tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56507475521486579022024-03-12T18:01:45.248-06:00Link2LiteracyLink2Literacy: Reading, Writing, Thinking, & Discussinglink2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-63003210599798993622014-10-22T14:52:00.000-06:002014-10-28T09:58:45.696-06:00What is Young Adult/Teen Literature?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM8HH6gGFJGIkvVhswXGg-OIFS30Yqym9rBXPd4vGMZ0EwUF5paSA7CGQ6Sk0IBd5NWUB9wVIO1h59nqburIfj04jtkKO5pxAWCNoDeFRgFNhB8k0Ptuso5NYcDy0wZEytwLEKIe1oL0/s1600/YA+Lit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM8HH6gGFJGIkvVhswXGg-OIFS30Yqym9rBXPd4vGMZ0EwUF5paSA7CGQ6Sk0IBd5NWUB9wVIO1h59nqburIfj04jtkKO5pxAWCNoDeFRgFNhB8k0Ptuso5NYcDy0wZEytwLEKIe1oL0/s1600/YA+Lit.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">A teacher once asked me, " What is your definition of YA (Young Adult) lit. I have yet to find one all agree on." A good question I wasn't sure how to answer. And since he asked the question close to my retirement date, I didn't reply because I didn't have time to research the question before saying my "fare-thee-wells". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This dedicated teacher wanted to use <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Falling-Cedars-A-Novel/dp/067976402X" target="_blank">Snow Falling on Cedars</a> </i>in a Young Adult Literature class.<i> </i>I told him I had read the novel and enjoyed it very much, and while it featured young protagonists [in flashbacks], I didn't know if it was considered a YA novel - which brought us to the whole topic of defining YA/Teen Lit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided today is a good day to do a little research as I have read a few books that were written for the adult market, but are titles I would like to use in an English Language Arts class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two online articles about this topic agree that a clear definition of <i>what is</i> and <i>what is not YA literature </i>isn't really out there. But <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/jul/31/ya-books-reads-young-adult-teen-new-adult-books" target="_blank">2014 post from the </a><i><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/jul/31/ya-books-reads-young-adult-teen-new-adult-books" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>,</i> a British publication, and a <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/10/the-8-habits-of-highly-successful-young-adult-fiction-authors/280722/" target="_blank">2013 entertainment story from <i>The Atlantic</i></a> offer some poignant ideas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While there are some British terms I am unfamiliar with and some vocab words I had to look up, Imogen Russel Williams of <i>The Guardian </i>states</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 18.9871444702148px;">the </span></span><i style="color: #333333; line-height: 18.9871444702148px;">sine qua non</i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 18.9871444702148px;"> (</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 18.9871444702148px;">indispensable ingredient)</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 18.9871444702148px;"> of YA is an adolescent protagonist, who will probably face significant difficulties and crises, and grow and develop to some degree. </span></span></span><a href="http://www.patrickness.com/" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; color: #005689; line-height: 18.9871444702148px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Patrick Ness</a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.9871444702148px;">described it as 'finding boundaries and crossing them and figuring out when you end, who you are and what shape you are.' </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Williams also talks of a genre I had not encountered - "New Adult". This target audience<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.9871444702148px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.9871444702148px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.9871444702148px;">features college- rather than school-aged characters and plotlines; ostensibly the next age-category up from YA". She throws such titles as <i>Fifty Shades of Gray </i>into this category - YIKES - "because of its student protagonist.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nolan Feeney, <i>The Atlantic</i> journalist, claims the following: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;">At their core, YA books are for and about teenagers and pre-teens, usually between 12 and 18 years old, but sometimes as young as 10.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;"> ... </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;">Some authors believe the intent to write for young readers is a prerequisite of YA fiction; others don’t even realize their books will be labeled as YA until after they finish writing.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe readers, writers, and literary analysts cannot agree on a definition for "Young Adult" literature, but I do agree with Williams observation that "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18.9871444702148px;">YA means challenge – encountering diverse protagonists and situations I'll never experience myself (including being a teenager again) but which stretch me to empathise with and contemplate." And I like what Feeney says about YA authors: "</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;">Many successful authors say there’s no secret to writing for teenagers. Good writing is good writing; believable characters and compelling plots are crucial regardless of who’s picking up the book." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;">With that said, I recommend that good writing, strong plots, and interesting characters be the hallmarks of books used in the classroom - not to mention a reflection of community values. Because the topics, language, and situations run the gamut in YA, Teen, Adolescent, and Adult books, teachers need to consider "village standards" when choosing titles to talk about in class. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;">Three books that are not necessarily targeted to teens that I would use are <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7544731707/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0156027321&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=14PGVK63ZTQEWHEEA7XK" target="_blank">The Life of Pi</a></i> by Yann Partel for its "magic realism" and commentary on faith; <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-You-Well-David-Baldacci/dp/0446699489" target="_blank">Wishing You Well</a></i> by David Baldacci for its treatment of family history even though this book is a novel; <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/0812974492" target="_blank">Unbroken</a></i> by Laura Hilldebrand for its World War II history and treatise on heroism; <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Rent-Collector-Camron-Wright/dp/1609077059" target="_blank">The Rent Collector</a></i> by local author Camron Wright for a story of poverty, literacy, and hope; and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Light-We-Cannot-See/dp/1476746583" target="_blank">All the Light We Cannot See</a> </i>by Anthony Doerr for its beautiful writing, intriguing point of view, and unique story line that takes place in <a href="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/VichyRegime.html" target="_blank">Vichy France</a> during the second world war</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 23.2000007629395px;">What books would you like to see on an approved literature list? Share your comments here or on the JCIRA Facebook page. </span>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-31475893335323555102014-10-22T12:01:00.001-06:002014-10-22T12:01:21.081-06:00Yet ANOTHER Picture Book I'd Use in the Classroom - GOING PLACES<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLENH4EC8t2buN93am7_rF7yYxolqNzrxc3nILwY_l08QumDchScqzv5TBuaGfO44UMtXHEqxuMKGpH0d6mmB2THatJD8QxbIOiivrNNFd40cQgR4F0nDikak_VOlq5nA7GmSr5EPcOeA/s1600/Going+Places.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLENH4EC8t2buN93am7_rF7yYxolqNzrxc3nILwY_l08QumDchScqzv5TBuaGfO44UMtXHEqxuMKGpH0d6mmB2THatJD8QxbIOiivrNNFd40cQgR4F0nDikak_VOlq5nA7GmSr5EPcOeA/s1600/Going+Places.jpg" /></a>The Reynolds brothers - Peter and Paul - collaborated on a picture book about thinking outside the box (literally) and collaboration (ironically)! <i>Going Places </i>stars Raphael and Maya who are excited about their school's "Going Places" contest where every student receives a box-car kit with specific instructions. At first Raphael builds his car by following those directions very carefully, but when he notices Maya is researching nature and brainstorming ideas before she even opens the box, he becomes curious. Together, the two friends work to create something wonderful.<br />
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Based upon Fablevision Learning's animated short film <i>Above and Beyond</i>, Peter and Paul (I wonder if they have a sister named Mary) wrote and illustrated <i>Going Places </i>that tells the delightful story about creativity and teamwork. My delightful friend Camille Osborn introduced me to this fun picture book as a retirement present, and I have to say I am inspired by its message. I am "re-purposing" my golden years by doing things I love to do that may or may not be what many senior citizens plan for their 60s, 70s, 80s .... (But I digress, and that's another story.)<br />
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There are so many fun activities that teachers can do with their students when using this book as an anchor. As I researched ideas, I found some resources that you and your students may be interested in. Click on the following links to explore a few.<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.fablevisionstudios.com/blog/2014/03/12/fablevision-co-founders-paul-and-peter-h-reynolds-celebrate-release-of-new-picture-book-collaboration-going-places" target="_blank"><b><i>Going Places</i> backstory and trailer</b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KMM387HNQk" target="_blank"><i>Above and Beyond</i> animated short</a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://fablevisionlearning.com/goingplaces/going_places_activities.pdf" target="_blank"><i>Going Places</i> activities - a PDF file</a> - good for starters or activities for "fast finishers"</li>
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I would LOVE to hear your thoughts about what you might use in your classroom. Please comment on this post or on the JCIRA Facebook page. Have a great, Great, GREAT day!!!</div>
link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-10949282683462558892014-10-02T20:05:00.000-06:002014-10-03T17:27:58.518-06:00ANOTHER Picture Book I Would Use in the Classroom <h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"chalk + sitting = school"</span></h3>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"chalk + jumping = hopscotch"</span></h3>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">clever words + lively illustrations = <i>This Plus That: Life's Little Equations</i></span></h4>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Plus-That-Little-Equations/dp/0061726559" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7K6CjNQfSRc7nTLJ7pKEBaQGRcmdQR6Nno5_KDsBx9Bv1zEmkpbGiOv9u24IoNn9dtH9K4O6HrJijMhn1L-O4pFHnhMrTWdqQSZowYxL5YngpkiMpRSTbwVF61f6LvDZJnmABkmc63I/s1600/This+plus+that.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amy Krouse Rosenthal is the author of this delightful book that adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides experiences, feelings, challenges, and celebrations. And Jen Corace's fun artwork is the perfect complement!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dear friend Rebecca Smith gave me this great picture book as a retirement gift, and on the back two pages, she placed white sticky labels so that I could add original equations after reading the book with my grandchildren. Mia, age 8, wrote "Mia + Daddy = Happy". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To my amusement, I often see similar equations on Facebook and Twitter, and I wish I had written them down so I could share them with you, but I didn't!! The point is that after reading the book with students, they can create equations about their world along with original artwork to illustrate them! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">grumbles + rumbles = hungry for lunch time</span></h4>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>12 hours light + 12 hours dark = autumn equinox</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This can also be a fun starter or "ender" for older students. Let's say 8th graders have been reading Anne Frank - the play or her diary, and you want students to track and reflect upon the moods, experiences, and writing quality of Miss Frank. To enlist the attention of this "hard-to-engage" age group, assign partners to create life equations for Anne. Some examples might be as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">comfort source + confidant = Kitty </span></h4>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jews - rights + yellow stars = persecution </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Franks + Van Daans + Dussel + Mouschi = 2 many x 2 years</span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I hope you'll try this idea on for size, and then share some of your equations and those of your students. In the meantime, take care! </span></span></div>
link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-56862466567349394042014-08-01T17:56:00.002-06:002014-08-01T18:04:08.939-06:00Picture Books I Would Use in the Classroom, part 1I LOVE all books, but I have a special fondness for picture books. And even though I finally broke down and gave away about 150 tomes, I could not part with but a handful of my picture books. To my delight, when I said <i>auf Wiedersehen </i>to my colleagues at Jordan School District, I left with 3 new picture books - two were retirement gifts from friends, and one was a recommendation that I gave to myself: <i>The Day the Crayons Quit </i>by Drew Daywalt with pictures by Oliver Jeffers; <i>Going Places </i>by Peter and Paul Reynolds; and <i>This Plus That, </i>written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jen Corace. All were published fairly recently.<br />
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If I were in the classroom - elementary or secondary - I would find a way to work these books into my curriculum because they are humorous and because they represent what I would like to see in a classroom.<br />
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<b>The Day the Crayons Quit</b></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXjj4uBYUD7cXzNIxEtWz19p10iLMxFXeFfRpUJfvOPibSokOYi-uN2QY1Xd2zXigraedDNf1K3GhkLE4eyGdtORUGrN4laTDJfhyvqMdzvARWtUjOU7id-mDk37MqCigSYJqUufTysM/s1600/Crayons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXjj4uBYUD7cXzNIxEtWz19p10iLMxFXeFfRpUJfvOPibSokOYi-uN2QY1Xd2zXigraedDNf1K3GhkLE4eyGdtORUGrN4laTDJfhyvqMdzvARWtUjOU7id-mDk37MqCigSYJqUufTysM/s1600/Crayons.jpg" /></a></div>
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In a bevy of protest letters to their owner Duncan, the crayons "wax" poetic to convince the young artist to "think outside the box" when working on his artwork. Red feels overworked; Purple, a bit of a perfectionist, grows irritated when Duncan doesn't color in the lines; and Black thinks he has more uses than merely outlining things. And so it goes. In the end, Duncan wants to make his crayon friends happy, and so he experiments with a yellow sky, a pink dinosaur, and an orange whale. Oh, and the black rainbow rules! He earns an A for coloring - but an A+ for creativity!</div>
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In this test-crazy culture we're currently experiencing, I would want my students to know there is room for creativity in my classroom. And I would also hope, students could see another message in this sweet book: <b>Avoid jumping to conclusions and look for possibilities beyond quick assumptions</b>. And I'm not just talking about crayons. </div>
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I want my postings to be short, and so I'll stop here for today! In the meantime, have a great weekend! Renae</div>
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link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-38213637427580572682014-07-29T16:10:00.000-06:002014-08-27T20:55:01.663-06:00Response to Utah Governor's Invitation for Public Comment on the State's ELA and Math Standards<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNK2Mq6VOUV1zr_kHrY6Jtvj-KxbjLYzmnWX5CG1rKk761YYc1W6gUAbCD1yGcpjl1ObO8x3QoBjsnvE7qi5qfLbReEmrOBE89c1LFsvzksgeGi_csRDdCbOIWnI0fdqQAepvjJJpM1c/s1600/Gov.+Herbert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNK2Mq6VOUV1zr_kHrY6Jtvj-KxbjLYzmnWX5CG1rKk761YYc1W6gUAbCD1yGcpjl1ObO8x3QoBjsnvE7qi5qfLbReEmrOBE89c1LFsvzksgeGi_csRDdCbOIWnI0fdqQAepvjJJpM1c/s1600/Gov.+Herbert.jpg" /></a></div>
A month ago, Governor Herbert - in an attempt to quell the controversy sustained by the very vocal opponents of Utah's adoption of the Utah State Standards for Language Arts and Math - invited citizens to weigh in on this topic. Today, I did that. While the original deadline was July 31, 2014, I understand citizens can still complete the survey and leave<br />
comments.<br />
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If you want your voice heard, here is where you go: <a href="http://www.utah.gov/governor/priorities/education.html">http://www.utah.gov/governor/priorities/education.html</a></div>
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Once you arrive at the site, you will find links to the actual standards for ELA and Math, along with the following statement: </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #6f6f6f; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Governor has requested a special review of the Mathematics and English Language Arts Standards by a group of higher education professionals and other stakeholders, to assure they are meeting the needs of Utah students. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #6f6f6f; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">As part of this review, we are inviting parents, teachers, education professionals and other community members to provide feedback on the content of these standards.</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #6f6f6f; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> This feedback can be positive or negative, and can address a specific standard or a subset of standards.</span></blockquote>
Next, you are invited to take the survey which asks a few basic questions: your level of support, or lack thereof, of the ELA and Math standards. I replied that I generally support these standards with continuing improvement. The survey then asks for suggestions.<br />
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This is my response for the ELA standards:<br />
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One possible suggestion is to revise Appendix B that lists excerpts from various texts representing "exemplars of reading text complexity, quality, and range & sample performance tasks related to core standards". These sample texts range from classic literature, famous speeches and documents, as well as critically acclaimed contemporary literature, but they are NOT mandated curriculum, a point many citizens miss. Nevertheless, a few exemplars do not represent some communities' standards, and so I suggest that the State Board of Education and the Utah State Office of Education include educators and parents in revising this appendix so that the exemplars are more representative of our state's standards. This process should not disregard the the purpose of the exemplars in providing samples of complex texts that challenge our students' thinking.</blockquote>
The following are my suggestions for math:<br />
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Math is not my expertise, but I have read over the objectives and understand that while this is NOT the "way we learned math", the standards represent stronger problem-solving procedures and make math more relevant to real-world application. Because teachers can't limit their practices to teaching "just" algebra, but must understand many mathematical concepts and then teach and guide students through them, teachers should receive more professional development. Parents are often at a loss in helping students with their homework, and so I suggest that tutoring moms and dads would be helpful and might build confidence in the standards. </blockquote>
The final comment asks participants to address the pros and/or cons of the standards, requiring that statements refer to specifics of the core. Here is what I shared:<br />
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The best feature of the Utah Standards, as they presently exist, is that they represent learning objectives that build from kindergarten through grade 12. Reed Spencer, former USOE Language Arts Specialist, proposed creating aligned K-12 standards nearly a year before the Common Core State Standards became public. He and other state leaders recognized the advantages and strengths of an action that deepens learning through a spiraling effect building on what students know and are able to do from one grade to the next. Let us please NOT step backwards after so much thought, study, time, and money has been spent in bringing about improved standards that can only benefit our students.</blockquote>
<b>Update:</b> A recent <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865609537/New-poll-shows-many-Utahns-oppose-and-misunderstand-Common-Core.html">Deseret News story</a> reported that a poll conducted by Dan Jones and Associates revealed 41% of Utahns oppose the "Common Core", and yet only "1 in 5 [could] accurately identify what they are". Informed or not, these opposing voices are loud and strong. Additionally, 29% of those interviewed had no opinion or admitted to not having enough information to decide.<br />
