Mentor Texts with Lynne & Rose
  • Home
  • About Lynne & Rose
  • Our Books & Video
  • Grammar Matters
  • Presentations
  • Bookings
  • Blogging with Rose
  • Blogging with Lynne
  • Your Turn Lessons
  • Notebook Entries
  • Books Too Good to Miss
  • Endorsements
  • Links

How I Read

1/14/2014

10 Comments

 
Picture
In early December I found myself perusing the shelves of the Chester County Book Company, a local independent book store. There were so many new titles I wanted to read, so I jotted down a few and gave them to Allan, my husband, as gift suggestions. “You mean you want to read a real book?” he asked as I handed him the list. I knew what he meant, of course. He mostly sees me reading on my Kindle, but I read books in many forms. Right now I am reading several books in print form, just started a new book on my Kindle, and am listening to an audio book in my car. But his question got me thinking about the different ways I read and how each experience is a little different.

            My Kindle goes with me to the gym, when I travel, and often when I am just out doing errands or on appointments. It’s how I pass the time on a treadmill or in the waiting room of a doctor’s office. I have even been known to pull out my Kindle in the checkout line at the grocery store to steal a few extra minutes of reading – edge time as Donalyn Miller refers to it in Reading in the Wild. On my Kindle I read mostly adult fiction or nonfiction (often the book to be discussed with my book group), but sometimes YA fiction as well. I just finished The Circle by Dave Eggers and just started The Real Boy by Anne Urso.

            I like to read professional books in print, mostly because I read these types of books with a pencil in my hand and post-its nearby. I can mark up the margins with my own thinking or questions and flag important passages to reread or share. Although I know it is possible to do all of those things on electronic devices, I think marking with a pencil or pen works best for me. Print books are also my go-to choice for picture books and other children’s books I am reviewing. But sometimes I like to read a novel in print, too. There’s just something about the feel of a book and seeing where you are headed that adds to the engagement.

            And then there are the books I listen to in my car. Every once in a while I want to read something right away and I have too many other titles started on devices or in print, so I listen. Sometimes I have been disappointed because it is the voice of the narrator that can make it or break it for me, but most often I find it to be a wonderful experience. Yes, there have been times when I have sat in a parking lot or driven around the block a few times because I didn’t want the story to stop. Just this afternoon I said a tearful goodbye to Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. The book was due at the library today, so I took the long way home from an errand this morning just to savor the last bit.

            I think it is a bit like using the right fork or the right spoon at a fancy dinner. Not all forms suit all books, you have to find the one that works best.  So what book did Allan present me with? The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It is a big book, and heavy, but it feels right.


10 Comments

One Little Word 2014

1/6/2014

2 Comments

 
A few years ago I stumbled on the One Little Word idea at Two Writing Teachers. Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, the idea is to choose a word that will guide your thinking and actions for the year. In the past I used “reflect” and “listen,” words which were chosen to help guide me mostly in my interactions with students, although these words certainly reached into other aspects of my life. This year I have chosen “re-imagine” as my OLW for 2014.

            2013 brought a number of changes for me both personally and professionally, and I have had to re-imagine my role as teacher, mother, and writer. Since I am continuing this journey of “re-imagining” as I head into 2014, I think it will serve me well.

            As teacher – Last June I retired from active classroom teaching. I hesitate to use the word “retire” because I am still a teacher, it’s just that the focus has changed. For much of my career I was a teacher of teachers as well as students, but now the way I reach students is more through my work with teachers than with the students directly. I still have contact with the students as I volunteer in some of the classrooms where I worked as a professional, but I have had to “re-imagine” that role.

            As a mother – Our family is growing (no, I’m not pregnant!) My son is getting married in the fall, so I will have to re-imagine myself as mother of three instead of just two. We are all very excited about this event and already our lives have been enriched, but there will definitely be adjustments.

            As a learner – I have always considered myself to be a lifelong learner, so I have no doubt that I will continue to learn. I want to continue to grow in my profession by reading and attending conferences, as well as continue to deepen my understanding and proficiency with online professional development. I hope to continue to add to my knowledge of birds and flowers (my current interests), as well as branch out to new interests, whatever they may be (I think my husband would like baking to be among them).        

As a writer – I think there are many new possibilities to consider here. I have begun to participate in more online writing, and there are a few new projects floating around in my head.

            Lynne and I always use the phrase “imagine the possibilities” in our work with mentor texts, and I think it fits here also. As I jump into 2014 I am ready to imagine the possibilities that will help me “re-imagine” myself.

2 Comments

    Author

    Rose shares her observations and reflections on teaching and learning.

    Archives

    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.