Each school year has its own personality, its own way of being remembered. Last year was like trying to maneuver a raft through whitewater while blindfolded without paddles. After two decades in the classroom, I thought I knew what to expect and what to do. But when one of my students died unexpectedly, standards and […]
Category Archives: Reading Lives
July
30
I was that kid. I still write for that kid. by Kevin Sylvester
posted by CBethM
I just returned from NerdCampMI and heard Dav Pilkey (and many others) talking about “finding the right books for the right kid” and also “any reading is reading”. Dav talked about his own experience of being told he wasn’t reading the right kind of books – usually comics or silly stories. And I […]
July
23
Read It Again…and Again by Candice Watkins
posted by CBethM
What is your favorite movie or tv show? Do you know whole chunks of dialogue by heart? Do you own it in multiple formats or have the ability to stream it on a medley of devices? Now, could you imagine someone having the audacity to tell you one single viewing of your favorite […]
July
16
Kinda A Reader by Ona Feinberg
posted by CBethM
We were touring the Lodge when the innkeepers mentioned the library. Courtney and Matt had already been so generous with their time, but my kids practically squealed, “Oh, yes! We HAVE to see the library!” The children climbed the steps ahead of me, stepping on the dog blockade, and commenting on how this was […]
July
02
Setting Them Up For A Lifetime Of Reading by Clare Landrigan
posted by CBethM
Do I have a library card? I stop typing, hit save, and turn around to face my son. I know I had one, but I don’t know where it is or if it is still active. Why do you ask? I want to reread the Harry Potter books this summer. I thought I could get […]
June
09
Let’s Start at the Very Beginning… by Mark Overmeyer
posted by CBethM
My first year teaching, I was one of the lucky ones. I had come out of a strong student teaching experience, and my new teacher colleagues provided a perfect balance of providing support and letting me try (and often fail) and try again. And my class– I will never forget my incredible sixth […]
June
04
Thank You by Ashton Wronikowski
posted by CBethM
Dear J.K. Rowling, Rupi Kaur, Markus Zusak, David Arnold, Ruta Sepetys, Jeff Zentner, Thank you. For making me cry so hard that one box of tissues isn’t enough. For the strange looks I get when a burst of laughter escapes my chest at your words. For the sleepless nights in which I’ve had to tape […]
May
28
Summer Reading Plans by Katherine Sokolowski
posted by CBethM
On the day this post goes live, May 28th, my students and I will have said good-bye. It is, officially, our first day of summer vacation. This is a time for many teachers that is bittersweet. We absolutely need a break, as do our students, but we also hate to see them go. This year […]
May
19
Hot Air Balloon Moments by Susan Knell
posted by CBethM
I’ve never taken a ride in a hot air balloon and never will because I’m scared of heights. I do love love to watch them gliding through the sky with all the bright colors floating by and I would love to see the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque sometime. My best friend’s father was […]
May
14
What I Learned from Reviewing a Book Every Day for Three Years by Janet Dawson
posted by CBethM
“I’m thinking of starting a blog where I’ll review a new children’s book every day,” I mentioned to a colleague. She kind of chuckled and shook her head, clearly unconvinced that this was possible. Was she right? Why would I…or anyone…want to set myself up to have to read and review a book every day? […]
