Wow! This school year is going really well. I feel I am a part of a wonderful team that is really making a difference for students. It is fun and rewarding.
Although I haven't been reading many books since school officially began, I have been reading the New York Times (at least the popular articles) everyday. This was an interesting article about working efficiently:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/business/measure-results-not-hours-to-improve-work-efficiency.html?src=me&ref=general
We're in our second week of October, and we have had only one staff meeting that was quick, productive and positive. In addition to reducing the number of meetings, I think I need blocks of time with no interruptions. Days when I can take even 15 minutes in the lunchroom also give me a positive lift for the afternoon. Even though I don't always do it, making a prioritized list helps me work more productively. Finally, taking a short break every couple of hours helps when I am working on weekly lesson plans.
People "out here" at our rural school all work hard. I never feel the need to "pretend" I am working. Actually, I feel better when I'm not here too late after school because I seem to get so little accomplished.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
NEW AWESOME BOOK ALERT!
I am reading The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer. I think this is the book I have been waiting for to help me understand part of the reason my work life has been less joyful the past three years. In particular, last year was really tough, and I think the ideas presented in this book have helped me understand the reasons for that change. Hopefully, I can use the authors' ideas to set goals for myself this year.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Summer Reading Continued
For the last three weeks, Josephine and Jacques have been visiting from France. Phil and I are teaching summer school, enjoying beautiful lovely long dinners, watching a variety of movies, and attending get togethers such as graduation and birthday parties, a fish fry, and cookouts. All the while, I have also been enjoying a lot of books. In fact, I'm just forming my second reading list for the summer. This time I have titles from the featured section of the Apple Book Store, recommendations from friends and family, and I have a few possible titles from a new site I'm trying called Good Reads. Finally, by clicking on MY favorite books in my blogger profile, I can see who has also enjoyed a favorite book of mine and then check out their other favorites.
Non-fiction
Mao Zedung by Jonathan Spence - I read this book because after rereading Wild Swans, I was ready to read a bio of Mao. This one (although not great) seemed less bias than Chang's bio that she wrote after Wild Swans.
Mommies Who Drink by Brett Paesel - Okay, I liked this book for two reasons; first the title is hilarious and secondly, the author and her friends meet at a bar every Friday to discuss life and share laughter. However, I can't really recommend it because Paesel and her friends are a little too stereotypically Californian for me.
America, but Better by Chris Cannon and Brian Calvert - This was hilarious! The book is the "Manifesto of the Canada Party." I thought the authors were spot on in their satire explaining why we should vote for Canada to take over the U.S.
American Gypsy by Oksana Marafioti - I enjoyed this book particularly because we were just discussing the Romani people who live near and in Toulouse, France. My only wish was that the author added more information from the time she moved to Las Vegas to the present.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood - I liked this book. The Kennedy connection is very small, but I think valid. I like how rich and detailed her memories of the time are written.
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - This was a very funny book. I was not able to understand some of her British references and metaphors, but this lessened as the book continued. Actually, I was a little put off by some of her first recollections, but I'm glad I stuck with it through the end.
Fiction
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks - This was a truly wonderful story that was both surprising because it was unpredictable, but also seemed so realistic that it was difficult to determine what was true and what was fiction. I highly recommend this book.
Non-fiction
Mao Zedung by Jonathan Spence - I read this book because after rereading Wild Swans, I was ready to read a bio of Mao. This one (although not great) seemed less bias than Chang's bio that she wrote after Wild Swans.
Mommies Who Drink by Brett Paesel - Okay, I liked this book for two reasons; first the title is hilarious and secondly, the author and her friends meet at a bar every Friday to discuss life and share laughter. However, I can't really recommend it because Paesel and her friends are a little too stereotypically Californian for me.
America, but Better by Chris Cannon and Brian Calvert - This was hilarious! The book is the "Manifesto of the Canada Party." I thought the authors were spot on in their satire explaining why we should vote for Canada to take over the U.S.
American Gypsy by Oksana Marafioti - I enjoyed this book particularly because we were just discussing the Romani people who live near and in Toulouse, France. My only wish was that the author added more information from the time she moved to Las Vegas to the present.
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood - I liked this book. The Kennedy connection is very small, but I think valid. I like how rich and detailed her memories of the time are written.
