Sunday, May 3, 2009
Library Legislative Days
Hi! I can't believe another month has come & gone. Today, I went to the Joffrey Ballet & it was FANTASTIC! I only hope everyone has the opportunity to see such beauty during their life! I have been reading a lot of psychology & science journals and have come to the conclusion I have to get more active in my education. I just wish I knew where to find more hours in my day. I will be leaving for Washington D.C. on Saturday morning. The National Library Legislative Days are Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. I can't wait!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Laura Bridgman biography
Alexander, S. H., & Alexander, R. J. (2008). She touched the world: Laura Bridgman, deaf-blind pioneer. New York: Clarion Books.
This is a fascinating biography of a courageous woman of the mid 1800's. Laura was a frail child who became ill. She lost her sight and hearing yet, she continued to learn about the world about the world around her. She was a productive member of society. She was an inspiration for so many. Her parents from the very start never doubted her ability to be a responsible Baptist. Samuel Gridley Howe of the Perkins Institute was the most compassionate dedicated teacher one could hope for in what seemed as a dismal situation. Laura Bridgman taught Anne Sullivan how to communicate with the impaired. Dr. Howe published the account of Laura Bridgman’s education in the Perkins Annual Reports, making both teacher and student internationally famous. In 1842, British writer Charles Dickens visited Perkins and wrote of his encounter with Laura in his book, American Notes. The meat of the story of Laura Bridgman's life was the almost unpalatable aspect of the controlling Unitarian thought of Dr.Howe.
This is a fascinating biography of a courageous woman of the mid 1800's. Laura was a frail child who became ill. She lost her sight and hearing yet, she continued to learn about the world about the world around her. She was a productive member of society. She was an inspiration for so many. Her parents from the very start never doubted her ability to be a responsible Baptist. Samuel Gridley Howe of the Perkins Institute was the most compassionate dedicated teacher one could hope for in what seemed as a dismal situation. Laura Bridgman taught Anne Sullivan how to communicate with the impaired. Dr. Howe published the account of Laura Bridgman’s education in the Perkins Annual Reports, making both teacher and student internationally famous. In 1842, British writer Charles Dickens visited Perkins and wrote of his encounter with Laura in his book, American Notes. The meat of the story of Laura Bridgman's life was the almost unpalatable aspect of the controlling Unitarian thought of Dr.Howe.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Schooled
I bet you thought I was basking on a chase lounge somewhere warm soaking up the rays and reading a book a day, but I wasn't. January, February and March 2009 have been rattling my cage in ways I never dreamed for myself. January started out ok, I thought I had everything under control and then February 1st rolled in like "Life As We Knew It" or did we? A close friend passed away and my attempt to make haste on my Master's snowballed. Every time, I thought I had a second to breathe, another assignment was being posted. Now, it's the last day of "Spring Break", I have read one book so far, "Schooled" by Gordon Korman. It's a great quick read especially if you are fan of the "sixties"! It's a quick read because every chapter is in different charter's voice. It takes place in 2007 and if you want a taste of peace & love don't miss it! I have started another book, Edward Bloor's "Taken' and so dar so good! I comment soon. And no, I haven't been sleeping the rest of the time, I went to see "Jersey Boys" on Wednesday...I was f a n t a s t i c!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
What have I been reading...
Hey there, it's been a while but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading. I think after I last posted, I read a handful of Neal Shusterman's for my MacAuthor Visit...which I thought was a success! My fav' was EVERLOST. It would make a fantastic movie! I love how Neal has "the gift of "TWISTING""! I then switched gears to non-fiction for my next MacAuthor, Sally M. Walker. She was "right there" for the students and totally had them captivated in her super cool research! I read Twilight when I was admitted to Good Shepard for a blood transfusion (go figure!. I also read a Book of a Thousand Days and was very very satisfied. And finally read Rules! during the Jewish holidays (no connection)so I could get my friend Kathleen off my back. I found an interesting title called Owning It! and fall for many of the short stories written by many of my favorite authors about teenage disabilities. There was also a good one called The Hand You Are Dealt about a teenage boy who plays poker. A quick fictional "e-mail style" journal by the gal that wrote When I was Solider: a memoior has a very current to the moment book A Bottle in the Gaza Sea. During Thanksgiving, I listened to Water for Elephants and wished it never ended. That brings me to Christmas Break 2008 & since I started it with a "Snow Day a.k.a. NO SCHOOL!!, I shoveled the drive-way & headed over to the Rolling Meadows Public Library. I was very tempted to read "new stuff" but I convinced myself to read books that I knew I had in my school library collection so, I read: Overboard which was quick good historical fiction. I couldn't put down Silent to the Bone or another historical fiction the Wednesday Wars. Notes from the Midnight Driver which was good but, I also read a quickie called Freak and thought it was very, very true-to-life for a seventh grade girl. I am currently reading, A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer ( House of the Scorpion) and even though I never thought I would pick her up again, I am intrigued by the story, however, I can list a handful of other "Cinderella" that the storyline reminds me of, so I promise to post again soon and let you know how it turns-out! ... Have a Super 2009! x x o, macbeth
Friday, August 1, 2008
Adolescent Lit. 8/1/08 PR,C
Selfors, S. (2008). Saving Juliet. New York: Walker & Co.
