If you haven't read Harry Potter...Get out of my life!

Harsh?? Maybe a little. I've decided that I am pretty much obsessed with this book series.
Best Books ever?... I think so!

At first it was kind of a joke with our book club to ban ladies who hadn't read this series. Then in every day casual conversations about books (you have these, right?) I would ask other people if they had read Harry Potter....and many have NOT! Its kind of a turn off. Not that I am looking to be turned on, but it's kind of a bummer.

Is there an application to be my friend too??? Just KIDDING!!! A little.

Although I am now on the lookout for "spell" t-shirts for the Nov. 19th premiere... Or even a roaring Gryffindor hat!!!! I'll try to sit in the back row...

Workshop vs. Classroom

This is a random post. Well, they're all random....really.
So the workshop this past week was full of great ideas, and really smart teachers throwing out their views on literature and tone and attitude and theme and breastfeeding and sex.

Did you catch those last two? Believe it or not this was one of the most entertaining workshops I have been to in awhile. The instructor, who shall remain nameless, was more than willing to share details of her past two marriages and world views on many different subjects. She was also willing to flip people off and use swear words.

We talked about how she will probably be married four times before she is finished. Although the intriguing part was that her last marriage was to a band director who still teaches in her school, and whose new lady (the one he cheated on her with) also works in the school. Awkward?

Anyway...I came away with some great lessons and new words for the classroom:

Scrizzled in place of Screwed.
Vocabilomious instead of "lots of words"
Jerklet

Feel free to use them in your everyday life!!

Update: Columbine

I finished reading Columbine the other night. The only word that can really describe the experience is: disturbed. On several levels really. The actions of the police, the media, the shooters themselves.

For the past week I have been in a Pre-AP/AP workshop. One of the teachers, who had recently purchased the book, asked me if I would put in on my shelf? Maybe. I have decided to put it in my classroom, but on the shelf behind my desk. If a student wants to read the book, then I would accept a parent note acknowledging that this type of book is okay.

Another teacher said they weren't sure if they would read the book because a parent of a Columbine student hadn't given the book a very good review. My opinion is that I need to inform myself, and then have my own idea of what I think of the book.

I would definitely recommend this book. It was hard to get through emotional, and logistically because you are constantly trying to work out details and maps in your mind...but it was worth it.

Columbine

I was reading in bed the other night, and my husband looked over...
"You're only THAT far in your book?"

So, normally I am a fast reader. Do I read every word? Nooo...but that doesn't mean anything is lost in comprehension. But I started reading a non-fiction book called Columbine.
Written by Dave Cullen, he takes a look at the truth behind the two people at the center of this horrific event.

This is the first book that I have actually read every. single. word. Because I don't want to miss anything. The book is so emotional. It makes you want to scream and cry and throw things.

When I finish the book, I'll post more!