A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engle

Taken directly from Wikipedia.

A Wrinkle in Time (1962) is a science fantasy novel by Madeleine L’Engle. The book won a Newbery Medal, Sequoyah Book Award, and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and was runner-up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. It is the first in L’Engle’s series of books about the Murry and O’Keefe families.

Meg Murry is a teenage girl, regarded by her classmates and teachers as a bad-tempered adolescent. Her family recognizes her problem as a lack of emotional maturity but also regards her as being capable of great things. The family includes her pretty scientist mother, her mysteriously missing scientist father, her five year-old brother Charles Wallace Murry — a nascent super-genius — and her 10-year-old twin brothers, the athletic Sandy and Dennys.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Taken directly from echeat.com

I did read this book. I just didn’t take the time to write a review. I can remember when I read it, way back in 1985. I was in 10th grade. It wasn’t for a class. I was just pleasure reading. I don’t remember who recommended it to me, but do remember someone recommending it to me, but cautioning me about the language and the situations in the book. I can see why it was initially banned. I’m glad it’s not now, though. It’s quite an intense read. On that note, I will let you read the review just in case you haven’t read it or seen the movie.

The Color Purple (1982), by Alice Walker, is a very intense book to read. By intense, I mean it is a book touching very difficult and hard aspects of life of a poor, black oppressed woman in the early twentieth century. Walker does social criticism in her novel, mostly criticizing the way black women were treated in the early twentieth century. Walker uses the life experiences of Celie to illustrate her social criticism.

The Color Purple is not written in the style of most novels. The author does not tell us everything about the characters, the setting, and why the characters behave the way they do. The novel is written in a series of letters, not dated. There are large gaps between some letters, but this is not revealed by the author; we have to figure it out ourselves. The letters are written in what Walker calls black folk language, which also reduces the easiness of the reading.

I Found A Copy of My Lesson Plan Template!

Okay, this is for all the people I promised an OCR lesson plan template for. I found it. I finally found it- my lesson plan template. It was on my school laptop which I had to return. I had a backup on my personal laptop. However, my laptop crashed a couple of weeks ago. As a result, I lost the template. Well, I found a hardcopy cover of it and am in the process of typing it up again. So, everyone I promised a copy, I will actually have it to you by Friday.

Again, sorry for the delay!

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 (1953), written by Ray Bradbury, is an engrossing futuristic tale of a society where all printed material is banned. In this country of the future, officials believe that people who read and are able to think for themselves are a threat to the nation where individualism is strongly discouraged. The inhabitants of this society all seem to be suffering from sensory deprivation and their only link to news and entertainment is a large television screen on the wall where broadcasts are continually transmitted to the “family.” All the people are members of the Family. Even though they aren’t forced to watch the telecasts, they all do.

It is the job of firemen (this movie was made long before they were referred to as firefighters) to hunt down subversives and burn the caches of books they’ve secreted away. The title, Fahrenheit 451, is the temperature at which book paper catches fire and starts to burn.

Can I just tell you that this book used to scare me? I was so scared of this book actually coming true. This kinda’ reminded of that Twilight Zone episode with the man who goes into a bank vault to read when a bomb goes off. I guess it serves him right, that he’s so happy that everyone is dead and he can read all he wants without human interference, that his glasses fall off and break. How heartless. Now he can’t read. He’s left alone with all the books in the world, without any glasses to read them.

How horrible! But, which one is worse? Having all the books in the world and not being to read it or not having books to read at all???? Either way, it sucks! I hope we will never have to deal with this, ever!!!

List of Banned Books

In light of Banned Books week, here’s a list of books that have been banned at one time or another in the United States:

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Blubber by Judy Blume
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Canterbury Tales by Chaucer
Carrie by Stephen King
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Christine by Stephen King
Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Cujo by Stephen King
Curses, Hexes, and Spells by Daniel Cohen

Banned Book Week (September 26- October 3)

Taken directly from Wikipedia page.

Banned Books Week is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates the freedom to read and draws attention to banned and challenged books. The campaign “stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them” and the requirement to keep material publicly available so that people can develop their own conclusions and opinions. Its goal is “to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.”

