tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81446080207867418782024-03-23T09:55:00.058-04:00Crazy Reading LadiesChronicling the Literary Shenanigans of The Creators of All In!Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-84619956106940244952024-02-23T16:39:00.001-05:002024-02-23T16:39:16.020-05:00We're on TikTok!<p>Two Crazy Reading Ladies on a Friday afternoon, catchin' up on all this new-fangled social media all the kids are talkin' 'bout. Join us!</p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@2crazyreadingladies/video/7338900450420247850?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7338839274122921514">Book Expressions</a></p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@2crazyreadingladies/video/7338873352481787179?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7338839274122921514">Best. Dog. (or dog adjacent) Ever.</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@2crazyreadingladies/video/7338860250839272746?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7338839274122921514">Do-Over</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@2crazyreadingladies/video/7338910361283857707?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7338839274122921514">This or That: Books</a><br /></p><p><br /></p> <script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-41671225440797940632023-07-26T12:34:00.004-04:002023-07-26T12:34:59.023-04:00Books to Go!<p>Every once in a while, we get to focus on a positive that came out of the pandemic and its associated response.</p><p></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="127" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BBzxhoZ-KZMB4WJ_Kgsywu5VF9usho4vae7v3jctiS4CCPQs-u6Ylk7geeqPDtFz-mbJ3zZEvs9nZn_hlwF6MJzZRQcKF5MttpXYHBVn_G6i2rLvFOCdYYpxXP52Xn8_MO05KHm-TOt8koLy8o-tzg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="167" /> </p>One of the babies thrown out with the bath water was summer reading. It left in spring 2020 and would not return for three years.<p></p><p>The CRL felt a visceral reaction to this decision; we knew that this was not the time to let reading go. </p><p></p><p style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="169" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/y7I76wszWhwYUzrR3KsB34u39fOaS9RKDOkgoW3-8VDR6JTp_FEpItiPUT2cJ_8C_EE1IJhCFh7M9jrSbjjrJCUiQBvTZ0p9utSlsgkYoUHZ0DvmJmVSxuZWzJF18q-uTrai2wG8zApBNVXvbWuUQQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="127" /></p>We also knew that, if we wanted kids to read, we needed to make ourselves (and our books) available. We decided to promote reading and put books in kids' hands by offering the school lending library during the summer. We set up a table in the lobby and scheduled specific days and times to invite families in.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1yfWXq9RxzK-dJOaBhlRkjKXMdNBYhIyaE8loLpgcpFUG0K4CCnAgjD2wkiEAW_QDYy33Hzbhxqr6nKZrsa9oE7ifli_dvHljtE7GxW35NtPM1VSCPxcyzabmub-XHAD-A8yqp-sCPEzKqE2gUdvphnbg0SEmpws9xlkaguFlAdSm68PQzKAOkbl-WA/s2000/Books%20to%20Go%20Flyer%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1545" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1yfWXq9RxzK-dJOaBhlRkjKXMdNBYhIyaE8loLpgcpFUG0K4CCnAgjD2wkiEAW_QDYy33Hzbhxqr6nKZrsa9oE7ifli_dvHljtE7GxW35NtPM1VSCPxcyzabmub-XHAD-A8yqp-sCPEzKqE2gUdvphnbg0SEmpws9xlkaguFlAdSm68PQzKAOkbl-WA/s320/Books%20to%20Go%20Flyer%20(1).png" width="247" /></a></div>The idea that was born out of necessity has since become an established practice. We call it Books to Go. It is one of the most well-received programs in our building, it has numerous benefits, and it is one of the simplest, cheapest things we do. <p></p><p>This is how we launch Books to Go:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Confer with admin for permission, scheduling, and payment.</li><li>Set up a table or two in the lobby and display books to lend.</li><li>Print sign-out sheets.</li><li>Decorate with posters and cute summer props.</li><li>Promote it (we use signs, Regroup messages, Principal newsletters, and social media.)</li></ul><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-75fbaa21-7fff-561c-22dc-4ca710ce5531"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Books to Go accomplishes several things: it makes summer reading books accessible to all students, it brings families and students into the building in a comfortable, manageable way, and it promotes summer reading. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I love visiting with established families as well as the chance to get to know some of the incoming sixth graders. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The success is in its sustainability - this is an easy set up, and - if scheduled correctly - it takes advantage of a time when the school is already open to the public. We choose the day and time carefully, being mindful of building coverage as well as dismissal times for town summer offerings.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do you have a similar program? Let us know in the comments!</span></p></span></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Erin O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624825126504131221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-26967702479946698462023-02-04T14:18:00.000-05:002023-02-14T16:03:28.502-05:00For the love of librarians<span id="docs-internal-guid-340484b2-7fff-be9b-31c2-00390e4f6187"><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For over a decade, our school district has suffered the loss of librarians. Sure, our middle school boasts a big, beautiful library space - we even have a decent budget for books - but there is no librarian to cull the collection, to staff library time, or to help students select the books that will make them fall in love with reading. We know the science, and we know what a tragedy this is. <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMKAZwRBje0iLQAkQG3Q5oDNe6OpJyMA-qWx08JnECz-sugyxreEMhhp7AohR5D5CAsdG6FF8EkUlu8z2pjIT71MPZiLKheJWdt3eGShRzxe3kxTWbqRq3o2YLiR6dxUi-fKw9kPLirsBGSYQ0LEuwEPkNxA43KAwJsEuyK96GAu88kmcWNsfECpEpA/s4160/IMG_20210921_102043_462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMKAZwRBje0iLQAkQG3Q5oDNe6OpJyMA-qWx08JnECz-sugyxreEMhhp7AohR5D5CAsdG6FF8EkUlu8z2pjIT71MPZiLKheJWdt3eGShRzxe3kxTWbqRq3o2YLiR6dxUi-fKw9kPLirsBGSYQ0LEuwEPkNxA43KAwJsEuyK96GAu88kmcWNsfECpEpA/w200-h150/IMG_20210921_102043_462.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher with Ms. Bree</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Op1USA2L5SzmvFpRZ5e1yOO0Qzskqcl8TeAsIFn-joOroABHD59OByo7OWwrOI5D4DOvVm9_OjRhfVBvRRo5ekSkwDUyw4xTnfI5RNkdQJ4lgZkUGSG6Pipr49h5H4PIqNXjke4ez4fVZHJThYSo97W49GlYiGvBvhEaSC26Aix5l7Aa2tEkG9tBaQ/s4160/IMG_20211214_105023_306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Op1USA2L5SzmvFpRZ5e1yOO0Qzskqcl8TeAsIFn-joOroABHD59OByo7OWwrOI5D4DOvVm9_OjRhfVBvRRo5ekSkwDUyw4xTnfI5RNkdQJ4lgZkUGSG6Pipr49h5H4PIqNXjke4ez4fVZHJThYSo97W49GlYiGvBvhEaSC26Aix5l7Aa2tEkG9tBaQ/w200-h150/IMG_20211214_105023_306.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students at BLAST 2022</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">We are The Crazy Reading Ladies, after all. We know adolescents, and we know good books. We read YA and middle-grade literature almost exclusively. We're cool! We follow our favorite authors and publishers on Twitter and Instagram. We know how the use the internet. We can talk books all day long; in fact, we love nothing more than spending time with students and matching them to books.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"> We also know that we are not librarians, nor do we have access to the thousands of books and online resources that await public library patrons. Our students need more than we can give them. Libraries are the answer. The public library is a wealth of resources - ours offers everything from books, to apps, to clubs, to social opportunities, and safe gathering spaces. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hh__S1ToYaUP6PXGs5kJaA7wQ9k-KHJeZpnbGcB8oi2eoMdpBw106YGuPrbOsCYvUhy4QsWjnTy6u1rgcnrePqHGAj6wjeMur7Dmcdz9Ncqgz_gkBcAIhddc9cMYqvTEYyjVbEq1nEut3ZcM8dQtHUsycvkOiwDnba4ySIdoaIsGcE4pCjtCci0ADw/s3264/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hh__S1ToYaUP6PXGs5kJaA7wQ9k-KHJeZpnbGcB8oi2eoMdpBw106YGuPrbOsCYvUhy4QsWjnTy6u1rgcnrePqHGAj6wjeMur7Dmcdz9Ncqgz_gkBcAIhddc9cMYqvTEYyjVbEq1nEut3ZcM8dQtHUsycvkOiwDnba4ySIdoaIsGcE4pCjtCci0ADw/w200-h150/IMG_5755.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Caleigh at BLAST launch 2018</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><p></p></div></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumOOz0KuI8Atk_kAqsTbBndBRilkaOLrAE8YHUp7ovMa7vvydqWd8XToZQfjDE-4cEJbcUkKW5xb28ObzRGD-vgWceHeX89WwiyMbFtb6wBRq4-2uKPf2ysHOfHmbThfKq9jdg31Iwc8pETuSyxs6eR2ktveOMMDawXH-AWhFBhGAJ_-e26uQsf9uPA/s4160/IMG_20210921_101518_130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumOOz0KuI8Atk_kAqsTbBndBRilkaOLrAE8YHUp7ovMa7vvydqWd8XToZQfjDE-4cEJbcUkKW5xb28ObzRGD-vgWceHeX89WwiyMbFtb6wBRq4-2uKPf2ysHOfHmbThfKq9jdg31Iwc8pETuSyxs6eR2ktveOMMDawXH-AWhFBhGAJ_-e26uQsf9uPA/w200-h150/IMG_20210921_101518_130.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weekly BLAST set up</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Four years ago, we secured the necessary approval to get our library collaborative (we call it BLAST: Bringing Libraries and Schools Together) off the ground. We knew what our students were missing and, quite honestly, the town librarians were thrilled to be introduced to so many families. It was a win-win.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMHqWYJncsuz_04CjVITaortScpsU-OXkcNNsfZdqMAGpzEelTXMmZsuSXcCm3w3U9pa8MkZdVado76RtdT5fdvfOYx--LIztnUdBZMSjZnOXy_ajlqtRBZrSgSTPH21bHNRMLz_AsxWUcYq24tN1iyfV96wJciC6XxsdsETNCCqvD7nPrinLL_SbDQ/s3264/IMG-0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMHqWYJncsuz_04CjVITaortScpsU-OXkcNNsfZdqMAGpzEelTXMmZsuSXcCm3w3U9pa8MkZdVado76RtdT5fdvfOYx--LIztnUdBZMSjZnOXy_ajlqtRBZrSgSTPH21bHNRMLz_AsxWUcYq24tN1iyfV96wJciC6XxsdsETNCCqvD7nPrinLL_SbDQ/w200-h150/IMG-0300.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Bree and Erin teaching student to use a Playaway</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a library card drive and scheduled BLAST to come in weekly (picture a Bookmobile minus the -mobile.) Our students are invited up to the library for an hour each week to browse, pick up requests, check out, and return. Several have made personal connections with the librarian and make an effort to bring their families to library events. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the years since BLASTs' inception, our program has now spread to four other schools in our district and is now extending to neighboring towns.</span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The youth services librarians from our local public library have reported faithfully each week for over four years. We want to take a moment to thank these wonderful people for the myriad of things they do for our students each week.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They collect requests.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They match books to student interests.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They respond to teacher emails.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They now coordinate with district administrators to get resources in the hands of students and teachers.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They magically manifest multiple copies of the latest Karen McManus or Ruta Sepetys.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They collaborate with us on author visits.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They invite our students to become advisory board members and ask them what they want for library programming.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They train kids to use the library app.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They talk to our kids about what they're reading (and about their pets, younger siblings, favorite teachers, and dance lessons.) </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They bring read-alikes when 7th graders are lamenting the end of <i>The Outsiders.</i></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They bring books for teachers who are members of outside book clubs.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They are talented. They are extraordinary team players. They are flexible. They are irreplaceable. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> To Felicia, Caleigh, Bree, Mitzi, and all the wonderful librarians who work tirelessly to put good books in the hands of kids: thank you.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3sXQHCvu4__XiZ1MyUM9REzBbMHl6yHN2UaYuDSYocwGHszDeB2MCcU42OnhvAIAd3RJtaMoZXQPWDVWn4aUngl_F3Bfl9Zlyu5AOOmF3l6gcrQd0iztcrwRDwWayvcXfKiSbfhD0zlS-jM37DT_nVP5jPLubDdQkvm4YYr0ontcTFbgddY56PyZzA/s3264/IMG_6447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3sXQHCvu4__XiZ1MyUM9REzBbMHl6yHN2UaYuDSYocwGHszDeB2MCcU42OnhvAIAd3RJtaMoZXQPWDVWn4aUngl_F3Bfl9Zlyu5AOOmF3l6gcrQd0iztcrwRDwWayvcXfKiSbfhD0zlS-jM37DT_nVP5jPLubDdQkvm4YYr0ontcTFbgddY56PyZzA/w200-h150/IMG_6447.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-fcc6c5b6-7fff-b852-b261-e8bd13c49191"><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-62503984534160569652022-04-10T18:39:00.000-04:002022-04-10T18:39:35.712-04:00Overwhelming<p>The following story is <a href="http://crazyreadingladies.blogspot.com/2013/08/overwhelming.html" target="_blank">stuff of CRL lore.</a></p><p>Once upon a time, an 8th grade ELA teacher and the school reading specialist had a little idea: let's invite kids to read <i>The Hunger Games </i>with us, and maybe the Principal will allow us to take the kids to see the movie. One thing led to another, 220+ middle schoolers devoured the book, and we quickly found ourselves giddily in over our heads. At one point, we were having a conversation with our assistant principal. We were ourselves - excited and excitable and probably not using our best indoor voices. At the end of the conversation, our Assistant Principal sighed heavily and said, "You two are overwhelming." </p><p>She probably didn't mean it as a compliment, but we took it as such and continue to wear the word OVERWHELMING as a badge of pride. </p><p>This post was drafted after several emotional texts and phone calls. We've recently experienced a flurry of moments, courtesy of our wonderful, all-grown-up students, who have overwhelmed <i>us</i> with their love and sincerity. Teaching is a special profession for a lot of reasons - our iron-clad immune systems, wireless lie-detecting abilities, the skill to end class at <i>exactly</i> 8:37 - but the greatest reward is when we become part of someone's story. </p><p>Earlier this week, Mary got a message from a former student: </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCFbIPmF_HL5Ov6gtkMqvIBNHsxYXW-VemWcZ7xFn6spT1V7tTRCXKfWu1AVgtDnxNueNaRgEsF3VMe61G1kPnulDQYSVbAh5GZR-fPqI-L9XsBgiG5ZTpfpR5A0OS2cNTsOgclSk3W1yLEfsLihROKWG2n5onFE3ShAd0QTNruz18hAnAuvX-5cr_A/s828/IMG_8774.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="828" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCFbIPmF_HL5Ov6gtkMqvIBNHsxYXW-VemWcZ7xFn6spT1V7tTRCXKfWu1AVgtDnxNueNaRgEsF3VMe61G1kPnulDQYSVbAh5GZR-fPqI-L9XsBgiG5ZTpfpR5A0OS2cNTsOgclSk3W1yLEfsLihROKWG2n5onFE3ShAd0QTNruz18hAnAuvX-5cr_A/s320/IMG_8774.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Text from Bekah</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>She shared it with Erin, and we both fought tears. </p><p>After ten years and thousands of students, All In! has run its course. There is no reveal assembly or reaping or field trip or cornucopia games for the first time in a decade. </p><p>After you've done something that long, it becomes part of your routine. It's kinda like muscle memory. "It's March already? We've gotta plan some crazy activities! <a href="http://crazyreadingladies.blogspot.com/2014/03/initiation.html" target="_blank">Time to put the kids in sacks!"</a> This year, Erin spent March cleaning out storage closets and donating All In! supplies to various other school clubs. As ridiculous as it sounds, we mourned the loss of those <i>Hobbit</i> swords and <i>Unbroken</i> shark cutouts. How can we possibly part with our sack race sacks? (Erin saved a <i>Divergent</i> rubber ducky for Mary.) </p><p>We tend to go big: our default setting involves large assemblies, mylar balloons and confetti canons. When we decided that All In! had run its course, we let the appropriate folks know, but didn't make a big deal out of it. We didn't make some grand announcement; we had some personal conversations, and we let it trickle down. This put us in the position to be face to face with one of our alum as they hear it from our own lips.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ08NuHi4eCTrnbw4OQH6YPqaSVG4XMuJfm41JDK6CJAzunleUuPgpWBt2y1vcn59SX8HhgZM8X18eLGWimLsfBVkNJThu6CCKhfX88obBfAUPQPAplGfLHPIEcxM8lvsw6L4hN7bFTwGIoU5VKrgzCzgHSCYfTAjWQpK6Xt6N-IrNZym6MX2vndjVA/s3264/IMG_5890.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ08NuHi4eCTrnbw4OQH6YPqaSVG4XMuJfm41JDK6CJAzunleUuPgpWBt2y1vcn59SX8HhgZM8X18eLGWimLsfBVkNJThu6CCKhfX88obBfAUPQPAplGfLHPIEcxM8lvsw6L4hN7bFTwGIoU5VKrgzCzgHSCYfTAjWQpK6Xt6N-IrNZym6MX2vndjVA/w200-h150/IMG_5890.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>With Grace on Reveal Day</i><br /> </td></tr></tbody></table>Several months ago, high school seniors visited the middle school to talk to our 8th graders about what high school holds. Erin was teaching a class when two faces appeared at her door. "Hi Miss O'Leary! We had to come and see you!" Throwing all proper behavior aside, Erin stopped her lesson and went to wrap those two seniors in hugs. After the initial "How are you?s" the question came, "So what's the book for All In! this year?!?" <p></p><p>Keeping a smile on her face, Erin told them about the decision to end after ten wonderful years. "It's not a sad kind of loss. It's a good thing! It was wonderful for a long time. Now we'll be ready for something else!" </p><p>For a moment, it was quiet. "Oh," Grace replied. Her voice was soft; she looked at the floor, then back at Erin. "Well, thank you for doing it. All In! really meant a lot to me."</p><p>Now it was our turn to be overwhelmed. They weren't ready for the news, and we weren't ready for the response. </p><p>Just this past week, another former student re-entered our lives. Zach is performing senior service hours and was warmly welcomed back to middle school by his former teachers and rapidly has achieved near celebrity-status in the eyes of our students (who think he's just about the coolest kid they've ever met.)</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lFcXI0V__mSCeoQyqa-069tKKWs17D7um-8rqvu3ReGJUA2yMAR3DtD8KfQPafblVUpfxs00AwUszJ2Orxg1Ul12VZK4tkSEaAm2L9KEF3Fa0YIvGR7tK9JCpDEQ6knkBifmaLXPot19bu4ZwTZt-iYKf8m2fCWrOF-rOUVmbYd4x8NwsfwAf6HlyA/s955/All%20In%20Nine%20books.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="955" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lFcXI0V__mSCeoQyqa-069tKKWs17D7um-8rqvu3ReGJUA2yMAR3DtD8KfQPafblVUpfxs00AwUszJ2Orxg1Ul12VZK4tkSEaAm2L9KEF3Fa0YIvGR7tK9JCpDEQ6knkBifmaLXPot19bu4ZwTZt-iYKf8m2fCWrOF-rOUVmbYd4x8NwsfwAf6HlyA/w200-h149/All%20In%20Nine%20books.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ten years</i></td></tr></tbody></table>When he stepped into Erin's room, he took a big breath. "Wow. So many memories in here! Oh! <i>Unbroken</i>!" He picked it up and started flipping pages. "You know, this book was All In! 2015. That was the year before I came here, but our first book was the one about the brother and the sister. It was World War II, and they were from one of the Baltic countries. I forget the title, but it was written by Ruta Sepetys." <p></p><p>Ruta Sepetys - ask her and she'll tell you that she has spent a good deal of her life correcting folks on how to pronounce her name - but he knew it. Rolled right off his tongue.</p><p>Zach continued to walk the shelves. "You know the best book you recommended to me?" Erin strained her brain; no, she had no idea. Thankfully, he saved her from herself. "It was <i>The Berlin Boxing Club</i>. Seriously, that was the best book I've ever read. I still think about it sometimes. Thank you for giving that to me. That was really an incredible story."</p><p>We recommend books to kids all day long; to be honest, Erin's never even read that one. She has no memory of recommending that book to that child. It was likely just an ordinary day, just Zach coming in for another book (he was a book-a-week kind of kid), and Erin suggested a title. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvKdTvLqT0UdK0eKHmO7m3-74MhXZzU-eS-t6T2kEF41WC7o9hILFkw7vr48BFYLX8KK6k-BTCvMatcr0eh3etWtsr_ZfoCjK2clkVCAau6uBzAbZJrkYGpmmJzZrCVP7r5Op5tDCUrTKzOboshcM7vOqxV9gkh5UflYOE8ji8RttWcBx8n0JPeudXQ/s4032/IMG_6335.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvKdTvLqT0UdK0eKHmO7m3-74MhXZzU-eS-t6T2kEF41WC7o9hILFkw7vr48BFYLX8KK6k-BTCvMatcr0eh3etWtsr_ZfoCjK2clkVCAau6uBzAbZJrkYGpmmJzZrCVP7r5Op5tDCUrTKzOboshcM7vOqxV9gkh5UflYOE8ji8RttWcBx8n0JPeudXQ/w200-h150/IMG_6335.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Reading Between Shades of Gray</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>These wonderful young adults have given us a gift. How often do teachers get to see the lasting impact they have students? We feel so blessed that these encounters have reflected back to us the importance of our involvement. To think that these folks have such positive memories about their experiences...in Middle School...reading a book...by choice. Well, I think it's safe to say. </p><p>We're overwhelmed. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_2agfi3DJOceXICYz2kMQh0A0W3zmD8dvseao6kBvaisQjeg6yWsGibwfYGYjq__12WA2OzAbH2QXgAGFPM5DJtFBy8yW8pLElNLfryGqU5SRaOUPcbCGAYnJhMsfS0xZJfM2aG-tCN-1iR0DzASbwRlphn-ZPjOjf5-M2p2OY0w--zncIeJ5_6vfg/s4032/IMG_4190.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_2agfi3DJOceXICYz2kMQh0A0W3zmD8dvseao6kBvaisQjeg6yWsGibwfYGYjq__12WA2OzAbH2QXgAGFPM5DJtFBy8yW8pLElNLfryGqU5SRaOUPcbCGAYnJhMsfS0xZJfM2aG-tCN-1iR0DzASbwRlphn-ZPjOjf5-M2p2OY0w--zncIeJ5_6vfg/w200-h150/IMG_4190.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Before he left, Zach noticed the poster-sized photograph Erin has stuck to her wall. "Oh man! That's Ms. Cotillo!" We laughed. Yep. There we are: us in our CRL shirts, kinda sweaty, standing in a gym full of kids during a <i>Salt to the Sea</i> activity.<p></p><p></p><p>"That's so cool - you guys are still friends!"</p>Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-504958712612378912021-11-04T07:08:00.004-04:002021-11-04T07:08:51.039-04:00A CRL guide to using PONY in your classroomThanks for stopping in! <div><br /></div><div> We hope you enjoyed the Booklist chat with R.J. Palaccio as much as we did. We have so many ideas for how you can teach <i>Pony </i>in your classroom. Let's dive right in! </div><div><br /></div><div>
