Reading for Class Assignment (and for fun)

I am really enjoying my grad class this semester! I'm taking Children's Literature, and although there is a lot of reading involved, I am having so much fun!

I'm enjoying the lively discussions with other classmates from around the state, via the college discussion boards. One particularly lively discussion centered around The Giver by Lois Lowry. I enjoyed reading the book, and its sequels, and I relished the responses given by other students about their interpretations.

I also had to read a couple of books from this year's Sequoyah reading list (available here: http://www.owasso.k12.ok.us/webpages/stcmedia/index.cfm?subpage=554878)
I read Strange Case of Origami Yoda and reread Moon Over Manifest. Comparing the main characters in each, and then creating cross-curricular lesson plans, was an enjoyable task!


We also had a couple of great assignments that involved writing. Each assignment involved reading something from a selected list, and then writing about it by following the course rubric. The hardest thing about these assignments is learning how to pare down my writing. For example, one assignment called for a ONE-PAGE paper about an illustrator; however, the instructions also called for us to become an expert on that illustrator by reading several of his/her works and research him/her on the internet! Let's just suffice to say that my paper was actually 2 pages, not one. I used Chris Van Allsburg as my illustrator, and discovered so much about him and his unique books.

Another assignment asked us to suggest a poem for class study and for a detailed plan to teach various skills (not just poetry) in a cross-curricular format. I really enjoyed that assignment! I used the book Whiff of Pine, Hint of Skunk as the basis for my lesson, since there are so many ways to connect it to science curriculum (and much more)!

Most recently, we were given an assignment to read two different children's books that re-imagined a fairy tale. There are so many great ones out there, I had trouble deciding. I ended up going for a Gingerbread Man retelling, by using The Sugar Child and The Stinky Cheese Man. These two books are roughly based on the same story, but are polar opposites in reality. It made the writing so much easier, and the reading so much more fun! (Of course, this paper was supposed to be 1-2 pages, and ended up 2 1/2. Proud of myself for keeping it that short!)

Can't wait to see what the next assignment will be!







Reading suggestions? Well, any of the above, obviously. And dive into the above assignments on your own! You never know which book will spark your enthusiasm until you try!

Serious Reading Endeavor

I've been reading again.

I didn't really stop reading. But sometimes I just read for fun, just frivolous little fluff bits that entertain me.

Not this time. This time, it started as a serious endeavor.

It began with an assignment for my class. I'm taking my last master's class, Children's Lit. We were assigned to read Lois Lowry's The Giver.

I've read the book before. Apparently, it was so long ago, I'd forgotten most of it. Or maybe reading it again with new eyes caused me to see it differently.

What an amazing book! It is well-written, chock full of foreshadowing, symbolism, and vivid imagery. This imagery despite the fact that no one can see colors or have feelings!

I was so impressed, I had to read the sequels! The only one our school doesn't have is the finale, the fourth book. So I'll have to check it out from the public library.

Our assignment for class was to read The Giver. Next week, we will have a class discussion (via messageboard) about the novel. I can't wait to see what my colleagues think about the book!

And so it goes...

So, my final (I hope) grad class is back in session. It's not a difficult class, but it will involve LOTS of reading and writing.

I started a bit later than the rest of the class, so I've been doing catch-up work this week. I'm all caught up, and I've started to work on my MAJOR project that's due at the end of the semester.

What does this project involve? LOTS of reading and writing! (Surprise.)

The class is Children's Literature, so I'll be reading children's books. Thankfully, that fits in well with what I do every day. It just involves doing MORE.

Which means less time to do the other tasks I have to do at work. It's going to mean more hours at work, and fewer hours with my family.

And so it goes...

Here is one of the children's books I just finished reading and reviewing for my class: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. Great book, fun read, and my son loved it too!

A Nervous Morning

I was just visited by my professor today! I knew she might be coming some time this month to observe the library, but I didn't know until Wednesday evening that she was coming.