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran - This was a very funny book. I was not able to understand some of her British references and metaphors, but this lessened as the book continued. Actually, I was a little put off by some of her first recollections, but I'm glad I stuck with it through the end.
Fiction
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks - This was a truly wonderful story that was both surprising because it was unpredictable, but also seemed so realistic that it was difficult to determine what was true and what was fiction. I highly recommend this book.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Summer Reading Started
Non-fiction
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer (AWESOME BOOK - There is so much about creativity in this book!)
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen (Very good for old people like me)
The Evolution of God by Robert Wright (Interesting, if a little long-winded)
Marshall: Lessons in Leadership by H. Paul Jeffers with Alan Axelrod (Simple and fast reading)
Bradley by Alan Axelrod (Fast reading and too simple)
Betcha Didn't Know by Brian Liles (I wish I had thought of this! Very addicting.)
The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal (Could have been better - Some good info that I already knew- I highlighted info I could use if I teach the history of English again or etymology)
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abby by 8th Countess of Carnarvon (At first, I was disappointed, but when World War I and the opening of King Tut's tomb are described, it gets very interesting)
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (Very good - some really useful and interesting stuff)
The Daily Five by The Sisters (There is some interesting things in this book. I will implement this program in my classroom this year as per our school district directive)
The Daily Cafe by The Sisters (I like this book better than The Daily Five because I have taught guided reading on a somewhat individual basis, worked with students on strategy goals, and I have kept similar {although simpler} records of students' current reading status)
Hitlerland by Andrew Nagorski (At first, you think why would anyone be interested in another book about Hitler. However, this book is fascinating because it shows how people can underestimate the power of a demagogue and how many Americans and Germans thought Hitler would never amount to much)
Fiction
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (Didn't realize at first that this was the same author who did Pride and Prejudice with Zombies!)
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (VERY GOOD BOOK - I tried reading her first book about Thomas Cromwell's early life, Wolf Hall, but I didn't really enjoy it. Now that I have enjoyed the better written book first, I will go back and try Wolf Hall again)
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (After finishing Bring Up the Bodies, this book was much better. I hope the author is planning to write a third book about Thomas Cromwell)
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer (AWESOME BOOK - There is so much about creativity in this book!)
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen (Very good for old people like me)
The Evolution of God by Robert Wright (Interesting, if a little long-winded)
Marshall: Lessons in Leadership by H. Paul Jeffers with Alan Axelrod (Simple and fast reading)
Bradley by Alan Axelrod (Fast reading and too simple)
Betcha Didn't Know by Brian Liles (I wish I had thought of this! Very addicting.)
The Story of English in 100 Words by David Crystal (Could have been better - Some good info that I already knew- I highlighted info I could use if I teach the history of English again or etymology)
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abby by 8th Countess of Carnarvon (At first, I was disappointed, but when World War I and the opening of King Tut's tomb are described, it gets very interesting)
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (Very good - some really useful and interesting stuff)
The Daily Five by The Sisters (There is some interesting things in this book. I will implement this program in my classroom this year as per our school district directive)
The Daily Cafe by The Sisters (I like this book better than The Daily Five because I have taught guided reading on a somewhat individual basis, worked with students on strategy goals, and I have kept similar {although simpler} records of students' current reading status)
Hitlerland by Andrew Nagorski (At first, you think why would anyone be interested in another book about Hitler. However, this book is fascinating because it shows how people can underestimate the power of a demagogue and how many Americans and Germans thought Hitler would never amount to much)
Fiction
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (Didn't realize at first that this was the same author who did Pride and Prejudice with Zombies!)
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel (VERY GOOD BOOK - I tried reading her first book about Thomas Cromwell's early life, Wolf Hall, but I didn't really enjoy it. Now that I have enjoyed the better written book first, I will go back and try Wolf Hall again)
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (After finishing Bring Up the Bodies, this book was much better. I hope the author is planning to write a third book about Thomas Cromwell)
2011-2012 School Year
This year I learned how to maintain a positive attitude with my students even during the toughest times. In addition, I am getting better and better at not bringing work home every night. By coming in on Sundays and arriving at school very early (between 5:30 and 6:30 am) on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, I finally gained a life outside of school. It has only taken me about 25 years to do it!
