December through June Books Read 2008

Due to my hiatus, I have not recorded anything about the books I have read. Although self inflicted guilt swirls through my brain, I will not be responding on those books. I simply do not have enough time. So, in order to appease my guilt, I will list the books I have read (actually the ones I can remember) and simply state whether I would recommend it for others to read or to just by-pass it. The books I have read were:

*Kill Fee by Gary Paulsen - Adult content not for youth. Recommend if you are a Gary Paulsen fan.
* The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Millerr-Kaplan. Recommended as a resource. Helpful for writing letters, giving speeches, and simply saying things in an appropriate manner.
* The Little Red Hen owned by A Golden Book company - One of my favorite children's stories. I often quote some of the lines from the book when the moment is right.
* The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell - If you found Gary Chapman's book, The Five Love Languages, beneficial and meaningful I would recommend it.
* How to Clean Practically Anything by Consumer Reports - If you are into creative ways to save money and clean household items, then this book is for you.
* The Telling by H.L. Klun - This is the first of three books. It is an enjoyable read and recommended for those who love children's literature.
* A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer - P/M (biography).
* The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer - P/M (biography).
* The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detective (book 1) by Michael Buckley - CL.
* The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspect (book 2) by Michael Buckley - CL.
* The Sisters Grimm: The Problem Child (book 3) by Michael Buckley - CL.

I suspect there were more, but I didn't write them down nor save all of them. Often times, I give the books away for others to read, place them on my professional shelf or simply recycle to book (especially when it's a piece of cr@#$*%p.

The Books for June and July, 2007

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the months of June and July have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have four books in the hopper (in the process of reading). These four books always fall in one of the following five categories: children's literature, personal (self-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

June and July books are:

* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* A Day's Journey by Jon Courson (in progress-1 year) - R.
* How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. (completed but just need to post) - SH.
* Why Grace Changes Everything by Chuck Smith (in progress) -R.
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start) - R.
* Murphy's Trail by Gary Paulsen and Brain Burks (in progress) - CL.
* Teach with Your Heart by Erin Gruwell (would like to start) - MA.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -
*The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (would like to start) - PD.
* 25 Ways to Win with People by John C. Maxwell (would like to start) - PD.
* Secrets f the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker (would like to start) - SH.
*Bridge to Terabitha by Katherine Paterson (would like to start) - CL.
*The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Miller-Kaplan (would like to start) - PD.
* 10 Best Teaching Practices by Donna Walker Tileston (in progress) - PD.
* Group Dynamics by Donelson R. Forsyth - (would like to start) PD.
* Coping with Chemotherapy by Bruning (would like to start) - SH.
*Gulliver's Travels - CL.
* Controlling Cholesterol for Dummies by Carol Ann Rinzler (would like to start) - SH.
*Games Alcoholics Play by Claude M. Steiner, PhD (would like to start) - PD.

Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!

Books For April and May of 2007

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the months of April and May have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have four books in the hopper (in the process of reading). These four books always fall in one of the following four categories: children's literature, personal (self-helpish type books), religious, and Miss Alainius.

April and May's books are:

* The Moral Imperative of School Leadership by Michael Fullan (completed but just need to post)
* The Book of John (in progress)
* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (completed several times but just need to post)
* A Day's Journey by Jon Courson (in progress-1 year)
* How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. (completed but just need to post)
* Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction by Isabel L. Beck, Margaret G. McKeown, and Linda (in progress)
* Alcoholism: The Facts (third addition) by Donald W. Goodwin (in progress)
* Why Grace Changes Everything by Chuck Smith
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start)
* Teach with Your Heart by Erin Gruwell (would like to start)
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start)
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start)
* Murphy's Trail by Gary Paulsen and Brain Burks (would like to start)
* The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (in progress)
* The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman (would like to start)
* The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (would like to start)
* 25 Ways to Win with People by John C. Maxwell (would like to start)
* ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold (in progress)

I look forward to see how these books will influence my thinking, actions, and discussions. Here's to the journey in April and May!

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster was written and illustrated by Debra Fraiser.

Ok, I am slow and a bit thick headed at times. It wasn’t until I was ½ way threw the book when I realized that Miss Alaineus was actually a play on the word miscellaneous.