I was incredibly nervous this morning. I wanted to make a good impression, but I mostly wanted our SCHOOL to make a good impression. I didn't know what would be required of me. I was certainly a worry-wart!

It really turned out to be nothing to worry about! She was incredibly gracious, and the visit went well. I enjoyed having my guest in the libraries, and I hope she enjoyed her time here as well.

So, time to put aside my anxiety about the morning. This evening, husband and I are going on a date. Well, the kids are accompanying us, but still, it will be an enjoyable evening.

I also got to spend a little time at the Chickasha Public Library last night to pick up some reading for over Thanksgiving. Can't wait to nibble the delicious treats I picked up:

Stephanie Barron's series "The Jane Austen Mysteries". Mmmm...

Overload

The next month is going to be busy, busy, busy! Of course, the weeks from Halloween through the holiday season are always quite full, but with my course work for my degree, there is even more pressure.

Somehow, I am going to squeeze in the last of my assignments before the end of the semester. Somehow, I am going to fit in all of the projects and writing that I must accomplish. Somehow, I am going to learn how to download, upload, and email all the finished products.

And somehow, I will find a way to rest from this overloaded inbox of assignments.

Hmm, I'm thinking a bubble bath, a warm comforter, and a good book are definitely in order!

For an escapist read, try Amaranth Enchantment, by Julie Berry.

The Library, My Hope

I was thinking about writing a post about my busy daughter today. You know, the fact that she played a basketball game then turned around and spent the evening in dance class. But her active life led me to think of something else.

We are all busy. Some days, I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I need to do. I sometimes think if I was as dedicated to my profession as I should be, I would spend more hours working on the mess students (and teachers) leave behind when I'm not there. I often wish I had more time to spend cleaning house and having fun with my kids.

I also am tired. What tires me most? The rants I have to read from fellow librarians/teachers/students about how unimportant the library is. Do all librarians and teachers hate their jobs? Why are they in the profession if they hate it so much? Why must the news always be bad? Why is the cup always half empty?

So here is my antidote for all the naysayers, for all those people who seem to have spilled what was left in their cups. Yes, sometimes I wish I had more time, but my cup is still closer to full than empty. My gas tank is not running on empty. My glasses are still rose-colored. "All's right with the world." Need hope, librarians? Here is a dollop: http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/2011/11/09/karen-bonannos-asla-speech-we-are-far-from-an-endangered-species/

Book suggestion for hopeful thoughts -- Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford.

(Here's to the little guys and Captain Nobodys everywhere!)

Nighttime Reading

So, the kids and I read aloud together every evening. It started when they were little, with easy picture books (I think we wore out Jaxom's favorite, Are You My Mother?). But now, we read nice, thick books that I really enjoy myself!

Right now, we're working on a really cool series called Kingdom Keepers, by Ridley Pearson. The stories are set in Walt Disney World, which after our trip sounded like a fabulous series to read together! We are now on book three, and the kids love them!

The stories are full of adventure (like getting chased by audio-animatronic pirates and Stitch) and lots of scenes from all over the Disney parks. They are also pretty high-tech -- this third book has an icon which connects with a webcam online to show you a map, games, etc. (www.kingdomkeepers.com)

In my Advanced Adolescent Lit class (part of my journey toward my library masters degree), we studied about the Golum in Jewish tradition and lore. Imagine how cool it was to see parts of this legend at work in Kingdom Keepers!

Yep, you gotta read this series to understand.

Recommended Reading:
Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson

My Favorite Things

Wow! I've been chosen to post my 10 Favorite Things on the VERY popular blog, "my favorite things".
http://www.afewofmyfavorites.com
http://www.thesefavoritethings.blogspot.com

I can't believe it!! Now, if I could just decide what my 10 favorite things are.

Also, I have my first "real" class of my graduate degree. Hope I live through it. And tomorrow, we are taking NINE kids age 1st grade through 4th grade to camp for the weekend. Yes, we are nuts.

So, a big day for me today!

Hope I live through it!

Recommended Reading:
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale