Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child
I think my opinion may be a case of too much hype before reading. Definitely a worthwhile read and some great ideas, but the book did not have the WOW! factor I was looking for! I guess I was expecting a "magic bullet", a this-will-get-every-single-student-reading solution. But, like many things in life, there is never a one-size-fits-all answer.
This is a great read for education students, but for a seasoned veteran, there isn't really any new information.
This is a great read for education students, but for a seasoned veteran, there isn't really any new information.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Witch and Wizard
Ugh... lazy imagination. This book is filled with Patterson's trite way to reference modern everything by "cleverly" swapping letters or changing a name slightly to create a new persona. Freida Halo... ugh. So lame.
I read this book, under duress, because a student asked me. I cannot see myself continuing the series, unless the same student asks me.
I read this book, under duress, because a student asked me. I cannot see myself continuing the series, unless the same student asks me.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Westing Game
For being a Newberry Award winning book, I was surprised by how bored I was by Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game.
I thought the plot was extremely convoluted, that there were too many characters to keep track of, and that ultimately, the game created by Westing was pointless. I suppose this may be one of those children's books that is better left to children. It's unfortunate that I didn't enjoy it more as I was considering including this novel in my Mystery unit.
I thought the plot was extremely convoluted, that there were too many characters to keep track of, and that ultimately, the game created by Westing was pointless. I suppose this may be one of those children's books that is better left to children. It's unfortunate that I didn't enjoy it more as I was considering including this novel in my Mystery unit.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
Ugh... I am neither a Tiger Mother or a Pushover. Granted, my daughter is only 4. Should I be concerned that she is not fluent in a second language, that she isn't reading and despite a year of ballet is not on deck to be a prima ballerina? Of course not. There is time for all of that.
I have taught middle school for 15 years. I see the impact of both types of parents. As a result I have 8th graders on the verge of nervous breakdowns, ulcers or both because their parents demand nothing short of perfection. On the flip side I also see parents let everything slide because "he/she's just a child after all".
There is a happy medium to be found. A life where children are taught that hard work and determination pay off, but there should also be time for play and celebration.
I have taught middle school for 15 years. I see the impact of both types of parents. As a result I have 8th graders on the verge of nervous breakdowns, ulcers or both because their parents demand nothing short of perfection. On the flip side I also see parents let everything slide because "he/she's just a child after all".
There is a happy medium to be found. A life where children are taught that hard work and determination pay off, but there should also be time for play and celebration.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Trans-Sister Radio
A few years ago (maybe more, I'm old) there was a documentary on Discovery about a transgendered doctor in Colorado who performed gender reassignment surgery. As I read Chris Bohjalian's Trans-Sister Radio, I kept reflecting on the documentary.
Chris's story was well-written and extremely thought provoking. I empathized greatly with the character Allison Banks as I am a teacher. The thought that my classroom performance could be called into question because of my personal choices or morality infuriates me, especially considering that although Trans-Sister Radio is fiction, situations in which a teacher's personal life has been called into question are not.
Bohjalian's story teaches an important lesson: love transcends many things, even gender.
Chris's story was well-written and extremely thought provoking. I empathized greatly with the character Allison Banks as I am a teacher. The thought that my classroom performance could be called into question because of my personal choices or morality infuriates me, especially considering that although Trans-Sister Radio is fiction, situations in which a teacher's personal life has been called into question are not.
Bohjalian's story teaches an important lesson: love transcends many things, even gender.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
January 2011
New Year. New Title. New Goals.
2010 was a year plagued with illness! My father had surgery not once, but twice. After weeks of recovery, dear old dad seems to be back to normal, but his health was truly touch and go for awhile.
For me, I managed to deal with a stress fracture in my right foot, a broken left elbow and an emergency appendectomy all within a matter of months. Thankfully, I am also on the mend.
Last year, my goal was to read 100 books. At year's end I read a total of 125! So, I'm not going to limit myself to 100 books. Instead, I'll just read. Kristin Reads is an appropriate title.
My goal is officially 111 books, but who knows how many I'll read this year!
2010 was a year plagued with illness! My father had surgery not once, but twice. After weeks of recovery, dear old dad seems to be back to normal, but his health was truly touch and go for awhile.
For me, I managed to deal with a stress fracture in my right foot, a broken left elbow and an emergency appendectomy all within a matter of months. Thankfully, I am also on the mend.
Last year, my goal was to read 100 books. At year's end I read a total of 125! So, I'm not going to limit myself to 100 books. Instead, I'll just read. Kristin Reads is an appropriate title.
My goal is officially 111 books, but who knows how many I'll read this year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
