#SOL2103 Ice, snow, and debit cards.

When the next day is a school day and the forecast is for ice, sleet, or snow, I park at the bottom of my driveway.  I accept my husband's teasing that I am a "Worry Wart" and the name calling, "Wimp," as part of the price I pay to NOT drive down my long and windy driveway on dark, icy mornings.   Yesterday, was one of those days as the driveway had a thin cover of sleet over a thick coat of ice over a delicate layer of snow!  There was no way ANYONE was driving or even walking down that incline and I was grateful for my parking spot at the bottom of the cliffs.  Yet, my coat, boots, gloves and even my undies were drenched after sliding (on my bum as the kids would say) down most of the hill.   

I felt as if I had already done a day's labor when I finally made it to my ice-ensconced car!  I gingerly opened the doors, started the engine and began the ice removal process.  As I got out to work on the windshield, I realized I had forgotten an ice scraper!  I wondered if the job was too big for my credit card. Yet, I'd used it before.  It works remarkably well in this situation - most of the time!  This time, however, the card did not fare so well.  With one swipe on the icy window, it turned into many fractured pieces of plastic.

Fortunately, the main roads were generously salted and lots of people were late; thus, my trip was really not that bad. When I finally I got to work and eventually dried off (it took all day), I was left with questions about whether or not I would be driving up the driveway any time soon (fortunately, thanks to my husband and rock salt, I did). 

Fortunately, there was only one casualty yesterday morning: my debit card.  I ordered a new one and I also put a big, heavy duty ice scraper into my trunk!

Wonder (R.J.Palacio) : My Review of a Wonderful Book!

I've been seeing it on lists and reading rave reviews for nearly four months; however, I decided it was more for "older kids" and didn't rush to read it. Recently, I forwarded a list of "great classroom reads" to a new teacher and decided I really didn't want to recommend a book I had not yet read.  Then, to add insult to injury, this new teacher had already read Wonder!  It moved to the top of my list.

Reading it was easy.  I read it during the Olympics and in the morning when I should have been working.  I read it after I should have gone to bed.  It is well written and compelling story about a fifth grade boy with significant facial deformities that makes you think more about yourself than you do about him!   

The reviews I read earlier suggested it should be required reading for every middle school student because it makes you think about friendship and empathy.  It would be a great book to discuss in a literature circle because there is so much to talk about: characters, voice, discrimination, bullying, growing up, what each of us would do in that situation.  I also think it is a great story to start off the year in any 3rd through 6th grade classroom because it provides a framework for discussing the many small and large discriminatory practices that emerge in any community of people.

In time, some of the contemporary references to Justin Bieber and Star Wars movies might make it seem a bit dated.  In time, there will probably be a movie made about this book.  In time, everyone will know the "story" and the book will become a reference of how each of us we can make a difference in the lives of ourselves and others based on what we say and do. 

For those of you who like me were slower on the reading of this book, you can order it here: http://www.amazon.com/R.-J.-Palacio/e/B005MESU4C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
The Author's website:
http://rjpalacio.com/index.html
Some of the many rave reviews:
http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/02/21/review-of-the-day-wonder-by-r-j-palacio/
http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/02/disability-in-childrens-books-blog-series-part-2/

Cognitive, Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills Needed: Some Research

What have your been reading this week? Here is some interesting research.  This article was published on July 10, 2012 by Sarah Sparks in Education Week and concludes that 21st Century learning demands a mix of abilities.

The modern workplace and lifestyle demand that students balance cognitive, personal and interpersonal abilities... Americans get about 7 to 11 percent return in higher career earnings based on their years of schooling, and cognitive skills don't explain all the effects of schooling...."

While this is not necessarily a "news flash," there is really something we can take from this research and use to make our classrooms places of relevant learning.  Our students need opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills we want them to learn in real life-like settings.  They need to work together and they need to work independently with opportunities to reflect on their learning and thinking.  Translated into classroom practice: think literature circles.  Here are some links to expand on your thinking:
http://www.litcircles.org/
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/literature-circles-getting-started-19.html
http://www.literaturecircles.com/article1.htm
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/reading/literature_circles/
http://www.mrcoley.com/litcircles.htm

Literature Circles

As you prepare for your Literature Circle Role, you might want to think a little more deeply about the diverse roles of literature circles in today's classrooms. Chekc out:

http://www.lauracandler.com/strategies/litcirclemodels.php