Books, Reading, Writing, Appreciation

Thursday Thankyou Day Returns.

Have I mentioned that it is book week? 

It was not until I started working at my current school that I realised how lucky I am to be literate.  I had always taken this skill for granted.  I have mentioned this week that learning to read was something that I don't remember doing.  I only remember knowing how to read.  Learning to reading may have been so traumatic that I wiped it from my memory. LOL. It is far more likely, that learning to read was a gradual and enjoyable process for me.  Books were always a part of my life.  I grew up surrounded by them.  I had difficulty making friends as a child (I still do) and I quickly learned that books were the kind of friends that didn't reject me or judge me, but welcomed me with open pages.  I loved to escape into my imagination and into the worlds of the books that I read.  

I always loved picture books.  I liked how easy it was to engage with them.  I liked how the pictures sometimes told a story all of their own.  The pictures brought out the hidden meaning behind the words.  I was intrigued by their magic.  I loved novels and biographies too.  I liked to read.  No, I loved to read.  

I still love to read.  

Today, I want to remind you, dear reader, that this skill we have is really a gift.  We are privileged.  We are special, we have the opportunity to share in a world of words and wisdom so vast we will never explore all of it.  It is also a privilege we must share.  We must help the young people in our lives to see the joy of reading and want it for themselves.  

I am thankful that my parents and grandparents (probably without even thinking) surrounded me with books and instilled in me the importance of learning to read.  I am thankful that I went to school and was encouraged to do my best when I was there  I am thankful that I have the opportunity to share my knowledge with children and adults alike.  I am thankful that I can read and can afford to have books on my shelf (that I don't really need) waiting for me to read them.  

On another note about privilege and sharing.... I have a best friend.  Not the BFF, not the most Beautiful Woman in the world, not my teaching partners or my students, but the Creator of the Universe.  Yes, I met Him through a book, and my parents.  Jesus and the relationship I have with Him is an amazing, unfathomable gift.  It is a gift, I have to share.  If you know God, then let people know about the joy you experience in his presence and pray they want to experience it too.  

Much Love

Words of Dr Suess

Children's Book Week, in my mind, requires that I pay homage to a children's author.  One of my favourite children's authors is Dr Seuss.  This man has a gift when it comes to words.  He knew how to rhyme them, weave them and even create them.  The good “Word Dr” has a sophisticated knowledge of language which allows him to say it simply.  When children open a Dr Seuss book, they open the door to a world of wonder, thought provoking tales and a whole lot of fun.  When an adult opens a Dr Seuss book, it is my hope that they are transported back to a happy part of their childhood of rhymes and learning and squeals of laughter and delight.

Happy Reading! 

His words may seem silly, but they really are wise.  So sit back and remember, and don’t criticise (links for sources and more info are at the bottom of this post).

Dr Seuss for Kids

“I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.” 
― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

“All those Nupboards in the Cupboards they're good fun to have about. But that Nooth gush on my tooth brush.....Him I could do without.” 
― Dr. Seuss, There's a Wocket in My Pocket!

Dr Seuss for Everyone

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” 
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax  

“And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!” 
― Dr. Seuss

“For a host, above all, must be kind to his guests.” 
― Dr. Seuss, Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose

“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.” 
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Quotes taken from: Good Reads click on the link to go directly to the page

For more information about Dr Seuss and his books  click here: http://www.seussville.com/ or here http://www.drseussart.com/ or here http://www.catinthehat.org/history.htm

10 things I learned about Reading

Considering it is Children's Book Week.... Learning how to read is an important process for becoming a proficient and functioning participant in today's society.  Blah, Blah, Blah. 

We all know it is important to read.  We all know that learning is important.  So, let's get down to business.

10 things I have learned about Reading

(These 10 things have been learned over the past 15 years, not the past week.)

1.   We learn to read at our own pace.

2.  Reading is a skill which includes deciphering letter symbols, giving meaning to words and sentences, understanding the hidden messages of text and pictures and gaining knowledge and/or enjoyment from it.

3.  Some people don’t understand the complicated nature of the skill set that we refer to as reading.

4.  If a learner does not experience the joy of reading early, they will struggle with the process and find it difficult. 

5.  Reading does not come quite so easily to others as it did to me.

6.  Teachers have a tough job “teaching” a child how to read, but Parents impact on their child’s reading/learning from the moment of birth.

7.  Reading becomes an automatic process for many of us and we easily forget how hard it is to learn.

8.  There is nothing more intimate than sharing a book with someone.

9.  We read whenever we interact with a creation of the human mind (whether it is written text, film, photography, drawing or a website).