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One or two of my neighbors have asked me how I feel about the core, but they have not read the standards. Instead, they talked to me about what they had "heard about the standards" from talk show hosts and others. I offered to walk them through the actual standards, but as yet, no one has taken me up on that offer.<br />
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Through this long process, I have learned something very valuable: When people make up their minds about something, they do not want to change their viewpoints, regardless of the validity of the information. (And this doesn't just apply to educational issues!) I have investigated the opposing view points and learned that conspiracy fears drive their arguments. Quotations from radical elements have convinced many that these standards are the beginning of a secularized, liberal push to control our students' educations via the federal government.<br />
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My only response is to dothe homework by studying the information AND the distributors of that information. I really believe that a thorough study of the standards themselves will build understanding. Remember, too, that the state and local school boards that include community members have the ultimate say over what constitutes the curriculum used to teach the standards. - The government does NOT mandate what text books, trade books, speeches or novels can be used in Utah's schools. We do. But Governor Herbert hopes this survey and study will quiet the controversy. Let's cross our fingers!<br />
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<br />link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-68984355676762609742014-07-08T16:05:00.000-06:002014-07-08T16:08:57.272-06:00A Revival of SortsAfter a two-year hiatus, I am reviving Link2Literacy. I recently retired from my position as a district secondary literacy specialist, but my passion for spreading the good word of reading, writing, listening, speaking and thinking prompts me to keep at it via this blog.<br />
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My plans to continue my membership in the International Reading Association's state and local councils includes maintaining the Facebook page for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JordanCIRA?ref_type=bookmark">Jordan Council of the International Reading Association </a>(JCIRA). The main objective is to build membership for JCIRA and UCIRA (Utah Council of the International Reading Association). In so doing I hope to provide helpful information and support for members who are either educators, lovers of literacy, or both!<br />
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As a heads-up, the opinions of Link2Literacy will represent my own, and as such, I hope members' comments will either straighten me out or pat me on the back or something in between! While I have strong opinions about many topics, I do NOT bask in controversy. That takes just too darn much energy and brings forth irritability. Consequently, cantankerous criticism should be held to a minimum.<br />
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The reason I share this heads-up is because my next post will be about my 4-year journey with the English Language Arts <strike>Common Core State Standards</strike> Utah <strike>Core</strike> State Standards. Stay tuned!<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">CCSS: Tempest in a Teapot?</span></b></div>
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<br />link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-51286007973611622722012-02-10T12:33:00.000-07:002012-02-10T13:04:07.327-07:00"Warrants" vs. "Reasons" vs. "Rules:" Understanding CCSS Terms<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Utah has adopted the <a href="http://corestandards.org/">Common Core State Standards</a> (CCSS) as the state's math and language arts core standards. Jordan School District trained all middle school language arts teachers last spring and this year those teachers are working through the ups and downs of implementation. The learning curve is definitely a bit of a challenge, and the feedback is helpful in providing continuous support and professional development.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One consistent concern deals with <a href="http://corestandards.org/assets/CCSSI_ELA%20Standards.pdf">College and Career Writing Anchor Standard 1:</a> "Write arguments to support <b>claims</b> in an<b> analysis of substantive topics or texts</b>, using<b> valid reasoning</b> and<b> relevant </b>and<b> sufficient evidence."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Question: </b>Recently Tami E., a teacher in our district, posed this question: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've looked through the core for 9th grade, and we are not sure where the term <b>warrant</b> comes from. All the papers we have been given use <b>warrant</b>, so I have been using that term, but Sadie [a colleague] said all the conferences she's been to do not use the term and use the term<b> reasons</b>; so she is using that. We are trying to write common assessments and want to make sure we use terms we are supposed to use. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Reply:</b> Carolyn Gough, the district's Secondary Language Arts Consultant, responded with the following explanation. I think teachers will find it very helpful in distinguishing between or among the various terms.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You and Sadie are
correct. <b>The word 'warrant' never
appears in the core</b>. For that reason I have often taken issue with the many
trainings where I hear it being used. The word comes from <a href="http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/documents/Toulmin.pdf">the Toulmin model</a> for
argument which nearly everyone follows. To me it is a confusing word that I
haven't been able to get my mind around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A much simpler way to
describe a warrant is that <b>it explains <i>how</i> the evidence supports the claim.</b>
Picking out the evidence is pretty doable, but identifying a phrase or comment
that explains how the evidence supports the claim is less obvious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #222222;">Another word you could use to explain warrant or reasoning is
'rule'.</span></b><span style="color: #222222;"> I'm looking in the <a href="http://www.heinemann.com/shared/onlineresources/E01396/introAndChapter1.pdf">Hillocks book about teaching argument writing</a> on page 18 (which readers can see by clicking on the above link):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The students are
trying to provide evidence that the lady in the scenario is lying about her
husband's cause of death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At one point students
list a piece of evidence in the case: Arthur still has a glass in his hand.
(Yet Arthur has apparently fallen down stairs.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the teacher is
trying to <b>find out from the students why
the glass in his hand is an indication that the victim didn't really fall.</b>
The kids go on to state that usually when people fall they let go of
things. But the students add that sometimes if the items are important people
don't drop them; so they re-think their assumptions. Finally, the kids conclude
that in a surprising situation a person who's falling is going to drop things
that are in their hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The teacher asks them to write it as a rule.</span></b></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's one student's
response: 'When you fall down the stairs, you drop what you're carrying
unless it's really important.'</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The teacher helps them
clean it up to read: 'As a rule, when people fall down stairs, they drop
what they are carrying to save themselves.'</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Doesn't this seem super
obvious? Yet the teacher just spent a long time helping students think out
their assumptions about the evidence they listed. Students might have just
said, "His wife is lying about his death being an accidental fall down the
stairs because the dude was still holding a glass in his hand!" Claim and
evidence, </span><b style="color: #222222;">but no "warrant" or
"rule" or "reason"</b><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><b style="color: #222222;">for
why the evidence supports the claim.</b><span style="color: #222222;"> It requires one more question: </span><b style="color: #222222;">Why does having a glass still in his hand
suggest that his wife's story is a lie?</b><span style="color: #222222;"> Now we have the missing link - the
"duh" if you will - </span><b style="color: #222222;">"Because
generally people who fall down stairs drop the things they were holding!"</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">I don't know of any
key word that will help students located the "reason" or
"warrant" or "link" or whatever you call it, but it might
help them to <b>recognize it by turning the
evidence that supports the claim into a question:</b></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ex. 'So, this author
states that students' grades improved when they wore school uniforms. Why would
grades be better as a result of wearing some type of clothing? What is the
assumption being made about behavior when that particular clothing is
worn?'</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully, students
can see the assumption is that uniforms influence behavior in a way that helps
kids focus so they get better grades. Yet, how often in their writing would
they give the claim that uniforms help in overall achievement at school (claim)
and then list that grades are better (evidence) without ever connecting the two
together. (That is a simplistic example, but I think it makes the point.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I hope that helps, I believe it will be an on-going point of
clarification. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bottom line</b>: if you