This past year I only spent about 2,500 dollars of my own money, and next year I am going to spend even less! In addition, I plan to work at Cascade Mountain during the ski season to make a little bit of extra money.
My biggest "Ah ha" moment this year was realizing I have the skills to make things work even when I don't have access to computers, or a reasonable schedule or much choice about curriculum. Volunteers also helped out again this year, and I found some new ways to help students overcome problems. As a result, I think I am better able to "go with the flow" and enjoy some of the things I like about teaching.
My husband, Phil, really kept me going this year with a lot of positive comments and reminders about past years (I really love that guy!) and the end-of-the-year student evaluations helped me feel the "extra" things I do for students are still appreciated.
This past year I only spent about 2,500 dollars of my own money, and next year I am going to spend even less! In addition, I plan to work at Cascade Mountain during the ski season to make a little bit of extra money.
My biggest "Ah ha" moment this year was realizing I have the skills to make things work even when I don't have access to computers, or a reasonable schedule or much choice about curriculum. Volunteers also helped out again this year, and I found some new ways to help students overcome problems. As a result, I think I am better able to "go with the flow" and enjoy some of the things I like about teaching.
My husband, Phil, really kept me going this year with a lot of positive comments and reminders about past years (I really love that guy!) and the end-of-the-year student evaluations helped me feel the "extra" things I do for students are still appreciated.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Bad Teacher
Am I going to end up being rated a "bad teacher"? Checklists and mandatory requirements for each classroom could overlook a lot. Here is an article that signals a trend that is happening to more and more teachers: Confessions of a Bad Teacher
I have personally seen and heard about situations very similar to what this teacher writes about.
I have personally seen and heard about situations very similar to what this teacher writes about.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Math Goals Updated
Goal: Within each week's math lessons, I would like to differentiate instruction into at least three levels.
Activities
1. Use class website to differentiate instructional assessment materials based on MAP scores.
-I posted vocabulary related to each RIT score on Quizlet. During access time students practiced learning the vocabulary for their RIT score on Quizlet and took a graded computerized test.
-I linked two different websites to my teacherweb.com site. Each contained games and lessons related to different RIT scores and target areas.
-Name tags were made for each student with a target area and a strength area so students knew what section of the sites they should go to.
2. Utilize Part 3 of Everyday Math Lessons.
-I listed Part 3 activities in my lesson plans.
-I used MAP cards and activities as my Part 3 Activities in my lesson plans and access lessons.
-I created a word bank and quizzes for each unit on Quizlet.
-Examples of Part 3 Activities:
Unit 1-Using Relation Symbols to Compare Numbers/Searching for Symbols/Solving a Polygon Puzzle/Comparing and Contrasting Quadrangles/Identifying Properties of Kites and Rhombuses/Creating Circle Designs
Unit 2 - Sharing Country Information/Solving Pan-Balance Problems/Sorting Domino Sums/Number Grid Problems/Using a Place-Value Tool/Recording Data With Tally Marks/Playing Subtraction Top-It/Comparing Family-Size Data/Constructing a "Real Graph"
Unit 3- Identifying Polygon Properties/Playing Name That Number/Playing Multiplication Baseball/Playing Multitiplication Top-It/Exploring Skip-Count Patterns on the Hundreds Grid/Finding Mean/Comparing the Mean and Median/Creating a Poster/Measuring to the Nearest 1/2 Inch/Playing High Number Toss/Writing Number Models With Parenthesis/Using Fact Triangles
Unit 4- Using Money to Explore Decimals/Exploring the One/Solving a Decimal Magic Square/Solving Hiking Problems/Exploring the Relationship Between Metric Units/A Measurement Scavenger Hunt/
Unit 5- Playing Multiplication Top-It/Solving Multiplication/Division Puzzles/Multiplication Wrestling/Exploring Patterns in Extended Facts/Modling Multiplication With Base-10 Blocks/Exploring Big Numbers in How Much Is a Million?/Playing Number Top-It/Playing High Number Toss
Unit 6- Playing Division Arrays/Finding Multiples of 10 and 100/Playing Beat the Calculator/Playing Angle Tangle/Modeling Angles/Playing Division Dash/Performing a "Magic Trick"
Unit 7- Naming Fractional Parts of a Region/Playing Grab Bag/Exploring Tangrams/Exploring Fractions that Sum to One/Finding Equivalent Fractions/Modeling Equivalent Fractions/Creating Base-10 Block Designs/Finding the ONE/Dividing Circles into Fractional Parts
Unit 8- Making a Scale Drawing of Your Bedroom/Exploring Different Polygons with the Same Area/Counting Squares to Find Area/Finding Areas of Rectangles/Exploring the Relationship between the Perimeter and Area of a Rectangle/Solving Area and Perimeter Problems
Unit 9- Finding 50% of a Square/Exploring Percent Patterns/Solving Discount Number Stories/Solving "Percent-of" Problems/Graphing Survey Results/Solving Number Stories/Solving Division Number Stories Involving Money/Writing and Solving Division Number Stories with Decimals
Unit 10- Exploring Reflections/Creating a Paint Reflection/Solving Paper-Folding Puzzles/Creating Reflections with Pattern Blocks or Centimeter Cubes/Exploring Line Symmetry/Exploring Tessellations/Creating Freize Patterns/Playing Credits/Debits Game/Using a Number Line to Add Positive and Negative Numbers
Unit 11- Ordering Weights
Unit 12- Solving Rate Problems...