<b>Pre-Reading</b> </div><div><br /></div><div><u>1. Anticipation Guide</u> </div><div>The Crazy Reading Ladies love a good anticipation guide. There's nothing better than engaging early adolescents in discussion about prompts that have no easy answers. It's super satisfying to watch the gears turn. You can almost hear those synapses firing! Here are a few anticipation guide prompts we brainstormed: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> I believe in ghosts. </li><li> A person is either all good or all bad; there is no in-between. </li><li> I could survive on my own in the woods for a week. </li><li> Everyone deserves a second chance.</li><li>Kids are smarter now than they were 200 years ago. </li><li>Some secrets should never be told. </li><li>Sometimes you have to be scared or in pain in order to grow. </li><li>My family name is important to me. </li><li>Children lie more than adults do. </li><li>In order to be considered intelligent, one must complete formal schooling. </li><li>Speaking with correct grammar indicates higher intelligence.</li></ul></div><div> <u>2. Pre-teaching literary references</u></div><div>Silas grew up reading the books that were available to him, reading stories like Arthurian legends and Greek mythology. When trying to find an appropriate name for Pony, Silas considers several characters. Students can do some quick online research about these characters and discuss the appropriateness of each name. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bucephalus </li><li>Gringolet </li><li>Perceval </li><li>Aetheon </li><li>Telemachus</li></ul></div><div><u> 3. Quick write</u></div><div>Provide students with copies of the black and white photos that begin each chapter and have them write short vignettes about the people they see. For a super quick write, go for 6 word stories. </div><div><br /></div><div><u> 4. Play the book trailer </u></div><div>Ask students to predict the conflict of the novel based on what they see. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aSKfTY54TzU" width="320" youtube-src-id="aSKfTY54TzU"></iframe></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>During Reading</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. <u>Discussion and writing prompts</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Is Martin Bird right to leave Silas alone? Why or why not?</li><li>In what ways is your relationship to your parents similar to Silas' relationship with his father? How is it different?</li><li>When Silas leaves, he takes his mother's violin. If you had to leave your home, what would you take?</li><li>What happened in the Woods? What does Silas see? </li><li>Have you ever had a special relationship with an animal? Or have you read about other special human/animal relationships (Augie/Daisy in <i>Wonder</i>, Mark and Beau in <i>The Honest Truth</i>)</li><li>Silas had a teacher whose words wounded him. Has a teacher ever said anything to you -positive or negative - that you still think about?</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>2. <u>Textual Evidence practice</u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkryx7RXqUJ8P5nuXMlgIWUskOCO_ftje6IM8uS8ws9EA4lZQXRx4QdIoSIT3lbQYNL8z3gVPCwX-Knu54clyuhs6ZC3uId-gZRvdwLWRTNktfyKTfiWMGrScCpl_cBm0ukGwKuK19eJYG/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="198" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkryx7RXqUJ8P5nuXMlgIWUskOCO_ftje6IM8uS8ws9EA4lZQXRx4QdIoSIT3lbQYNL8z3gVPCwX-Knu54clyuhs6ZC3uId-gZRvdwLWRTNktfyKTfiWMGrScCpl_cBm0ukGwKuK19eJYG/w219-h281/image.png" width="219" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Consider the following. Provide textual evidence from <i>Pony </i>to support the ideas presented. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Watch your thoughts, they become your words.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Watch your words, they become your actions.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Watch your actions, they become your habits. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Watch your habits, they become your character.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Character is everything. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>After Reading</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. <u>Writing activity</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book begins and ends with an article from <i>The Boneville Courier.</i> Please write a <i>Boneville Courier</i> article for the beginning of each/select chapter(s). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. <u>Writing/discussion activity</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Revisit your anticipation guide and choose a statement for which you have changed your mind. Write a paragraph explaining how <i>Pony </i>changed your thinking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. <u>Textual evidence practice</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all of the secrets of the book are revealed (Mittenwool's identity, Marshal Farmer's history, Sheriff Chalfont's connection to Silas, the location of the gold, etc.) please go back to the text to identify moments of foreshadowing. (Hint! Start with page 3 and the description of Martin Bird's boots.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'd love to hear from you if use any of these! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy reading! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyrJUtQ5u3HcsPSS8XMsx8qiEAUQFQEDoiSwpeHVKppS0fIYJktsKHHHtbVqZPLzRNk71HO1jqUnASnzn7U_HWi_sZnzwyxlJakBlqaUoxPTY_x_jVJ8uy2r8tUFS1jtKQfcp8dAca1o4/s293/PONY.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="200" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyrJUtQ5u3HcsPSS8XMsx8qiEAUQFQEDoiSwpeHVKppS0fIYJktsKHHHtbVqZPLzRNk71HO1jqUnASnzn7U_HWi_sZnzwyxlJakBlqaUoxPTY_x_jVJ8uy2r8tUFS1jtKQfcp8dAca1o4/s0/PONY.webp" width="200" /></a></div></div>Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-54739556720699995062020-12-30T12:11:00.001-05:002020-12-30T12:12:42.158-05:00Connecting through COVID - Admin Edition<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve grown into being an administrator. When I first started the job, I found myself overwhelmed and perhaps regretting the decision to leave the classroom. (See my last </span><a href="http://crazyreadingladies.blogspot.com/2018/03/hi-mary-here.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">admin-centered post</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) Over time, I’ve settled in and gotten more comfortable and confident in the AP role. So, while I no longer feel like a dog stuck in a tree, there are a few things I still really, really miss about being in the classroom. And by far the biggest is building relationships with kids. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-926dbf6f-7fff-32c6-03c4-50b7bec39933"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The past ten months have been ridiculously challenging in the world of education, and I found myself depressed. I hated the idea of interacting with kids through screens. I needed to do something, but my hands were tied in so many ways. So, I borrowed from Erin and from Penguin Random House’s Instagram page, and I started First Chapter Friday. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The idea of First Chapter Friday is simple: each Friday you read aloud the first chapter of a different book. The goal is to introduce your students to new titles and authors, pique their curiosity, get them excited and wanting to read. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Authors and publishers have continued to clear our paths, removing legal barriers that once existed when sharing books. Chalk one up in the pandemic PRO column! </span><a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=remote-learning-still-the-norm-publishers-extend-permissions-for-read-alouds-COVID-19" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Click here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for guidelines provided by publishing houses - current as of Nov. 2020.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: 2pt solid #000000; display: inline-block; height: 340px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="523.421052631579" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9XqTEL5BoggXMfeeAHg7minh8Tnrnk_ZOopiX5FCi0WnkiJG6eK-TMIIndyrKDAtmNKapXESe__WrAisPmQQDziCbBS44CoJk2xh0DeBI63xgwy7gpQvs4bXhIDRjcWZm1JoMZtc" style="margin-left: -152.26794258373207px; margin-top: -98.42105263157895px;" width="931.5215311004785" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Welcome to my office! No, you’re not in trouble. I just want to read with you!” (Note the 6-foot distance measuring stick in the background.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since I don’t have a classroom like Erin or a social media following like PRH, I recorded myself reading and shared the videos with Literacy teachers in my school. I told them I had no expectation that they would use the videos, but that I was doing it to keep myself sane. I said I hoped they would find it helpful - 20 minutes of class each week that they didn't have to plan. I held my breath and crossed my fingers and clicked “share.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Best. Decision. Ever. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At first, it was a trickle. A student doing a double take when they saw me in the cafeteria, smiling under my mask. Another one complimenting me on my reading skills. A student throwing over their shoulder, “I really liked that book you read” while scurrying past in the halls. Then the emails started coming asking to borrow books. Then it was kids arguing with each other over who should get to borrow the book first, which book they liked better. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teachers shared with me how much their students enjoyed the chapters and asked me to come read to their classes in person. They politely asked me, “Please don’t stop,” the panic of teaching in 2020 creeping into their tone. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On picture day for our remote students, I staffed the check-in table. These are students who learn full time at home and don’t see me daily in the halls and cafeteria. But they *had* seen me on the first chapter Friday videos, and one after another thanked me for reading and asked about borrowing books. I even had a parent come back into the building after leaving to say, “I had to make sure it was really you. I thought your cockney accent was EXCELLENT.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I achieved my selfish goal...I made myself feel better. And honestly, in terms of making recommendations to administrators, I feel like I could just stop right here. “Do this and you’ll feel good about yourself” is a damn fine recommendation, I think. So, please feel free to steal this idea and stop reading here. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: 2pt solid #000000; display: inline-block; height: 337px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="528.0826958911587" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tI0o4mqWrSwMDugxnCsGnNnBqJDNQTSsbTIPXOVWydDa7G1GSecAJWytl2esAW-93Bmd_aBUxxyY3gEXG_eGoWiOsSLJynGs61uCiyhFIDqvWMI9a_fSgJZUkPD83_p-1SIZpoty" style="margin-left: -156.7536231884058px; margin-top: -105.26617270238827px;" width="940.5217391304348" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hmmmm...five little body icons. I wonder what that could be? Maybe the map key will tell us!” Teaching text features and active reading under the guise of First Chapter Friday.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For those of you still with me, let me explain a few other take-aways. </span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It gives students an opportunity to see me in a different light. The majority of my chapters are recorded in my office. That means, should a student be sent to my office, they won’t be walking into unfamiliar territory speaking to a scary assistant principal. They’ll be in Ms. Cotillo’s office talking to the lady who reads in a bad English accent. It makes me so much more human. </span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 1a. Speaking of human - they get to see me with my mask off. </span></p><br /><ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It gives us something to talk about. Pre-First-Chapter-Friday I would desperately try to engage in conversation by asking kids what Wordly Wise lesson they’re on. (I’m not kidding...I’m running out of ideas here, folks). Now, students start talking with me about the chapters they’ve just heard. I gush over how much I loved it too, and the conversation about books is underway. </span></p></li></ol><br /><ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students are borrowing my books...which means they return my books and we get to talk about whether or not they liked them. More relationship building!</span></p></li></ol><br /><ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The teachers are appreciative. They've sent me emails and thank me in the hallways and tell me how much the kids look forward to the readings and talk about the books. I’ve had teachers assign listening to a chapter as part of their sub plans. I mean, any time I can help make sub plans easier, I feel pretty dang supportive. </span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To sum up: Administrators, if you’re looking for a relationship building tool, First Chapter Friday is going to pay HUGE dividends with both students and staff. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few super quick logistics notes:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to beginning my reading, I shared a list of books with my school librarian, and she ordered copies of anything she didn’t already have. That way we’re able to meet student demand for books. I’m also comfortable sharing my personal books. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I recorded four chapters before realizing the audio-only content might not be accessible to all students. Since then, I’ve recorded 13 more, and I project the book while I read. I use Kindle books on the Kindle Cloud Reader in one tab and Screencastify in a second tab. I split my screen and record the desktop. It works perfectly. </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: 2pt solid #000000; display: inline-block; height: 332px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><img height="520.2321428571429" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WEMQQlablGqgNzO35rzzIPf5a27pFf2P6BXgfgBaU4BUyj2-iUXeZJMrxsrmbDr6ajRLl3NHEsu_rW7iA7EQrwcu4WLuApfw_CSvYVWVZR4lIPOGUwOZ1PJ6EjMaeHnqUZpNSwO9" style="margin-left: -151.04784688995215px; margin-top: -103.75px;" width="924.0574162679426" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Call me Clauuuuudia!” It’s hard for kids to be scared of me when I make a fool out of myself reading once a week. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Erin and I have made our thoughts on this super clear -the best way to build relationships with kids is through books - so, you really gotta wonder what took me so long to apply it to administrative life. SMH. But, hey, better late than never. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-25191074100501772842020-04-03T11:19:00.000-04:002020-04-03T11:53:18.666-04:00Well, this is unexpected. We know you're inundated with free trials and online learning ideas and Pinterest-worthy posts by colleagues that make you feel like a failure. (You're not. We love you. You got this.) We know you probably don't need any more suggestions about what you could be doing or how you should be doing it. So we'll use this blog post to share with you what we're doing. And if you feel like copying it - feel free. And we'll keep it messy and honest and real. Nothing Pinterest-worthy here!<br />
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When in doubt, read aloud.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SL0ndRbao2roIISEeKmub5ZQxNJYDpSVKrBkXl6qKDhcdosUo6tIu9m7RObI334b4b2ueXqqmYXf_qVeyIp4fNlt7G7MOtF66qO4x0FhXT5sU7UbjL-g9F7Dy5Wz1KnSIzwHnQb6rgo6/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SL0ndRbao2roIISEeKmub5ZQxNJYDpSVKrBkXl6qKDhcdosUo6tIu9m7RObI334b4b2ueXqqmYXf_qVeyIp4fNlt7G7MOtF66qO4x0FhXT5sU7UbjL-g9F7Dy5Wz1KnSIzwHnQb6rgo6/s320/IMG_0476.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, even 8th graders love being read to</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kids love being read to. People naturally gravitate towards that in Elementary school, but they tend to forget about it in Middle School. We middle school educators are ALL ABOUT the read aloud, even when there isn't a pandemic and we have a full classroom of kids in front of us. When we have to <i>shift</i> (are you as sick of that word as we are?) to online learning, read alouds are even better! What a great way to connect with kids, share time with them, share yourself with them.<br />
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We know we're preaching to the choir, but - considering you may be experiencing the same information-overload we are and are fried and don't know what day it is and maybe just ran your dryer without clothes in it *raises hand* - we figured it couldn't hurt to reiterate what can be accomplished during a read aloud.<br />
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When you read aloud, what you provide your students includes but is not limited to:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Vital SEL connections </li>
<li>Awareness of decision making skills (masked as discussion of character choices and behavior)</li>
<li>Mini-lessons on figurative language, dialogue, narration, etc.</li>
<li>Instruction of writing techniques (point out varying sentence structure, or use of flashbacks or internal dialogue)</li>
<li>Extension to history or science (research real-life humans, experiences, and events!)</li>
<li>Vocabulary (Who knows what this <i>clairvoyant</i> means?) </li>
<li>Comprehension skills (Stop and ask questions. They won't even know they're learning.) </li>
<li>Author's purpose (Why do you think the author included that scene?)</li>
<li>Quote analysis </li>
<li>Theme development (What is the author <i>saying</i> about belonging?)</li>
<li>Meta-cognition of the act of reading (Say aloud, "Oh, this must be a new character. Haven't heard of him before. Let's see where he fits in."</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at all that teaching work you're doing! Put your cape on! You're a superhero! You win at life!</div>
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Read alouds have been our salvation - personally and professionally- these last few weeks. Whether live or pre-recorded, a comfy read aloud allows your kids to see you in messy hair and sweatpants, your cats wandering in the background, your dog playing with toys, your kids making a mess. It allows you to look human! That's a good thing!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSVEqCeUKvytcM8FTCBx5lL7pwnakO8oaFjLgPsrfhZYlR5dG4S0bnXVDv6nMcPTnW06PSBHKkGf_t1gMQ7BJCRelneHbLRvFY-jbfw_SNbxOpHlN2Y8nH-JR01EOOZXSbZ-li5jM_Rdg/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSVEqCeUKvytcM8FTCBx5lL7pwnakO8oaFjLgPsrfhZYlR5dG4S0bnXVDv6nMcPTnW06PSBHKkGf_t1gMQ7BJCRelneHbLRvFY-jbfw_SNbxOpHlN2Y8nH-JR01EOOZXSbZ-li5jM_Rdg/s200/IMG_0705.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: not even close to six feet apart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mary has been guest reader for a reading club in her school. She used Screencastify, a Google extension. She had a PDF of the text she was reading on her screen and her own messy-haired, makeup free face in a corner.<br />
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Erin has been hosting live read-aloud sessions every day (Saturdays, too!) at 9am and noon. She's using Google Meet to connect with kids live from her couch. She's got her breakfast crew and her lunch bunch. She's even attracted younger siblings and parents.<br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, we're not talking massive numbers of kids here, either. There are about 40 students in the book club Mary guest-read for - and most don't use the teacher-read option. Erin regularly has 8-12 kids sit in on her read alouds. But THAT'S OKAY. It's like the starfish story. (Don't know it? Google it. It could make for a cool lesson with your kids.) It doesn't matter if you don't reach ALL the kids...you just have to reach one. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These read-alouds may be a life line for a child who needs one. They may be a blessed respite for a parent who is trying to juggle working from home and being an online school coordinator. They may be downtime for a family who is exhausted by anxiety and uncertainty. So if it's only a handful, that's okay. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="224.99999999999997" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0DAe8HukhDEd3PxA-QjOn5pIlr3vBc6_8b1bCVmgnV0Qf5pHnNFlDlN7ZCRtftcHIR4y1qFl5QV1RKVd_0f4t6PKwPjBbGHAhdktf3xdC-0611QUxq0Ng1373qg4nbJpdhmVvENq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: -26px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After: Don't judge. We warned you it wasn't pretty. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And here's another thing that shouldn't be overlooked...these read aloud sessions help teachers maintain normalcy. It helps us feel like we're doing something familiar and comforting. That's important, too! We've been tossed into the new world of online teaching with precious little warning and training. So there is absolutely nothing wrong with engaging in something that is simple and familiar. </span></span><br />
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Erin recently finished her "breakfast book:" a super-popular 295-page middle-grade novel, and it was completed in under two weeks. Hallelujah! FINALLY! We are showing our kids how novels <i>should </i>be read. How many times have we fought to balance our read-alouds amid curriculum requirements and dragged the thing on for six, eight, fourteen weeks?<br />
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You've heard us preach before: The books you read may be the only books a child is exposed to all year long. That's why we have to make them good ones.<br />
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But here's a new thought: the <i>way</i> you read could be the only model a child sees for how one should experience the gift of reading.<br />
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Many authors and publishers have granted their permission for teacher read alouds during this unexpected time. Find a book you want to read (Now is your chance! Pick the good stuff!), Google the publisher (<a href="https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=publishers-adapt-policies-to-help-educators-coronavirus-covid19" target="_blank">we've linked a list here)</a> and follow the guidelines.<br />
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But be prepared for the kids to ask you to read on the weekends or to "Keep going! Pllleeeeeeease!"<br />
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<br />Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-17062489156369477052020-01-25T20:44:00.001-05:002020-01-25T20:47:20.065-05:00Election Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NJMyUoukXlat80COgxjoMZBVH0H8kSBOI1BORb1jSPeNmPyacG91BsHSMMo6yaL9RVlYjuibhoUAUsNkxtQ-29rFrLn7vZ26IskVia35_1fPeAxLDc-7r0DsJGj0HIfeASTmB5Collsv/s1600/IMG_9819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NJMyUoukXlat80COgxjoMZBVH0H8kSBOI1BORb1jSPeNmPyacG91BsHSMMo6yaL9RVlYjuibhoUAUsNkxtQ-29rFrLn7vZ26IskVia35_1fPeAxLDc-7r0DsJGj0HIfeASTmB5Collsv/s200/IMG_9819.JPG" width="150" /></a>There are candidates and in-depth profiles. There are Q&As and fact sheets available to the public. Campaign slogans pepper the halls and signs bearing a name have appeared in doorways. There are promises made and super PACs being formed. There are devotees and undecideds. There are commercials and hashtags and celebrity endorsements. "Who are you voting for?" is the hottest topic of lunchtime conversation.<br />
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It's an election year, after all.<br />
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But for one week, at our middle school in Massachusetts, it was about a book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0UN1gg7RpS64vyozSWMS8id0o_Y71krx2iuue1_aM4RCHhS7OLY5HKh1ZYRW71E3otxBQevQnvKyzsLkK17cKJKDAdU6TmZiE2357QKQKrmz-_ywFjGreRcQOwRkQfmyZAeE-28kixRY/s1600/IMG_9915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0UN1gg7RpS64vyozSWMS8id0o_Y71krx2iuue1_aM4RCHhS7OLY5HKh1ZYRW71E3otxBQevQnvKyzsLkK17cKJKDAdU6TmZiE2357QKQKrmz-_ywFjGreRcQOwRkQfmyZAeE-28kixRY/s200/IMG_9915.JPG" width="200" /></a>Like so many things in our CRL existence, this started as an accident. We couldn't decide on a book for our annual school-wide read.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6OfEj3pto8gEkD29cQ8-grvwN1qzL82k4HffpR2m5iFxNsaZgcJEu_pj09HaqASLg_pZIccmXCkVziIvhCZ0gWyp0KDSStVwoccyaRFtIbZiYeimcoZqBileCJ5eNVNZPMKFdah75T9Y/s1600/IMG_9894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6OfEj3pto8gEkD29cQ8-grvwN1qzL82k4HffpR2m5iFxNsaZgcJEu_pj09HaqASLg_pZIccmXCkVziIvhCZ0gWyp0KDSStVwoccyaRFtIbZiYeimcoZqBileCJ5eNVNZPMKFdah75T9Y/s200/IMG_9894.JPG" width="200" /></a>Then it dawned on us: it's 2020. Let's have the kids vote!<br />
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Three candidates were announced last week, and Monday our middle schoolers will vote for the All In! 2020 title. The reveal is set for Tuesday morning.<br />
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So before the assembly and likely technical difficulties, before any schedule changes and ordering snafus, before the numbers start rolling in and we start paying way too much attention to who is reading and who is not, we're taking a moment to celebrate.<br />
<br />
Because for one week, it was about a book.<br />
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<br />Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-63481925494438341652019-10-24T07:23:00.000-04:002019-10-24T09:47:15.535-04:00Books Build Bridges: Using YA Literature to Support SEL in Middle SchoolHello again!<br />
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We had requests to share our SEL presentation slides, so here they are. The second presentation is Building a Community of Readers. Please reach out with questions at 2crazyreadingladies@gmail.com.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://flipgrid.com/booksbuildbridges</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre;">https://flipgrid.com/leadingliteracy</span><br />
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Also, if you're in the area, we invite you to join us in building a literacy collaborative. We'd love to collaborate with you on author visits, literacy initiatives, and school visits. Send us an email and we'll include you in the planning!<br />
<br />
We'll be at MassCue today presenting on a wide variety of literacy initiatives. We'll be in Red 72 at 2:45. Join us!<br />
<br />Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-64018703255399286072019-10-23T09:57:00.000-04:002019-10-23T09:57:34.521-04:00Our SEL shopping listWell hi, there!<br />