don't want to use the word 'warrant' you certainly do not have to. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</blockquote>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-39507233713780039492011-11-14T13:11:00.001-07:002011-11-15T00:41:36.009-07:00How Does Inquiry Mesh with the Common Core State Standards?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">WoW! It has been SUPER ages since I've posted, and man, the reasons for such neglect are really good ones, but that's a story for another time and another blog! Instead, let's jump into a topic of interest to Jordan School District (JSD) teachers and possibly some other educators as well.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Once upon a time - not so long ago - Utah's English/Language Arts Core consisted of three strands: Reading, Writing, and Inquiry. With the adoption of the the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), teachers may ask how inquiry fits into CCSS or how the CCSS incorporates inquiry into its objectives.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Carolyn Gough, District English/Language Arts consultant states,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We as a district have tried to help teachers focus on the inquiry process through the use of units that start with an enduring understanding statement and an essential question. The cross-curricular essential question is intended as a compelling point from which students and teachers can study multiple materials that encourage thoughtful investigation and reflection and allow students to explore a question or topic.</span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To further explore these questions, I am posting some notes I jotted down during a 2-day workshop presented by Dr. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm in early October. I am also including additional research to answer questions concerning what inquiry is; why inquiry is a preferred teaching model, and how to organize inquiry-driven teaching.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What is inquiry?<b> </b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Inquiry learning emphasizes active engagement with the subject matter in a way that challenges students to seek answers on their own or with their peers. Teaching, using an inquiry approach, requires a scaffolding that provides ample support for students at the beginning stages of exploration, then gradually removes support as students become more adept at independent discovery (<a href="http://www.units.muohio.edu/celt/engaged_learning/top25/newsletters/Newsletter_2.pdf">"Engaging Students in Their Learning</a>" 2008).</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rigorous apprenticeship into disciplinary expertise (Wilhelm 2011). </span></blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Why is inquiry important? </span>(Organized from notes taken on Oct. 3, 2011)</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It is motivational because inquiry instruction dictates working within students' zone of proximal development (Vygotsky) - learning that helps students develop competence AND confidence.</span></li>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Motivation cannot be overemphasized.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It is necessary to all learning.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Motivation is defined as 'continual impulse to engage and learn.'</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Students are motivated when learning is neither too easy or too hard. Students become frustrated when hard assignments are given without help or scaffolding of some kind.</span></li>
</ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Students are more likely to regard themselves as readers and writers; thus they will be more willing to read and write.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Learners will be more dedicated to democratic citizenship, work, and service.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Such experiences "rouse minds to life" (Tharp and Gallimore).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Inquiry is the only instructional model that "meets the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)"> conditions of flow</a>" - mental state of operation in which a person involved in an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity.</span></li>
</ol>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How is inquiry instruction organized?</span> (Borrowed from Dr.Wilhelm's words and works in conjunction with the<a href="http://jsdsecondaryelacommoncore.wordpress.com/"> JSD Curriculum Maps</a>.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Six Ms: The Inquiry Model ~</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Motivate through essential questions and substantial front loading</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Model through gradual release</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mentor - teacher does/student helps; student does/teacher helps</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Monitor to support and to hold students accountable</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Multiple modalities - use strengths to address weakness</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Multiple measures - formative assessments</span></li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Some Suggestions ~ </b></div>
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<ol>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Start with a guided exploration of the unit's theme, enduring understanding statement, and essential questions.</span></li>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ex. 9th Grade, Unit 2</span></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Enduring Understanding Statement:</u> <i>Understanding what honor is helps us interpret events and behaviors.</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u>LA Essential Question</u>:<i> Is honor bestowed or inherent?</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><u>Cross-curricular Essential Question</u>: </span>What is honorable?</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Possible related inquiry questions:</u> <i>Why is honor important?How can honor exist in a society where freedom is severely restricted?</i></span></li>
</ol>
</ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Using materials such as <i>The Giver </i>as well as informational texts, multimedia resources, etc. that support the theme, statement, and questions ...</span></li>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Proceed to student, small group inquiry about open-ended, debatable, contended issues that relate to the essential questions.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Encourage students to discover personally relevant and socially significant issues that interest them.One of the the most difficult teaching challenges is to "get students to care about problems that are not their own."</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Support students in asking those personally relevant and socially significant issues.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Continue work in groups to achieve diversity of views.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Require students to predict, set goals, and define outcomes.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Guide students through research and analysis - searching for patterns.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Require documented research and justified conclusions.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sustain instruction as it serves as a guide to help students meet their goals.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Groups/students should arrive at conclusions and share those with larger audiences.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Encourage students to take a stand; take action. .</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Create a tangible artifact that addresses issues, answer questions, makes learning visible and accountable.</span></li>
</ol>
</ol>
</ol>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In the near future, I plan to post some sample lessons that exemplify incorporated inquiry. Stay tuned!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Renae</span></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<br />link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-39349588673209396422011-05-04T11:33:00.004-06:002012-10-25T10:36:33.520-06:00Addressing Students' Concerns about MY Access Online Writing Program<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>Last February 3 students sent in comments via the district's website to complain about MY Access. Their number one concern was that teachers used MY Access to grade their writing. They were upset about this because they realize that the program isn't perfect in "grading" their papers. (After all, their friends said their writing was near-perfect.) </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>The three also feared that their teachers NEVER even read their work to see if they agreed with the MY Access scores.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>Although the district could not find the students in our system, I was still asked to reply to these mystery students' valid concerns. (Think they used aliases?) </i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i>In my response, I promised that I would share their criticisms with our district's educators, and so I ask teachers who read this and who use the online writing program review this response and then reflect upon whether or not they are guilty of these practices.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><i></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>So read on and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear from you! </i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear H, S, and S,</span><br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
First I commend you for sending your concerns about the MY Access Online Writing Program to our district. Your emails were forwarded to me because I train and support teachers who use MY Access in their classrooms. Secondly, I am concerned about the valid issues each of you raise, and I hope to address those concerns and correct some of the problems that you mention.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Your concerns are concerns of mine as well. I will bullet those concerns and my responses below.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Teachers should grade papers, not a computer.</li>
</ul>