3. Provide additional after school enrichment and in class small group remediation.
-Students in Algebra Club worked on Skill Link Books, Pre-Algebra and/or Algebra Packets after school on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 3:05-3:50.
-Individuals and small groups worked on Skill Link Book Pages as homework assignments and/or work during choir and math class.
- After every test, students met in small groups for remediation of each skill tested.
Assessment
1. MAP Data - See separate pages.
2. Computer quiz results - Students kept taking the Quizlet tests until they earned at least an "A" for Units 1-9
3. Unit Tests - Each student's Unit Test was graded by skill section. Students reviewed and retested sections that were missed.
4. Reflections (after each unit) - I did reflect in my lesson plans after each unit and many of my weekly reflections are related to math instruction.
5. Student self-assessments - Initially, I used the Self-Assessment Checklist for each unit. However, it was more productive to use a practice test so that I could immediately teach students a skill they did not understand.
Activities
1. Use class website to differentiate instructional assessment materials based on MAP scores.
-I posted vocabulary related to each RIT score on Quizlet. During access time students practiced learning the vocabulary for their RIT score on Quizlet and took a graded computerized test.
-I linked two different websites to my teacherweb.com site. Each contained games and lessons related to different RIT scores and target areas.
-Name tags were made for each student with a target area and a strength area so students knew what section of the sites they should go to.
2. Utilize Part 3 of Everyday Math Lessons.
-I listed Part 3 activities in my lesson plans.
-I used MAP cards and activities as my Part 3 Activities in my lesson plans and access lessons.
-I created a word bank and quizzes for each unit on Quizlet.
-Examples of Part 3 Activities:
Unit 1-Using Relation Symbols to Compare Numbers/Searching for Symbols/Solving a Polygon Puzzle/Comparing and Contrasting Quadrangles/Identifying Properties of Kites and Rhombuses/Creating Circle Designs
Unit 2 - Sharing Country Information/Solving Pan-Balance Problems/Sorting Domino Sums/Number Grid Problems/Using a Place-Value Tool/Recording Data With Tally Marks/Playing Subtraction Top-It/Comparing Family-Size Data/Constructing a "Real Graph"
Unit 3- Identifying Polygon Properties/Playing Name That Number/Playing Multiplication Baseball/Playing Multitiplication Top-It/Exploring Skip-Count Patterns on the Hundreds Grid/Finding Mean/Comparing the Mean and Median/Creating a Poster/Measuring to the Nearest 1/2 Inch/Playing High Number Toss/Writing Number Models With Parenthesis/Using Fact Triangles
Unit 4- Using Money to Explore Decimals/Exploring the One/Solving a Decimal Magic Square/Solving Hiking Problems/Exploring the Relationship Between Metric Units/A Measurement Scavenger Hunt/
Unit 5- Playing Multiplication Top-It/Solving Multiplication/Division Puzzles/Multiplication Wrestling/Exploring Patterns in Extended Facts/Modling Multiplication With Base-10 Blocks/Exploring Big Numbers in How Much Is a Million?/Playing Number Top-It/Playing High Number Toss
Unit 6- Playing Division Arrays/Finding Multiples of 10 and 100/Playing Beat the Calculator/Playing Angle Tangle/Modeling Angles/Playing Division Dash/Performing a "Magic Trick"
Unit 7- Naming Fractional Parts of a Region/Playing Grab Bag/Exploring Tangrams/Exploring Fractions that Sum to One/Finding Equivalent Fractions/Modeling Equivalent Fractions/Creating Base-10 Block Designs/Finding the ONE/Dividing Circles into Fractional Parts
Unit 8- Making a Scale Drawing of Your Bedroom/Exploring Different Polygons with the Same Area/Counting Squares to Find Area/Finding Areas of Rectangles/Exploring the Relationship between the Perimeter and Area of a Rectangle/Solving Area and Perimeter Problems
Unit 9- Finding 50% of a Square/Exploring Percent Patterns/Solving Discount Number Stories/Solving "Percent-of" Problems/Graphing Survey Results/Solving Number Stories/Solving Division Number Stories Involving Money/Writing and Solving Division Number Stories with Decimals
