Book Banter: January Edition

At least I know when I am at a total loss of what to write, I always have books to fall back on. This little posting has actually held me accountable to READ...in a world that is busy with so many other things, the time is scarce! Ha! (Please note...January edition is coming LITERALLY on the last day of January! :))

My school recently acquired several book sets from our intermediate school, who was updating and cleaning out their frequently used sets. See this little gem by E.L. Konigsburg? It really is a good one...definitely for your older readers who can comprehend subtleties and social metaphors. The View from Saturday is a wonderful book to teach characterization and character traits that are deeper than a typical intermediate novel. Your characters come from all walks of life (The teacher is disabled, a student is from India - but grew up on a cruise ship! Another student feels in the minority due to his Jewish heritage, and then our last leading lady is a red-head.) Konigsburg did a great job bringing these "Souls" together to represent their school in the state academic competition. Each brings a special spark to the team from their various life experiences. all of the characters face discrimination and social injustice, but always have each other - together, they find a way to continue being victorious. I know this year, I don't have any students that are able to read at this deep of a level, but I look forward to finding some kiddos who enjoy the diversity and social overcoming. 

I am very much a Gregory Maguire fan...but his book, Missing Sisters, is not at the top of my list. I enjoyed his books prior to The Wicked Series...then, fell in love with Elphaba and Fiaro and all that Oz had to offer. Maguire's ability to show the "other side" of a situation and change your point of view completely is great. Missing Sisters is about a pair of twins separated at birth and reunited at a summer camp. It seems to be a Parent Trap situation in the making, but neither girl lives with their biological parents. I was very frustrated with the attitude both characters had, and was not impressed with the action taken by the sisters. Although they were probably meant to come across as brave, I felt they were careless and cavalier. Made it difficult to enjoy the book, when I was constantly worried about their stupidity. His typical descriptive style was in full effect and it was difficult to follow the story at times, based on the picture painted of the setting around them. The book states it for ages 8-12, but I wouldn't keep it in my classroom. Some of the situations are inappropriate for my 4th and 5th grade readers. 

My most recent interest has been in the Maze Runner series. I'm forever an advocate of reading the book before seeing the movie, hence my delay in getting around to this one. When I realized I wouldn't be able to get to it, prior to the movie staying in theaters, I let it sink farther down my stack for other priorities. Most advertisements stated it was for Divergent and Hunger Games fans...I agree. It didn't disappoint. The typical government control was ever present, but you really don't know who is "in control" until very near the end! The suspense was good and it made me want to continue to figure out the ending. Similar to the cliff hanger endings of the other series, you're left with an incomplete picture and a feeling of "WHAT? WAIT! TELL ME MORE!" at the end. I literally finished the book, found my iPad and looked up the next book in the series, just to get a sneak peek of the first chapter (which did nothing but make me wish I already had it in my possession)! - Side note: Lucky for me, my kiddos had a MASSIVE book order this past month with Scholastic and I was able to order $30 worth of books for free...was able to get the entire rest of the Maze Runner series plus books for my classroom. Score! :) One of the junior high students I tutor actually chose to start a book in James Dashner's other series, The Mortality Doctrine (first book is The Eye of the Mind).  It was interesting to listen to the similarities (and vast differences) in the two series, as we started to work on his response journals. Great for mature readers, as well as older (intermediate and junior high) readers...some of the scenes are graphic, but are used sparingly to set scenes. Wouldn't keep in my fourth grade classroom, but would definitely share with my older tutoring kiddos who are reluctant to read. 

Still have these guys sitting on my bedside table; I'm waiting for the winter days to not be so dark so fast. Hehehe.

What's on your bedside table?

Happy Reading,

# 1 Parent Communication Tool of the Semester!

I'm struggling getting back into the "blogging" routine, but it's been nice to look back through the semester and reflect on some of the things that have worked and some that haven't. It may be a little exaggeration (we work on hyperbole in the second semester :)) that this is the number one communication tool, but it has truly given me great insight into my parents and families, and to see their perspective on the exact same classroom situations that I have lived for the past few months.

Midyear Parent Survey

At the beginning of the year, I ask my parents to write a letter to me telling me their family story - information they'd be willing to share about their family make-up, siblings, occupations, goals and dreams, as well as how they view their kiddo academically. Midyear, I conducted a survey that asked specific questions about academics, but also social and emotional needs and how they feel I am doing as a teacher. You'll find this jpeg linked to a word doc in my TPT store, so you can save, edit, and use as you see fit.