<ul><ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">MY Access is not intended to "grade" papers for teachers, but rather it is designed to serve as a tool to "score" papers as part of the feedback for student writers.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Because it is a student tool, teachers should train students in how to use the program to improve their writing so that writers aren't guessing or experimenting to improve writing scores.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Students should also be taught how to interpret the feedback to determine which suggestions are most helpful.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">The program may "score" the papers for feedback purposes, but teachers should read and grade the papers. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul><ul></ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">No scoring machine is completely accurate, but here are some reasons these machines are used.</li>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Learning how to quickly analyze feedback suggestions to determine whether or not suggested revisions should be made is an important skill.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">People do most of their job-related writing on computers.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Whether it is Microsoft Word's grammar check or another type of program, writers need to know which suggestions are accurate and which are not. </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Your fellow students may be qualified judges of your writing, but they may not. Whether or not their feedback is really helpful depends upon their writing experiences. Most students are still learning the many steps and details required to write well, and so their suggestions may not be helpful.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">MY Access receives and analyzes thousands of papers. A minimum of 3000 essays need to be hand-scored and the results fed into the writing analysis program before scores are determined and the scoring engine takes over.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feedback for revision can only "suggest" ideas and show examples, but your teacher can AND should share additional revision strategies to further improve your scores. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Online writing programs are a growing part of our computer-driven world.</li>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">The Direct Writing Assessment (DWA), required for 5th and 8th graders, "machine scores" the essays.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">A reliable study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) determined that there was little to no difference between the essays that were human scored and those that were machine scored.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Future CRT tests will be changed from multiple choice to writing tests that include information from history, science, and language arts. Those online writing tests will, in all likelihood, be machine scored.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Businesses and industry use online writing programs with their employees, including the MY Access, to assess and to support their employees in becoming better writers. </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Programs for scoring machines are constantly being improved, and we see and will continue to see better results as this continues. MY Access is listed as one of the best because of the many features that other online programs do not have. Among the most important asset is the number of essays submitted for analysis which increases the accuracy of the scores.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
Because of your comments, the language arts departments plans the following:</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">generally share these student comments about MY Access with all teachers who use MY Access</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">train or re-train teachers as to how they could and should be using the program in their classroom</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">include specific lessons on how to help students revise their work in such a way that scores will improve</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">remind teachers that they need to read and grade required submitted papers</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Although you would like to have students vote on whether or not our district should use the MY Access program, we cannot do that at this time. There are several reasons for this decision; some of which include the necessity of testing student writing, the increased rigor of the writing curriculum our state and district is adopting, and the writing demands of careers and colleges that require schools do all they can to help students improve their writing.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I hope this rather lengthy message addresses your concerns. If I have not, please email me, and I'll try again.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Best wishes,<br />
Renae B. Salisbury</div>
link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-28992925607330190472011-03-20T23:07:00.002-06:002011-03-20T23:53:22.288-06:00wRITING REASONS 3b: Writing has Power<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I cannot believe it's been over two months since I last posted on this blog. While I can think of dozens more writing reasons, I recently discovered that Kelly Gallagher DID list his own wRITING REASONS - but NOT book's worth. A future post will share those, but in the meantime, here are some thoughts I wrote several weeks - yes, WEEKS - ago. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I was trying to recall writing that communicated despair, and all I could think of was President Reagan's speech to the nation after the Challenger tragedy. Upon reading it, however, I realized that hope did shine through as well.</i></span><br />
<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Words can reveal despair</span></span></li>
</ul><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"></span></i></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xe5qj9aNN6kjOzwsMM_yJ4WdGfW9dc65DqpPeGFh2CdG2w8pHwaKZKunQj9GBGSoxQ1TOP4G2TA_l2DDvnLlC7sbT5IRs75Nfwk_Z35JphE_UDcurplFQEnjA5rrRrMDmn6s3KYcP7w/s1600/Challenger+crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xe5qj9aNN6kjOzwsMM_yJ4WdGfW9dc65DqpPeGFh2CdG2w8pHwaKZKunQj9GBGSoxQ1TOP4G2TA_l2DDvnLlC7sbT5IRs75Nfwk_Z35JphE_UDcurplFQEnjA5rrRrMDmn6s3KYcP7w/s1600/Challenger+crew.jpg" /></a></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"> </span></span></span></i></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"></span></i></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But we've never lost an astronaut in flight. We've never had a tragedy like this.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></i></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"></span></i></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle. But they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair,Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe<b>.</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"> </span></span></span></i></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"></span></div><div align="left"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>We mourn their loss as a nation together. ~ </i>President Ronald Reagan, January 28, 1986</span></span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">President Reagan had prepared to share a different message that day about the State of the Union, but an unfathomable tragedy occurred that not only altered the scheduled event, it altered the way Americans viewed the space program. Since its inception, not one astronaut had been lost in flight, but this disaster not only took the lives of 7 brave individuals, it also occurred while thousands of school children watched. Christa McAuliffe was on board, and she was the first teacher in space. Up until the explosion, it had been a momentous occasion!</span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While President Reagan spoke to a nation in despair, he also buoyed us up as he expressed his continued belief and support of the space shuttle program. He told the children of the nation ... </span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse;"><i>I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.</i></span> </span></div></blockquote><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Words give form to our deepest desires</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T5haTWhs23PJIsjHS4z6lz40w8vViTqk_boW4cNS1RRxbCToITbL-P7WJHH5u9sVcLUADLB_Hf_KA78GhNRP0w9m5OWzsZzDpj0NKntmypQlvF39PGL7CrGUTUVSYn1j2RkvAi7WcEI/s1600/Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T5haTWhs23PJIsjHS4z6lz40w8vViTqk_boW4cNS1RRxbCToITbL-P7WJHH5u9sVcLUADLB_Hf_KA78GhNRP0w9m5OWzsZzDpj0NKntmypQlvF39PGL7CrGUTUVSYn1j2RkvAi7WcEI/s320/Martin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote><i> <span class="Apple-style-span">I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'</span></i></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.</i></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.</i></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.</i></div></blockquote><blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>I have a dream today! </i>~ Martin Luther King, August 28, 1964</div></blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How can a discussion about the power of writing fail to include the words of the great Civil Rights leader that we honor during the month of his birth? While Dr. King's desires and dreams did not come to fruition during his lifetime, the people of the United States have witnessed strides towards what he envisioned. His words bring us to a remembrance of history's heartbreaks, present's progress, and future's hopes. </div></div></div></div>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-71592630401932258692011-01-06T13:29:00.462-07:002011-01-21T13:27:12.437-07:00wRITING REASON 2: Writing Has Power (part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 20px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 20px;"><i>"But words are things, and a small drop of ink,<br />
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces<br />
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."</i><br />
~ George Gordon Byron</span> </span></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Using Byron's quotation, I want to introduce "wRITING REASON 2," but I worked on this post for so long that the length GREW so large that I am dividing into two parts. AND before continuing, I want to add to Byron's thoughts with one of my own: Putting thoughts to words and words to paper increases their power. This idea is closely linked to wRITING REASON 1<b>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/11/writing-reasons-second-of-several-parts.html">"Writing is an incredible tool that reaches farther than other forms of conversation do."</a></span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While researching ideas for this series of wRITING REASONS, I recently found a site that discussed how "words have the power to change things for good or ill<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">." To make her point,</span> the <a href="http://www.quotelady.com/writings/power-of-words.html">QUOTE LADY</a> shared text samples to support the examples. With that inspiration, I decided to do the same. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In teaching students about reasons for writing, I decided the power of the written word is an important inclusion for a couple of reasons. 1) There is historical evidence of changes for good and ill that were stimulated by powerful words. 2) These examples can function as<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.teacher2teacherhelp.com/writing-strategies/what-are-mentor-texts/">"mentor texts"</a></span> to help students improve their own writing. (Of course, we would NOT choose those texts that bring about "changes for ill!" ;)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because written words usually have a "longer 'shelf life,'" the chances to influence contemporary and future audiences increase, thus adding to their power. Plus these works serve as examples worthy of imitation. With that in mind, here are just a few samples of the millions of powerful words, spoken and written that live on.</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Words can express a nation's [or a people's or an individual's] desire for freedom. </span></li>