This is a delightful story that immerses itself in the life of a 5th grader who is an academic vocabulary nut. She loves words. On every page of the book, little Miss Sage sprinkles her sentences with 3-5 tier 2 academic vocabulary words.

The last pages of this charming book, the author brings her readers into Webster Elementary School’s 10th Annual Vocabulary Parade. All students who wanted to participate in the annual vocabulary parade had to write the following on a 3X5 card and turn it into the person in charge of the parade.

1. Write down their name, grade, and room number.


2. Write down the vocabulary word.


3. Write down the definition of the vocabulary word.


4. OPTIONAL- Write down a sentence or two for the M.C. to read as the contestant walked onto the stage.

Miss Sage won the 10th Annual Vocabulary Parade with the word miscellaneous.

MY 2 ½ CENTS
Absolutely delightful! This story was appealing and a pleasant read. How many times have I misheard, misunderstood, or misread a vocabulary word only to embarrass myself? The author did an excellent job playing with words and the way they sound. I got a kick out of this book. In fact, I might just kindly borrow the author’s Annual Vocabulary Parade concept and introduce it into my school. I am sure we, the students and teachers, would have a fun time discovering and representing meaningful tier 2 vocabulary words.

AR QUIZ: 100%

September, October, November 2006 Readings

If any of you know me you'll know that my memory stinks. If I don't write it down, I will have a tough time remembering that it was ever said or done. In fact, I carry a small pocket sized notebook and ball point pen in my pocket every day I work. Casual Friday is my most difficult day because some of the "casual" shirts I wear do not have a chest pocket. these are the days I forget a lot as well as misplace where I set my notebook. The other day I found one of these long lost notebooks. This notebook contained a list of all the books I read during the months of September, October, and November of 2006. At any rate, I wanted to put in writing all the books I read during the months of September through November of 2006.

September
Dear Mr. Henshaw (Newberry Award)
Out of the Dust (Newberry Award)
Sounder (Newberry Award)
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Old Ramon
The Leadership Challenge
October
The Matchlock Gun (Newberry Award)
Missing May (Newberry Award)
Shiloh (Newberry Award)
The Five Love Languages
November
Strawberry Girl (Newberry Award)
Thimble Summer (Newberry Award)
The Pygmalion Classroom

It wasn't until a dear friend, a superb colleague, who finally convinced me that creating and maintaining a blog site is simple. He was right. Now I try to journal the texts I read so that even when my memory fails, this electronic notebook keeps my memories and thoughts alive.

Thanks my dear friend for the suggestion. I am deeply appreciative.

NO AR QUIZ. :(

February and March Books

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the month of February have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. For a moment my "A" type personality wanted me to also categorize the books in one or more of the four reading categories I have. But then again...I think I can use my time more wisely.

February's books are:

• The Moral Imperative of School Leadership by Michael Fullan (in progress)
• U2 by U2 by U2 (in progress)
• The Book of John (in progress)
• The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (in progress)
• A Day's Journey by Jon Courson (in progress-1 year)
• How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. (in progress)
• Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction by Isabel L. Beck, Margaret G. McKeown, and Linda (in progress)
• Wyatt Earp by Rob Staeger (would like to start)
• The Life and Times of Ludwig van Beethoven by Susan Zannos (would like to start)
• Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (would like to start)
• What's Worth Fighting for in the Principalship? by Michael Fullan (would like to start)
• Blink by Malcolm Gladwell (would like to start)
• Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado (would like to start)
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'engle (would like to start)
• The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman (would like to start)
• The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly (would like to start)
• The Secret by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller (would like to start)
• The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (would like to start)
• 25 Ways to Win with People by John C. Maxwell (would like to start)
• ...And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold (would like to start)

I look forward to see how these books will influence my thinking, actions, and discussions. Here's to the journey in February!

My Literature Journey

I can honestly say that I hated to read as a child. It was painful. Reading was labor intensive and difficult to get through. The light went on sometime during the year 1990. I'm not sure exactly (actually I do but I'll withhold this part of my journey out until later) but I began to read more. Although I would not say that I began reading like a hornet but I did read more than I ever did in the past. It wasn't until I became a principal that I really realized the importance of reading, that is, the reading for knowledge and the reading for pure joy. Thus, I have begun this blog in hopes to record the books I read and reflect on their influence on how I view and interperet the world around me. Welcome to my journey.