Unit 10- Exploring Reflections/Creating a Paint Reflection/Solving Paper-Folding Puzzles/Creating Reflections with Pattern Blocks or Centimeter Cubes/Exploring Line Symmetry/Exploring Tessellations/Creating Freize Patterns/Playing Credits/Debits Game/Using a Number Line to Add Positive and Negative Numbers
Unit 11- Ordering Weights
Unit 12- Solving Rate Problems...
3. Provide additional after school enrichment and in class small group remediation.
-Students in Algebra Club worked on Skill Link Books, Pre-Algebra and/or Algebra Packets after school on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 3:05-3:50.
-Individuals and small groups worked on Skill Link Book Pages as homework assignments and/or work during choir and math class.
- After every test, students met in small groups for remediation of each skill tested.
Assessment
1. MAP Data - See separate pages.
2. Computer quiz results - Students kept taking the Quizlet tests until they earned at least an "A" for Units 1-9
3. Unit Tests - Each student's Unit Test was graded by skill section. Students reviewed and retested sections that were missed.
4. Reflections (after each unit) - I did reflect in my lesson plans after each unit and many of my weekly reflections are related to math instruction.
5. Student self-assessments - Initially, I used the Self-Assessment Checklist for each unit. However, it was more productive to use a practice test so that I could immediately teach students a skill they did not understand.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Recent Reading
Lately, I have been doing a lot more reading than writing! My iPad is always in my purse so it's like I'm carrying around a bunch of books, the latest New York Times and all my email wherever I go! During the last few months, I have read a number of interesting books (and a few duds). Here's a description of most of them:
Non-Fiction
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexander Fuller- At first, I did not "like" the author's mother as she was described in this book. However, after a while, you begin to see the daughter's point of view and the humor of the family's travails in Africa.
Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller - By the time I finished the second book, I was completely won over by the author and her family. I wish there was more!
Eiffel Tower by Jill Jonnes - This book was recommended to my daughter Sasha by her English teacher. I really liked it, too. It covers the history of France while the Eiffel Tower was being built and continues the history of France and Americans in France written by David McCullough in The Greater Journey. In addition, the author writes a lot about Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill. There is a great PBS American Experience episode about Annie Oakley, and I enjoyed reading more.
The Colonel and Little Missie by Larry McMurtry - Okay, I wanted to read a full history of Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill. However, this book was not very well-written, and I would only recommend it to someone who was as interested as I was in learning more.
The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn Beer with Susan Dworkin - Finding this little gem never would have happened if I had not been able to download a free sample first. After I read the first couple of chapters, I just wanted to read more. Edith tells her story of being a young Jewish woman in Vienna and Germany during the 1930's and '40's. She does end up marrying a German man who becomes a Nazi officer during the war. She keeps her idenity hidden and survives.
The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen - I do not think people in the United States understand the control and power that Putin wields in Russia. While I was not interested in the author's personal experiences and feelings, I was very interested in Putin's almost dictatorlike status. I tried to find out more by reading reviews of the book on Amazon and on Wikipedia but both places are so filled with biased writing and arguments that it just confirmed how the Russian propaganda machine works.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - While I still think Seabiscuit is one of the best books I have ever read, this was a very interesting story, too, about a track star who becomes a WWII prisoner. For me, it was a little long, but I could recommend a condensed version.