</ul><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Swing low, sweet chariot,</span></b></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home</span></b></em></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I looked over Jordan and what did I see,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A band of angels comin' after me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home!</span></div><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Swing low, sweet chariot,</span></b></em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home</span></b></em></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you get there before I do,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jes tell my friends that I'm acomin' too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home. .</span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Swing low, sweet chariot,</span></b></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home</span></b></em></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm sometimes and up and sometimes down,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But still my soul feels heavenly bound. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Comin' for to carry me home! </span></div><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But wait a minute, you say. That's not a song about freedom. That's a "spiritual!"</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, it is. BUT within those lyrics about souls and heaven are <a href="http://www.osblackhistory.com/swinglow.php">words of warning and instruction to help slaves make their way north to freedom.</a> While plantation owners and overseers listened to the surface message, Harriet Tubman and those who helped her along the Underground Railroad sang spirituals to communicate a more immediate message. That "chariot" was a carriage or wagon that carried run-away slaves from their enslavement to "home," a place of freedom like Canada!</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The singer might switch to another spiritual or "coded slave song" like <a href="http://www.osblackhistory.com/wade.php">"Wade in the Water"</a> to direct escapees to head towards the river or stream to throw off search parties with their hounds hunting them down. POWERFUL WORDS that rendered hope and help! </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Words can offer forgiveness.</span></li>
</ul><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7cFzJeQrToAl_Krnr2V7Rh_gP9AMDIzKqllg552MO1aSG4fP-BKKHLgK5tlzt3jmfi_0BRMCLZFPGi_1ErlXG0pxspcvyDiSpgU50fyQT6dm1GwIYarea7u9655FjAbWj85vFFZKpKo/s1600/Chris+Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7cFzJeQrToAl_Krnr2V7Rh_gP9AMDIzKqllg552MO1aSG4fP-BKKHLgK5tlzt3jmfi_0BRMCLZFPGi_1ErlXG0pxspcvyDiSpgU50fyQT6dm1GwIYarea7u9655FjAbWj85vFFZKpKo/s1600/Chris+Williams.jpg" /></a></div></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; line-height: 20px;">"My heart went out to whoever was driving that car — not knowing the circumstances, not really caring about the circumstances, just knowing that this was going to affect that individual." </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; line-height: 20px;">~ </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=885522">Chris Williams.</a></span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chris is NOT the only person to forgive the source of personal pain and grief, but his words and story are symbolic of the power of words that forgive. Because of his willingness to reach out to Cameron White, the 17-year-old drunk driver who crashed into the Williams' car, killing Chris' pregnant wife, 11-year-old Ben, and 9-year-old daughter, Chris was able to positively impact Cameron's life. The two work together to educate youths and adults about the dangers of driving drunk.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cameron's parents stated, "We are so grateful for Chris Williams' forgiveness of our son. That meant so much to us, and it has taught us a huge lesson." The record of this moving story continues to touch lives four years after that fateful night in February. POWER for GOOD.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Words seek to inspire.</span></li>
</ul><ul></ul><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkq0kOz00zcz6myLE7uPpyLqv87PNySPqjOnFlji46xXusgL8bdj3FaOdnPSadLa-dBBXZxjvfP8iQUecRmxRU2n9W2fFtfocxCOHtGttbC0eeIbD-srhwlWpwVuV5Ief7vCwYeoAqSc/s1600/Victory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkq0kOz00zcz6myLE7uPpyLqv87PNySPqjOnFlji46xXusgL8bdj3FaOdnPSadLa-dBBXZxjvfP8iQUecRmxRU2n9W2fFtfocxCOHtGttbC0eeIbD-srhwlWpwVuV5Ief7vCwYeoAqSc/s320/Victory.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>E</i><i>ven though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old</i>. ~ Winston Churchill</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was June, 1940. Hitler had broken the French defenses, and the United States, though sympathetic, had not entered the war. Britain was on her own. In what many historians consider the most inspirational speech of all time, Winston Churchill prepared his countrymen for a possible Nazi invasion while assuring them that victory would be the outcome. And it was. </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The tiny but proud country fought on alone, against extreme odds. While the Luftwaffe mercilessly bombed the island home of our British cousins, German soldiers never invaded there. Churchill's powerful words convinced members of Parliament and his fellow citizens that Britain could and should fight on!</span></blockquote><br />
<blockquote></blockquote>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-79108840157811669712010-11-04T18:52:00.009-06:002011-01-21T13:23:43.669-07:00wRITING REASON 1: Writing is a Far-Reaching ToolWa-a-a-a-a-y back in Ma-a-a-a-a-a-y I posted a blog titled <a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/05/writing-reasons-part-1.html">wRiting Reasons: The First of MANY Posts</a>, and I did NOT think it would take five and a half months to get around to part 2, but it has. Nor did I think it would grow to SEVERAL postings, but it has. If not, a second part would take a week to read. <br />
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So, this is the deal, I am going to record about 10 reasons for writing - reasons we should all buy into, but hopefully, reasons that will also resonate with students. I have my own ideas, but I also checked around to see what other websters had to say about the topic. <br />
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So here goes with REASON NO. 1:<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><strong>"Writing is an incredible tool that reaches farther than other forms of conversation do."</strong></span> ~ <a href="http://www.successful-blog.com/1/writing-ugh-10-reasons-to-get-jazzed-about-writing/">Liz Strauss</a>. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYRuWt2wkiJARGzYIeHKV-0LTVS-agUDJmN7DJw5H92UAFySlXKD9YzEPPbN_E8jVNrrYaGU_sg8eyrZvxN_F9Q_6InHs7tFoFGUXFInqWVIkWjU6VikVVBqnbMB3yidOStS4STfuVe4/s1600/GrammaKatie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYRuWt2wkiJARGzYIeHKV-0LTVS-agUDJmN7DJw5H92UAFySlXKD9YzEPPbN_E8jVNrrYaGU_sg8eyrZvxN_F9Q_6InHs7tFoFGUXFInqWVIkWjU6VikVVBqnbMB3yidOStS4STfuVe4/s320/GrammaKatie.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gramma Katie D. Salisbury</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Let me tell you a little story about this reason to write. Sometime after my husband and I married, Gary's father gave me a letter written by<em> his</em> mother in 1919. It was MOST precious, and even thinking about it now makes me all teary and stuff. Living in Missouri at the time she wrote this letter, Katie reveals herself through her writing as a woman with a charming personality. Exhibiting her sense of humor, she used TOILET PAPER as stationery on which to write this epistle to her mother and sister. But do not think of Charmin Toilet Tissues here; picture instead a narrower, rougher version of Bounty, "the quicker picker-upper." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogU1AeS9Nm68_Sw5Xa9U1WGkZ1CqwMbHz2kvXYIHOijFn238mPCb0Ug51uj4UHsldBxnLFPkFwOILUvh8zQZIUdKmiss1KNok4cgqtbpKUK6NseUJ3ZDuGS7iqsd_ksSI-hJboDWIGrI/s1600/Gramma+Katie's+Salutation+001+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogU1AeS9Nm68_Sw5Xa9U1WGkZ1CqwMbHz2kvXYIHOijFn238mPCb0Ug51uj4UHsldBxnLFPkFwOILUvh8zQZIUdKmiss1KNok4cgqtbpKUK6NseUJ3ZDuGS7iqsd_ksSI-hJboDWIGrI/s320/Gramma+Katie's+Salutation+001+(4).jpg" width="190" /></a></div>Now think about this, Katie Salisbury's conversation about life's joys and hardships in the early 20th century reaches across hundreds of miles and 9 decades of time to talk to her posterity. That means something. Over several days, she updated her sister and mother about the family, the neighbors, the chores, the wheat farm, the weather, and the celebrations - that included a parade welcoming soldiers home from The Great War. <br />
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Because she took the time to record her thoughts, I feel I know her and love her. In fact, I wrote <a href="https://literacylinkup.wikispaces.com/Open+Letter+to+Katie">a response to her long-ago letter</a> and posted it on Literacy Link-Up, a wiki site I don't update much anymore. <br />
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Today, I noticed some authors I follow on Twitter responded to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme">meme</a> "Tweet Your 16-year-old self." As cool as I think that is, I wish I could RECEIVE a "Tweet" of sorts from my 16-year-old self to the 62-year-old me. Yes, I can find bits and pieces of writings from those long-ago days of euphoria and despondency, jubiliation and anguish, but none are forward thinking. (But what teen looks beyond the moment?)<br />