Saving Juliet, is a charming dream-version of what could possibly be the “true version” of Romeo and Juliet. Seventeen year old Mimi has been doing Shakespeare since she was three years. She is well versed in the Bard and cringes when she gets cast opposite “teen heart-throb” Troy Summer, who appears to be absolutely clueless. After an alarming argument with her stage mom, Mimi is transported through time to Verona and helps Juliet escape her marriage to Paris. Ironically, Troy, unwillingly is also along for the dream and gets a dose of method-acting and assists with Romeo’s hook-up with Juliet. I always knew there was more to the story and this version is far-fetched but enchanting!
Saving Juliet, is a charming dream-version of what could possibly be the “true version” of Romeo and Juliet. Seventeen year old Mimi has been doing Shakespeare since she was three years. She is well versed in the Bard and cringes when she gets cast opposite “teen heart-throb” Troy Summer, who appears to be absolutely clueless. After an alarming argument with her stage mom, Mimi is transported through time to Verona and helps Juliet escape her marriage to Paris. Ironically, Troy, unwillingly is also along for the dream and gets a dose of method-acting and assists with Romeo’s hook-up with Juliet. I always knew there was more to the story and this version is far-fetched but enchanting!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Response/Journal Blog Selection 7/27/08
In reviewing your responses, how many exhibited the following (keep in mind that some responses may do more than one thing):
___5___ Were referred to during a discussion [D]
___1___ Summarized the articles you elected to read [SL]
___9___ Prompted a personal reaction [PR]
___8___ The entries that made a connection to something from your life or from another piece of writing, a film or TV [C]
___5___ Surprised you when you reread it [S]
___0___ None of the above [N]
Please answer the following questions based on your attached response:
I feel that my 7/9/08 Response to Twisted by Laura Halse Anderson is my favorite book that I have read during this class! Please read.
1. Which lesson in the course does it represent?
Session 3 ~ Realistic Fiction
2. Why did you select this particular response? What does it do for you as a reader and responder? What seems interesting, intriguing, surprising, or clever on/about it?
Twisted meets and exceeds the qualities of a good realistic/problem (teen drama). It follows the guidelines of a strong, interesting, and believable plot centering on modern day issues that adolescent,as well as parental & administrators readers can immediate engage it due to the nature of the topic. The story stimulated the reader to think about the various aspect of the story and a way with dealing with the problem so that the reader is left with insights into society and personal conflicts. It also clearly presents the thoughts of the main characters developing social and higher level maturing thinking.
3. What would you like me to know/notice about this response?
The final paragraph, I made text-to-self connections. Which is what I believe the ultimate connection all authors seek when they write, whether it is a novel, a newspaper article or campaigning (advertisement). Internalizing results in growth and learning and elevates literacy and intelligence.
4. What does this response demonstrate that is the same or different from responses you’ve written in the past?
As a middle school media specialist (librarian), I am constantly being requested to recommend books on demand to students, who are time crunched. I relish the opportunity when I can personally endorse a book that, is one of the few teen novels involving a teen male struggling emotionally and morally with both male and female relationships as well as school and community confrontations. I feel Twisted,belongs in all teen (adolescent)collections.
___5___ Were referred to during a discussion [D]
___1___ Summarized the articles you elected to read [SL]
___9___ Prompted a personal reaction [PR]
___8___ The entries that made a connection to something from your life or from another piece of writing, a film or TV [C]
___5___ Surprised you when you reread it [S]
___0___ None of the above [N]
Please answer the following questions based on your attached response:
I feel that my 7/9/08 Response to Twisted by Laura Halse Anderson is my favorite book that I have read during this class! Please read.
1. Which lesson in the course does it represent?
Session 3 ~ Realistic Fiction
2. Why did you select this particular response? What does it do for you as a reader and responder? What seems interesting, intriguing, surprising, or clever on/about it?
Twisted meets and exceeds the qualities of a good realistic/problem (teen drama). It follows the guidelines of a strong, interesting, and believable plot centering on modern day issues that adolescent,as well as parental & administrators readers can immediate engage it due to the nature of the topic. The story stimulated the reader to think about the various aspect of the story and a way with dealing with the problem so that the reader is left with insights into society and personal conflicts. It also clearly presents the thoughts of the main characters developing social and higher level maturing thinking.