Class Matters by Correspondents of The New York Times - It was an okay book. I did not learn much that was new to me, however. Yes, class does matter and few people successfully change their class. The rich are getting richer, yada, yada, yada.
The Real Romney by Michael Kranish and Scott Helman - This is a biography of Mitt Romney. I suppose if you were a big supporter you would find this book biased against him, but I'm not, so it was interesting to me.
100 Yards of Glory by Joe Garner and Bob Costas - Why did I read this book? Why do I care even one iota about professional football? Is it the Packer game parties during the regular season and playoffs? Do I just like the voice narration of NFL Films? Is it the 1960's Packers with Lombardi and the Ice Bowl? Is a history of anything and everything interesting to me? I really cannot defend my interest. While the writing is subpar, I did like the video clips (for whatever reason) that were included in the iPad version of the book.
A Bad Idea I'm About to Do by Chris Gethard - Every once in a while, I look for a book listed under the category of "humor". This was one of those books. There are some funny sections that I could relate to because I, too, was once a stupid, risktaking teenager. However, as an adult with a husband and kids, I could not relate to his stories once he finished high school.
You're Not Doing It Right by Michael Ian Black - Okay, this was another humor book I chose based on reading a free sample, and the fact that Phil is always telling me I am not driving, loading the dishwasher, vacationing, and starting a fire the "RIGHT" way. After finishing the full book, I would recommend downloading the free sample and sticking with that.
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing To Our Brains by Nicholas Carr - The author's premise is that we just skip around and can't write or finish a long book or detailed article because of the Internet. Enough said.
Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon - This was so heartbreaking to read. The book was nominated for the National Book Award because it is so well-researched that no one could deny how millions of African-Americans were denied freedom AFTER the Civil War and for many, many years after Reconstruction.
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker - The author proves his thesis, but I am not at all convinced he needed a whole book to do it.
While America Sleeps by Russ Feingold - It was kind of boring. I gained more insight into Russ's perspective as a Wisconsinite who came from a political family than I did about the lead up to the Iraq War.
The Afghan Wars: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley - It was like an expanded Wikipedia article. Everything you wanted to know in 89 pages.
King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman - I liked this autobiography of a single woman in her fifties who is working at Ghana's Embassy in Washington, D.C. when she hears that she has been chosen as the next king of a small area of Ghana with approximately 7,000 people. Her journey, decisions, experiences and life as king was something both exotic and mundane, fantastic and believable.
Fiction
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James - This is a continuation of Pride and Prejudice. Darcy, Elizabeth, and many of the original characters try to solve the mystery of Wickham's death. Unfortunately, while P.D. James might be a good mystery writer, she is no Jane Austen.
Swamplandia! by Karen Russell - I loved the originality of the setup for this story. The characters and the theme park are almost too strange to be fiction! For me, the last few chapters were a little too "literary" and symbolic. I like good storytelling more than allegory.
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - I thought this would be like Smilla's Sense of Snow; A book with a strong, kickass heroine, but it just seemed stupid to me.
Apex Hides the Hurt by Colin Whitehead - This was a strange, but compelling book by a very good author. It took me almost the whole book to figure out the "meaning", but the story was worth reading anyway.
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn - My older daughter had to read this fiction book for her world history class. After she (and I) started reading it, I realized I had read it for a book club years ago. While I initially hated the book, my book club members convinced me it was an interesting topic to discuss. I cannot believe how much more mature my daughters are as students and readers than I was at the same age!
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer - This was a fiction book recommended to my younger daughter, but I enjoyed it, too. Very interesting! A great story that also makes you think.
New Books (for me) - Otherwise known as The Start of My Summer Reading List!
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer
The Evolution of God by Robert Wright
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anne Quindlen
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Non-Fiction
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexander Fuller- At first, I did not "like" the author's mother as she was described in this book. However, after a while, you begin to see the daughter's point of view and the humor of the family's travails in Africa.
Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller - By the time I finished the second book, I was completely won over by the author and her family. I wish there was more!
Eiffel Tower by Jill Jonnes - This book was recommended to my daughter Sasha by her English teacher. I really liked it, too. It covers the history of France while the Eiffel Tower was being built and continues the history of France and Americans in France written by David McCullough in The Greater Journey. In addition, the author writes a lot about Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill. There is a great PBS American Experience episode about Annie Oakley, and I enjoyed reading more.