Don't be Nutella

NOW...I forewarn...don't ask what you don't want to hear. Some of my parents were brutally honest, and some, I know, were too easy. BUT, I was also amazed at how parents viewed certain activities, tasks, homework, testing, etc. and I had not thought about their viewpoint at that time. I have received amazing insight on homework amount, tasks being too hard/too difficult, and even assignments or projects that I find "ordinary" were a source of much enjoyment!

The lack of communication was eye-opening for me, as well. I was surprised that many parents or guardians did not take the opportunity to share their thoughts on how the year has gone. I may be taking it personally, or I should know that timing at the end of the semester is quite hectic - what was I thinking, sending this in the middle of the holiday rush? :)  Something I may change for next time? Give it at the beginning of second semester. Parents and students have had a break, and have been able to enjoy time away from the "scene of the crime." They also will not be feeling the hustle and bustle in the air, and may take time to give more details and specific examples to help for future classes. 

In the beginning of the calendar year, we tend to reflect and look over what we have achieved in the past year. Hopefully, this survey can help you in your classroom and give you additional perspective on the families you work with! 

Happy New Year,

Character Matters - A Thank you to my "Nathan"

Eye-opening. That's what I would call Sunday's service at Heartland Church. We are going through a series, entitled Character Matters, that focuses on one influential person in the Bible each week...Abraham, David...we know these guys, right?

Dr. Wayne Schmidt spoke about the prophet Nathan...my first response was "WHO?" (I turned to my husband and said "Is it bad that I didn't even know there was someone in the Bible NAMED Nathan?") As the sermon went on, I couldn't help do what any good student would do...learn what I didn't know, take some notes, and of course, make connections to what I was reading. :)

Nathan was not only a prophet and adviser to King David, but he was also his friend in the best and worst of times. He was able to affirm David at the high points (Keep building! Keep defeating your enemies!) and had to confront David at the low points (Adultery and murder have been frowned upon since ALWAYS). We started out the message with an example of statements that should be in our thought process, when looking at our Spiritual Friendships. Friendship Survey as follows (check all that apply)

* "I have close relationships with other Christians who influence my life."

* "I want other Christians to hold me accountable for my actions." 

* "I have spiritual friends who speak truth to me and don't hold back."

* "I am committed to mentoring or helping others grow spiritually. 

I thought to myself, "Does this only apply to my spiritual life?" In all honesty, it's probably EASIER to find these people in other areas of my life - most certainly my professional one! As a teacher, I look for influences, accountability partners, teammates who will hold me accountable for what I am doing in my classroom and in my students' lives, and hopefully, I can do the same for others in their classroom, if possible. I'm online learning from hundreds of YOU across the globe and seeing what you are doing in your classrooms and in your students' lives. I question what works and what doesn't. I evaluate if it applies to what is expected of me in state and district standards and guidelines. Simple...right? (Professionally, it's pretty black and white, in my opinion.)

As luck would have it, my original assigned mentor teacher at Geist Elem, was both a Spiritual and Professional relationship. D.C., you are truly an inspiration to me (even if you did go off and become administration at another school :)). As a newbie, I was (and in some ways, still am!) very rough around the edges...D taught me that our "business" is about people; not procedures or grade books or cute projects and beautiful bulletin boards. It is about the students, the parents, the hugs and smiles we give or the new directions we have to guide them in. It is the WAY we talk to people and HOW we respond to their "stuff." I am black and white...D showed me there are shades of gray. She called me out when she needed to and helped guide and facilitate when she saw I was floundering a bit. D is a wonderful professional mentor in that aspect...but...

...this also applied in my spiritual journey. D cried with me over the loss of a personal friend. We have served dinner at the Ronald McDonald House together. She allowed me to hangout with her kids for a weekend and experience taking them to basketball practices and wrestling meets. D invited me to the Great Banquet and I experienced a weekend that brought me closer to God, deeper in faith, and made me look at all aspects of my life a little closer. She had fierce conversations with me and asked if what I was doing, was the direction I was supposed to be going. The impact she made in the first few years, have lasted way beyond what will occur in any classroom.

