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Spring break means sleeping in a little, catching up on schoolwork (my schoolbag is heavy, quite heavy!), and reading. Lots of reading!
Work-related & Classroom Books
- The One left Behind by Willo Davis Roberts
- Things Hoped For by Andrew Clements
- The Scary States of America (I can already predict which students will pick this one up)
(The above titles are books purchased with book club bonus points, destined for my classroom book nook. I like to at least skim each one before I put it out for students, even when it’s by a known and respected author. I can place the books properly by reading level and recommend to eager readers who might enjoy them.)
- Book 4 of the Lucy Calkins Writers’ Workshop series: Writing Fiction: Big Dreams, Tall Ambitions. This book outlines and guides the next unit I’m teaching to my fourth graders. Implementing Lucy’s program has meant a big time investment for me, but so far it’s been worthwhile. I’ll skim this volume, then go back and read it in detail, breaking down the lessons into manageable pieces and sketching out my own plans. Lucy Calkins is amazing. If I ever get to meet her, I’m sure I’ll be speechless, like a teenaged fan meeting an idol.
Pleasure Reading
- Local newspaper. Every day, every article, savoring having the time to read it all. The crossword puzzle, too, if Husband doesn’t get there first. It’s okay, we usually share.
- Other newspapers. I like to pick up newspapers for fun when I have time to read them. Reading news online, while fascinating, doesn’t have the same feeling as holding and folding a real paper.
- Road Map to Holland by Jennifer Graf Groneberg. This is not strictly pleasure, as I volunteered to read and review it for Mothertalk. However, I only offer to read and review books that interest me. It’s still pleasure reading.
- Welcome to the World, Baby Girl by Fannie Flagg, a classic found at the Goodwill store. I enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes and Standing in the Rainbow, so this one is a logical pick.
The next decision: which coffee should I brew to accompany the reading material? Ah, such a dilemma.
>We’re junkies for a good Sumatran blend here in the land of Earth Muffin. I find that it accompanies reading (and any other activity for that matter) quite nicely.
>Your Spring Break sounds lovely. I hope you enjoy. I am a stay at home mom presently, my 11th grader just went back to school after a week off, and my husband went back to work after taking Thursday and Friday off. The four year old and I are enjoying the peace of having the house to ourselves again.
>Mmmm. Leisure reading. Such a nice idea!
>I have absolutely no time for pleasure reading, not even magazines, but I recently managed to read a book in one sitting – the first time in about 4.5 years — “Same Kind of Different Like Me” by Denver Moore and Ron Hall. True story and very good.
Also, I buy my 4YO books at the local Goodwill all the time. Recently got a $40 book there, brand new for 35 cents. I think our local library regularly culls their books and sends their castoffs there and we are happy to buy them for 50 cents each.
>Fannie Flagg is always a good read so I’m sure you can’t go wrong there. I have my reading list to blog, too, so I won’t tell you what else I’m reading at the moment, but I will tell you that tea is in order today. Earl Grey. That’s my vote.
>I’m thrilled to see your book picks. I’ve never read Fannie Flagg, so I think I’ll start. And hey thanks for the MotherTalk link, I’ve honestly been looking for some sort of online reading group! (I’ve tried in the real world but somehow it never quite materializes :).
>Nice to get that reading in on your break! The Fannie Flagg book was cute–I listened to it on tape while stenciling my dining room years ago…
>Oh I loved Fried Green Tomatoes too. Have you read Cold Sassy Tree? That was one that reminded me of FGT though different.
>I love Lucy Calkins too. I actually went to a conference she gave while I was in school to be a teacher (years ago). Her ideas are awesome especially for the lower grades. But I have found that much of what she has to say applies to basic writers of all ages. Enjoy your reading.