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We've been talking a lot lately about the super cool SEL libraries we're creating for HMMS thanks to the Franklin Education Foundation and the pinnacle grant we received. Lots of folks have asked for the books that we ordered, and we figured this was the easiest way to share it. Happy shopping!<br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; table-layout: fixed; width: 0px;" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><colgroup><col width="248"></col><col width="186"></col><col width="137"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Title"}" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">Title</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Author"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">Author</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"ISBN"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: center; vertical-align: bottom;">ISBN</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"24 Hours in Nowhere"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">24 Hours in Nowhere</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Bowling"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Bowling</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781454929246}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781454929246</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"42 is Not Just a Number"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">42 is Not Just a Number</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Rappaport"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Rappaport</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781536206326}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781536206326</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Good Kind of Trouble"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">A Good Kind of Trouble</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Ramee"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Ramee</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780062836687}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780062836687</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Land of Permanent Goodbyes"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">A Land of Permanent Goodbyes</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Abawi"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Abawi</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780399546853}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780399546853</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Monster Calls"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">A Monster Calls</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Ness"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Ness</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780763660659}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780763660659</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Night Divided"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">A Night Divided</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Nielsen"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Nielsen</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780545682442}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780545682442</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"A Thunderous Whisper"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">A Thunderous Whisper</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gonzalez"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Gonzalez</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780375873713}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780375873713</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"After Zero"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">After Zero</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Collins"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Collins</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781492697350}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781492697350</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"All American Boys"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">All American Boys</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Kiely/Reynolds"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Kiely/Reynolds</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781481463348}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781481463348</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Amal Unbound"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Amal Unbound</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Saeed"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Saeed</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780399544682}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780399544682</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Americanized"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Americanized</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Saedi"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Saedi</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781524717827}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781524717827</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"An Elephant in the Garden"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">An Elephant in the Garden</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Morpugo"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Morpugo</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781250034144}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781250034144</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"As Brave as You"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">As Brave as You</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Reynolds"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Reynolds</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781481415910}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781481415910</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Born a Crime"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Born a Crime</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Noah"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Noah</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780525582168}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780525582168</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Brown Girl Dreaming"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Brown Girl Dreaming</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Woodson"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Woodson</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780147515827}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780147515827</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Can You See Me"}" style="background-color: #d0cece; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Can You See Me (2020 pub date)</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Scott & Wescott"}" style="background-color: #d0cece; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Scott & Wescott</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781407195674}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781407195674</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Challenger Deep"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Challenger Deep</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Shusterman"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Shusterman</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780061134142}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780061134142</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Counting by 7s"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Counting by 7s</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sloan"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sloan</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780142422861}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780142422861</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sonnenblick"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sonnenblick</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780545320702}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780545320702</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Dear Martin"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Dear Martin</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Stone"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Stone</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781101939529}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781101939529</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Eleven"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Eleven</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Rogers"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Rogers</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780991181001}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780991181001</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Enchanted Air"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Enchanted Air</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Engle"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Engle</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781481435239}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781481435239</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Every Last Word"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Every Last Word</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Stone"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Stone</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781484723647}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781484723647</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Extraordinary Birds"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Extraordinary Birds</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Stark-McGinnis"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Stark-McGinnis</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781547601004}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781547601004</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fast Break"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Fast Break</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lupica"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Lupica</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781101997833}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781101997833</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Fish in a Tree"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Fish in a Tree</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hunt"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Hunt</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780142426425}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780142426425</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Genesis Begins Again"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Genesis Begins Again</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Williams"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Williams</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781481465809}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781481465809</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Ghost"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Ghost</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Reynolds"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Reynolds</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781481450164}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781481450164</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Ghost Boys"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Ghost Boys</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Rhodes"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Rhodes</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780316262262}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780316262262</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Girl Stolen"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Girl Stolen</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Henry"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Henry</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780312674755}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780312674755</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Golden Boy"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Golden Boy</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sullivan"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sullivan</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780142424506}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780142424506</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gone"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Gone</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Grant"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Grant</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780061448782}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780061448782</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Good Dog"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Good Dog</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gemeinhart"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Gemeinhart</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781338528756}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781338528756</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Good Enough"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Good Enough</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Petro-Roy"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Petro-Roy</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781250123510}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781250123510</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hey, Kiddo"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Hey, Kiddo</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Krocozska"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Krocozska</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780545902489}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780545902489</td></tr>
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<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Other Words For Home"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Other Words For Home</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Warga"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Warga</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780062747808}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780062747808</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Out of My Mind"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Out of My Mind</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Draper"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Draper</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781416971719}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781416971719</td></tr>
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<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Prisoner B-3087 *only in hc*"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Prisoner B-3087 *only in hc*</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Gratz"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Gratz</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780545459013}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780545459013</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Restart"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Restart</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Korman"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Korman</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781338053807}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781338053807</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Revolver"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Revolver</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sedgwick"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sedgwick</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780312547974}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780312547974</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Rules"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Rules</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Lord"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Lord</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780439443838}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780439443838</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Saving Marty"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Saving Marty</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Griffin"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Griffin</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780399539084}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780399539084</td></tr>
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<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Slider (paperback)"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Slider (paperback)</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hautman"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Hautman</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781536204322}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781536204322</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Speechless"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Speechless</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Schmitt"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Schmitt</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781536200928}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781536200928</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Starfish"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Starfish</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Bowman"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Bowman</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781481487733}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781481487733</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Tell Me Three Things"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Tell Me Three Things</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Buxbaum"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Buxbaum</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780553535679}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780553535679</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The 57 Bus *only in hc*"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">The 57 Bus *only in hc*</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Slater"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Slater</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780374303235}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780374303235</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Bitter Side of Sweet"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">The Bitter Side of Sweet</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Sullivan"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Sullivan</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780147515094}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780147515094</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Boy in the Black Suit"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">The Boy in the Black Suit</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Reynolds"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Reynolds</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781442459519}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781442459519</td></tr>
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<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Boys Who Challenged Hitler"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">The Boys Who Challenged Hitler</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Pedersen"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Pedersen</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780374300227}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780374300227</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Dead"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">The Dead</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Higson"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Higson</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781484721452}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781484721452</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"The Enemy"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">The Enemy</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Higson"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Higson</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781484721469}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781484721469</td></tr>
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<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Wolf Hollow"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Wolf Hollow</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Wolk"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Wolk</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9781101994849}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9781101994849</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;"><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Words on Bathroom Walls"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Words on Bathroom Walls</td><td data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Walton"}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom;">Walton</td><td data-sheets-numberformat="[null,2,"0",1]" data-sheets-value="{"1":3,"3":9780399550911}" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 3px; text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;">9780399550911</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-16418663446808308892019-09-13T09:32:00.001-04:002019-09-13T09:32:45.511-04:00How to Get the Good StuffWe all know that the greatest thing we can do to grow readers is to put good books in the hands of kids.<br />
<br />
We know. We believe. But how do we <i>do</i> it?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYWMSAmX19k9anwkBrtnQ4S6DxGF8xEctBgGpzqvutNJht5ZoJc57ZpPpojRHCgJAxmNhjriTitBfsiwvzhMOgMzBknaSYaUkISYu1bM-GttEA-9dODVj4MWCoFTKAB2dI-nxxz4y6Ps/s1600/IMG_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYWMSAmX19k9anwkBrtnQ4S6DxGF8xEctBgGpzqvutNJht5ZoJc57ZpPpojRHCgJAxmNhjriTitBfsiwvzhMOgMzBknaSYaUkISYu1bM-GttEA-9dODVj4MWCoFTKAB2dI-nxxz4y6Ps/s200/IMG_1955.JPG" width="200" /></a>On Tuesday, we bore witness to a teacher wrestling with this very problem. She reached out to the Twitter-verse, seeking ways to build her classroom library and offer her kids the books she knew they wanted.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"How do you do it?" she inquired. "Good books cost money. Those are the ones that interest my students, but classics are often free. How do schools afford to buy the books kids want?"</i> </div>
<br />
We didn't even know this person, but our heads nodded in agreement, we sighed right along with her, and then got to work on this post.<br />
<br />
It's true. Good books cost money. And, unless you're a Donalyn Miller devotee or the owner of a Crazy Reading Lady shirt, many people in positions of power simply don't understand that it takes money to maintain good libraries.<br />
<br />
"But we bought new books last year." or "We have all of those copies of *fill in the blank* in the storage closet. Why can't you use those?"<br />
<br />
The misguided logic behind the struggle is worth at least one other blog post, but that is not our aim here. Please know that we are not intending to solve the problem of access and budgets, we simply wanted to share a few of the things that have enabled us to keep good books on our shelves and in the hands of our kids.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHUYIsy9YkCk5OZ3_BvVertXkbcOHOHwJ3zZOQWArFlBcUlwcORStM1sQPcL9oXNjDSMDM7J9GwcLWjb0tXUsBCnHrIHVtheMCDbV0ibw3au2Rqg4NvSOtA58U0uAv8V17TRLttpZy_w/s1600/IMG_2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHUYIsy9YkCk5OZ3_BvVertXkbcOHOHwJ3zZOQWArFlBcUlwcORStM1sQPcL9oXNjDSMDM7J9GwcLWjb0tXUsBCnHrIHVtheMCDbV0ibw3au2Rqg4NvSOtA58U0uAv8V17TRLttpZy_w/s200/IMG_2596.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All donated, all available for free</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Host a Book Buffet:</b> Twice a year, we hold book donation drives. We ask community members and families to purge their book shelves and consider "re-homing" books they've read and loved. The Bibliosaurus (a dapper recycling bin) stands ready to collect them in the school lobby. We then invite teachers and families to shop and get new-to-them books for free.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfb62vSA6y6zlJPdcWl98c_U06rrWhyphenhyphen7YfKXOJsDX6xT6ktQODjHA8x01gv-Xlha5m67gjbqsSvVpZroK454r49k_BkDvxY-Zck4OmOZDo8LDWTqvubJALqNHmkatmdmWh29LKHTmOlo/s1600/IMG_2460+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfb62vSA6y6zlJPdcWl98c_U06rrWhyphenhyphen7YfKXOJsDX6xT6ktQODjHA8x01gv-Xlha5m67gjbqsSvVpZroK454r49k_BkDvxY-Zck4OmOZDo8LDWTqvubJALqNHmkatmdmWh29LKHTmOlo/s200/IMG_2460+%25281%2529.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet the Bibliosaurus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Library Book Sales:</b> Public libraries typically hold book sales several times a year, during which they sell donated books at a very low cost ($5 a bag.) Three years ago, the two of us attacked the sale early one Saturday morning. We were there to purchase new books for homeroom libraries and had agreed to split the cost. We were caffeinated and probably wearing matching t-shirts. We got some GREAT STUFF - new releases, hard covers, and books in like-new condition. We stopped once we took the time to count and realized we had accumulated over $60 worth of books. When we went to check out, we verbalized our excitement and told the volunteer what the books were for.<br />
"These are for kids?" he asked.<br />
"Yep!" we told him. "Hopefully, each homeroom will get some new books for the start of the school year."<br />
"Wait here" he said.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn54nxGmrbAokkoFoW0iubTsJ0yvJFra3HM8kJPS9IUtkmrfdbRcrvvL0esNsT3JaIbreJvpGBKAGUVYLq9UkE_0yWoNA_DF6yQzGoJYUEwPIXZCV9itfle4O0TtGxxeBLuP36bpSE54/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn54nxGmrbAokkoFoW0iubTsJ0yvJFra3HM8kJPS9IUtkmrfdbRcrvvL0esNsT3JaIbreJvpGBKAGUVYLq9UkE_0yWoNA_DF6yQzGoJYUEwPIXZCV9itfle4O0TtGxxeBLuP36bpSE54/s200/IMG_0812.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Moments later, the library director came over to us. "Take them" she said. "They're for the kids, we want you to have them." We cried, gave her a hug and $20 and then loaded them into the car. Since then, our library lets teachers shop book sales for free. Perhaps your library director is as wonderful as ours.<br />
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<b>Book Fairs:</b> Check with your local book store (independents are the way to go!) and see if you can arrange a book fair. Our awesome indie allows us to host a 3 day fair, during which we get 20% of the proceeds. What do we do? Turn that money right back around and buy new books - which they will likely sell to you at a discount. Advertise like crazy - send fliers and emails home and try to tie it in with another school event - can the band perform? Would the art teacher put things on display? The more students that are involved, the better your attendance will be.<br />
<br />
<b>Savers/Yard Sales:</b> Again, you'll be using your own money but you can easily get new books at a fraction of the cost. Don't be afraid to ask for a discount at the store! Online sources such as Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace are also ripe for the picking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheDxONpilwy8Boqe9Mw0zxGndy8FaIVxhG47Ua4wh_efZRavCP0sjJ2EqXFIQAxmh-Mjvye1L4vV7NJzhYkcCawWvNGxdPXg6oYW8opIigOzKnKKYXT2G7j1cSB6Po3CZjURynxlYhwU/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheDxONpilwy8Boqe9Mw0zxGndy8FaIVxhG47Ua4wh_efZRavCP0sjJ2EqXFIQAxmh-Mjvye1L4vV7NJzhYkcCawWvNGxdPXg6oYW8opIigOzKnKKYXT2G7j1cSB6Po3CZjURynxlYhwU/s200/IMG_2603.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>Grants:</b> Though this is by far the most involved of any option, is it also phenomenally successful. When you write your grant, be sure to include research about kids and access to good books. If your school doesn't have a full-time, licensed librarian, tell them. Talk about accessibility and the achievement gap. And yes, we are speaking from success - just last year, we were awarded a grant to update our homeroom libraries with an influx of high-interest, contemporary titles. We tied it to <a href="http://crazyreadingladies.blogspot.com/2019/05/reading-is-social-emotional-learning.html">social-emotional learning</a> and decided to purchase books in sets of five, allowing kids to read with their friends. Just this week, we placed an order for 104 new titles, thanks to a local grant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHN-7RrQ3b4jsHzwzfO7XWoANT0CXIKgiBY8Cty1ebE5KJfnu88i01zQp2YCkCMwgeTvg1sxldTMlofh9kUMqRcrv8LunBJ7hDf6yg6p8FmyArzZX6mkZ9jhyphenhyphenJsWTG0oNi_WDWQb3tB0/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHN-7RrQ3b4jsHzwzfO7XWoANT0CXIKgiBY8Cty1ebE5KJfnu88i01zQp2YCkCMwgeTvg1sxldTMlofh9kUMqRcrv8LunBJ7hDf6yg6p8FmyArzZX6mkZ9jhyphenhyphenJsWTG0oNi_WDWQb3tB0/s200/IMG_2604.JPG" width="200" /></a>This post hasn't solved any problems, we know that; but hopefully, it serves to unite all of us in our struggle: our love for our kids and our desire to do what it right by them. Continue to push for new, contemporary titles and do whatever it takes to get them to your kids.<br />
