Summer Reading

During the school year at least two hours of everyday is spent on reading instruction. I read lots of kid's books, both fiction and non-fiction.  I spend a lot of time reading, but most of it is on-line.  I follow lots of blogs and carry on many discussions through social networking.  When it comes to reading for pleasure, it is difficult to find the time to read books during the school year.  That's one of the great things about summer.  There is time to hang out at the library and just read what ever I want to.  Here are just some of the books I'm reading this summer.

Photo #69: Library Geese

These are our new library geese. They now reside in our school library. They are very well dressed geese. Apparently they have clothes for every occasion. Now that they live in the library, hopefully they will also become well read geese. In any case, I'm sure the kids will enjoy having them there. They just moved into the library yesterday, just in time for parent-teacher conferences. Our librarian has set up a great display to show off the 200 new books that just arrived. The kids raised money for the books through a coin drive, and the PTA donated additional money. Our librarian, Mrs. Ellefson, spearheaded this entire effort. We are lucky to have her.

Photo #56: Cowboy Boot

I had dinner at Bandana's Barbecue tonight. I was looking around for something to photograph, since I hadn't taken my pic for the day, when I saw this boot. I really like the rich redish brown leather, the textures, and curve of the boot.

I hadn't origianally planned on eating out, but I had to drive out to Barnes and Noble to pick up two copies of Anne of Avonlea to read with a student. That didn't turn out very well, because the two books they were holding for me, turned out to be abridged versions. This is for a student who is reading several years above grade level. I was a little discouraged that the trip was a washout, when Banadana's caught my eye. This is southern barbeque, so meat is prepared with a dry rub and smoked. I only know this because the server told me so. The thing I do know is it was delicious!

Photo #55: RIF

Today was RIF, Reading Is Fundamental. While the federal program only funds books for kindergartners and first grade, our P.T.A. provides funding so that three times a year every child, at every grade level, gets a brand new book. We are lucky to have this kind of parent support. This time all the books were non-fiction, which is a focus for our district this year. There is nothing like having a brand new book in your hand.

Photo #38: Book Heaven

Award Winning Books
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

My sister and I spent the afternoon hanging out a Barnes and Noble. It's one of our favorite places to go. First, we shop. I always start out in the bargain books section, then I check out all the sale tables. Next it's magazines. Lately we have been frequenting the tech books, because we are both learning about blogging and building wikis and websites. Of course, I have to check out the kids books. I was checking out all the Newberry Award winners here. I'm trying to figure out how to keep my advanced readers engaged and challenged. Then it's to the cookbooks.

I collect cookbooks. I love cookbooks! I read them, and use sticky notes to mark all the interesting recipes. By the time I've done all that, I'm often too tired to actually cook.

Then with an armload of books and magazines, we head to the cafe, where we pare down our purchase piles to something we can actually afford. Before our families send out a search party, we eventually gather up our goodies and head for home. A perfect snowy Iowa afternoon!

Hanging Out At Barnes & Noble

It is time to begin thinking about school again. Although I brought home a whole stack of work, I have not touched it. So today, I started out my day working in my craft room, making thank you cards and bookmarks for my students. This flurry of creativity prompted a blog post on my other blog. In the afternoon I headed to Barnes and Noble with the intent of working on my American Revolution webquest, but as you can see by the pile of books, blogging was on my mind. I love hanging out with my little netbook at Caribou Coffee, or Starbucks at Barnes & Noble. When my sister joins me, even better!