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While I tweeted 16-year-old Renae to "dump him and never look back," I do wonder what she would have advised me. I can guess, but I don't really know because I won't ever visit 1964 again - except when I watch <em>Mad Men</em>.link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-61636108889100445462010-10-02T15:11:00.006-06:002010-10-02T16:34:29.426-06:00Teachers' Questions & Concerns about Assessment Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Over the past few months Carolyn Gough, Secondary Language Arts Consultant for our school district, has crunched numbers, drawn conclusions, and shared information with middle school English and reading teachers. When she presents these various assessment results, some schools and teachers are delighted, while other are discouraged. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nup8YiBj7M36Ava7oKsCAV3SiwEkzgFUJ4vDHPekO4Ug6XLM0J1zelatZZCL4mmN042wFRsRhAcsRbG8Hpz1ApkQVJQ0bCptUosPZq3_CSZPHnyJr7JPyj20PNjoQbT3KbtUQpLIKQc/s1600/Tired+teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nup8YiBj7M36Ava7oKsCAV3SiwEkzgFUJ4vDHPekO4Ug6XLM0J1zelatZZCL4mmN042wFRsRhAcsRbG8Hpz1ApkQVJQ0bCptUosPZq3_CSZPHnyJr7JPyj20PNjoQbT3KbtUQpLIKQc/s1600/Tired+teacher.jpg" /></a></div>In her kind and professional manner, Carolyn helps educators recognize the areas for concern and then leads the group in addressing those problems by setting doable goals. Most leave her meetings feeling recommitted, but some well-meaning, hard-working teachers still feel dispirited. <br />
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In a recent message to Carolyn, one such teacher wrote: <span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>"I know I should take this as a great opportunity, but somehow I feel like I am a bad teacher. Yet, some of those classes had so many students who just didn't give a heck and would not try no matter what."</em></span><br />
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I doubt there is a teacher who has not felt this way, including Carolyn and me. Because teachers are often discouraged and overwhelmed with all that is expected, I want to share excerpts from my colleague's response to this dedicated veteran educator. Carolyn wrote the following: <br />
<blockquote>I read your message and felt deeply touched by your sincerity and concern. I appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts with me and I want you to know that I completely understand how many factors go into test results. The last thing I want anyone to feel is discouraged about teaching. Teaching is demanding, hard work and I know that you and all teachers are trying to help students in all the ways you know how.<br />
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I think there are two fundamental messages I'm trying to communicate with the data I've shared: </blockquote><ol><ol><li>Looking at data can help us get a general picture of where we are and where students are in the context of the school, district, and state which can help us plan for instruction. </li>
<li>As teachers we can and should always be asking ourselves, "What else can I do to improve student learning?" The focus really needs to shift away from whether or not <strong>we taught</strong> the material, to whether or not the <strong>students learned</strong> the material. If their scores are hinting that they aren't learning as much as we'd like them to, it's important to ask ourselves how we can help them in their learning. I maintain that there is no perfect teacher. Each one of us can always search for ways to adjust instruction to help students learn. </li>
</ol></ol><blockquote>The hardest part about asking this question is that we have to open ourselves up and feel vulnerable as we search for the best ways to help students learn. But the more teachers reach out to one another and to others for ways to help students learn, the more they realize there is to learn, and the better teachers they become. Whether a 1st year teacher or a veteran, there is ALWAYS something else we can do to improve student learning. I'm hoping that we'll focus our efforts on those things.</blockquote><blockquote>As we talked Friday morning, [one of your colleagues] asked, "What else can we do?" I hope that all teachers would ask a similar question about his/her own teaching. Rather than get down about what has happened, look ahead at what else we can do to improve student learning. Some ideas for how we can accomplish this are to ...</blockquote><ul><ul><li>ask for a consulting educator to come and observe you in action and to notice ways you can increase student learning;</li>
<li>make time to watch another teacher in action;</li>
<li>ask other teachers how they are teaching a particular part of the core;</li>
<li>participate in creating a curriculum map that matches the core so that we can understand what the core is truly asking of us and our students;</li>
<li>be sure you know which standard and objective your lessons are tied to in the core;</li>
<li>help students know what it is they are supposed to be learning from the core.</li>
</ul></ul>One of the things you do so well ... is that you are open to new ideas and are willing to do things differently to affect change. You are one of those veteran teachers who wants students to succeed and cares about their learning. I know that about you because you have always been an active listener who asks excellent questions in discussions. I know you are open because you were willing to send me an e-mail about your thoughts. You have a great attitude ... which is the key to refining instruction and looking closer at all the ways we can help improve student learning.link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-67684582574749451522010-09-17T22:17:00.006-06:002010-09-17T22:26:46.853-06:00Want to Know Why You Should Join Local Council of the International Reading Association?<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d66508; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>TOP 10 Reasons to Join JCIRA</strong></span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">10</span></strong>. You really have NOTHING else to do on Monday night - except collapse from exhaustion. Why not start the process with friends at JCIRA?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>9.</strong></span> There will be FREE food! Maybe districts have axed their food budget, but JCIRA has NOT!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>8</strong></span>. It's your DUTY to LITERACY! Just in case you're not doing enough already! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>7</strong>.</span> You're tired of "SEX, lies, and <strike>videotapes</strike>." (Uh, I mean DVDs and Blue Ray.) You're ready for "TRUTH, JUSTICE, and THE AMERICAN WAY! (But DON'T count on a guest appearance by the man in blue tights UNLESS he's a Utah author or a character in a book!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">6.</span></strong> You can EARN professional development RElicensure points AND lane change credit, IF so desired, to save up for that day when you need to recertify or lane change raises are THAWED!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">5.</span></strong> You will rub shoulders with terrific friends and exemplary educators who LOVE literacy and still ENJOY sharing that love with students!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">4.</span></strong> You will have the opportunity to "gather and give" - <em>gather</em> new ideas, knowledge, inspiration AND <em>give</em> of YOUR thoughts, ideas, and knowledge! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">3.</span></strong> You can WIN FREE BOOKS! Lots and lots of books! NOVELS! PICTURE BOOKS! PRACTIONERS' BOOKS! (And we all know how much we LOVE books!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">2.</span></strong> You can be part of a great service project - BOARD BOOKS for BABIES! It's an easy inexpensive way to give the gift of literacy to the NEWEST generation! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d;">1.</span></strong> You can grow as a teacher, reader, and WRITER because this year JCIRA members can WRITE with PROFESSIONAL writers - thanks to the kindness of several Utah authors who will present to us and work with us! ISN'T THAT A.W.E.S.O.M.E.?</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d66508; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>PLEASE COME!!!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d66508; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Be a part of a GREAT organization. We need YOU!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #d66508; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>BIG TIME!!!</strong></span></div>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-50816944346431954172010-09-03T16:08:00.005-06:002010-09-05T15:07:21.207-06:00See You in September<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14ycKqEtsjBRAQUBlqIKgPY1RWCdVXyBmDFOh0fDcYceBYonc2sA8M0_PZnYg_QG9fcX_Hi4ne4sLRCty6vjhpw8FzCr1_XqtwgihnldUPYA_a8_xIPBHjiIvL8BtnI7hh33F5ZYJhT4/s1600/Cottonwood+Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14ycKqEtsjBRAQUBlqIKgPY1RWCdVXyBmDFOh0fDcYceBYonc2sA8M0_PZnYg_QG9fcX_Hi4ne4sLRCty6vjhpw8FzCr1_XqtwgihnldUPYA_a8_xIPBHjiIvL8BtnI7hh33F5ZYJhT4/s400/Cottonwood+Creek.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;">Why I love the ninth month of the year:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>I feel a stronger sense of renewal in September than I do in January.</li>
<li>My biorhythm is in sync with the "school-year" cycle.</li>
<li>I love new pencils, pens, paper, tablets, folders, organizers, scissors, binders ...</li>
<li>EVERY student starts with an A!</li>
<li>I'm ready for routine.</li>
<li>Crisp air and colorful leaves are just around the corner.</li>
<li>I can pull out my sweaters - my favorite items of clothing.</li>
<li>I welcome the season of COMFORT foods: soups, chilli, roast and potatoes.</li>
<li>Great SEPTEMBER songs: My top 3 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfLEc09tTjI">"September"</a> by Earth, Wind, & Fire; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRGLjzFHa40">"See You in September"</a> by The Temptations; and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-2mxuj_ttQ">"September Morn"</a> by Neil Diamond.</li>
</ul><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: left;"><i><b>Why do YOU like September?</b></i></div><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: large;">Do you remember, 21st night of September?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love was changing the mind of the pretenders</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While chasing clouds away</span>. ~ Earth, Wind, & Fire</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #990000;">Welcome Back, Friends!!! </b></span></div>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-76727582107131073782010-08-27T23:59:00.004-06:002010-08-28T00:30:57.400-06:00Final Summer of My Utah Writers: I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLERI have tried some fun things on this blog, but I must say that reading and responding to some of the FAN.TAS.TIC Utah authors has been so so so enjoyable. I do NOT want to stop reading and writing about these fine novels, and so I won't. But I will post them on my writing blog: <a href="http://thewritegroove.wordpress.com/">The Write Groove</a>. Readers of this blog will still see my mini reviews on this site under "Read My List." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAauBls3bIfkNitJ1ri5KeNDEnNcH0HDwHnFoeyFovhFLPHrp9PZoYD0TGG8o5uvGM9JIqRui1DHxemE2yhyphenhyphendazJqE-kZ258zQSMCgYk8mE8bF3B500tUiXbn4tmQ6zkl9lleUYtozsA/s1600/IAMNOTASERIALKILLER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAauBls3bIfkNitJ1ri5KeNDEnNcH0HDwHnFoeyFovhFLPHrp9PZoYD0TGG8o5uvGM9JIqRui1DHxemE2yhyphenhyphendazJqE-kZ258zQSMCgYk8mE8bF3B500tUiXbn4tmQ6zkl9lleUYtozsA/s320/IAMNOTASERIALKILLER.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>Now onto this most fascinating novel:<em> </em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Not-Serial-Killer-John-Cleaver/dp/0765322471"><em>I Am Not a Serial Killer</em></a> by <a href="http://www.fearfulsymmetry.net/">Dan Wells</a>. First I have to say I received some funny comments when people saw me reading this book. My daughter-in-law read the title aloud and then added, "Glad to hear that, Renae. I was worried." My sons asked me if I was going to write my own versions, such as <em>I am Not a Bad Driver </em>or <em>I am Not Hard of Hearing. </em>Haha.<br />