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Do you have any favorite ways to get the good stuff? Leave a comment or reach out to us on Twitter @allinreadingErin O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624825126504131221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-34714551087768713642019-07-17T14:13:00.002-04:002019-07-17T14:20:00.348-04:00The Power of NoSo much of what we do is simple: read a lot, talk to kids about books, brainstorm ways to engage adolescents in the social opportunities a reading community provides. We match kids with books daily (sometimes unsolicited - watch out if you and your child are browsing for books in a public space) and have a pretty good grasp on what will "fit" each child; but sometimes, our recommendations fall flat.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Empowering students to say no is an essential part of building a reader.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VPe_xTyHi10hfcLSP3HTDBCRfBLEk_kQ7snqTifApFT7OuFR5KTcoYUIJ_sT_4R42V7ywMpKkA0nN3pti6pmDzAucaELIZvfmy7mAetNDuDddgrQAJaF6GdQTq-SaQMPUt3tQ1Wson4/s1600/IMG_5977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VPe_xTyHi10hfcLSP3HTDBCRfBLEk_kQ7snqTifApFT7OuFR5KTcoYUIJ_sT_4R42V7ywMpKkA0nN3pti6pmDzAucaELIZvfmy7mAetNDuDddgrQAJaF6GdQTq-SaQMPUt3tQ1Wson4/s200/IMG_5977.JPG" width="200" /></a>In years past, I can remember soft-spoken kids coming to my door, eyes cast down, telling me they didn't like a book. Some started the conversation with the words "No offense" or - even worse - "I'm sorry." It was clear they didn't want to insult us or hurt our feelings; but something needed to change if students weren't comfortable being honest.<br />
<br />
I suppose our excitement can be overwhelming. And when we do a whole song and dance about how much we loved a book, sometimes a child can feel a personal responsibility to like it. They think by loving the book, they are loving us and, by rejecting the book, they are rejecting us. Books have allowed us to have wonderfully personal conversations with students. That's how we build relationships and when you analyze the emotional investment at stake, kids can get mixed up and feel unintended pressure to keep something they don't want.<br />
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Now the power to say no is part of our schtick. "You'll know before fifty pages. If you get that far in and it's not something you're enjoying, bring it back to me. We'll find you something else. Promise?" Sometimes all it takes is a hallway chat a few days later. "Hey, how are you liking that book? Do you want something else or is it something you want to keep?"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently, we've heard kids repeat our dictum: "Life's too short for lousy books."</div>
<br />
It's especially empowering to share our rejected titles with students. Several months ago, we purchased a highly-anticipated hard cover book by one of our favorite authors. Five days later, we had both given up. There was such an emotional weight to that decision: It was a failure. We felt gypped by the un-experience - we wanted to like it! - and we felt like we had abandoned someone. I mean, we're educators. We're paid not to give up on people! But there are too many good books to be read. We listened to our own voice: "Life's too short for lousy books" and set it aside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NYjESZoLoTGzUmvf-Bn5XVZNWdICwd4Vbs2OOMJ_bkj64LGExkHYFEGcPNRZrqS_ETSu1weUUcsz7SVrs4p4Kx5XLfMQQuG5MFIyKvFv_HgEvGP6t4vRVoFR4ztuSNEujm7fr1UeHys/s1600/IMG_6448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NYjESZoLoTGzUmvf-Bn5XVZNWdICwd4Vbs2OOMJ_bkj64LGExkHYFEGcPNRZrqS_ETSu1weUUcsz7SVrs4p4Kx5XLfMQQuG5MFIyKvFv_HgEvGP6t4vRVoFR4ztuSNEujm7fr1UeHys/s200/IMG_6448.JPG" width="200" /></a>At the end of the school year, one mother thanked me for "turning her daughter into a reader." In the note, in which she chronicled her child's journey, she mentioned the power of saying no. "You taught her that reading is fun! You told her that if she's been reading a book for awhile and it's not enjoyable anymore, stop and find another book."<br />
<br />
Talking about our personal experiences with the less-than-stellar books helps build trust with our kids. They know we don't just *love* everything. We roll our eyes, we get confused, we get bored. We have high standards! Conversations that include experiences when we, too, had to abandon books forges another connection between us and our students. "You know, I started this one, but I just couldn't get into it." Their heads nod, their eyes grow wide, and they offer their own stories of books that failed to live up to the hype.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIp-2rxg97AE2vN-S_21PPJn199KpnWa1YqKJifQMFmABKw-nh48tdfNFlUWr5_at84jTRFib3l1QbdLcVNiOw-h3oBAKcaav_2jlg89RIibdGnFyhXZS9m_pOtF8tgqfQiCTSdv941w/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIp-2rxg97AE2vN-S_21PPJn199KpnWa1YqKJifQMFmABKw-nh48tdfNFlUWr5_at84jTRFib3l1QbdLcVNiOw-h3oBAKcaav_2jlg89RIibdGnFyhXZS9m_pOtF8tgqfQiCTSdv941w/s200/IMG_3537.JPG" width="200" /></a>Gone are the days when kids come to the door avoiding eye contact with their metaphorical tail tucked down. Now they march right in and declare, "Nope. Not this one" or "I'm not feeling it. What else ya got?" The process teaches them to trust their own tastes, confident that *they* are they expert. During these tumultuous middle school years, talking about books is a major step in developing the ability to tell people how you feel. These perfectly imperfect adolescents need to know that telling us they didn't like something won't ruin our relationship. We won't take it personally. By acknowledging their feelings we are empowering them to say no and find something that feels right. Their comfort, their joy, is our goal.<br />
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<br />Erin O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624825126504131221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-73665319726577782282019-05-05T16:50:00.001-04:002019-05-05T17:05:59.209-04:00Reading *IS* Social Emotional LearningIf your school district is anything like ours, you're hearing the acronym SEL a lot. SEL - Social Emotional Learning. We totally get it if your first reaction is to roll your eyes and zone out as people talk about what you're thinking is the next big buzzword while you wonder what initiative is about to be added to your miles long list. We get it. We do. <br />
<br />
Except...<br />
<br />
SEL is more than just a buzzword. It's an incredibly helpful concept that can help you support your students.<br />
<br />
Hear us out.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="170px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/l7d1AcSVkSahJAqykolJiL9yQ3faCQKnjKOKv0Wlh9aT8s7QXwOBuj2soDDKkwvMxFWPqDwWdEmpfGBqfZA1IZtRKcU7QX6gA0X09GUFjWLydENCPD6IB6tevjIluJqN4El8CUyNuw8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="228px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They can't Bloom until we Maslow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
SEL has always been a thing, it just didn't have a name. When we first started teaching, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and everyone had a landline, the idea of creating a safe and inclusive classroom was a nebulous idea. We knew what it FELT like when we walked into a classroom where kids and teachers were comfortable. But there was no blueprint for recreating that atmosphere in our own rooms. We learned via trial and error. But now we have SEL: a name that is linked to strategies that are just ripe for implementation. This is reason to celebrate! We've always known that kids <span style="font-family: inherit;">w</span>ho don't feel safe and cared for will never be interested in Algebra or Shakespeare. If we take some time to focus on SEL, we have real tools for supporting our kids.<br />
<br />
And guess what? Reading just happens to be your best ally for achieving SEL greatness.<br />
<br />
The CRL can sometimes been prone to hyperbole, but for real: reading IS social emotional learning.<br />
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There are a few different SEL models out there, but the one we use to ground our practice is Core SEL Competencies as Identified by the <a href="https://casel.org/core-competencies/" target="_blank">Collaboration for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL</a>).<br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CASEL defines five different competencies:<b> Self Awareness, Self Management, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills, </b>and<b> Social Awareness</b>. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Buckle up as we take you through each competency and highlight how books and reading can make you an SEL superstar. </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81wbb-egVUL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for extraordinary birds book" border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81wbb-egVUL.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brilliant new novel perfect<br />
for teaching Self Awareness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Self Awareness</u></b><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span> <br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CASEL defines Self Awareness as <span style="color: #666666;">"</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior....to accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a 'growth mindset.'”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Often, the first step in improving a skill in oneself is observing that skill in another. How do kids start to learn a new skateboarding trick? By watching others. LOTS of slow motion YouTube. Reading is like slow motion YouTube for self awareness. Students can read books about kids who </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">are lacking in self awareness, like <b><i>A Monster Calls</i></b> by Patrick Hess. Or they can read books about kids who have a high level of self awareness, like <b><i>The Beginning of Everything</i></b> by Robyn Schneider. Either way, they're exposed to the concept safely between the pages of a book. </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YZpDkrpDlq0aLf4sE9uxF-edVvbp6AzripuENF4Y_qsHFWeDOsj-S-WIKndHVlmLECvZiVzqE-kBSpalsLUVHEKnk0X9bl0EpUSeUVViJ-Op3T_bdWTAzvGWshNgx5qXPQACQDn5i2E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YZpDkrpDlq0aLf4sE9uxF-edVvbp6AzripuENF4Y_qsHFWeDOsj-S-WIKndHVlmLECvZiVzqE-kBSpalsLUVHEKnk0X9bl0EpUSeUVViJ-Op3T_bdWTAzvGWshNgx5qXPQACQDn5i2E" style="border-radius: 1.5px; border: 3px solid rgb(94, 105, 108);" width="126" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protagonist Ada struggles <br />
with Self Management</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Self Management</span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #666666;">C</span>ASEL defines Self Management as <span style="font-family: inherit;">"T</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">he ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations — effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">As an AP tasked with managing student discipline, Mary often says that this competency sums up her entire job. In fact, Self Management pretty much sums up middle school! Books can be a hugely helpful starting point for difficult conversations. You can ask a student, "Why do you think Ada was so upset by having to go to the bomb shelter? Why did getting wrapped in a blanket help her? Have </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">you ever felt that way? What helps you?" Seeing a character in a book have reactions and emotions similar to their own is incredibly validating for children. Some of our favorites are </span><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The Thing about Jellyfish</i></b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Ali Benjamin and </span><b style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Twerp</i></b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Mark Goldblatt. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Responsible Decision Making</u></b></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-cad64182-7fff-cd9a-dbc6-0aeef0db4467"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms. The realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and a consideration of the well-being of oneself and others.</span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will he or won't he?</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-cad64182-7fff-cd9a-dbc6-0aeef0db4467"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This one can be a lot of fun to work on with kids. Most middle school students struggle with peer pressure and making responsible decisions when in peer situations. They also LOVE to judge book characters for making poor decisions. Reading gives kids the opportunity to live vicariously through the characters and learn the difficult lessons from a safe distance. Students can tag along with Jack Gantos as he engages in truly terrifying delinquency in <b><i>The Trouble in Me</i></b>. They can take the car for a joy ride after downing half a bottle of vodka in <b><i>Notes from the Midnight Driver</i></b> by Jordan Sonnenblick. They can conspire to throw a state test in <b><i>The Perfect Score</i></b> by Rob Buyea. By allowing students to make vicarious mistakes and experience vicarious consequences, we hope to improve student real life decision making. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Relationship Skills</span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. The ability to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EKBgPUNPL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for the line tender book" border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EKBgPUNPL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous debut novel<br />
perfect for Relationship Skills</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">We tell our students, "everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so be kind." It's a nice thought, but it's hard for adolescent brains to conceptualize. Books can give students insight into what their peers might face when they go home. Books teach empathy. Mary has used book characters to help her own children navigate complicated social situations. When 11 year-old Anna was frustrated by a peer, Mary was able to relate his behavior to the behavior of a book character (<b><i>Mockingbird </i></b>by Kathryn Erskine), and Anna instantly understood. Though they never became friends, Anna was able to be less judgmental and more patient. We love Brigid Kemmerer's </span><b style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Letters to the Lost</i></b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for this very reason. Both main characters have secrets that they're keeping, and readers will find themselves yelling, "Just<i> talk</i> to each other!" If we can get kids to see the benefits of open and honest communication, we've done our jobs. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Social Awareness</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">"</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">So. Many. Books. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have a social issue in your classroom or in your school, there's a book for that. If you want to educate your students about an issue, there's a book for that. Too many to name, but let's see what we can give you. (The CRL are generally not list people as new books come out so quickly that keeping lists updated is difficult, but here's a short one to get you started.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our top choice for race relations - middle grades - <b><i>Blended</i></b> by Sharon Draper. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our top choice for race </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">relations</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - older grades - <b><i>Dear Martin</i></b> by Nic Stone. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our top choice for gender identity - middle grades - <b><i>Lily and Dunkin</i></b> by Donna Gephart</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our top choice for gender identity - older grades - <b><i>The 57 Bus</i></b> by Dashka Slater</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our top choices for disability awareness - middle grades - <b><i>I</i></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>nsignificant Event</i></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>s in the Life of a Cactus</i></b> by Dusti Bowling, <i><b>Out of My Mind</b> </i>by Sharon Draper</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our top choice for disability awareness - older grades - <b><i>Words on Bathroom Walls </i></b>by Julia Walton</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for ellen hopkins traffick book" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91oJ7lrh7cL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="133" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Social Awareness, <br />
you can't go wrong <br />
with Ellen Hopkins</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pretty much anything else: sex trafficking, abusive relationships, mental health, religion - you can't go wrong with Ellen Hopkins. She writes in verse. Her books are super thick but because they read fast, kids can fly through and feel successful as readers. Check her out. </span></div>
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<b><u><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>To Sum Up</u></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b><u></u></b></span></span>Books can assist in developing self awareness, help initiate difficult conversations, increase a reader's capacity for empathy, serve as common ground, develop the ability to take alternative perspectives, aid as a tool for reflection, and connect generations. </div>
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If you're a literacy enthusiast and you're worried about how you're going to meet SEL goals, worry no more. You have the very best tools -good books - right at your fingertips!</div>
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Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-25544386338207881292019-01-25T08:08:00.002-05:002019-05-04T21:19:52.846-04:00Whatever You Want, However You WantIf someone were to walk by my room, they'd be awfully surprised to know that the cacophonous whining they hear - "Can we pleeeeeeeeease just read today?" - comes from the reading specialist's office. <span style="text-align: center;">You know, the place kids go when they have "reading problems." I'd wager that my room sees more begging for the act of reading than any other room in the school. Funny, isn't it?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCntVLdXQtaZBoPIClcAH6kJ3osOU7arTWuuLhLtmLK-ZncU237rJYuu-TihMO-fOPj4p2V7t2Zp4EZ81RuYI1Y-M-AUcDczoe2x7GuPcEGv1JwhM_SWR0umxg799_e3h9SWQjXriTxM/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCntVLdXQtaZBoPIClcAH6kJ3osOU7arTWuuLhLtmLK-ZncU237rJYuu-TihMO-fOPj4p2V7t2Zp4EZ81RuYI1Y-M-AUcDczoe2x7GuPcEGv1JwhM_SWR0umxg799_e3h9SWQjXriTxM/s200/IMG_6452.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">She finished two books<br />
in a 3-day weekend</td></tr>
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Here's the thing: kids like to read. The love of story is hard-wired into us humans. We like movies that tell a good <i>story, </i>we remember people and events from history because we remember the story. We cheer for Tom Brady and get caught up in SuperBowl hoopla because it's a good story.<br />
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But all too often, children who have a complicated relationship with the printed word are not given the management strategies needed to successfully work around their deficit. If they haven't had the opportunity to enjoy a book, they will not know to seek it out independently. Thankfully, there are a few things we can do to turn it around.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrpqNjtimtFTJ3qHF_UOEBNyMPEFXflXAHDdx9vaYoCS-zoW5q5DyZC-P5Tgr_wZDwNmGv0jH1MxCvUS0q3ULx3RV1vZLVh-hzGabVwjGzyzYCMqYZUZCvG9LY7CjpA20PFZ0hy06uc4/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrpqNjtimtFTJ3qHF_UOEBNyMPEFXflXAHDdx9vaYoCS-zoW5q5DyZC-P5Tgr_wZDwNmGv0jH1MxCvUS0q3ULx3RV1vZLVh-hzGabVwjGzyzYCMqYZUZCvG9LY7CjpA20PFZ0hy06uc4/s200/IMG_3537.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading her way out of support class<br />
Sonnenblick was her jam.</td></tr>
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1 - Match them with the right book.<br />
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Do the hard work ahead of time and know what books are likely to spark your readers. Then talk to your kids (Does page count matter? What was the last book you enjoyed? What's your favorite movie? What have you been thinking about lately?) Book talk three choices and then let them decide which one to try. Don't forget to give them a mission and a time to check back "Read the first three chapters before Tuesday, then let me know if want to keep it or try something else." And when they come back, accept their feedback with an open mind and an open hand. If they need another book, smile and find something else. Never let them see you sweat and never let them leave empty-handed.<br />
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2 - Ask them what they need.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bookshare at work in 6th grade</td></tr>
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Audio has proven to be our greatest partner in healing reading relationships. More and more, our book orders list audio versions instead of paperbacks. Kids with school-issued Chromebooks know how to have the news and sports blogs read aloud to them. Sixth grade boys linger in my room to finish an article on the Celtics.<br />
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And then there's the game-changer: <a href="http://bookshare.org/">Bookshare.</a> Offered through the federal government, Bookshare is an online library currently containing over half a million titles. The best part? It's free to those with a print disability. All of our qualifying students have accounts and we spend several classes orienting them to the web-based platform. Kids can search for specific titles or access customized lists (ours is called "CRL Approved" - feel free to take a look!) E-books download in under a minute. Students can adjust the color, font, or size of text, and activate a computer-generated narrator at the click of a button. Bookshare's selection is second to none and it works with Apple and Android products. Though it's never easy to take the leap and welcome technology into your classroom, we strongly encourage you to explore this incredible resource on behalf of your students.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoLlxwx7bPmacl63ECi1nhQsI4o908qNzg6BVcjId1ga0pjbWSogse9bwRlsOJTvV-y3klR7BLaOMGA3QuQJVjLpGRNmegzAB_RBzc41XVdXGzG9pR9oi02jNkhtWRH3m_0yTV3a2_Lo/s1600/IMG_5537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoLlxwx7bPmacl63ECi1nhQsI4o908qNzg6BVcjId1ga0pjbWSogse9bwRlsOJTvV-y3klR7BLaOMGA3QuQJVjLpGRNmegzAB_RBzc41XVdXGzG9pR9oi02jNkhtWRH3m_0yTV3a2_Lo/s200/IMG_5537.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find what you love on Bookshare</td></tr>
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While we're on the subject of addressing students' needs, remember this could also mean physical separation. Last week we discovered that one of my favorite seventh graders reads best with his back to the rest of the group; the class was too visually distracting.<br />
<br />
3 - Give them time and space.<br />
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Reading must not simply be promoted, it must be supported. After we take the time to put good books in their hands, we must give them the time and space to read. Set aside a decent amount of time (twenty minutes at minimum), send everyone to the bathroom ahead of time, dim the lights, and take out your own book to read. If your kids aren't ready for the independence, read out loud. Bottom line: fill the time with reading.<br />
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It's also important to let kids know how long reading should take. Think about your students: how many kids read one book all summer long - and how many took the full eight weeks to read it? Stretching out the task does nothing to improve comprehension or increase enjoyment. We tell our students that reading a book is like watching a movie: even if you've got the best movie on the planet, you're not going to like it if you watch it in eight-minute increments. Show them how to read and craft a reasonable timeline.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXLu618CAw0SKHfAo2aS2KskfysQOWSqTY-Onc2mLSMhof5nhRNa7wQe3d348Fq00fEXGahXjup0MJcpiWY1IuOiUDc7pyFyGGQHKYKoDBafJNpxXk_OfB6VcNe5QNOyVvEUw6qD5lL8/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXLu618CAw0SKHfAo2aS2KskfysQOWSqTY-Onc2mLSMhof5nhRNa7wQe3d348Fq00fEXGahXjup0MJcpiWY1IuOiUDc7pyFyGGQHKYKoDBafJNpxXk_OfB6VcNe5QNOyVvEUw6qD5lL8/s200/IMG_2135.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">However you want</td></tr>
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If we want our students to be their own advocates, we must model how reading can look different from one day to the next. Reading isn't an option; however, leave <i>what</i> they read and <i>how</i> they read up to them.<br />