Held during the last week of September since 1982, Banned Books Week not only encourages readers to examine banned and challenged literary works, but also promotes intellectual freedom in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Offering Banned Books Week kits, the American Library Association (ALA) sells posters, buttons, and bookmarks to celebrate the event. Many educational facilities also celebrate banned and challenged books during this week, often creating displays and programs around the awareness campaign. Additionally, various booksellers sponsor activities and events in support of Banned Books Week. Some retailers create window displays, while others go further, inviting authors of banned and challenged materials to come speak at their stores, as well as funding annual essay contests about freedom of expression.

The campaign was founded in 1982 by prominent First Amendment and library activist Judith Krug. It is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA), the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores, and endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Maxi’s Bed Magicians by Werner Blaebst

Maxi’s Bed Magicians (1990), written & illustrated by Werner Blaebst, was too cute. It reminds me of another book I reviewed, Snuggle Mountain, by Lindsey Lane. It celebrates one of my favorite subjects, imagination. This book can be used during the 3rd grade Imagination unit in OCR. I don’t know why I didn’t read this book during the Imagination unit, but if I have a chance, I will next time. I’ve had this book for a couple of years now. It’s actually falling apart. I’ve been trying to find another copy, but this book is pretty hard to find. N-e way, on to the review.

When Maxi’s parents get out of bed in the morning, he gets in and haves himself a ball.

He closed the door and said softly, “Hi, magicians.”

They also respond (in his imagination), “Hi, Maxi.”

Mondays meant fun-time. Maxi asks them if they’re ready. As anyone knows, you don’t have to ask bed magicians twice. So, he climbs on top of the t.v. and… Geronimo… he shots, he scores. He lands right smack dab in the middle of the bed, with the big fluffy pillows & the oh, so soft down comforter. From there he has a grand ole’ adventure. If you’d like to know what happens, I guess you’re just going to have to read it for yourself.

*** P.S.- The above picture has the German title, but it’s the same book.***

In the above picture, the white thing is the pillow. The orange polka-dotted thing is the comforter.

Time To Move On!

I’m not sure if I wrote on this blog before about my dreams. If I did, this is a continuation of that. If not, I got a little story to tell you, like to hear it, here it goes. We, as human beings, are so preoccupied with our daily lives that we don’t pay attention to small things that God is trying to tell us. Our minds are not open to answers because they are not quiet; there’s too much noise. However, when we are sleep, we are more open to answers we couldn’t hear during our waking life. So, what I’m saying is that answers are easier to hear in our dreams, when we are not so preoccupied.

That being said, I’ve had quite a dilemma that I needed to get an answer to. However, as with many people, I was having a little trouble getting my mind quiet. So, I thought I’d pray about it and listen for the answer in my sleep.

My dilemma-I wanted to go back to my old job. I thought there was a slim chance of that, but I was willing to jump at it nonetheless. I felt like I was abandoning my students when I knew perfectly well that that was not the case. Although it was not my choice to move on, I knew that it was time to do so, but would have stayed for the children. However, I also wanted this new job that I am in the running for. I had been praying for an answer beyond a shadow of a doubt that moving on was the correct move. Well, I prayed before I went to sleep last night and got my answer. Without a doubt, it is time to move on. In my heart of hearts, I knew it, but wasn’t ready to accept it. Now, I know what must be done.

Free Ice Cream @ Coldstone Creamery (9/24/09)

Thursday, September 24th  5-8pm

FREE 3 oz. Make-A-Wish^® Creation™ with a Donation

Donate and receive a 3 oz. sample of Jack’s Creation served out of a ready-to-love pan in a Like It™ Cup. Valid only during published date and time. While supplies last. No substitutions. Limit one per customer. An estimated 85 percent of all donations in September will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation^®. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org. ©2009 Cold Stone Creamery, Inc. All rights reserved.

Why The Sneer?

Okay, dear readers, this is my rant. I got a lil’ something to say it, here it goes. My daughter, Phillise, has had great teachers during her short time in school. I’ve had great relationships with them all. They’ve all been really nice with sparkling personalities. That is…up until now. Her current teacher is not mean, she’s just not as personable as the others. She’s kinda’ dry with little personality. The first day I met her on the first day of school, she was very dry. I didn’t really care for her then, but decided to hold off on forming an opinion. Well, last night, @ back to school night, I made up my mind about her. I really don’t like her. She made a comment about Phillise’s writing; that she thought it was really good and that my baby is very creative.

I know you’re probably thinking, Well, what made you mad? She’s complimenting your child. Okay, I’ll get to it.

I told her that Phillise was no stranger to books, as we have a small library in our house. I also told her that she knows how to do book reports and how to make and bind her own books. I also told her that we were colleagues, since I’m a teacher.

“Yes, Phillise told me that you’re a special ed. teacher,” she said with a sneer.

Did I miss something? The last time I looked, a special ed. teacher is a teacher is a teacher. I work so hard. It’s unfortunate that some people still think that special ed. teachers are babysitters.

Once I realized she was sneering. I told her that I was no babysitter and that I teach my students OCR. I was so mad at myself for explaining anything to her. If she believes that I’m a babysitter, so be it. I don’t owe anything to her. I could gone on, but I won’t. That’s all I have to say.

That, my dear sir or madam, is my rant for the day!

What’s Your Stress (Relief) Plan?

Well, what is it? Your stress (relief) plan, that is. How do you plan to release the excess stress built up during the day. You know there’s going to be some in any job. There’s especially going to be a whoooooole lot in a high stress job like teaching. That’s what a good friend of mine, Danika, and I were just talking about. I told her how she needs to have a plan to relieve her stress just as she needs a lesson plan. Both are equally important to your job. If you are underprepared & overly stressed, you are no good to anyone.

I had to learn this the hard way. My first year of teaching was unusually hard. I literally felt as if I was unraveling at the seams. Nothing I did seemed to work. Everything I did seem to unravel just as quickly as I seemed to be doing.

This is why it was so stressful. Initially, I didn’t know the programs, I had no administrative support, and to top it all off, I had the classroom from hell. It’s a long story, but on my first day, my very first day of teaching, I was called a garden tool (hoe), a female dog, and had to break up three fights, all before Recess. I won’t go into it, but here’s a link to my first couple of weeks of teaching if you would like to read about it. (Click here, here, here, & here). So, I am no stranger to stress. I don’t know what others do, I can only tell you what I do to relieve my stress. If I would not have had a stress relief plan, I would not have made it through my first year of teaching.

Here’s what I do.

Famous Quotes

Here’s an often quoted saying. You’ve probably seen it or heard it a million times, but I’m going to write it anyway. It’s so profound.

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster

The Hello, Goodbye Window (2005), written by Norton Juster & illustrated by Chris Raschka, was a good read that left me with a nice feel good feeling. Winner of the 2006 Caldecott Medal, Chris Raschka really hit the ball out the park with this one. The illustrations are a type of watercolorish drawing. They are very beautiful with very vivid colors that’s sure to further spur the imagination of those for whom this book was intended.

The little girl in the story really enjoys spending time with her grandparents. She begins her story by explaining that: Nanna and Poppy live in a big house in the middle of town. There’s a brick path that goes to the back porch, but before you get there you pass right by the kitchen window. That’s the Hello, Goodbye Window. It looks like a regular window, but it’s not.

This is how we are introduced to the Hello, Goodbye Window. She tells you everything you can do at the Hello, Goodbye Window: climb up on the flower barrel and tap the window, press your face against the window, play

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone!

My dear readers, I have a story to tell you, like to hear it, here it goes: I don’t like change. I know this is not a good thing, but I sometimes stay in a situation that is not good for me longer than is healthy. Don’t get me wrong, when I have to do it, I do it. But if I don’t have to, I will not, or I will do it kicking and screaming. Presently, I am being forced to change. I have to change. Well, unluckily or luckily for me, (however you want to look at it), I don’t have a choice in the matter. I was displaced at the end of last year. Even though I knew that I could have gotten a way better job, I wouldn’t have tried. If given the choice, I would not have changed jobs. However, I was not given a choice. So, I am looking for a new job. I think I’ve found a job. In fact, it’s a job that I would not have thought I wanted. It’s for a middle school position. In my nearly nine years working in special ed, I’ve never worked in a middle school. Truth be told, I was scared to do so. At that age, they can be so obnoxious. But, they can also be very sweet, like my David.

I’m Not Apologizing for Special Education Anymore!

In the immortal words of Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman, ” I was in here yesterday and you wouldn’t wait on me. You work on commission, right? Well, big mistake! Big, big mistake! Huge! Gigantic! Bye, I’m going shopping now.”

This is what she tells the sales clerk who refused to help her the previous day. The clerk wouldn’t give her the time of day; she wouldn’t even listen as she tried to explain her situation. She took one look at her and judged her on appearance alone.

Now, I don’t work on commission. I get paid whether the students learn to read or not. However, I do “wait” on my students and am very patient with them as they learn how to buy into the educational “marketplace” as they try to play catch-up.

The above situation illustrates how special education students & those with disabilities are treated most of the time. There is a special connection between Julia Roberts’ situation and those in special education classes. I relate this situation to special education because people take one look @ special education students and judge them by their appearance or their situation alone, not by what kind of person they are.

Case in point, I had a student in my class who was as cute as a button. She is a triple threat; she is so talented. She can sing, dance, and draw. Well, one day someone from the after school program visited my class and was so surprised that she was in my class.

“She’s in your class?,” he said. I would never have thought that.

Hoping Against All Hope!

My life has been is such turmoil for the last couple of years that I’ve actually stopped wanting as much as I used to because, quite frankly, I’ve haven’t gotten a whole lot of things I’ve wanted lately.It’s just become a way of life. You get used to it, you know! That’s so not a good thing, but it’s just the reality of it all. However, things have been on the upswing. Another however (if I can say that), is that I’m scared to hope. I want to want more, but have been so used to getting disappointed. I am in the running for a very, very, very nice job. I really want it, but am scared to. I am hoping against all hope that things really are on the upswing and that I get it. Only time will tell, but here’s hoping!

Well Pulled Together Me!

Being well pulled together has been a double-edged sword for me. A couple years ago, right before I started teaching, I bought a whole new wardrobe to look the part- wool skirts, crisp white shirts, and a whole host of other little accessories & what-not. Because I was so well put together, most people thought that I wasn’t struggling as a teacher. They were just looking on the outside and how I “seemed” to have it all together. Well, that wasn’t the truth. I was struggling so badly. A word of caution I would give anyone is to look at the inside, not the outside. Really look at them. Don’t look at how wee pulled together they are. They just may be crying on the inside and struggling to stay afloat. Like I was.

Auditory & Visual Processing Disorders or Why It’s So Hard To Teach Students With This Disorder

As my husband & I were driving, I talked with my husband about how many people think that teaching is such a cushy job. They have no idea how intense it is or how much planning goes into teaching one lesson. A lesson that might take one day in a general education class may very well take up to a week or more in a special education class; especially if they have no to little foundation. You have to cover all the basics. You can’t take anything for granted. You can’t even think that the students know what a plus or minus sign are. My husband told me that he thought that it was simple. That you just do A, B, & C. I had to tell him that that would probably work in a general education class, but not in a special education class.

“Why wouldn’t it work in a special education class?” he asked.

“Okay, the method you just described wouldn’t work with someone with a visual processing disorder.” I told him.

“What is a visual processing disorder?” he asked

Okay, a visual processing disorder is basically when the student needs to do more than see what you’re trying to explain. They have a hard time processing information by sight alone. They may need to see it, hear it and touch it also. Therein lies the problem. When I first started I didn’t know what visual or auditory processing disorders were. My husband & I continued the conversation during which I explained visual processing disorder, auditory processing disorder, and the many teaching methods and techniques used to reach special education students. Thankfully my husband understood by the end of the conversation. Now, all I need to do is make head way with some of the general education teachers I’ve worked with.

Happy International Literacy Day

Yes, people. Today is International Literacy Day. It was started by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, is a specialized agency of the United Nation. Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and the human rights freedom UN Charter and fundamental established on November 16, 1945.

September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally.

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day to everyone. Eat, drink & be merry!

Look @ Those Two!