The Colonel and Little Missie by Larry McMurtry - Okay, I wanted to read a full history of Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill. However, this book was not very well-written, and I would only recommend it to someone who was as interested as I was in learning more.
The Nazi Officer's Wife by Edith Hahn Beer with Susan Dworkin - Finding this little gem never would have happened if I had not been able to download a free sample first. After I read the first couple of chapters, I just wanted to read more. Edith tells her story of being a young Jewish woman in Vienna and Germany during the 1930's and '40's. She does end up marrying a German man who becomes a Nazi officer during the war. She keeps her idenity hidden and survives.
The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen - I do not think people in the United States understand the control and power that Putin wields in Russia. While I was not interested in the author's personal experiences and feelings, I was very interested in Putin's almost dictatorlike status. I tried to find out more by reading reviews of the book on Amazon and on Wikipedia but both places are so filled with biased writing and arguments that it just confirmed how the Russian propaganda machine works.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - While I still think Seabiscuit is one of the best books I have ever read, this was a very interesting story, too, about a track star who becomes a WWII prisoner. For me, it was a little long, but I could recommend a condensed version.
Class Matters by Correspondents of The New York Times - It was an okay book. I did not learn much that was new to me, however. Yes, class does matter and few people successfully change their class. The rich are getting richer, yada, yada, yada.
The Real Romney by Michael Kranish and Scott Helman - This is a biography of Mitt Romney. I suppose if you were a big supporter you would find this book biased against him, but I'm not, so it was interesting to me.
100 Yards of Glory by Joe Garner and Bob Costas - Why did I read this book? Why do I care even one iota about professional football? Is it the Packer game parties during the regular season and playoffs? Do I just like the voice narration of NFL Films? Is it the 1960's Packers with Lombardi and the Ice Bowl? Is a history of anything and everything interesting to me? I really cannot defend my interest. While the writing is subpar, I did like the video clips (for whatever reason) that were included in the iPad version of the book.
A Bad Idea I'm About to Do by Chris Gethard - Every once in a while, I look for a book listed under the category of "humor". This was one of those books. There are some funny sections that I could relate to because I, too, was once a stupid, risktaking teenager. However, as an adult with a husband and kids, I could not relate to his stories once he finished high school.
You're Not Doing It Right by Michael Ian Black - Okay, this was another humor book I chose based on reading a free sample, and the fact that Phil is always telling me I am not driving, loading the dishwasher, vacationing, and starting a fire the "RIGHT" way. After finishing the full book, I would recommend downloading the free sample and sticking with that.
The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing To Our Brains by Nicholas Carr - The author's premise is that we just skip around and can't write or finish a long book or detailed article because of the Internet. Enough said.
Slavery By Another Name by Douglas A. Blackmon - This was so heartbreaking to read. The book was nominated for the National Book Award because it is so well-researched that no one could deny how millions of African-Americans were denied freedom AFTER the Civil War and for many, many years after Reconstruction.
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker - The author proves his thesis, but I am not at all convinced he needed a whole book to do it.
While America Sleeps by Russ Feingold - It was kind of boring. I gained more insight into Russ's perspective as a Wisconsinite who came from a political family than I did about the lead up to the Iraq War.
The Afghan Wars: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley - It was like an expanded Wikipedia article. Everything you wanted to know in 89 pages.
King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman - I liked this autobiography of a single woman in her fifties who is working at Ghana's Embassy in Washington, D.C. when she hears that she has been chosen as the next king of a small area of Ghana with approximately 7,000 people. Her journey, decisions, experiences and life as king was something both exotic and mundane, fantastic and believable.
Fiction
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James - This is a continuation of Pride and Prejudice. Darcy, Elizabeth, and many of the original characters try to solve the mystery of Wickham's death. Unfortunately, while P.D. James might be a good mystery writer, she is no Jane Austen.
Swamplandia! by Karen Russell - I loved the originality of the setup for this story. The characters and the theme park are almost too strange to be fiction! For me, the last few chapters were a little too "literary" and symbolic. I like good storytelling more than allegory.
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - I thought this would be like Smilla's Sense of Snow; A book with a strong, kickass heroine, but it just seemed stupid to me.