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In my room, reading usually involves children splayed out on the floor. Some stay in seats, others squeeze between bookcases or sit under a table. Some place their foreheads on the desk, others cradle their face in their hands. Kids use Chromebooks, paperbacks, and tablets. I know who brings their own Bluetooth headphones and who borrows a pair from me. And then they read.Erin O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624825126504131221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-70245365619888600282018-12-06T05:47:00.000-05:002018-12-06T05:57:42.275-05:00The Eyes Have It<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>"Did you know? Did you know? Did you know that it's all right to wonder?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>There are all kinds of wonderful things.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Did you know? Did you know? Did you know that it’s all right to marvel? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are all kinds of </span><span style="text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">marvel</span></i><span style="text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>ous things.</i>” </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">- Fred Rogers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a night like Thursday, we can’t help but look around and marvel. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50stzI4foB-gjLtj-Bn6ESEAC7uso8cYTFnnpjmzqJ7cffM1nmIkIpsfnqq8ryeML-r5Wk_mtXassMcQD7dCYvsgelyR4nA0ds1QezS26W0bU-NPhuqzCG4l2F2eP6UEoB61mdB1q9M8/s1600/IMG_6174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50stzI4foB-gjLtj-Bn6ESEAC7uso8cYTFnnpjmzqJ7cffM1nmIkIpsfnqq8ryeML-r5Wk_mtXassMcQD7dCYvsgelyR4nA0ds1QezS26W0bU-NPhuqzCG4l2F2eP6UEoB61mdB1q9M8/s200/IMG_6174.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Salt to the Sea </i>by Ruta Sepetys, the All In! 2019 book, is set in 1945. While that feels like ancient history to our middle schoolers, there are folks just down the road who experienced World War Two first hand. We'd reached out to a local assisted living facility when we read <i>Unbroken</i>, and the time felt right to do so again. We suggested <i>Salt to the Sea</i> for their monthly book club, and asked if they'd be willing to share their discussion with some 12 year-olds. Stunned that youngsters would read such a serious book, they said yes. </span><span style="font-family: "lora"; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkDmtVZTW2F4VzhzeePHjUt3D36GNORFwiIyJ8mURiAhNipkl7V-XAwFsT7bPJDfp-tCW3EhYu10DvCSdvnQlExcDmlrqRQRM4KxBFlrLBlLk_ieotMkt7ClSEbYNqF6P0aHpWyWEQTA/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkDmtVZTW2F4VzhzeePHjUt3D36GNORFwiIyJ8mURiAhNipkl7V-XAwFsT7bPJDfp-tCW3EhYu10DvCSdvnQlExcDmlrqRQRM4KxBFlrLBlLk_ieotMkt7ClSEbYNqF6P0aHpWyWEQTA/s200/IMG_6182.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary getting a history lesson <br />
from the youngest attendee.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Last Thursday was THE night. Gathered around cookies and warm apple cider, our hosts talked about rations and blackout curtains, about fears and worried parents. They shared memories of beach patrols and Pearl Harbor and FDR speeches on the radio. (No TV! Just imagine that!) Despite a 70-year age difference, readers</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> were united in their love for the Shoe Poet and in their disdain for Alfred. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Names like Hitler, Stalin, Leningrad, and Lithuania rolled off the tongues of twelve year-olds. </span>Adult jaws dropped as children spoke intelligently about naval disasters and the expense of mounting a recovery effort. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We debated whether one decision could truly change someone's life and if morals were fixed or flexible. A</span>s ambassadors for the unseen awesomeness that is Middle School, Mary and Erin couldn't have been happier. O<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ur kids interacted with octogenarians with ease, because they were all readers. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">That night we bridged the generation gap, and it was all because of a book. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh7XI8wug36Kyb8DkCOwK1gzYfeJ0BfOYufRsvvVwJytm9jCZypGZGcpwvlmUVHHwT6E-eJmSI7fc0b307ozqd5PdFbTa4HQt1fHOBPGiy4th3ijQwtdAjUFP-Y2AETmrsiM6xcCspY4/s1600/IMG_6224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh7XI8wug36Kyb8DkCOwK1gzYfeJ0BfOYufRsvvVwJytm9jCZypGZGcpwvlmUVHHwT6E-eJmSI7fc0b307ozqd5PdFbTa4HQt1fHOBPGiy4th3ijQwtdAjUFP-Y2AETmrsiM6xcCspY4/s200/IMG_6224.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's engrossed. Look at her hands!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">The conversation in full swing, Erin posed a question about the author's use of children in the novel, and Mary slipped over to her laptop. No one paid much attention; we had purposely left the screen on so the audience would become desensitized to its presence. Mary clicked a few buttons and the Skype home screen appeared. The speakers gave us away; that Skype dial tone is LOUD! All eyes turned to the bed sheet draped over a closet door, and then one child read the name: "Ruta Sepetys." "RUTA SEPETYS?!" "Wait, what!?!" "Oh my gosh, are you kidding?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "lora"; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And there she was, a thousand miles away, smiling and reaching out her arms for a virtual hug. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBHrQtXiQkK1pCWve0LzQtY9lJqLH0ND-xjb-Ooa4UMfiH-nACoT3I1yhbBbYHMLMgbeKA2x0xbmctggpoGp66e8Wr72Jf5IhKBJYBgEnXWtX0XgZKLlUBdQIrA9sc6GB4uru3G67-t0/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBHrQtXiQkK1pCWve0LzQtY9lJqLH0ND-xjb-Ooa4UMfiH-nACoT3I1yhbBbYHMLMgbeKA2x0xbmctggpoGp66e8Wr72Jf5IhKBJYBgEnXWtX0XgZKLlUBdQIrA9sc6GB4uru3G67-t0/s200/IMG_6217.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone loves Ruta. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s no secret that Ruta Sepetys is our favorite. You meet her, you love her and that’s that. There’s something about her that is so genuine, so full of love and sincerity that you feel like you could sit and talk for hours. (And it’s our goal to do that very thing. Seriously. Our dream is to find a way to be CRLs who hang out with Ruta Sepetys full-time. We’d wear matching t-shirts and form a literacy justice league. There it is. Out in the universe!) </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LtA_fG7g9GqngGfZNOWbY8vYRhsFvS4lxytW5JZ3lW8r_jYZS0esr1Mva_qaPFLwRYXlnF7b9VkE0etHiZMF_xET-OVHxJcyrOcPAm-xFVzSUQVcs-kr8uDknamoltrabyuJlWrxn2Y/s1600/IMG_6232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LtA_fG7g9GqngGfZNOWbY8vYRhsFvS4lxytW5JZ3lW8r_jYZS0esr1Mva_qaPFLwRYXlnF7b9VkE0etHiZMF_xET-OVHxJcyrOcPAm-xFVzSUQVcs-kr8uDknamoltrabyuJlWrxn2Y/s200/IMG_6232.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They soaked in every word. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "lora"; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">She lit up the room and filled every heart. She acted as if there was nowhere else in the world she'd rather be. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’ve ever wondered what magic looks like, look into the eyes of a child who is being heard by her favorite author. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Ruta shared secrets and answered every question. She validated and encouraged and connected. She made every person in the room feel valued and special. </span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: normal;">On Thursday night we lost ourselves in the marvel of it all and watched our kids watch her. In their faces we could see the thrill, the joy, the awe. We watched their hands, clutched together in nervous anticipation as they approached the screen for their moment. We saw their smiles - wide as could be - as they listened to her speak to them, as they thanked her, as they turned away and returned to their seats. Their faces mirrored our own. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwwzjEjCjW_XhAIddD_kkGcOAcVbZfmZpVeTg2uLGJXaKU3exA1qO8sUtTZxEF01C9M8vEbjWSkaQ9jrCT2C1ObuOcWWeMreU2W64udGoBKKYfT-apVwn4DdT77ORYjs3wRvzAqsV83Y/s1600/IMG_6229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwwzjEjCjW_XhAIddD_kkGcOAcVbZfmZpVeTg2uLGJXaKU3exA1qO8sUtTZxEF01C9M8vEbjWSkaQ9jrCT2C1ObuOcWWeMreU2W64udGoBKKYfT-apVwn4DdT77ORYjs3wRvzAqsV83Y/s200/IMG_6229.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Face to face with her favorite!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ruta stayed on the screen until every child who wanted to ask a question had asked - a full ten minutes longer than we'd asked of her - and then it was time to say goodbye. Everyone waved and clapped and headed out into the chilly New England night with a smile on their face. Well, ALMOST everyone. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vin doing his Alfred for our hosts.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mary's son Vinnie is in 6th grade now, and he joined us Thursday night for his first official "All In!" experience. Literary shenanigans are nothing new to Vinnie; he's been an honorary participant as far back as 2013, when he fell in love with <i>The Hobbit. </i>He's been enjoying <i>Salt to the Sea</i>, but he'd far rather spend his evening playing FortNight than talking about books with a bunch of strangers. So it was with quite a bit of grumbling that he agreed to come along for the evening. He arrived with his mom early, as usual, and eyed the cookie tray while he helped two Crazy Reading Ladies set up the activity room. As he distributed pens and candies, Mary casually called him over. "Hey Vin, come sit next to me." When Ruta's face appeared on the screen for our test call, Vinnie lost his breath. He had a private audience with his favorite author. The smile! He chatted happily with her, even performing his best Alfred impersonation, and then solemnly swore to secrecy as the plan was laid for reconnecting later in the evening. When "later" came and Ruta answered student questions, Vin leaned up against his mom and said, "Thank you for forcing me to come." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So why is it that we're hinting that Vinnie didn't leave with a smile on his face? As the families headed out and the crumbs were dusted off the table, Mary noticed Vin sitting quietly by the computer. She gathered up his coat and hat and said, "Come on, bud. We're ready to go." He looked at her with the most sincere confusion and asked, "But aren't we calling back to say goodbye?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And we think that's pretty marvelous. </span><br />
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Erin O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624825126504131221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-75227652027051681322018-10-28T18:36:00.001-04:002018-10-28T19:27:28.988-04:00All In! makes it better.<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Teaching is hard these days, certainly harder than when we first started. Heck, LIFE is hard these days. Epidemic-level number of students come to us with anxiety and social emotional needs. Our news feeds are full of violence and hatred. Parents are scared, and so are we. This is HARD. And because we are who we are, because we choose to stay in education even when the job description expands to include counseling and trauma care and responding to the sound of gunfire, because we love our students, we find ourselves asking, "how can we help?"</div>
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And this week we realized something: the way we can help, the way we can make things better, is to keep on doing what we're doing: All In. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was so, so happy!</td></tr>
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On Thursday, October 25th, we invited our 2018 Literary Leader for the ceremonial unboxing of the 2019 All In book. Prior to her visit, students ventured guesses and waged debates as to what the book would be. Teachers pleaded, central office staff pried for intel, and the Crazy Reading Ladies sat back and enjoyed every suspenseful minute. The video team news studio was tense as Grace peeled back paper and tape, digging through piles of tissue paper. When she finally unearthed Ruta Sepetys' <i>Salt to the Sea</i>, a cheer erupted and cries of "I KNEW it!" were shared. (The kids ALWAYS know exactly what it was going to be....after it's revealed. All of them.)<br />
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And as much as we enjoy the lead up to the reveal, the days that followed are what we really want to share. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's it gonna be, 6th grade?</td></tr>
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Reveal day happened to land on the first of two half days for parent conferences. Through the magic of our PCC and our local Barnes and Noble, we were able to set up a table in the school lobby where families could purchase a copy of <i>Salt to the Sea</i>. The conversations that happened at that table will keep us going for a long, long time.<br />
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Sixth grade parents, who have heard about the program from friends and neighbors told us they were excited to live this experience with their children. They commented on how eager they were to know the title, saying things like, "You guys kept this going for a long time! Every day I'd be like, 'Did they reveal the book yet?' I was dying to know!"<br />
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Truth is, this was a pretty short turnaround, but we do love messing with people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reveal Day banter. We amuse ourselves.</td></tr>
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Seventh-graders have a special bounciness about them. They've been there, done that, and they are choosing to do again. We've earned their trust. They know the book is an opportunity; but more importantly, they know they're gonna love it. One dad plopped his money on the table and declared, "We are officially All In!"<br />
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Our eighth graders are already emotional (and it's only October.) They know what this All In! means - it's their 3Peat Year, an honor bestowed on the middles who have participated in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. This year is particularly special because we chose this book for them. They began this journey with <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> and together, in <i>Salt to the Sea, </i>we will "finish the story."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sold out. Twice.</td></tr>
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Parents told us how much they loved getting the chance to read with their child, having something to talk about, to learn about, together. "How did I not know about this? I went to college! When I read <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> I was devastated. I never heard a word about it. It's only because of you that I know any of this happened. I can't wait to read this one."<br />
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One mom began an "All In! All In! All In!" chant as she approached the table with her eighth grader. With three kids through our middle school, this mom has participated in six All In! iterations. Her son is in 8th grade now...this will be her last. Her eyes filled as she took her copy of the book. "I think this is so incredible, what you guys do. I read the books with my kids...I read them all. Lord, we even got through <i>The Hobbit</i>! I'm going to miss this."<br />
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When Mary went to the 6th grade wing for her own son's conference, she overheard a conversation happening with another family in which the student was sharing what makes middle school better than elementary. Chief among the reasons - All In. All In makes it better. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All In! 2019 - Reveal Day!</td></tr>
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Thursday night, Erin and Mary visited Barnes and Noble to stock up on books (The cashier asked if we were buying the exact same books. Yes. Yes we were. <i>Hey, Kiddo</i>, <i>Bridge of Clay</i>, and <i>People Kill People</i> if you're curious.) While we were there, we ran into students who proudly held up their copy of The Book, smiles as wide as could be. We heard from parents who said they had to leave work early to bring their child to the bookstore so they could start reading as soon as possible. Some parents would read with their child, some good-naturedly admitted they'd have to wait until their child was through, but almost every adult said they'd be reading, too. Time and again, Erin and Mary said, "You're going to love it. It's our favorite. We just can't wait to <i>talk </i>to you about it!" It felt so good to be able to share our passion with so many people. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Literacy Leader before heading back to the high school.</td></tr>
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<br />That brings us back to reveal day, to the anticipatory moment when Grace revealed The Book. It turns out it wasn't as suspenseful as the CRL believed it to be. It would seem that there was a glitch with the news that morning, and the title of the book was inadvertently revealed at the start of the broadcast. Oops. We were unaware, so we carried on with the show, and revealed the book with as much pomp and circumstance as ever. And you know what's amazing about that? 460 students knew that our surprise leaked early, but not a single one told either Erin or Mary. Not a single one. After the reveal, students smiled and waved and talked out how they just KNEW it would be that book, but not one of them told us that our moment wasn't as big as we thought it was. If you know middle schoolers, you now they absolutely love to point out mistakes, but not a single one breathed a word to us on Thursday or Friday. It's like they knew that <u>we</u> needed that moment...like they knew that <u>they</u> needed to take care of <u>us</u>. And they did. ALL of them. </div>
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This week has been a reminder that, when life leaves us feeling lost and overwhelmed, there is something we can do to make it better. We can lean on each other, on our students, on our community, and we can go All In. </div>
Erin O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624825126504131221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-34549596055518800122018-10-16T12:50:00.001-04:002018-10-16T12:50:44.045-04:00All In 2019: More to the Story Posters went up on Tuesday afternoon; the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1seHl9fQIDtwe4fygkC7oySyDlpPo6hig/view?usp=sharing">teaser video</a> debuted this morning.<br />
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All In! 2019 has begun.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's time to finish what we started</td></tr>
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Sure there's still the reveal itself to get through...and there'll be book fairs and timelines, quizzing and scheduling, field trips and community events. Oh, and countless emails to administrators, publishers, managers, and colleagues.<br />
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But it all seems manageable now, right at this moment, standing at the start of Year 8.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The continuation of each <br />of our previous selections</td></tr>
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This marks the latest we've ever selected a title for All In! Simply put, we were waiting for the right one; we were waiting for magic to happen. And happen it did - one Saturday morning in October - and we knew it just as sure as we've ever known anything that THIS was the book for our kids this year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm...</td></tr>
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And before the All In! crazy train takes over, we're stopping to celebrate the wonder of today. Today there was just excitement.Today the kids were reminded of what's in store for them. Today there were moments with dozens of students who *had* to come talk and share their guess for the new title. Today there were smiling, bouncing kids who forgot about their middle school problems for a while and instead focused on the lyrics of a new Avril Lavigne song. Today there were declarations from no fewer than four 8th graders who - without even knowing the title of the book - have vowed to read it and love it because this is their Three-Peat year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRinvb-YwYb3OwhHf5Ig2mrprzRQCiTscAQLDNSfsoCUWUXTqB2w-6O25u5BddlrTjVShi8CYC1DxUDPO6e0cMLZBZ3naIp14qHs9J0tZiMGP6Ok0al2hv-Eh1pNN6Mv9Yxnd8GPgp54/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRinvb-YwYb3OwhHf5Ig2mrprzRQCiTscAQLDNSfsoCUWUXTqB2w-6O25u5BddlrTjVShi8CYC1DxUDPO6e0cMLZBZ3naIp14qHs9J0tZiMGP6Ok0al2hv-Eh1pNN6Mv9Yxnd8GPgp54/s200/IMG_5772.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best-dressed kid in the cafeteria</td></tr>
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Today was the return of the comfortable chaos that drives us. The return of the anticipation, the thrill of diving in headfirst without seeing the bottom. This is our familiar. This is where we belong.<br />
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We are so, so lucky to get to do what we do.<br />
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And our story is just getting started.<br />
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<br />Erin O'Learyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10624825126504131221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-20531091547542050722018-05-06T19:54:00.000-04:002018-05-06T20:01:07.743-04:00Jordan Sonnenblick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles in the book signing line</td></tr>
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At approximately 8:17 am, an unsuspecting seventh grader hopped down the stairs headed toward the water fountain. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two Crazy Reading Ladies talking to a man in a blue sweater. In a scene straight out of a movie, the child - staring at the back of our guest - froze mid-stride. His mouth fell open and his face flushed pink. He extended his pointer finger and mouthed, "Is that Jordan Sonnenblick?"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnfQT2JAxUUjPG5BxgaVH-fDrB0vzNZVB4sHlZM83-MsGrKcRZG7vxfNjoG_JlPm955FPOQe5_LsWtoksrOizN0Vx0GIeoyk6Y48gY2jtNQUeSBfWbsVhp7g-UnVAZ-Rvy-ZHHFoQvdYL/s1600/IMG_3724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnfQT2JAxUUjPG5BxgaVH-fDrB0vzNZVB4sHlZM83-MsGrKcRZG7vxfNjoG_JlPm955FPOQe5_LsWtoksrOizN0Vx0GIeoyk6Y48gY2jtNQUeSBfWbsVhp7g-UnVAZ-Rvy-ZHHFoQvdYL/s200/IMG_3724.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with the jazz band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The moment of wonder experienced by our thirsty pre-teen friend was just one of many from that day. April 12: the day our students had waited for, the day we had so carefully planned...there was just something special about it. Looking back, maybe it was a lot of little somethings. Before he ever stepped foot in the auditorium, Mr. Sonnenblick looked at the two of us and said thank you. "Thank you for making such a big deal out of this. You guys really went above and beyond. I could feel it when I walked in." The building was indeed buzzing, and - if you'll allow two Crazy Reading Ladies a weak sports analogy - Jordan Sonnenblick saw the pitch we lobbed him and hit it clear out of the park. Every single one of our kids was spellbound. Jordan Sonnenblick was superlative. The day was simply exhilarating. It was more wonderful than we could handle. It was a celebration of good books, and another reminder for our kids of what happens when you make the decision to read.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyDTklYxgz8l6Wr8DpPTTG7IHa4TatLHjXhVY4SwK3xMSloEig4TRBQDCCfYZ8gL2dpNgVzmKxM8IAzo3KDrdW0jersdPzlOHGQ-piXFpo52AwTfhB3GH6xcNuQGerHh_O2jDvpaZVNoT/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyDTklYxgz8l6Wr8DpPTTG7IHa4TatLHjXhVY4SwK3xMSloEig4TRBQDCCfYZ8gL2dpNgVzmKxM8IAzo3KDrdW0jersdPzlOHGQ-piXFpo52AwTfhB3GH6xcNuQGerHh_O2jDvpaZVNoT/s200/IMG_3779.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What if they don't read? Ha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the first things we discussed with our principal when we began planning this visit was that reading one of the author's titles would not be required. We would not tell our students they had to read. Admittedly, this decision - while right in so many ways - made us more than a little uncomfortable. Wouldn't they get <i>more</i> out of the experience if they read? What if they didn't <i>read</i>? What if - after everything - we lured Jordan here and then he began his presentation staring at 466 blank faces?<br />
<br />
But so much of what we do rests on the relationships we have built with our students. They trust us to put good books in their hands. They know we will be honest and tell them about books we loved. In reciprocity, we offer them choice. At countless conferences we have stood in front of teachers and administrators, spoken about our school-wide reading initiative and declared, "It's voluntary and it works!" How was this any different? <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIbdejviI6ZuBgUE3Hf7l8BAIyvx06Pnv6uzLBRKTXi-sbA_9z0aboHBO9MU1rwfGip5WZ5dOiZywkRLMxh3udsdilS_Td2c4TYPbRy_pXXyyLpRaKXhNCYFp8uDNM1HQ33J8VDpcQMiF/s1600/IMG_3760.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIbdejviI6ZuBgUE3Hf7l8BAIyvx06Pnv6uzLBRKTXi-sbA_9z0aboHBO9MU1rwfGip5WZ5dOiZywkRLMxh3udsdilS_Td2c4TYPbRy_pXXyyLpRaKXhNCYFp8uDNM1HQ33J8VDpcQMiF/s200/IMG_3760.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeGDSZ2F-oqC-OBsi32DoKMzKOjBgSNXsu-DBVgs8NwbjHlP3XbMPASQMk1bC5fy8UEJPdx5s_9vQJu3daw6iqFUnp-tT4v4PHYJtMyblnG7_ErqrRBI_g91-5wzoUUzFvdI6j-uZg28b/s1600/IMG_4020.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeGDSZ2F-oqC-OBsi32DoKMzKOjBgSNXsu-DBVgs8NwbjHlP3XbMPASQMk1bC5fy8UEJPdx5s_9vQJu3daw6iqFUnp-tT4v4PHYJtMyblnG7_ErqrRBI_g91-5wzoUUzFvdI6j-uZg28b/s200/IMG_4020.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So we held our breath and let go of the control. We put the decision to read in the hands of our students. But here's the thing: when you pick an author like Jordan Sonnenblick, kids will read. Oh yes, they will read. They will read like the wind. All we had to do was introduce them.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JV-GslV-PPDgA4HXgqIqs-DWoZOrbax-3fMGG7JMTPZpDFFI4DsrrxXw3YMkCZj8bffIHHO4eZIkuy0V2lADsEFhtQjRW_JflNYbkIszNS8LmT4tJhRQVMs5mIhZwqa_VSX4qw5g1G1f/s1600/IMG_3814.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JV-GslV-PPDgA4HXgqIqs-DWoZOrbax-3fMGG7JMTPZpDFFI4DsrrxXw3YMkCZj8bffIHHO4eZIkuy0V2lADsEFhtQjRW_JflNYbkIszNS8LmT4tJhRQVMs5mIhZwqa_VSX4qw5g1G1f/s200/IMG_3814.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book discussion group</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We dare you to read aloud the first five chapters of <i>Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie </i>to a roomful of seventh graders and NOT have a child promise you his college fund in exchange for your copy of the book.<br />
<br />
Jordan Sonnenblick is the quintessential YA author. His books are about real kids who
face unexpected challenges. They are honest and laugh-out-loud funny.
