The Weekly Wrap Up (Great Reading for the Cocktail Hour…or Hours)
I hope that where ever you are, your family is warm, dry and able to plug stuff in. If you’re not, I certainly hope that all those things are on their way. I know for many of you, it’s been a rough few days – complete with delayed openings. Can you imagine starting off the year with a few “snow” days?? Ugh.
I’m still in Back To School mode, and this week I have names on the brain.
The Friday Five: Five Fab Picture Books About Names
(Click images and/or titles for links)
A Porcupine Named Fluffy
I have this puppy memorized and do it as an oral storytelling. Pretty sweet to have some of those in your back pocket to mix it up!
My Name Is Elizabeth
This is a new book that’s reviewed over here.
The Name Jar
I remember having the rare opportunity to watch another adult (our beloved librarian) read this story out loud to my little friends. Talk about captivated. And talk about being able to milk some good book talk out of this one.
My Name Is Yoon
The Old Woman Who Named Things
Other Bits of Fabulous From Around the Web:
Ah, the beginning of the school year…time to whip our little friends into shape. And that means getting them to LISTEN. I saw this over at EdWeek and thought some of their tips were super practical.
The conversation about social media in the classroom continues.
One former teacher chronicles his horrific time in the classroom. Can you say “yikes”?
Memories…What Mimi Was Ranting About Way Back When:
In 2010:
- Off To A Positive Start? More ruminations on my quest for Zen.
- Can I Get An Om Up In Here? Yep, still working on that Zen…
- Childrens Book Reading Extravagnaza 2010: Picture Books # 26- 22
In 2009:
- So. Much. Sweating. Mrs. Mimi poses for her close up. Cue the sweating.
- Today I Saw Myself At the Bookstore
In 2008:
- This Just In The Seat Sack Crisis of 2008 or what I like to refer to as the year Sans Sack.
In 2007:
- How’s YOUR Karma? Remember the fun that was the all faculty retreat?
- Just Some Poop And Me…Or So I Thought A special visit from a very skilled furry friend. Yeah, there were mice in my classroom, what else is new?
- What A Difference A Year Makes A few thoughts on my switch from teaching first to second grade.
Mrs. Richter
In response to the article "Confessions of a bad teacher," I do say YIKES! I am not sure which is worse, the author's attitude or the school where he worked.
I feel that in many ways, he was a bad teacher – he was unwilling to learn from his mistakes. Every kid tests their teacher – every teacher makes mistakes. Good teachers learn from them. I feel it is so damaging to our profession and to the children we serve when people (with good intentions) decide to leave the corporate world to make a difference and teach. What arrogance to prance into the South Bronx thinking he could handle it – after all he could handle corporate America and there is nothing worse than that – right? Welcome to our world buddy! we have to battle attitudes and family problems, hunger and loneliness BEFORE we even get to teaching the curriculum.
Why should those kids trust you? Especially when you walked out on them. When they knew you would because people have been walking out on them all their lives! You just made it harder for the next teacher – so keep your philanthropy coming out of your wallet and not coming into our classrooms.
I think it is such a shame that principals hire teachers and then drop them. That money is spent on a "retreat" instead of a mentor teacher that is in the classroom full-time. That kids with special needs are so underserved. When are principals going to learn that writing a memo to the file is not "teaching." It doesn't work with kids or adults!
Whew – sorry that is so long-winded!
Would love to hear your take, Mimi