walk updates

Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard

I am currently reading Breaking Night.  It's another ALA - Alex Award Winner for this year!  I'm not more then half-way through this list and LOVING IT!  My fave of the Alex books has been Room: A Novel with The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To (Vintage Contemporaries) as a close second. (I've provided links to Amazon in case you want to check the books out yourself)

I'll blog about all of the books I've read at the end of the month.  This month has been an incredible reading month!

I'm also celebrating the FIRST donation to my 2012 Avon Walk.  Anything you can donate really helps and it goes to a good cause.  I've been training, and today Carly started with her first training walk of 2 miles.  (She LOVED it and was ready for more!)

For my teacher friends, or for those who value education.  Here is an interesting article from Education Today.  Check it out!

The weather is beautiful here in Texas.  Here is hoping for some rain!

D

National Writing Project

     Most of you know that writing is one of my favorite things.  As a teacher I am well aware that students who are taught to write about their learning are more likely to recall their lessons and become better problem solvers. (Nagin, 2003)  Not to mention that writing is a wonderful creative outlet for millions of people.

    Keeping this in mind, I was shocked that the National Writing Project lost funding.  After all, if we want our students to become problem solvers, to write in a variety of formats and to create complex thoughts we need to train those people who teach them.

  The National Writing Project was a great influence on how I teach writing.  Many writing teachers try to teach a format, but the writing project teaches the thinking process.  National Writing Project is a true gem in the world of teacher training and education.  It's a shame for our children's sake that we're loosing the funding to keep this program alive for our children.

If you love to write, if you love children and value their education, please take the time to write your respresentatives and ask them to fund this project.

Check out this article in The Washington Post on why The National Writing Project should be saved.








References:

Nagin, C.  (2003). Because Writing Matters: Improving Student Writing in our Schools.             Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons