Saying Goodbye...

Saying Goodbye...

This past week I lost someone from my life.  My high school science teacher passed away suddenly from a heart attack.  I had seen him about a month before and had talked to him, briefly.  There are people who influence you, and push you, and are in the back of your mind when you are attempting to do something.  He was one of those people for me.  I have several memories of our time together.  One speaks to me almost daily.  In my senior yearbook he wrote "You have a bright future ahead of you, just push yourself a little."  He knew then that I can be a little lazy.  Even though I don't like to admit it, I sometimes don't quite finish as strong as I should.  I hope that I have taken your advice and that I have pushed myself a little over the years.  I know I can do more.  I have had the privilege of having many great teachers and working with many great teachers.  Bob Ed Angle was one of those BEST of the GREATS.

Learning Commons

A library is not just a place to house books.  We all know that.  But, what is the role of the library in the school climate?  Since I became a librarian I have heard the term "Learning Commons."  I kind of like that term.  The library is a place for students to come learn new things together.  It is a common space for students of all ages to congregate together for the sake of learning.  This year our library will change.  There is a space for students to sit comfortably.  There is a space for them to work at tables.  And, there is a space for them to create "stuff."  I'm still working on what my "makerspace" will look like and be like.  It is definitely a work in progress and that's okay.  

Homesick

Throughout all the Superbowl frenzy and the inevitable Sunday afternoon laundry, I was able to read a book this afternoon.  Kate Klise's book Homesick kept me needing to turn the page.  I was anxious to begin reading it because the setting of her book is not too far from where I live and it's always fun to read an author's interpretation of where you live.  I feel that she captures a small town in the Ozarks fairly accurately.  

The main character in the book, Benny, lives in a small town.  He faces challenges just like all young people face, in his case, the impending divorce of his parents.  His mother leaves him with his father to strike out on her own, promising to come get him when she gets settled.  His dad goes a little crazy and switches from being a collector to an all out hoarder.  This causes concern for the townspeople.  The plot that continues follows all those challenges that young people will face when this type of dishevelment strikes a family.  The ending to this book is realistic and really captures what this area faced during a specific, memorable time in it's history. 

This book is also a good read-aloud and I plan on beginning it this week with my 3rd through 5th grade classes.  I know they will enjoy it as much as I did!  

"Bag Clean-out" Day

This morning I embarked on a ritual that takes place two times each year.  Once at the beginning of Fall Semester and once at the beginning of Spring Semester.  To what am I referring ... "bag clean-out."  Over the course of the semester I accumulate stuff.  Lots of Stuff!  This collections includes random magazines, books I have grabbed off the shelf from school, pictures that kids have colored for me and miscellaneous cute office supplies that I have picked up at random stores and put in my bag to take to school.  This morning I reduced the items from five bags down to two.  That's pretty good.  I have organized where things go.  Some books go back to school; some books go downstairs to the basement (they're mine).  Pictures from children get filed in my keepsake notebook and the odd office supplies get put in a gallon size baggie to take to school.  I always enjoy doing this because I find really neat stuff that I forgot I had.  It's like opening a gift that you weren't expecting.  Oh, and another benefit,  that corner of our bedroom is less cluttered, for a while anyway.

Happy Spring Semester!

Revisiting Old Friends... Library Style

There has been a resurrection of interest in a set of books in our school library.  That series is the Magic Treehouse books by Mary Pope Osbourne.  I've learned that there are definitely trends in the library, just like fashion, home decorating, etc. everything that comes around, goes around and then comes around again.  Mary Pope Osbourne has been writing these books for about 20 years and at last count I had there are 52 of them.  I can say that because I just finished ordering the ones our library didn't have so that we would have all of them.  I have read a few of them, but I'm going to read them again and my goal is to read them in order.  Some kids say that makes a difference.  Some kids say it doesn't matter.  I'm on a quest to decide for myself.  So Dinosaurs in the Dark... Here I come!  



And, I'm not stopping until I get to Soccer on Sunday!




Enjoy this interview with Mary Pope Osbourne.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day





Sacrifice.  That's the word that comes to mind when I think about Veterans day.  I think about the sacrifice of time away from family and the sacrifice of the family.  I wonder if people who are not personally connected to a Veteran ever think about the sacrifice given for our freedom.  One of my "go to" things to tell myself when I'm having a rough day is, "Well... you could be in __________"  and fill in the blank with a country where I know they don't enjoy the freedom I do.  And, that's because a Veteran has sacrificed their time and sometimes their life so I can do what I love in a country that I love.

I have family members who are Veterans.  My uncles Bill, JD and Doc served our country during the Korean conflict.  My cousins Brett and Bruce have served recently.  I was very proud and humbled to see their pictures at our Veterans day assembly slideshow today.  This past year four of my son's 29 classmates committed to serve in the military.  That's a fairly high percentage.  I am very grateful for the sacrifice that they and their families will make so that I can continue to enjoy my freedoms.

The CNN student newscast today focused on Veterans and the theme it focused on was "homecomings."  It showed several Veterans returning home to surprise loved ones at  things like class parties and graduations.  My Freshman are a pretty rowdy crew, but the room was very quiet while we watched this newscast.

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/


I learned something new today from the speaker at our assembly.  He pointed out that the flag on the sleeve of his uniform may look like it is facing backward.  It is put on that way on purpose, because that's the way it would look going into battle.  American armed forces don't run from battle, they always push ahead.

May God Bless our Troops and their Families!

Whirlwind...whew...puff

The past month has been a whirlwind of activity.  My husband and I finished our kitchen remodel.  Our middle child started college and our oldest child is preparing to get married, soon.  School has been very busy also.  Along with all the things that librarians have to do there are new kindles to check out to students, as well as Chromebooks and the coordination of three computer labs.  I'm teaching one high school class this year and since I haven't taught high school in 4 years, I feel like a new teacher and believe me when I tell you, I'm making some of the same mistakes I did 21 years ago.  Much thoughtful reflection has taken place this weekend.  I think I have a plan.

I love my crazy life.  However, I look forward to long winter evenings, hot chocolate and a good book.