They are emotional. They are engaging. They are short. Sonnenblick
captures the voice of the sarcastic, impulsive, ego-centric adolescent
the way only a former middle-school teacher could. He writes so well, in
fact, that one Crazy Reading Lady took a break from one of his novels
declaring, "I can't deal with this kid right now. I have to put up with
obnoxious teenage boys all day long. I'm not spending my free time
listening to this one." He's <i>that</i> good.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiLGBnnnQpEqLW_udytKj42q46vmeVkOkqH6Ujrc7Fy2xsdhIBBu7NvWQFbZNMPSIK3APnNJpZNd6zPg0fHxprLoqX_7UvrevRQOv7t_OHH05ph7PUOHu0J-GrhqmT9oCdzN4i13CpGi9/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiLGBnnnQpEqLW_udytKj42q46vmeVkOkqH6Ujrc7Fy2xsdhIBBu7NvWQFbZNMPSIK3APnNJpZNd6zPg0fHxprLoqX_7UvrevRQOv7t_OHH05ph7PUOHu0J-GrhqmT9oCdzN4i13CpGi9/s200/IMG_3755.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are those 8th graders smiling? Nah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fun fact: that same book, <i>Notes from the Midnight Driver,</i> was the far-and-away favorite of our 8th grade students. Go figure.<br />
<br />
In our effort to turn this author visit into a full-on Sonnenblick-a-thon, we hosted read alouds, Stop Drop and Read Days, and two book fairs. We ran teaser videos on the news. We peppered the hallways and cafeteria tables with a rotation of posters bearing book covers, quotes, summaries, and reviews. It has been rumored the Crazy Reading Ladies used up a year's worth of poster printer ink in preparation for this event, but c'mon. You can't believe everything you hear in middle school.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bjp31aXeUgmwVf5u2-dpl_vqSN2GvxHa3eoCNAwm4_f2FL3FmksIsHgezof7Usp0r9ldbt7VWJQG2enjwXYfVVLWF4nDmrJZhgUvKsV8tJ5VuQSot6E5lSubFoDDcmRh4ZFxp_m_FKbV/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bjp31aXeUgmwVf5u2-dpl_vqSN2GvxHa3eoCNAwm4_f2FL3FmksIsHgezof7Usp0r9ldbt7VWJQG2enjwXYfVVLWF4nDmrJZhgUvKsV8tJ5VuQSot6E5lSubFoDDcmRh4ZFxp_m_FKbV/s200/IMG_3825.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Thunderclap" interview team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The end result? Aside from one of us being put on printer probation until further notice, every single child was exposed to several chapters' worth of Sonnenblick. Most of our students read at least one book. Many of them read more. Some read seven. <br />
<br />
Three weeks removed from Sonnenblick-a-palooza, we have yet to find the
right words to capture what happened on April 12th. The presentation he gave - just a man and a microphone - was one of the finest our faculty had ever witnessed. They are still talking about it. Thank you, Mr. Sonnenblick, for the wisdom and life lessons you so skillfully swathed in humor and shared with our students. Only a former middle school teacher could command an auditorium like that. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtEJR1_XpLjhDpCJVHraNJhrYQrip5CcSw3Aenq_j8Yt24ryml9c_jUg8lUM4UHYgVuiKjx6mg996hbWarN3apvskDz9Jpr9kTVTzAARZhMx8cYHle2WsTtm9uZDxIT4IaEGzin5w5LAV/s1600/IMG_3812.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtEJR1_XpLjhDpCJVHraNJhrYQrip5CcSw3Aenq_j8Yt24ryml9c_jUg8lUM4UHYgVuiKjx6mg996hbWarN3apvskDz9Jpr9kTVTzAARZhMx8cYHle2WsTtm9uZDxIT4IaEGzin5w5LAV/s200/IMG_3812.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are writers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And maybe, because of his years spent in the classroom, he can read our hearts when our words fall short. Perhaps he knows the value of validation he bestowed upon our group of writers. As part of his day at our
school, he met with a selection of students - nominated by
their teachers - and taught an hour-long master class. To watch those
kids learn about narrative writing techniques and begin to craft an original
piece right before our eyes was most impressive. We held back tears as
four students read their work aloud, feet away from a best-selling
author.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfnd0NhSXm8a2oLTsqK0R9TMwt9wtZTK2TgQl3t4YUqNS_JfFzlkXRH-e2xKDiWMMmLCKwAF0dnLwEvcKA5LmjLI89wZw5tduRdgC0L4O1wytRI4Bybi7mUJHYNAryZuYtxA5ro5kkjuu/s1600/IMG_3785.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfnd0NhSXm8a2oLTsqK0R9TMwt9wtZTK2TgQl3t4YUqNS_JfFzlkXRH-e2xKDiWMMmLCKwAF0dnLwEvcKA5LmjLI89wZw5tduRdgC0L4O1wytRI4Bybi7mUJHYNAryZuYtxA5ro5kkjuu/s200/IMG_3785.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moments like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Part of our appreciation for the magic of that day comes from acknowledging the power such an experience can have on a child. As I relayed the day's events to my mom over the phone later that night, emotion took hold and I heard my voice break. I don't believe I ever had an author visit my middle school and I started to cry when I told her how much a day like that would have meant to twelve-year-old me. The fact that the two of us were able to gift our own students with an experience we didn't have was overwhelming.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoXnaH4rdHTQHqStpn-HgtzuDXXRu1nx2fYEBw3i0N7ZaHdd0HJQYnAI9M1XiGrugOPvI7_Nyar6Ql3de7AQOdS6LShyphenhyphenkhz5qsmcy2khkhlFeaXh-tr476w6vBVl9x10v-9NmaF_ycExn/s1600/IMG_4017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoXnaH4rdHTQHqStpn-HgtzuDXXRu1nx2fYEBw3i0N7ZaHdd0HJQYnAI9M1XiGrugOPvI7_Nyar6Ql3de7AQOdS6LShyphenhyphenkhz5qsmcy2khkhlFeaXh-tr476w6vBVl9x10v-9NmaF_ycExn/s200/IMG_4017.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan Sonnenblick and two CRLs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Success takes on many facades in middle school. It isn't necessarily seen on the faces of 400 belly-laughing adolescents, but on the face of one 8th grade boy who has put his hand to his mouth to mask the smile he can't stop. It isn't exemplified in the line of one hundred students nervously smiling and clutching books to be signed, but in the action of one, who - still occupied by a science quiz - asked a buddy to bring his book to the author to be sure he didn't miss the opportunity. It was seen when two "reading disabled" students took their seats in the twenty-five-member discussion group with the author himself; an assembly comprised of super-fans, ones who read until there was nothing left to read, and one simple fact remained: those two earned it the same way everyone else did. They were there because they read seven books.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkObgeJWtsP_xMiKk0BAhU7PHIydt-v5fs9maU2EcWKz3aXL3XT4de83k_VXfDyMvkrdyVDmij5_6Pu_5wM1Ub9LOVdmHLYgJzZteQ-Rsh5O4LtaetkooeSkh2ZiOS79oNZqwzjNkNbJCK/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkObgeJWtsP_xMiKk0BAhU7PHIydt-v5fs9maU2EcWKz3aXL3XT4de83k_VXfDyMvkrdyVDmij5_6Pu_5wM1Ub9LOVdmHLYgJzZteQ-Rsh5O4LtaetkooeSkh2ZiOS79oNZqwzjNkNbJCK/s200/IMG_3773.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Crazy Reading Ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That morning, our principal stood watch over the book signing table.
After about ten minutes, she waved me over. "Watch them,"
she said, smiling. "Nobody walks out alone. They all wait for someone so
they can share the experience." For most of our students, this was the very first
opportunity they had to meet an author. We watched them hold their books in
line. We heard them giggle and whisper, "Oh my gosh!" as they progress forward, one step at a time. We watched until they were face-to-face with the
man they came to see. And then we heard them carefully utter the words, "Hello
Mr. Sonnenblick. I loved your book."<br />
<br />
In Mary's office is a wall of photos, taken of starstruck CRLs with
authors we love. Let us tell you, that nervous stomach and momentary loss of intelligent speech you experienced? That's normal. Those never go away. It is our hope that this experience will be the first of many in their lifetime. May our students grow to be readers who seek out good stories and friends to share them with. May their lives be filled with books and butterflies.Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-80552545244793840442018-03-10T19:38:00.001-05:002018-03-10T19:39:23.351-05:00CRL 2.0<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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Hi! Mary here. Erin mentioned the other day that we don't
have anything on our blog that references my move to administration. So...now we do! (That's kinda how the CRL work. She tells me what to do and I drop everything
and slave away until it meets her approval.)
(Just kidding.) Enjoy!</div>
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*****</div>
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I used to hate lunch duty.</div>
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When I was teaching, I would have one 20 minute lunch duty
every six school days, and I detested it. Lunch duty is loud, smelly,
uncomfortable, and loud. Once, I made a
deal with a colleague; he covered one of my lunch duties in exchange for me
grading 25 of his 8th grade Social Studies essays. (Only 25? A
bargain.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now I serve three lunch duties a day. Three 20 minute
lunch periods coupled with transition time means I currently spend an hour and
a half of every day surrounded by noise, cafeteria smells, the heat of 180
bodies packed into an enclosed space, and noise. What’s more, in
comparison to some of the other things I deal with in the course of a day,
lunch duty is a breeze. I actually look
forward to it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And that, in a nutshell, is how I describe the transition
from teacher to administrator. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
After thirteen years in a middle school ELA classroom, I
became an administrator in January of 2016. I took the job with all
kinds of wide eyed enthusiasm about the impact I’d be able to have. As a teacher, I said in my interview, I could
only reach 80-100 kids each year. As an administrator, I’d have access to
almost 500! Think of how I could shape
them, mold them, positively influence them to become the change makers the
world needs so desperately. I would use my role to connect with students
in new and meaningful ways, leading them in literacy initiatives and community
service endeavors and mentoring them into compassionate contributors to the
local and global community. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2e6D0iKvtGLVitHPqOf5cRZAzkKErnV2cSvpi3BdqiCHjBjkz0J5yqu7uWhYRlM7aPOO9lI647ZLpxadSMg6uFCNz6HJWK_nip20cKOGouRBrvTcbVN1YlXQ4cysV_NkFx7lFXkRf_of/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="540" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2e6D0iKvtGLVitHPqOf5cRZAzkKErnV2cSvpi3BdqiCHjBjkz0J5yqu7uWhYRlM7aPOO9lI647ZLpxadSMg6uFCNz6HJWK_nip20cKOGouRBrvTcbVN1YlXQ4cysV_NkFx7lFXkRf_of/s200/IMG_3406.JPG" width="200" /></a>Not to put too fine a point on it, but I see now that I was
full of shit. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
You know what I do as an administrator? I go to lunch
duty three times a day. I try to fit in
classroom visits as often as I can, but it’s not nearly often enough. I
call angry parents. I talk to<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
angry
teachers. I organize MCAS. And I investigate incidents. A lot.
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I’ve said many times, and I’m sure people have assumed I was
joking, (I’m not) that instead of curriculum design and budgeting, my graduate
classes should have taught me how to conduct an investigation. And I
don’t mean an educational law class, I mean literally HOW to interrogate
someone. What to say, the appropriate
tone of voice, what to ask, what to repeat, what to write down, who to
question, when to call parents, when to call Central Office, when to call the
police. Watching reruns of Law and Order may be more educational for
prospective administrators than pretty much anything I took whilst pursuing my
license.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In an ideal world, administrators truly could shape the
lives of every student in their building. In an ideal world, there are no
bullying investigations, no complains about the parking lot, no special
schedules to be created, no data management systems to navigate. The
administrative job of my interviewing dreams did not include learning how to
save security camera footage or repeating truly vile language to appalled
parents. In an ideal world, kids are
nice to each other, each child comes from a supportive and capable household,
there is peace and harmony in the world, and we all live happily ever after.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Before I go too far down the path of negativity (too late?)
there are parts of my administrative job that I very much enjoy. For example,
our evaluation process of observation and conversation, reviewing evidence
towards standards and providing feedback, is awesome. I love visiting
classrooms and seeing lessons. It's such
a treat to get out of the four walls of one classroom and into cool places like
Science and Math and Spanish and Art. If
not for administration, I'd have zero idea what, let alone appreciation and
admiration for, what goes on in a STEM classroom. I love seeing where subjects connect and
support each other. In team meetings
teachers would always talk about how some kids shine in other areas. As an administrator, now I get to *see* it. As an administrator, I get to see everything
and talk to teachers about it and provide feedback that I hope will help them
evolve as a practitioner. I love
it. Evaluating and helping teachers
improve their practice is almost like teaching.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF8tbi09DXV0IYUHs_u_oa7aSiYg6CYENCT2-AXhiNE2ZFKNOa7UYCd1ie5GR61vr4EDFSni8MsrvDtlCVtm0z0v2IjG0Pz3lMY4ripuCPoA2XjTT6TaCh5VE4OOm66E6g6hhV5ChA4nW/s1600/IMG_2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF8tbi09DXV0IYUHs_u_oa7aSiYg6CYENCT2-AXhiNE2ZFKNOa7UYCd1ie5GR61vr4EDFSni8MsrvDtlCVtm0z0v2IjG0Pz3lMY4ripuCPoA2XjTT6TaCh5VE4OOm66E6g6hhV5ChA4nW/s200/IMG_2930.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interacting with kids<br />
via bulletin board.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Ah, there’s the rub. I think the hardest part about
moving from a classroom to an office is that I desperately miss teaching.
I miss feeling excited about kids and content and projects. I miss getting them to laugh and watching
them grow and improve. I miss planning lessons in my brain every time<o:p></o:p></div>
I
hear a cool song. I miss reveling the
language of a good poem. I miss
Shakespeare and Frost and Angelou. I miss Scout and Jem, Liesel and
Rudy. I miss seeing kids get wrapped up
in the beauty of a literary moment. I
miss crying with them when a good book ends.
I even miss being huddled on the floor in the corner of a classroom,
quietly reassuring kids that they’re going to be okay and that I’ll do anything
to keep them safe. I never thought I’d miss that, but I do. I miss teaching and everything that goes with
it. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
So I teach when I can. When students are suspended,
they spend the day in my office where I willingly teach everything from 6th
grade Math to 8th grade Spanish. When I have to provide feedback and
redirection in the cafeteria, I sit next to children and I teach. When a student is in danger of failing and
all other efforts have fallen flat, I take them into my office and I teach.
