Read all about it

Books, books, books. Some people must think that's all I ever talk or care about.

Clearly, books are something I love - and I love to share them too. This is evident when I recommend some solid reads to others, whether those 'others' be children or adults. (Trust me, I know some gems at all levels of reading!)

Take this past weekend, for example - I spent a great deal of time during my visit on Friday in the classroom of the fifth graders (whom I had as fourth graders last year). Somehow, I did not manage to leave their room without first sharing with a few of them about The Mysterious Benedict Society (see post on mysteries). Their teacher (a current ACEr and a good friend of mine) explained later how my eyes had lit up with excitement as I spoke with the kids about the book.

Even in my own classroom, this phenomenon has been evident: A few weeks ago, a student was at a loss for what to read next, so I pulled a few - okay, more like 8 or 10 - books from the bins in the classroom library and started talking about each one and why it would be a good read. A student close by proceeded to gently "shhhh" me; however, I then explained how it would be simply impossible to be quiet when talking about books.

Here are just a handful of ones that I've enjoyed (some more recently than others) that would do well to be on most everyone's list of books to read. (Let's face it, a Top 10 here is just not possible!):

(Adult) Realistic Fiction:
Any books by Jodi Picoult
Water for Elephants
One Day
The Help

Nonfiction:
Story of a Soul (St. Therese of Lisieux) - you can access this text online*
The Reading Promise

For kids of all ages (by genre) -->

Mysteries:
The Mysterious Benedict Society
The Westing Game
The 39 Clues series

Fantasies:
The Tale of Despereaux
Tuck Everlasting - our newest read aloud!
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
Secrets at Sea
Percy Jackson and the Olympian series

Realistic/Historical Fiction:
Any books by Sharon Creech
To Kill a Mockingbird
Esperanza Rising
Hatchet

...And there are SO many more.

But that would require a lot more space and a lot more time.

For now, this is a start. I hope you have enjoyed (or will enjoy) many of the books on this list. (And I hope you have a list of your own.)

Happy Reading... (Remember, the library is your friend...)

Weekend Wonders

This weekend was a great decision - spending time with friends and school families in Arizona was incredible - how the students have grown! Time moved on without me - I expected the same students I left, but I was pleasantly surprised instead.

It was weird to be the one who was visiting - only being in town for a brief stay. One parent took the words right out of my mouth - "It just doesn't seem right, you being a 'visitor.'" (And it surely didn't, especially after spending three tremendous years at that very school - but at least I was #1 - see below.)

I will hold so many fond memories from this weekend in my heart - a true blessing. (And I am sure that future blog posts will include reflections on my time out West too.)

This weekend was exactly what I needed. It was everything I could have wanted.

It's a Mystery...

Never have I ever met with such dramatics as I encountered this very afternoon when I picked up my students from lunch.

And what were they being dramatic about?

Why, their new mystery novel assignments, that's what!

(I'm sure the normal walk up our one-flight of stairs back to our classroom never seemed so long!)

But where was I? Oh yes, the mystery novels...

Now, hold it right there - considering they are mystery novels, you didn't expect the students to get off so easy as to simply get their assignments, did you? Really, where would the fun be in that?

Well, as in many a good mystery, it all started out with a clue:

What book will you read? It's a mystery...(But, let's just say, a clue is very close by.) Hmm...

Little did they know just how close the clue was...

Surprisingly, it did not take long for one student to decide to check under her seat and desk. There they were - taped to the bottom of their desks - success!

Found it!

 But wait - more clues?

5 Clues given to students for novel assignments

Time to figure out these puzzles - many clues dealt with the authors, characters, or general plot. Plays on words were a must (obviously - it's me we're talking about here!). Soon, the students had organized themselves into groups - with a few a little mixed up before getting sent to the correct book.

And, in no particular order, those books are

The Westing Game

Chasing Vermeer

The Mysterious Benedict Society

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler

Oh the unrivaled excitement, the thrilling suspense, the beautiful mystery of it all.

Seriously, should I be allowed to have this much fun at my job? (I'm such a kid!)

Finding Strengths...for the Journey

I'm not going to rush into posting too much about this too soon, but I'm fascinated already...

Okay, so, Kelly, what on earth are you talking about?

Well, in response to an invitation on retreat a few weekends ago, I joined a small faith-sharing/discussion group called "Strengths for the Journey" - we've had one meeting so far, and then we were given an assignment to take an online assessment that would calculate (in order) our top 5 "strengths" (more about what "strengths" are at a later time - once I understand them more).

I'm still reading up on my results, but here are my Top 5:

1- Strategic
2- Responsibility
3- Includer
4- Learner
5- Adaptability

And what's especially interesting in reading more about the different strengths is that each one is discussed in the book using certain Bible passages (okay, it's the Catholic edition of the book) to give further insight.

For example, take the strength "Strategic" - here are 2 Bible passages centered on this strength:

"Without knowledge, even zeal is no good; and he who acts hastily, blunders." -Proverbs 19:2


"No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." -1Corinthians 10:13


I think those match up pretty well with me.

Now, once we've all taken our assessments, we are going to read the book Living Your Strengths (Catholic Ed.) and participate in 3 more weeks of small group discussions about the book, our own personal strengths, and, finally, how we can best capitalize or use our strengths to serve God and others.

This is turning out to be a pretty worthwhile and meaningful Lenten promise. Amen to that.

Ending and Beginning

It felt like a lot - giving about 4 hours (including travel time) to Church on a Sunday night.

I went in knowing that this would likely be the last thing I would do before going to bed tonight.

And then, I kind of turned things around in my head: I'm both ending my weekend AND starting my new week with a small faith-sharing group followed by Mass.

What better way to do both of those things - ending and beginning - than by receiving Jesus' most sacred body and blood?

(No need to answer that - it's rhetorical.)

Now is the time...ah!

It's that time again.

Oh, you know - it's when you can hear the train rumbling as it approaches and can see its headlight? (And the crash seems inevitable...)

Enter -->
     the end of the trimester.
          the wrap-up of grades.
               the late nights at school.
                    (and the missing out on runs and the gym.)

At least I know this period doesn't last forever.
I understand that these grades and report cards are important for noting progress and tracking our students.
And I realize that with teaching (as with other occupations) comes personal sacrifices.

But these students are worth it.

Every opportunity.
Every connection.
Every smile.
(Every tear.)
Every thank you.
Every laugh.
Every hug.

Yes, it's a Friday night when I just finished my evening's worth of grading. I'm worn out from the week and still have lots packed into my weekend.

And, maybe I'm crazy...

...But I sure love my job.

A Small Victory

"We made it (lining up for gym) without the other class having to shut their door today," remarked one of my rather bright students.

We sure did.

It's the little things - such as lining up quietly and calmly for gym.

Small victory noted.

Well done.