10.  When it comes to “reading” I have much more to learn.  

I love reading and it is the avenue through which I relax, learn, laugh and explore.  Happy Book Week! 

Book Week 2012: Champions READ

Firstly, for a list of the winners and a run down of the awards ceremony click here.

Happy Book Week!!! 

The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has an annual celebration of children's literature with a week of activities in local libraries and schools across the nation.  Teacher Librarians and Reading Specialists all over the country are geared up for book fairs, displays, games, competitions and much much more.  By the time this post is published celebrations would have commenced.   

We have posted signs all over our school saying "are you a champion?" as a teaser for the upcoming events. Teachers will start sharing the message with students this week.  Next week, one of our favourite teachers will be speaking at assemblies about Champions and Reading.  Competitions in the library will include; designing book covers and trivia quizzes. 

On Tuesday we are having a "Reading" Flash Mob.  At 1:05pm a few staff will just turn up in the court yard of our school and start reading.  I am placing books in the courtyard for those kids who want to join in.  Staff will turn up as they can and we will read to our hearts’ delight... or until the bell goes. 

I am really looking forward to it!

Next week is National Literacy and Numeracy Week.  The festivities will continue with Jelly bean Jars (guess how many does it take to fill the jar), co-operative activities between English and Maths departments (a rarity in my school), scavenger hunts through the school and literacy/numeracy quotes by authors and celebrities. 

I can see that when it is all over, I'm going to be exhausted! 

I will be sure to share photos, videos, quotes and a wrap up, at the end. 

I hope you are enjoying BOOK WEEK and you are sharing the joys of reading and literacy with all the young people you know.

It's over to you.... What are you reading at the moment? What is your favourite book for sharing with the young people in your life? 

Happy Reading!

FOUND and INDEPENDENT GROUP WORK

I found my prescriptions!!! WOOHOO!!!

Clearly, it is time to get Miss Smith to come and visit my bedroom and home study to make it as functional as my workplace is.  

There has been a lot happening at school this week.  So, I want to share. 

You can see in the picture... not much.  Sorry about that.  But hopefully you can tell that these charts are student produced.  I am really proud of them, because my class has really struggled with independent group work this year.  A few times, I planned independent activities where groups of 3-5 students "worked" together to answer questions or complete a task.  The plan was for the lesson to be wrapped up with a quick class discussion involving each of the small groups sharing their "work" with the class.  Each group was given a different task so we were not going over "answers" four or more times.  But still, it didn't work so well.  

In the real world of my classroom, some groups would complete the task, others would not.  The answer sheets/ anchor charts that the students were to supposed to complete would be overfilled with silly responses or have two words written so small that it was impossible to read.  

Over the past few weeks, I have had a few "breakthroughs" with my classes.  I have really pushed the positive as well as having concrete and consistent consequences for negative behaviours.   

After some individual work on Tuesday, the class divided into pairs.  I did end up with one group of three.  I gave each pair a piece of A3 chart paper and a few coloured pens.  At the top of their chart paper I wrote the question/s that I wanted answered.  I then told them to write big and fill up the page because we were planning on putting them up in the classroom to help us with our next assessment task.  While the charts are not perfect and our wrap up conversation at the end of the lesson was ratty, I was really happy at the end of the lesson.  I think it worked better this time for a number of reasons which are listed below.  

1.         The students and I have FINALLY made “friends” and I don’t say this because I am unable to make friends with my students.  I say it because when I only see my students twice a week for 70 minutes, it takes so much longer to get through to them. 

2.      My expectations were very clear.  The students knew exactly HOW to complete the activity (write big and neatly and fill up the page so we can display this).  This seems elementary, but it wasn't until today that I realised I hadn't been quite so explicit in the past (probably because I was losing them and rushed through my instructions). 

3.     I didn’t try to give the directions to the whole class.  I spoke to each group one at a time.  I was able to read the question with them and check their understanding.  They began giving me responses and had my reassurance before beginning. 

4.     More able students were given more questions to help keep them focussed. The less able students were able to work with supportive friends and revised concepts taught in class. 

5.      Students who worked better alone were given the opportunity to do so with an appropriate task.

6.      I moved among the groups constantly without needing to stay with a specific group for too long.  I try to do this all the time, but it doesn't always work out that way.  

I am getting in the groove with my students.  They are finally getting used to me.  It is working.  They are learning together.  It is exciting stuff.  :)