I called Phillise to ask her for a hug, and got a wet one ’cause the sleeves on her robe was wet.

“Honey, why are you wet? What are you doing?,” I asked her.

“Oh, I was just helping David wash the dishes,” she said.

So, I look in the kitchen after she walked away from me and sure enough, I see her in the kitchen helping David wash and dry the dishes. It was the cutest thing, let me tell you. They had been fussing @ each other so much lately, I didn’t expect this. Boy, that was a precious moment spent just looking @ those two.

Ever Hopeful Me!

Can I just say that looking for a job is very daunting? I’m lucky. I’ve had help from a very good friend. He has gone out of his way for me. Because of him, I have a very promising lead on a job. If not for him, I think that I could very well get a little discouraged. Thank God for friends. Now, I have hope.

An Interesting Discussion With David…

I just had an interesting discussion with David regarding his homework. For his Social Studies class, he had to dissect a Bertolt Brecht poem. It was very enlightening. Let me just say that I am very pleased with the curriculum @ his school. To be discussing Bertolt Brecht, his philosophy, using inference in relation to his poetry; namely his poem, “A Poem from a Worker Who Reads.” Discussing this with my 7th grader makes for an amazing conversation. It helps him with his higher level thinking. I’m also looking forward to discussing Dakota’s college reading homework with him. Isn’t being a parent great?

Inside The Mind Of Someone With A Learning Disability

I would love to run into a couple of my students years from now. I have always wondered what their thought processes were. Did I really help them? Did I really make a difference in their lives? Were my techniques helpful? Well, on the PBS website, I found the story of a young man, Marco, who recently graduated from college and now teaches high school. He struggles greatly with his learning disability, but still came out on top. There are four parts to the series:

• A Struggle for Success
• Succeeding Against the Odds
• Looking Back: Lessons Learned
• What Parents Can Do

I liked Part 1- A Struggle for Success- written in his own words. I thought it was a particularly insightful to understand what’s going on in the mind of someone with a learning disability.

It’s a nice read!

Back To School With Word World

Even though I am extremely disappointed in PBS because of poor programming choices the past couple of years, I have to congratulate them for picking up this show a couple of years ago, Word World. Though it is not a substitute for Reading Rainbow, it is a fantastic show. If you’ve been reading this blog, then you’ll remember I reviewed the show when it debuted (click here). For a sneak peek of the upcoming new season, click on Word World

Children’s Place Coupon

Here’s a coupon that’s sure to come in handy, to the tune of 15% off. It’s from one of my favorite clothing stores, Children’s Place. I received it today. Enjoy!

Click picture below, save it, and print:

Mission Impossible Assignment #3: School Shopping on a Budget, Part 2

My mission (which I already accepted) was to purchase school uniforms, underwear & socks, and shoes for 2 children for under $150. This was seemingly impossible, but it’s been done before and it can be done again. One of the best ways to save money is to recycle clothing from the previous year that are still in good condition.

So, I rummaged through David’s bureau drawers and found 5 shirts & 2 pairs of pants from last year that he can still fit. So, I only had to purchase 1 pair of khaki pants for $12.99, & two monogrammed shirts (1 white & 1 navy) @ $12.99 each + a pair of And 1 sneakers (Rocket mid) for $29.99 + tax @ Big 5 Sporting Goods for a grand total of ~$75. So my grand total for David & Phillise’s school shopping adds up $75.00 + $55.00= $130

Mission accomplished!

This post is a continuation from an earlier post last week.

A New Job? (Thanks George!)

Did I mention that LMU kinda’ screwed me! It’s a long story. N-e way, what does that have to do with a new job? Well, I need an extension on my intern credential. I turned in my paperwork @ the end of June. It is now September, yet my paperwork has not been turned in yet. I cannot get a permanent job until that paperwork is turned in. However, I can be a long term sub if someone is willing to hire me for a long term vacant position until I get my extension. Here’s hoping.

I have a lead on two new jobs. Well, one’s actually an old job. I worked there a couple of years ago. The other one’s a new lead, thanks to George. Hopefully something comes of it. Even if it doesn’t, I’d like to thank George for sticking his neck out for me. Thanks George!