Apex Hides the Hurt by Colin Whitehead - This was a strange, but compelling book by a very good author. It took me almost the whole book to figure out the "meaning", but the story was worth reading anyway.
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn - My older daughter had to read this fiction book for her world history class. After she (and I) started reading it, I realized I had read it for a book club years ago. While I initially hated the book, my book club members convinced me it was an interesting topic to discuss. I cannot believe how much more mature my daughters are as students and readers than I was at the same age!
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer - This was a fiction book recommended to my younger daughter, but I enjoyed it, too. Very interesting! A great story that also makes you think.
New Books (for me) - Otherwise known as The Start of My Summer Reading List!
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer
The Evolution of God by Robert Wright
Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anne Quindlen
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Art of Teaching
Lately, I have been returning to the belief that teaching is an art. Particularly in today's society when so many new demands are being added to education, I find a "recipe," even a good one, cannot be used too often. Sure, we have procedures and routines that continue throughout the year, and that is a good thing. However, my teaching practice and what my students need from me is an ever-changing work in progress.
Since we began relying so much on testing, I am much more intentional in my teaching and much more accountable for basic things that every student must learn. However, because I also want to differentiate, I am still bringing multiple extension activities to my classroom. There is no way everyone can be given the same three or four part lesson everyday. Finally, the academic basic education and testing focus ignores the multiplying number of students who need a responsive, caring environment. The "recipe" approach is at best a tasteless dish that does not bring inspiration for new efforts and lasting memories that stay with you for the rest of your life.
I want to create things that my students and I love! Learning with an everlasting taste for more; more math, more history, more stories. What worked well last year, last month or last week is going to be different from what will work well in the future. This is the challenge.
Since we began relying so much on testing, I am much more intentional in my teaching and much more accountable for basic things that every student must learn. However, because I also want to differentiate, I am still bringing multiple extension activities to my classroom. There is no way everyone can be given the same three or four part lesson everyday. Finally, the academic basic education and testing focus ignores the multiplying number of students who need a responsive, caring environment. The "recipe" approach is at best a tasteless dish that does not bring inspiration for new efforts and lasting memories that stay with you for the rest of your life.
I want to create things that my students and I love! Learning with an everlasting taste for more; more math, more history, more stories. What worked well last year, last month or last week is going to be different from what will work well in the future. This is the challenge.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Groupthink
I read an interesting article in the New York Times yesterday. I would be interested to know what other people think:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/opinion/sunday/the-rise-of-the-new-groupthink.html?src=me&ref=general
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/opinion/sunday/the-rise-of-the-new-groupthink.html?src=me&ref=general
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The New Year Is Going Great!
Wow! The kids came back from break ready to learn, and we are having a great time. Our second Native American Dinner was awesome. Lorene (our fabulous) cleaner and her friend came to our dinner dressed in their authentic rendezvous clothes and spoke to the class. We had many parents and family members join us, and they were nice enough to help clean up, bead shirts and face paint. Today we even tried playing lacrosse in the snow!
We have survived learning long division, and the kids are making some beautiful pieces of artwork using rotations, translations and reflections. Plus, some of the kids are doing some really great stuff in algebra club. Differentiation is going perfectly, but I'm glad I'm not stuck doing the research project I planned last year. I like how class flows. Our setups and activities are flexible.
A couple of kids who really struggled with class behavior during the first semester are doing really well in class (we're still working on hallways and recess). I enjoy the excitement and positive attitudes of the kids in fourth grade. I also enjoy working with the new teachers who are always teaching me new things and have so much enthusiasm and humor. However, it's going to be a bummer when we lose one of my favorite staff members (to retirement) in March.
We have survived learning long division, and the kids are making some beautiful pieces of artwork using rotations, translations and reflections. Plus, some of the kids are doing some really great stuff in algebra club. Differentiation is going perfectly, but I'm glad I'm not stuck doing the research project I planned last year. I like how class flows. Our setups and activities are flexible.
A couple of kids who really struggled with class behavior during the first semester are doing really well in class (we're still working on hallways and recess). I enjoy the excitement and positive attitudes of the kids in fourth grade. I also enjoy working with the new teachers who are always teaching me new things and have so much enthusiasm and humor. However, it's going to be a bummer when we lose one of my favorite staff members (to retirement) in March.
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