3. What would you like me to know/notice about this response?
The final paragraph, I made text-to-self connections. Which is what I believe the ultimate connection all authors seek when they write, whether it is a novel, a newspaper article or campaigning (advertisement). Internalizing results in growth and learning and elevates literacy and intelligence.
4. What does this response demonstrate that is the same or different from responses you’ve written in the past?
As a middle school media specialist (librarian), I am constantly being requested to recommend books on demand to students, who are time crunched. I relish the opportunity when I can personally endorse a book that, is one of the few teen novels involving a teen male struggling emotionally and morally with both male and female relationships as well as school and community confrontations. I feel Twisted,belongs in all teen (adolescent)collections.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Adolescent Lit. Response 7/23/08 D, PR, C, S
Author Study: AVI
Avi. (1988). Something upstairs: a tale of ghosts. New York: Orchard Books.
Avi. (1991). Nothing but the truth: a documentary novel. New York: Orchard Books.
Two different novel topics and styles; yet, both are presented as true stories.
Something Upstairs could also be cataloged as a Historical Fiction. From the very start, Avi draws in the reader on page one with "Author's Explanation" and ends with two pages epilogue. There is no doubt in my mind that Avi gets fan mail with questions about Kenny, the main character in this extremely suspenseful mystery with social diversity issues. I also know that Avi loves to do "Reader's Theater" and this tale would make a fantastic radio broadcast. I could not find any audio recording of this book but, I'm sure since this a beloved book of his, that perhaps, he could be swayed to produce a "podcast"! There is nothing in this book that suggests that it is dated and it's been over twenty years since it's first publication. I think it works quite well as "double-dipper" (mystery/historical fiction) for middle school & high school students. It is also a quick-read for reluctant readers.
Nothing but the Truth, which received the 1992 Newbery Honor as well as, the ALA Notable Children's Books, 1992. and YALSA 100 Best Books (1950-2000).
The story is a bit disturbing and at times could be too much for a younger reader. The story deals with a freshmen in high school, who is coming-of-age. Breaking a school rule at this age is not that all uncommon; however, the one that Philip Malloy chooses is quite controversial. This novel is written in "Reader's Theater" style and also variegates with a sprinkling of notes, memos and telegrams. I think the book deals with higher level thinking and would challenging for a "younger" reader. As a n adult reader, and working in a school, I could easily see this the story lines taking place today even though Avi wrote it in the early 1990's. I think the ultimate purpose of the book is alert teachers and administrators of how they create policies that go against Constitutional Rights and also as wake-up call on the ridiculous policy of retaining teachers year-after-year, when they should be "put out to pasture". The book does a fine job of Beginning, Middle and End but, just didn't grab and hook me.
Avi. (1988). Something upstairs: a tale of ghosts. New York: Orchard Books.
Avi. (1991). Nothing but the truth: a documentary novel. New York: Orchard Books.
Two different novel topics and styles; yet, both are presented as true stories.
Something Upstairs could also be cataloged as a Historical Fiction. From the very start, Avi draws in the reader on page one with "Author's Explanation" and ends with two pages epilogue. There is no doubt in my mind that Avi gets fan mail with questions about Kenny, the main character in this extremely suspenseful mystery with social diversity issues. I also know that Avi loves to do "Reader's Theater" and this tale would make a fantastic radio broadcast. I could not find any audio recording of this book but, I'm sure since this a beloved book of his, that perhaps, he could be swayed to produce a "podcast"! There is nothing in this book that suggests that it is dated and it's been over twenty years since it's first publication. I think it works quite well as "double-dipper" (mystery/historical fiction) for middle school & high school students. It is also a quick-read for reluctant readers.
Nothing but the Truth, which received the 1992 Newbery Honor as well as, the ALA Notable Children's Books, 1992. and YALSA 100 Best Books (1950-2000).
The story is a bit disturbing and at times could be too much for a younger reader. The story deals with a freshmen in high school, who is coming-of-age. Breaking a school rule at this age is not that all uncommon; however, the one that Philip Malloy chooses is quite controversial. This novel is written in "Reader's Theater" style and also variegates with a sprinkling of notes, memos and telegrams. I think the book deals with higher level thinking and would challenging for a "younger" reader. As a n adult reader, and working in a school, I could easily see this the story lines taking place today even though Avi wrote it in the early 1990's. I think the ultimate purpose of the book is alert teachers and administrators of how they create policies that go against Constitutional Rights and also as wake-up call on the ridiculous policy of retaining teachers year-after-year, when they should be "put out to pasture". The book does a fine job of Beginning, Middle and End but, just didn't grab and hook me.
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