I’ve embraced the discipline process as a platform for
education. I’ve developed lesson plans
for bullying, hate symbols, racial language, and vaping. I teach in the one-on-one conversations I
have with students when conducting an investigation. I teach when
students come to report a problem or <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoC3sJRPvavTCcsyvW44egxL524EsdOXj7yWa0Jsjp51I_CudhOCyhvQFyErhqei3F6h0RP5SEYJe4RiTCCT0AEI97mymvbHZDDDdZOwBYzP1v5IU9JrkK9WA3d9E597-cngADAznHxkh/s1600/IMG_2710.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoC3sJRPvavTCcsyvW44egxL524EsdOXj7yWa0Jsjp51I_CudhOCyhvQFyErhqei3F6h0RP5SEYJe4RiTCCT0AEI97mymvbHZDDDdZOwBYzP1v5IU9JrkK9WA3d9E597-cngADAznHxkh/s200/IMG_2710.PNG" width="111" /></a></div>
seek guidance. Whenever and wherever I can, I teach. <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
As a literary leader, Erin thinks my new position has
brought benefits. She calls me CRL 2.0. And I suppose I have been able to
provide a new perspective and understanding of logistics and impact when we’re
planning whole school events. Sure, I’ve installed a new “Principal’s
Bookshelf” in the lobby, and I <i>was</i> able to get new copies of<i> The
Giver </i>ordered pretty darn quickly for our 7th graders, and I guess I’ll
have to content myself with that for now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
To answer those people who ask, “do you like it?” I say the
jury is still out. I’m a stronger, more resilient version of myself now
than I was two years ago. That’s good,
right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
To answer the those people who ask, “should I get my admin
license?” I have to ask...how do you feel about lunch duty?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre;">
</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-20532710232853843402017-09-28T17:02:00.000-04:002017-09-28T17:02:45.382-04:00It Never Gets Old<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY2jXYG2X6pQb5atRnexQFIiSv0ImSSPmyDJ3LmQvX3T9QiWIBV5Wjh5fQtiX1shIq8npOmxOwn0wrnHgKvzAsMNp1eXBNq3y7NVSCd3Dz4_C8BwI3BTvraLhdVqVricKa30bJn9NTf1a/s1600/murder-on-the-orient-express-book-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1008" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY2jXYG2X6pQb5atRnexQFIiSv0ImSSPmyDJ3LmQvX3T9QiWIBV5Wjh5fQtiX1shIq8npOmxOwn0wrnHgKvzAsMNp1eXBNq3y7NVSCd3Dz4_C8BwI3BTvraLhdVqVricKa30bJn9NTf1a/s200/murder-on-the-orient-express-book-cover.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All In! 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At approximately 7:10 am, a beaming twelve year-old bounced his way over to the Assistant Principal.<br />
<br />
"I finished the book! I did it!"<br />
<br />
You what? <br />
<br />
"<i>Murder on the Orient Express</i> - I finished it!"<br />
<br />
Mary called Erin over; after all, some moments call for two CRLs. "Whoa - what happened last night? Did you just read like crazy?" Erin asked. He laughed. "Yes! I went to
bed at 9:30 but I stayed awake until I read the whole thing. I couldn't
stop!"<br />
<br />
We high-fived him and exchanged wide-eyed glances. The tow-headed boy chattered away, following Erin to her classroom. As students arrived for the morning, she casually threw a few questions at him until it became clear. He comprehended this novel as well as we'd expect any sixth grader would - and we could tell he had read it in its entirety. We had our man. This feisty blonde 6th grader was officially the first one All In! 2018.<br />
<br />
Turns out, he had a bet with one of his teachers. She was on chapter five yesterday, he on chapter six.<br />
<br />
"I'm totally going to finish it before you." she challenged him.<br />
(Love and kudos to you - you know who you are - man, middle school teachers know how to play.) All he needed was the chance to prove her wrong.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr8K-z0WkexHEoySRAaNAZ-HIP7sSjsfgoIP2bkj0t6WsVZHhcG2pOf1s6439FTYDptQC01A7mzQeK_uGFGleCuFtasG5yRuScvc0NSim1JgXlwvu6g5AQoChPgAJWfH9ZuMUXIS3gCWR/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr8K-z0WkexHEoySRAaNAZ-HIP7sSjsfgoIP2bkj0t6WsVZHhcG2pOf1s6439FTYDptQC01A7mzQeK_uGFGleCuFtasG5yRuScvc0NSim1JgXlwvu6g5AQoChPgAJWfH9ZuMUXIS3gCWR/s320/IMG_2044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monday morning's big reveal!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The book was revealed on Monday morning (we promise we'll write about that next!) Kids
couldn't have gotten the book until Monday afternoon. By lunch on Thursday, three have finished. Three students are All In! already. <br />
<br />
We were not expecting this. We never expected our local Barnes and Noble to sell out within 90 minutes of dismissal Monday afternoon. We never expected in-depth conversations about justice in the middle of 7th grade lunch. We never expected kids to finish the book before we had even one question written. We don't even have a list yet! Thankfully, we only have to remember three names...for now. <br />
<br />
Our kids are in the business of surprising us. And we couldn't be happier. After seven years, a few hundred Massachusetts middle schoolers have the Crazy Reading Ladies shaking their heads...and smiling.Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-17919495984003791302017-05-29T08:27:00.001-04:002017-05-29T09:19:16.068-04:00Some DaysWe typically find ourselves drawn to this blog when we're on top of the world - when things go so incredibly, perfectly right and we are overwhelmed with love and good feelings.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TMD3-7cW6gYz5n1JwMGffd98RzUHrJUOcnxlg1pRuoxSbY09yF_nbKGRmVXQ3XJQAfBhqPNDOXj6LLqjKKIttrN9O9q-TVPrfog84B0i3TorFBTuVhG1bZZdeVLQZNMk-g-JsX9hPDBa/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TMD3-7cW6gYz5n1JwMGffd98RzUHrJUOcnxlg1pRuoxSbY09yF_nbKGRmVXQ3XJQAfBhqPNDOXj6LLqjKKIttrN9O9q-TVPrfog84B0i3TorFBTuVhG1bZZdeVLQZNMk-g-JsX9hPDBa/s200/IMG_0593.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
One good day is all we need. It <i>drives</i> us; it feeds us. But what about those other days? The ones when you wish you never left your bed. The ones when you find yourself in pajamas at 5 o'clock. The ones you replay through your head and wish you could do over. The ones that make you cry. It honestly never occurred to us to use this blog to write about those. <br />
<br />
We're very lucky Crazy Reading Ladies. We've had far more stellar days together, celebrating kids and books and authors, than most anyone. We have the best jobs on the planet; we have each other. Not a month goes by that we don't stop and say, "How did this happen?" We are optimistic people who spend an incredible amount of time celebrating good.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNwqLNz_F_5EoGX6SgZownH5PmhwzDSIQiRK_7GS6fnBEHNFs5D1TeIIjJ_7Ipl9gNe3HNmC8q0cYo1P2wBfZpUYSYhMKJJ1luWm3Z4F8VldZ3rvaa4xLyaCpSW4dI3HkuP9HI73hrKcl/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNwqLNz_F_5EoGX6SgZownH5PmhwzDSIQiRK_7GS6fnBEHNFs5D1TeIIjJ_7Ipl9gNe3HNmC8q0cYo1P2wBfZpUYSYhMKJJ1luWm3Z4F8VldZ3rvaa4xLyaCpSW4dI3HkuP9HI73hrKcl/s200/IMG_0637.JPG" width="200" /></a>But sometimes we flop. And on those days we come to the blog, too.</div>
<br />
We're not perfect. We know that, but we need to be honest: it ain't all sunshine and lollipops. Some days we know we could be better.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb7XvXVAR6aDZR6tLcTlBnvMGiHj2jDGihBbxYQ5PlcBRRNrA5JAobvs7KpOWjEiab2g0VgwWZ-NY1tNZa68BUP-KJeUGC5s6ETxnVopgDmW8epnR5kjQ8YF51_xzRK3pUaOcRM8cfPV3/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJb7XvXVAR6aDZR6tLcTlBnvMGiHj2jDGihBbxYQ5PlcBRRNrA5JAobvs7KpOWjEiab2g0VgwWZ-NY1tNZa68BUP-KJeUGC5s6ETxnVopgDmW8epnR5kjQ8YF51_xzRK3pUaOcRM8cfPV3/s200/IMG_0631.JPG" width="200" /></a>It's the curse of parents and educators everywhere; the pressure that
comes from being called a "life-changer" can be crippling. The truth is, some days aren't our best days.
Some days we don't work miracles. Some days we make mistakes but that "life-changer" thing makes us dwell on the fact that it wasn't perfect, instead of just brushing it off as one of those days. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, we have a story about one of those days.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqqzE2LLik8ydf4z-0wb9ed3BmGfDjWIuq5zRxO6WwWa7xxe9iW0oeS5yAOESm704Dvyx8pp3TufeCwxmrl9Qvd71QNsdh9TOOZxLSsg1wGcuCCVnwgF8ETSNVNcqLcHRw-9awSDUdvKb/s1600/IMG_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqqzE2LLik8ydf4z-0wb9ed3BmGfDjWIuq5zRxO6WwWa7xxe9iW0oeS5yAOESm704Dvyx8pp3TufeCwxmrl9Qvd71QNsdh9TOOZxLSsg1wGcuCCVnwgF8ETSNVNcqLcHRw-9awSDUdvKb/s200/IMG_0639.JPG" width="200" /></a>Last Friday we held our first All In! team activity in over two years. We were stoked. This was our biggest year to date and the book - <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> by Ruta Sepetys - has carved out its place in our collective heart; it's safe to say it's our favorite. This year had already exceeded our expectations in so many ways and Friday's event was going to be the cherry on top of the sundae. We had talked about our plans for months - we ordered supplies back in February and strung rare and precious minutes together to craft every detail. It felt <i>good</i>. We hadn't brainstormed and laughed like that in a while. We remembered those whole-group activities from years ago. We were both excitedly anticipating that feeling once again. It didn't come.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke6wur05f7w92AZGxnA5ZGJ-RhkTXxKu0GlOMxIeMTTPJ9cwBjlO9MBqIYo8QqOccm5JAQjdPCk2vRbV-QhnwE9l3s8q-xTtUyY8K9xFTokr25HrB2nTXuIFzQWAW-0V9aZfgEUCskSk-/s1600/IMG_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke6wur05f7w92AZGxnA5ZGJ-RhkTXxKu0GlOMxIeMTTPJ9cwBjlO9MBqIYo8QqOccm5JAQjdPCk2vRbV-QhnwE9l3s8q-xTtUyY8K9xFTokr25HrB2nTXuIFzQWAW-0V9aZfgEUCskSk-/s200/IMG_0596.JPG" width="150" /></a>When Friday came, we found ourselves trapped in a meeting as "Go Time" approached. By the time we finally arrived, the kids were loud; they were excited, but they were loud, and it took way too long to give directions. It took too long, period - the activity we planned would take five-to-seven minutes ended up taking more than half an hour. Kids got antsy. Kids asked to go to the bathroom and were found by the Principal wandering the halls. Some kiddos that remained in the gym walked away from their groups, uncomfortable with the social aspect and unsure how to take part in a collaborative effort. This was a first, and we didn't like how it felt.<br />
<br />
But the truth is that we tried. We thought on our feet and changed the game - omitting one piece entirely and changing the objective of another. We <i>tried. </i>We planned well, but it wasn't good enough. We knew right away why it flopped - everyone wasn't engaged at the same time. It's an easy fix, really. We should just chalk it up to a lesson learned: some days our best isn't good enough.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifudEO-M8sakwWwoTx7NACXppu09OSH9M5SGjPk0CIDCvqDq-KiTLLDoUQf4m7UldGeRCyb3qw_5Htw7OauCIrqnDb_k8TAYSROzolUwV1wEMFJjiFP8PFkSrzd3dtqzh6Gp3zBjNhQzxj/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifudEO-M8sakwWwoTx7NACXppu09OSH9M5SGjPk0CIDCvqDq-KiTLLDoUQf4m7UldGeRCyb3qw_5Htw7OauCIrqnDb_k8TAYSROzolUwV1wEMFJjiFP8PFkSrzd3dtqzh6Gp3zBjNhQzxj/s200/IMG_0627.JPG" width="200" /></a>But first we have to move on. We have to realize that some days are better than others, and recognize that all days deliver some modicum of good.<br />
<br />
It's not easy. Just like our students, we have a tendency to catastrophize: did this ruin them for life? Will they come back? What if we lost them for next year? We admit we allowed those thoughts to swim through our head - we even verbalized them - until we saw the pictures.<br />
<br />
Sometimes we must take a less-than-stellar afternoon and do what we ask our
students to do: look at what we did right. We pulled off an after-school activity on Friday of a long weekend with
an eclectic mix of kids. A few hundred kids. We said we would do it and we
did it. We had colleagues show up to help. We planned from our hearts. We put in time and effort and energy. We didn't do it half-way, it just wasn't what we thought
it would be. And that's okay. Some days are like that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8zoG79nQvJrVcBUYpVyZYzv_G4jXRURY-A3wZQhpSB97wZIn3qbYWy5YwvLw3UkZrqgOnMcpvoCBQlUI52Th6cTsIGBU-UZlYy8A2pB8Lp5C9zGUXTKCzlsqAcKDhBFVm1zFFhkBNQzh/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8zoG79nQvJrVcBUYpVyZYzv_G4jXRURY-A3wZQhpSB97wZIn3qbYWy5YwvLw3UkZrqgOnMcpvoCBQlUI52Th6cTsIGBU-UZlYy8A2pB8Lp5C9zGUXTKCzlsqAcKDhBFVm1zFFhkBNQzh/s200/IMG_0645.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
And some days you see a child who has never attended and after-school activity show up and find her place.<br />
Some days you hear kids shouting numbers in Lithuanian to welcome their teammates. <br />
Some days you see 7th-grade boys laughing hysterically as they scoop colorful plastic spheres into laundry baskets.<br />
Some days you hear kids quoting a book they read four months earlier. <br />
Some days you look up and see your best friend in a matching t-shirt.<br />
<br />
Some days that's all you need.Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-5388695128893299722017-02-22T12:31:00.000-05:002017-02-22T12:31:50.639-05:00Dear Ruta<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Ruta,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Days later, we are still struggling to come up with words. On February 17 the two women who never stop talking were brought to a tear-filled, head-shaking halt. It was a day filled with nothing but good and we aren't sure how to thank you. We don't feel like we can adequately express what happened that day and how grateful we are, but we're going to try.<br />
<br />
Let’s start with the story of the T-shirts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every year we order T-shirts for our readers. They like them because they’re middle school
kids and, hey, free shirt! We like them
because it gives them an external way of identifying themselves as
readers. It helps them find each
other. It shows that they are a part of
something bigger than themselves. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-W762EFTnxSdW3KmFT31EBuPOPS07JdoYAvaXw5Vsx08M0J1QLixCtaQOI19rXkU0-5_PhhZNh9lfgf4pfsYkkKhQQhcRB585L3UBzTQOmyfA_0j5imx7lZ02RICZy5FbB4OXLph0rqw/s1600/DSC_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-W762EFTnxSdW3KmFT31EBuPOPS07JdoYAvaXw5Vsx08M0J1QLixCtaQOI19rXkU0-5_PhhZNh9lfgf4pfsYkkKhQQhcRB585L3UBzTQOmyfA_0j5imx7lZ02RICZy5FbB4OXLph0rqw/s200/DSC_1496.JPG" width="200" /></a>We always choose colors carefully. Our <a href="http://crazyreadingladies.blogspot.com/2013/08/when-t-shirts-unite.html" target="_blank">first year of t-shirts</a> we chose blue and
yellow because they are our school colors. The year after we ordered shirts in five
different colors to align with the factions of <i>Divergent</i>. For <i>Unbroken</i> we ordered camouflage green, for
<i>The Finest Hours</i> – stormy sky
blue. Of course this year, everyone just
assumed the shirts would be gray.<br />
<br /></div>
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But that was something that we knew we couldn’t do. The idea of putting this book, full of life
and love and strength, into the hands of kids and then swathing them in <i>gray</i>?
It just didn’t feel right. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See, we Crazy Reading Ladies do a lot by feel. For example, we knew <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> was “the book” for this year without ever
actually speaking about it. Most years
we do exhaustive research, compile lists, divide reading duties, and talk
endlessly. This year, we found ourselves
planning activities and timelines without ever having the “Are you saying ‘yes
to this dress?’” conversation. We just
felt it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we wracked our brains for colors that would make sense…variations of blue and white and black and other colors that could fall “between shades of
gray?” It still painted such a dreary
image. White? Too boring.
Mary’s preference – slate (or gray, if you must) blue – was too close to
last years’ color. That’s when Erin
suggested the colors that felt right.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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As much as gray felt wrong, these colors felt right. Our feelings were validated when we logged
into our t-shirt vendor of choice and saw that they carried colors that were
exactly right. We made mock-up shirts
and stared at the proofs on Mary’s computer screen. That feeling... <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please don’t think us too sappy (or crazy), but it reminded
us of a certain July evening in the basement of a Boston restaurant. After gathering ourselves outside and
ineffectively trying to calm each other with “We’re calm. Stay calm.
You’re calm, right? Me too.” we walked
into your open arms. You embraced us
before you even spoke to us. It was as
if we’d known you for years. And it felt
right. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our kids felt it, too.
Without realizing they would meet you that day, our kids were honored to
understand the meaning behind the colors. We told them we were gathering to take
a picture to send to you. Picking up
their shirts that morning, 8th grade boys - who are too cool for <i>anything</i> -
gasped when we explained the color choices and said, "Ohhhh, that's
awesome!" <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfH2efRfULPABzMqiH7QYivWoD5N3xS4xN0jDF47X2WHsFl3JFrgSTJIK6ZCtfvK7dDwwJF6PkP2B-e7LYKKRJuZ827A_2kak4dp3Tu8l9-jR859M083QcNUja1dYSVBtO8Ca8CfSZoRl/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfH2efRfULPABzMqiH7QYivWoD5N3xS4xN0jDF47X2WHsFl3JFrgSTJIK6ZCtfvK7dDwwJF6PkP2B-e7LYKKRJuZ827A_2kak4dp3Tu8l9-jR859M083QcNUja1dYSVBtO8Ca8CfSZoRl/s200/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="200" /></a>Our kids feel connected to you. From the beginning you’ve been tweeting at
them, emailing them, smiling at them from the selfie we both have framed in our
offices. But more than that, they love
your book. Not only is it accessible and
engaging, but it’s beautifully written and tells an incredible story. Our kids simply devoured it. Never before have we gotten the student
feedback that we got this year. “I want
to know more. I NEED to know more!” “Do you have <i>Salt to the Sea</i>? Please tell me you have <i>Salt to the Sea</i>. I NEED TO READ <i>SALT TO THE SEA</i>!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Teachers aren’t supposed to use the word love. We’re supposed to say that we “care deeply”
and use euphemisms like “respect” as if “love” itself is a dirty word. But we CRL do now, and <a href="http://crazyreadingladies.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-work-of-heart.html" target="_blank">we have for quite sometime</a> , feel that eliminating love from the vocabulary of the
classroom does a disservice to our students.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When students read something that speaks to them and makes
them want to learn more about their own heritage and the world they live in, it’s
appropriate to use the word love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When self-proclaimed “non-readers” finish one book and
rapidly move on to its partner, it’s important to use the word love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When a students’ eyes light up because their name has just
been spoken aloud by the woman they hold at the same level of esteem as Harper
Lee or Tom Brady, the <i>only</i>
appropriate word to use is love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And without using the word love, we can’t explain Friday,
February 17<sup>th</sup>. We can’t
explain the feeling that transcended the miles, pouring in like sunshine from
where you sat in your office a thousand miles away. Without love we don’t know how to describe
the auditorium packed with 332 rapt adolescents who got to meet the woman who
wrote the book that changed their lives.