My challenge to all of you; find your Nathan.  (Both professionally and spiritually!) Do you have someone who holds you accountable? Are you willing to take direction and constructive criticism from them and learn what changes need to be made? Do you have someone that affirms that you are on the right track - being the best you can be - encouraging you to continue to pursue your excellence?

And to my Nathan...I say thank you. With a new year of school just around the corner, I wish you a successful and productive one! Your role, no longer in one classroom, but in many, is invaluable. Your role, not in one life, but in many, is amazingly profound!  I hope someone expresses that to you this year. I  hope to aspire to be a Nathan to someone, as you have been to me!

Have a great week, Friends! 

Top 5 TPT Conference Wish List!

I've been MIA for the past few days, not only for summer fun, but because I have become OVERWHELMED with trying to find all of the tips and tricks and glean from blogs, Facebook, the TPT forum and whispers in the wind as to what everyone took away from the conference last week. As of right now, I have six pages typed into Microsoft Word of things I want to do to improve my store and products to help, not only my sales, but my TEACHING and other teachers in general. Just imagine how many more pages are out there for me to grab from and add to my novel! :)

1. Alright, I'm not looking for fabulous jewels, but My WISH is that I am looking for some fabulous E-friends. NETWORKING is the word I saw over and over again in posts, pictures, and presentations. I cannot even express the brilliance I have found on the TPT forum, Facebook, and just getting my blog off of the ground. Finding all of you who DID attend the conference has been a scavenger hunt on its own, but your "jewels" of wisdom have been invaluable to me!

2. Yes, as teachers we use alliteration like a second language, rhyming like we understand the reason, and cute isn't really a challenge. What surprised me most, was that many sources reiterated the need to simplify and be clear when it comes to our titles and descriptions. My WISH: To have the where-with-all to know how precise and simplistic my titles need to be.

We do it for Google...type in exactly what we're looking for and hope to get a ping in the vast craziness...TPT has become so large, we may start to wish for the same thing. (I also read that you can type in your subject/topics/key words in the search bar, and see where your items come up in the listing...may be helpful to see what direct or specific words are being used in titles and descriptions!)

3. Know your data - We do it for our kids. We provide it for our our principals and administration. We can talk numbers and acronyms all day. Do we know our OWN info as much as we know that break down in our classroom? This was an eye opener for me - basically, is the amount of time you're putting into your Social Media Frenzy paying off in your networking relationships, classroom and store sales. My WISH: A step by step guide to figuring out my own data; or at least someone creating a really pretty sheet that I can fill in my own numbers for. :)

4. I struggle to understand all of the pieces to this one, but I have seen MULTIPLE posts and sources talking about creating your own style (personality, persona, etc) and marketing that (that's the easy part :)). From there, as you network and beg and borrow (as most teachers do)...(preferably no stealing)...(hopefully you share when someone has begged and borrowed in person at your school, too!), you need to make sure to have your work copyrighted and have the priorities and/or watermarks set in your jpegs for blogs, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. You have worked really had to be YOU...now protect it. My WISH: Understanding of all of the pieces that need to be protected from the graphics and jpegs that I create all the way to how to credit all of those that have so generously allowed me to use their work. Is just a credit at the end of my product enough? Do others use my products in a way that I don't know about? What should I do to protect myself and use others' work wisely?

And...last but not least...

5. It was stated over and over that the generous, enthusiastic, supportive staff of Teachers Pay Teachers are truly in it for the TEACHERS. Changing lives is what they are about...and ultimately, what (I hope) most teachers are about. Whether their own financial status is boosted, their classroom is rejuvenated, or their creativity is sparked, TPT has truly been a great resource for teachers and staff in the field of education. My WISH: To attend a TPT conference in the near future and be able to experience some of the excitement first hand!

Until then, hope to meet and learn from you online!Who said we had to have a conference in person?!? :)

Summer Wednesdays!

My Fabulous Class is hosting a weekly linky party of SEASONAL items and today's theme is January/Winter items...check out other friends, here:

Although I am NO WHERE NEAR thinking of winter and anything that remotely involves snow (after Snowpocolyspe2014, eeeeekkkk!), I wanted to share this cute little idea that I put together from a Pinterest post, a blog story (thank you, Mr. Hughes), and a need to review team building/living with purpose when we returned from winter break.

Hope you're able to enjoy the quote, the idea, or at least the discussion with you kiddos! 50% off this week!

Happy Summer Wednesday!