Without love, we don’t know how to explain how every single one of those
students silently defied their Assistant Principal’s directive to begin
dismissal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2_FHQWFYspl7b4vot7Be6kQKUqdBLKZuHUNzGo_QbQmFwq2tiyBm3mP3UK6LLB8oB-sWawKW_TXAjAAVlVod6uP4rMxcykBzQzwlvK9PQhDiFtho5OsVBumm1jVEo_2syuoyjTqzxTCc/s1600/BSoG+flag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2_FHQWFYspl7b4vot7Be6kQKUqdBLKZuHUNzGo_QbQmFwq2tiyBm3mP3UK6LLB8oB-sWawKW_TXAjAAVlVod6uP4rMxcykBzQzwlvK9PQhDiFtho5OsVBumm1jVEo_2syuoyjTqzxTCc/s320/BSoG+flag.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without love, how do you explain how 332 students knew to
stand, en masse, without direction, to show you the shirts that came together
to create the Lithuanian flag? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And this brings us back to the t-shirts. Besides being driven by instinct and what
felt right, there was something else motivating the t-shirt color choice. We kept thinking about that Skype visit - what
you would see on your computer screen when the call connected. We couldn’t let you see 330 seats filled with
gray. Instead, we wanted to honor you and
your story; to at least try to convey what you mean to us and our students. We wanted to show you what you had done. We made sure you logged in
to see an auditorium full of love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Love and gratitude for everything, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary and Erin</div>
Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-16319212795296217272017-02-15T19:20:00.000-05:002017-02-15T19:20:20.721-05:00Good Things<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhngmVze1aEzhUZGns7irlELqPHxHVHt4Vm_KhZn1hdmU8dMrFN27F6kbMWb9WMrjQU-zpJKXvYRV28xwor5GIxMPK8kQg26YBCVy6ZaTGYuhqbUG7vfR9SFCp4KyUwwzrFacAcJOc4076/s1600/BSG+reveal+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhngmVze1aEzhUZGns7irlELqPHxHVHt4Vm_KhZn1hdmU8dMrFN27F6kbMWb9WMrjQU-zpJKXvYRV28xwor5GIxMPK8kQg26YBCVy6ZaTGYuhqbUG7vfR9SFCp4KyUwwzrFacAcJOc4076/s200/BSG+reveal+2017.jpg" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#ALLIN17 was revealed! December 13, 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Crazy Reading Ladies don't have classrooms next door to each other anymore. More than Mary's administrator status, our reduced proximity has proven to be the most difficult adjustment we CRLs have had to make.<br />
<br />
Over the years, some of our favorite moments occurred in doorways. In the hall between classes we'd share sweet anecdotes, vocabulary lists, student work samples, and the occasional eye-roll. During All In!, we'd be in and out of each other's rooms constantly, talking to students about the book and hearing the insightful, passionate reactions of our readers.<br />
<br />
This time around we hear the comments individually, only able to share with the other on the rare occasion we (wo)man a mutual lunch duty or indulge in a Saturday pedicure.<br />
<br />
And, so - as the finish line to All In! 2017 draws near - we have come to a conclusion: our kids <i>love</i> this book.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGu1iM3JcKvrKOQj4WYcrqeP2U_-Cks4ePXg3Lkv3BBup85TvBs-9xEHQL-zlrZphY30x2H3Jev85HNMUZKu6qtkBg8WtMTfsrUE378IJtlLAjdN3CkyHZtyAllTNfwS8ufD1qbu6LI0ov/s1600/DSC_1262%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGu1iM3JcKvrKOQj4WYcrqeP2U_-Cks4ePXg3Lkv3BBup85TvBs-9xEHQL-zlrZphY30x2H3Jev85HNMUZKu6qtkBg8WtMTfsrUE378IJtlLAjdN3CkyHZtyAllTNfwS8ufD1qbu6LI0ov/s320/DSC_1262%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They seemed surprised somehow; delighted really, at how much they're enjoying this journey. They love the historical accuracy and the intrigue of a forgotten story. They love the human struggle and the relationships explored. They talk about its powerful, earth-shattering punch - how upsetting and unbelievable that something like this could really happen. They love the brisk pace and the short chapters. Dormant readers who approach books cautiously with side-eyes and a ten-foot pole take a copy when we tell them to try it. "Read the first three chapters and if you don't like it, bring it back." That's the CRL's deal and so far no one has returned a copy. No one.<br />
<br />
Everyone loves Ruta Sepetys. And we don't know how it happened that we were so lucky; lucky enough to cross paths with this incredible writer and beautiful person, lucky enough that she's reaching out to our readers and following us every step of the way. Lucky enough that we get to share how her book is changing lives. Lucky enough that we get to thank her. It's just too much lovely.<br />
<br />
It's gonna be a good year.<br />
<br />
Here's one of the videos we created for our kiddos featuring the official #ALLIN17 theme song: Stand in the Light.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z37YHF8ElM" target="_blank">Between Shades of Gray #ALLIN17 Video</a> </div>
<br />
<br />Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-23506514744532324132016-12-17T12:08:00.000-05:002016-12-17T12:31:25.980-05:00The Power of the Read AloudSeveral days ago our All In! 2017 title was revealed: <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> by Ruta Sepetys. It's a haunting tale about Stalin's lists and the deportation of millions of Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians. It's beautifully crafted, incredibly well-researched and exceptionally important. You should read it. More on the book and our reveal later, we promise!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJO0mtv7DBsXQAKA27vKYIJ6qzvva7RFqul5JfnvpuL5dwdYvjVj4e1D6ZeAsNEV4L0BKrfiDDiD5puDGwSfHKF3wnsXeVGNY-x-KbSbkJqQPSElhxGyxS4ebUgdcnJMwqjupDiaEUbkt/s1600/DSC_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJO0mtv7DBsXQAKA27vKYIJ6qzvva7RFqul5JfnvpuL5dwdYvjVj4e1D6ZeAsNEV4L0BKrfiDDiD5puDGwSfHKF3wnsXeVGNY-x-KbSbkJqQPSElhxGyxS4ebUgdcnJMwqjupDiaEUbkt/s320/DSC_1262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All In! 2017: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As part of our kickoff, we hosted a book fair at our local Barnes and Noble; for the first time, we performed a read-aloud as part of the evening's program. <br />
<br />
On the hour, an announcement was made and people moved to the back of the store. Fathers sat down next to daughters. Younger siblings settled in beside big brothers. Some people didn't even sit. One mother stood next to her two teen aged children, her eyes filling with tears as Mary began. Busy toddlers stilled and looked up as we read - it didn't matter what we were reading, just that we <i>were</i> reading. Due to one of those unforeseen, serendipitous CRL twists, we each got to watch the other as she read.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OTeHUerr5ReYiWOUNnkXITrO18cBql3lJh6TU1FDPbqv-F-UQWbkfE1rB25kFHmo4A1zxoXlQDXcKlymmJdBK3Pma3ReDpgckrAj8d8FqDwOtRKVmrcqTGFETM4va_Kedspglyoqdi4A/s1600/DSC_1259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OTeHUerr5ReYiWOUNnkXITrO18cBql3lJh6TU1FDPbqv-F-UQWbkfE1rB25kFHmo4A1zxoXlQDXcKlymmJdBK3Pma3ReDpgckrAj8d8FqDwOtRKVmrcqTGFETM4va_Kedspglyoqdi4A/s320/DSC_1259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary reading aloud from Between Shades of Gray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And while we can't take credit for how positively transfixed our audience was by the first three chapters - this due entirely to the extraordinary storytelling abilities of Ruta Sepetys - we can profess the power of the read aloud, a practice oft-forgotten in a world of "turn and talk" collaboration and "teaching on your feet" dictum.<br />
<br />
Reading aloud is typically associated with elementary school. Erin talks about her pre-CRL years - the ones she spent teaching first and second grade. And she ended every single day with a read aloud.<br />
<br />
The kids packed up a full thirty minutes early, only to surround me and listen as we read <i>The Mouse and the Motorcycle</i>, <i>Henry and Ribsy</i>, and <i>The Indian in the Cupboard</i>. Looking back, I'm shocked to realize that we probably got through eight or ten books each year. Together.<br />
<br />
It was sacred; we finished every book we ever started.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/cvr9780689818769_9780689818769_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d28hgpri8am2if.cloudfront.net/book_images/cvr9780689818769_9780689818769_hr.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One year on the last day of school, my administrator appeared in my doorway, ready to usher us off to the Prize Day assembly.<br />
<br />
I had three pages to go until the end of <i>Frindle</i>.<br />
<br />
My pace picked up as she began signaling me that we had to leave. I looked up at her and tried to communicate, "Please. Not yet." The last few pages of the story are when Mrs. Granger writes to Nick. He's all grown-up now, but at the end he gets a letter and he finds out that his fifth-grade teacher has been rooting for him and his word all along; he learns that she's <i>proud</i> of him. We had to finish. Of course we finished. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't about a thousand times more relieved than I was embarrassed at being the very last class to file into the assembly that day. <br />
<br />
The power of the read aloud is no secret to the teachers who spend their days with emergent readers, saying things like "Circle time" and "Criss-cross applesauce!" but for whatever reason, we forget about it in middle school.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJIvEbix0FXIYADUwbN1pF92YvoQchWOITgev4-tElqBPueMgQSJ8b7mi_lT8DgPmanWxI6swGujBsR2zHpDISTB_4If8MclkiMdxQ9eS7viH9yDDZETuJDPzbtxzKPyNvbvsvit7MMrQ/s1600/IMG_6329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJIvEbix0FXIYADUwbN1pF92YvoQchWOITgev4-tElqBPueMgQSJ8b7mi_lT8DgPmanWxI6swGujBsR2zHpDISTB_4If8MclkiMdxQ9eS7viH9yDDZETuJDPzbtxzKPyNvbvsvit7MMrQ/s320/IMG_6329.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A read aloud to close out Pajama Day</td></tr>
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But reading aloud is a tool that no teacher should ever permanently remove from their toolbox. Mary remembers, from her days in the classroom, that spending a day reading aloud can result in a hoarse voice and exhausted person...after all, as school progresses the chapters get longer and the classes rotate. Reading aloud a 20 page chapter is four times harder in 8th grade than it is in 5th. But it also leads to greater engagement and improved comprehension. If you don't believe us, take it from Brianna. She's now in 11th grade, and when asked what book changed her, she talked about <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>. She shared that Ms. Cotillo read almost all of it aloud and that she still thinks of that book every day.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, we Crazy Reading Ladies were invited to read <i>Between Shades of Gray </i>aloud to about fifty 6th graders. It was pajama day. When Erin got downstairs, desks were pushed out of the way, kids sat on the floor or lay sprawled out on their winter coats. One boy lay on his back staring up at her, his mouth hanging open.<br />
<br />
<i>"They took me in my nightgown,"</i> she began.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd36IzxLbFOM6fOA45ETE6bo1QdJ-oYmntfUThr-a-Vy8RMFmjFLvDklF5s0Up2eyq4rn-808GSdolILvpQLkJfihyphenhyphenOUsHXkDaFZN0FunkHJDvcdL__jZpyB70Burs5DiCl4H7ij5fS6Bd/s1600/IMG_6330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd36IzxLbFOM6fOA45ETE6bo1QdJ-oYmntfUThr-a-Vy8RMFmjFLvDklF5s0Up2eyq4rn-808GSdolILvpQLkJfihyphenhyphenOUsHXkDaFZN0FunkHJDvcdL__jZpyB70Burs5DiCl4H7ij5fS6Bd/s320/IMG_6330.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever seen sixth graders so quiet?</td></tr>
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No one moved. No one went to the bathroom or needed a drink. No one said anything, except to whine each time she paused to look up at their teachers and inquire about the time. Everyone was sad when it ended -<i> sad</i> for the school day to come to an<i> end. </i>On a Friday. At the end of Spirit Week. <br />
<br />
As students get older, the adults in their lives mistakenly assume they don't want to be read to anymore. After all, they know how to read now. The events of this last week made something abundantly clear to us: our adult assumptions can add a dose of bitter to one of childhood's sweetest milestones. Proclamations of "You can read on your own now!" often lead to the end of time spent together reading aloud. And parents are eager to regain those twenty minutes at the end of the day that could be spent doing dishes or laundry or simply putting ones tired feet up and enjoying a moment of silence. <br />
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But before we walk away from bedtime stories, may we ask: now that you <i>can </i>cook, isn't it funny how everything still tastes better when your mom makes it?<br />
<br />
Why should that landmark thrill of learning to read result in the loss of a comfortable lap (or parka) and the warm embrace of a good story?<br />
<br />
Middle School teachers: read aloud to your kids. It will pay dividends you cannot measure on educator evaluation rubric (though you *can* use it as evidence for I.A.1 and II.A.2 if you want to). Parents: read aloud to your kids. Even the big ones. Even the ones who can read for themselves. The snuggles and feelings of peace will bring more satisfaction than an empty laundry hamper. Promise. <br />
<br />Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8144608020786741878.post-39812315067266347722016-10-03T07:58:00.001-04:002016-10-03T07:58:53.075-04:00Chatham<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUlSCINIdOJ5efaOeg3M0Tp2P41_OTws01R3ZRxBt9lhHfGrM6BTLjdvmzUjjxUYw5Y7UNRs4SncGhrkXk6F2HCzKxz_ieYlXyhSEGSljNXL3ReEW70JKnOYxonRrLuR1ctUve1O4Lhhu/s1600/DSC_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUlSCINIdOJ5efaOeg3M0Tp2P41_OTws01R3ZRxBt9lhHfGrM6BTLjdvmzUjjxUYw5Y7UNRs4SncGhrkXk6F2HCzKxz_ieYlXyhSEGSljNXL3ReEW70JKnOYxonRrLuR1ctUve1O4Lhhu/s320/DSC_0425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of our cherubs. </td></tr>
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<i>"But what'll we do for our Three-Peats?" </i><br />
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<i>"We'll take 'em to Chatham! All we need is us and a bus." </i><br />
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<i>"Okay, when you just said 'us and a bus,' I started to get choked up. That's perfect."</i><br />
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Five years ago we wondered if the administration would let us take our readers to see a movie. This year, we sought permission to take 58 middle-schoolers to Chatham, Massachusetts.<br />
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And they said yes.<br />
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Chatham, a quaint, touristy beach town nestled on the Atlantic coast was the setting for <i>The Finest Hours</i>, the real-life story of the most daring rescue in US Coast Guard history...and it is less than a two-hour drive from our middle school. Sometimes life hands you a gift and you need to smile and accept it with gratitude. We Crazy Reading Ladies knew what we had to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnFyu0FR9gaT3NtMUQVo04AcPUkey552xs_Mv6IjuyfpkuJZwxQejW1_CwLZWahFwu5LbyACciF_8KQvety7ORkD9Eh_76aioa6gNn3gRyWZ8TZSbyC6in7AvRqXSVtOUmByolLML7tqq/s1600/IMG_20160521_074556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnFyu0FR9gaT3NtMUQVo04AcPUkey552xs_Mv6IjuyfpkuJZwxQejW1_CwLZWahFwu5LbyACciF_8KQvety7ORkD9Eh_76aioa6gNn3gRyWZ8TZSbyC6in7AvRqXSVtOUmByolLML7tqq/s320/IMG_20160521_074556.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best days, period.</td></tr>
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Kids remember the wonderful stuff. In their time at HMMS, our 8th graders had watched Three-Peats attend the Boston premiere of <i>Divergent </i>and have their very own luau in honor of <i>Unbroken</i>'s Louie Zamperini. Now it was their turn.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to climb the lighthouse.</td></tr>
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Crafting a special experience for our Three-Peats has - very quickly - shot to the top of our yearly to-do list. We need to honor the kids who stuck with us for three years. We need to validate the 8th graders who deemed <i>reading a book</i> worthy of their time and social risk. We need to celebrate their success and show them what they mean to us. This year yielded fifty-eight Three-Peats. We were ridiculously excited to plan this for them and managed to keep it under wraps for months.<br />
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Though the trip itself was a surprise, the kids knew something big was coming. In our school "Three-Peat" is part of the kids' vernacular. Bestowed on the 8th graders who have gone All In! each year of middle school, it's a title which many strive to attain - some even set it as a personal goal from the time they enter our building and step into the midst of our crazy. Occasionally, when we walk the halls of our neighboring elementary school, kids will stop us and say things like, "I can't wait to go All In!" or "My brother is a Three-Peat! And I'm gonna be just like him!" Our kids deserved this.<br />
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So on May 20, we loaded a bus and took 'em to Chatham.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUr9aGNwTeERt1_UQz-uih4J4WwAd_hXQBsw14W9Lr4HjM5WM92fWEalyjKniAtBSh8Feq1ccRtZQLc7ti9Ars6b6OwY5vcNrW0PsYESpDK4FErJH1_kgPFSJVgVytzb5zl1mOXu1U-Ne/s1600/DSC_0360.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUr9aGNwTeERt1_UQz-uih4J4WwAd_hXQBsw14W9Lr4HjM5WM92fWEalyjKniAtBSh8Feq1ccRtZQLc7ti9Ars6b6OwY5vcNrW0PsYESpDK4FErJH1_kgPFSJVgVytzb5zl1mOXu1U-Ne/s200/DSC_0360.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT1VAafbBamMSXITY5bg2kMJkonnSiMGA5HNpuvOgM3WxlyvjsyAuViOYekMuZjGwKTFtxsFYF1Hdn3mMunOi7SxJqTSMQ0hm6cI_R6cuEFktWQrbLlIdJimbs_zHZe1FXfCxLJBJUu76/s1600/DSC_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT1VAafbBamMSXITY5bg2kMJkonnSiMGA5HNpuvOgM3WxlyvjsyAuViOYekMuZjGwKTFtxsFYF1Hdn3mMunOi7SxJqTSMQ0hm6cI_R6cuEFktWQrbLlIdJimbs_zHZe1FXfCxLJBJUu76/s200/DSC_0351.JPG" width="200" /></a>The weather was picture-perfect summer-gorgeous. We visited the Atwood House and Chatham Historical Society where we became the very first to view the Rescue of the Pendelton exhibit, made especially to commemorate the events surrounding The Finest Hours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR3URyT3s9nXve7NuQD7HgWmCUp6Yq9Fm-a3xq8tjJwpiIrzMCxcMqKTkNCMAtkRO64jAGtiJdsA4Q2L8SJS4wBc8Vlk9pToF-rtDmYdLtzEhH-sPJm13HrctH2nfdEGc4I7FJQu9tycR/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR3URyT3s9nXve7NuQD7HgWmCUp6Yq9Fm-a3xq8tjJwpiIrzMCxcMqKTkNCMAtkRO64jAGtiJdsA4Q2L8SJS4wBc8Vlk9pToF-rtDmYdLtzEhH-sPJm13HrctH2nfdEGc4I7FJQu9tycR/s200/DSC_0354.JPG" width="200" /></a>We marveled at a three-hundred year-old house, viewed collections of seashells and pottery, and fingered shoes and dresses worn centuries ago - by obscenely tiny women. <br />
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We picnicked on the beach, where the sight of 58 teens tossing their shoes aside and racing to the ocean made tears fall silently behind our CRL sunglasses. We watched kids skip rocks, turn cartwheels, and play football. We saw them take selfies and examine crab shells and write "All In!" in the sand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three-Peats hit the beach in Chatham.</td></tr>
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We pointed out the Chatham bar where, in the middle of a nor'easter sixty-four years earlier, Bernie Webber and his crew braved the breaking waves and rocky terrain to cross into the open ocean and save those stranded aboard the lifeless Pendelton.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"36500 this is station Chatham, do you read me?"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don St. Pierre - keeper of CG36500 - came to meet our kids.</td></tr>
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We visited the US Coast Guard station and touched the walls and walked the floors where the real heroes had lived and breathed and worked. We climbed the lighthouse steps, conquering fears and feeling - if only for a moment - like we were at the top of the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NBWte_vAwImLbM9gA5M-k9_dO38E-reob-tbPOU2YjZ1sPqdUobk1g_uAUApHdBUXvxwpW_yBnuNOgageqMbJYuUfKUdalSZMyCpSiQu1sTBvn0ad1KHfhADBZsgRabLrkVppfmdlnle/s1600/DSC_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NBWte_vAwImLbM9gA5M-k9_dO38E-reob-tbPOU2YjZ1sPqdUobk1g_uAUApHdBUXvxwpW_yBnuNOgageqMbJYuUfKUdalSZMyCpSiQu1sTBvn0ad1KHfhADBZsgRabLrkVppfmdlnle/s320/DSC_0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is! CG36500.<i><br /></i></td></tr>
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And we saw the boat. Through a beautiful twist of fate - perhaps we have Bernie himself to thank - the CG36500 was in Chatham that day getting a new coat of paint for her upcoming summer outings on the Cape. We spoke to men whose names and faces we recognized from the book and let our hands hear the story again as we walked around the boat. For <i>real.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHbt8S-xsPw7Oh4vb39c6c_S0H1Kd5zcz1MKx3KJ6nH34GJboHY7vskWOh_qeCACCh3HqNYvdIFeQ4QXZglVxt2gdf0-PUw1kIl2jCwpSalGXqbzwys48zAU4ZRDUD3RmoQWRaXOSBT61/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHbt8S-xsPw7Oh4vb39c6c_S0H1Kd5zcz1MKx3KJ6nH34GJboHY7vskWOh_qeCACCh3HqNYvdIFeQ4QXZglVxt2gdf0-PUw1kIl2jCwpSalGXqbzwys48zAU4ZRDUD3RmoQWRaXOSBT61/s320/DSC_0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To our Three-Peats: we love you.</td></tr>
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It was one of those days spent in celebration of good. There was magic and joy and laughter everywhere we turned that day. And it was another for which we had no words. Without verbalizing it, we both felt like there was so much wrapped up in that day. Another year, our fifth successful All In!, Mary's new administrative position, and the sight of her daughter taking her place among the Three-Peats.<br />
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After a year filled with so much change, it was beautiful to know that some things stay the same. We wiggled our toes in the sand and looked around. The Crazy Reading Ladies aren't going anywhere. We'll always have each other. As long as we have our kids and a good book - as long as we have us and a bus - we'll all be okay. <br />
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<br />Mary and Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08314793014318184597noreply@blogger.com2