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The most common reaction, however, was laughter out loud! Seriously, many thought this was a humorous novel, and when I told them it wasn't, they asked why then was I reading it. So here are the reasons:<br />
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1. Dan Wells, the author, hosted WRITING FOR CHARITY on August 21, 2010, and he was absolutely hilarious. Yes, he did plug his book, but it was in a charming, self-effacing way. Reassuring us that he was NOT the model for John Wayne Cleaver, he did admit to having a fascination for reading and talking about serial killers. Rather than sending him to a shrink, his friends requested that he stop talking about them and write about them.<br />
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2. Cheryl Bago, book-seller AND frequent guest blogger on <em><a href="http://throwingupwords.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/awesome-guest-blogger-cheryl-bago-on-book-trends/">Throwing Up Words</a>, </em>wrote about a possible up and coming/returning trend in YA: mysteries and horror novels - sort of in the Lois Duncan and R.L. Stein realm. At least she receives frequent requests for these genres. Well, <em>I Am Not a Serial Killer</em> fills both bills! And WHAT A PAGE TURNING TREAT IT IS.<br />
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3. I mean how many YA novels have you read where the main character possesses many of the traits of a serial killer, and yet, he is funny, likable, and sympathetic as well as irritating, scary, and courageous.<br />
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4. The plot is twisted, and I mean in a good way. SURPRISES! Interesting COMPLICATIONS that pull at your heartstrings. I'm serious! <br />
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5. The characters are intriguing. Mom and Auntie are morticians - don't know of many women funeral directors, but these 2 are good at what they do. Sister Lauren Bacall Cleaver is a moody rebel, and Max, John's one and only friend, is a loner who can be pretty funny, too. I like and trust John's psychiatrist, too, because John, who likes few people, likes and trusts him. He "gets" John. Besides the main character, Mr. Crowley is an especially compelling character. All of them are well developed with layers that demand our attention. Love it.<br />
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6. While reading, I would sometimes go, "EEE-YOOO" because John's dark thoughts would trouble me, but then I read the next paragraph and would think, "Oooooh! He's fighting so hard against being something he really doesn't want to be. Will he be all right? He will make it, won't he?" Dan keeps his readers off balance this way, and that makes reading all the better. <br />
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I know this book isn't for everyone, and I doubt that I would have picked it up if Dan hadn't charmed me and 150 other people into giving it a try, but I really enjoyed it. Creepiness and all. I just saw where Alpine School District teachers are reading it for their book club. Can't wait to see if it makes Alpine's approved book list. I'm doubting it as, you know, the district is in Utah County! It may be violent, but there is little to no swearing!<br />
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BUT it makes my approved list. Just be warned.link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-59546638898807257542010-08-19T14:23:00.001-06:002010-08-20T09:00:38.546-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers: THE DARK DIVINE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKtn-js0OpnuzBMns-QXKFl8L012BitzXJuMkScU4C038lABsDAYcO9ZCYy12ttl_Z1epcVFe2bibYZO_r3c4vxZ5qcZOMG9GhWIybAOvtPSrp7tCwuB2nE5L-vZbeZ5n1bmyZhuy6kQ/s1600/TDDcoverLink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKtn-js0OpnuzBMns-QXKFl8L012BitzXJuMkScU4C038lABsDAYcO9ZCYy12ttl_Z1epcVFe2bibYZO_r3c4vxZ5qcZOMG9GhWIybAOvtPSrp7tCwuB2nE5L-vZbeZ5n1bmyZhuy6kQ/s320/TDDcoverLink.jpg" width="211" /></a>If you are a fan of the <i>Twilight series, </i>you will enjoy <a href="http://www.breedespain.com/The_Dark_Divine_Chapter_1.pdf">Bree DeSpain's</a> <i>The Dark Divine. </i>And if you DON'T like Stephanie Meyer's vampire trilogy, you'll STILL like <i>Divine. </i>Bree's first published novel is a paranormal romance that EXcludes vampires, but focuses upon the other scary but alluring monster who wants to do what is right. (Isn't the cover DIVINE, too?)<br />
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Grace Divine, the pastor's daughter, is the main character who must go against her near-perfect brother in order to support Daniel, a troubled friend whom they both loved at one time. (Click <a href="http://www.breedespain.com/The_Dark_Divine_Chapter_1.pdf"><b>HERE</b></a> to read the first chapter!) <br />
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While there are similarities between Grace and Bella of <i>Twilight </i>fame, Bree pulls in enough twists and turns to end the comparisons. I do enjoy Bree's stronger female lead, but like all 16-year-olds, affairs of the heart can weaken the best of intentions.Sigh. <br />
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Check this out, if you don't believe me!<br />
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Family dynamics also play a big part in developing the <em>Divine</em> plot, and that strengthens the "normal" in paraNORMAL! All in all, the novel is a romping page-turner. Way to go, Bree!<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Saint-Dark-Divine-Novel/dp/1606840584/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282249167&sr=1-1">The Lost Saint</a>, </i>Bree's second book, is a sequel to <i>The Dark Divine, </i>and it will be available in December! These books are 2 reasons paranormal romances are ALIVE and WELL!link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-16816244703247010722010-08-10T16:18:00.003-06:002010-08-11T10:48:06.008-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers: ONCE WAS LOSTI'm a BIG <a href="http://www.sarazarr.com/">Sara Zarr</a> fan. BIG. If you search this blog site to see how many times I've written about her, you'll find out how much I like this author; this person. Two reasons: 1) She is a remarkable writer; 2) she is a kind person. <br />
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When she presented at JCIRA last May, <a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/05/sara-zarr-and-writer-within_12.html">Sara talked about how she enjoys writing</a> about family dynamics, and all three of her books testify of her expertise in so doing. Another important element she incorporates into these stories of families is a sense of hope.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2vCsGxxeoaxhXdLBhZglYX_kaMjnVDBZG7dy2fi6qQRYPxVV8afdU2EAQErg7ZIAZnxGmWryrrUxUvOvHck7jIsKnIqW2LBiO5S6Ixh2o95eSvqraLad_VRCAVN-6YUgQrBAfvg5pYw/s1600/Once+Was+Lost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2vCsGxxeoaxhXdLBhZglYX_kaMjnVDBZG7dy2fi6qQRYPxVV8afdU2EAQErg7ZIAZnxGmWryrrUxUvOvHck7jIsKnIqW2LBiO5S6Ixh2o95eSvqraLad_VRCAVN-6YUgQrBAfvg5pYw/s400/Once+Was+Lost.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>While I really liked <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Girl-Sara-Zarr/dp/0316014540/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281478807&sr=1-2"><i>Story of a Girl </i></a>and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweethearts-Sara-Zarr/dp/0316014567/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281478807&sr=1-4">Sweethearts</a>, </i>I treasured <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Once-Was-Lost-Sara-Zarr/dp/0316036048/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281478807&sr=1-1">Once Was Lost</a>. </i>It is my favorite SZ novel. Now this sort of amazes me because ofttimes authors who launch a critically acclaimed FIRST book fail to match their own success with their subsequent novels. Not so with Sara. She just gets better.<br />
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In <i>Once Was Lost, </i>Sara weaves together a story of lost faith, lost family ties, and lost family member. The catalyst that brings this all together is the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl from one of the town's most respected families. But the Shaw family isn't the only ones experiencing loss.<br />
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Samara's pastor-father becomes less and less a father as he becomes more involved in shepherding his flock, comforting the grief-stricken Shaw family, and working with the exuberant youth counselor Erin.<br />
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Samara's mother slowly lost herself to the inebriated state of alcoholism. Sequestered in a rehabilitation facility, Sam's mother disappears into healing, which leaves Sam feeling even more alienated.<br />
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Sara pulls all this together with such tenderness that readers hurt for every character, but the weaknesses of each do not leave us without hope. That's what I love about this story. There is just not enough hope in families or society today. Because faith and hope prevail, the reader closes the book feeling that Samara and her family just might make it.<br />
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Make sure you pick up this book! It will touch your life.link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-67424069728335680032010-08-01T17:39:00.002-06:002010-08-02T16:18:52.514-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers: THE LOSER'S GUIDE TO LIFE AND LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0DcWOuDoS8FOqClPfpmDdNRWOrUu3SalHLucPn4jQjs1lUcuaOpDy70gCP054kod5YuThRNgBMVDdLTRQVJMaHT8QrKCnepI0azAsU5RgmQw0nfc6ph7xxoxjTSGyYSzS4pbTcUBs1w/s1600/Loser's+Guide+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0DcWOuDoS8FOqClPfpmDdNRWOrUu3SalHLucPn4jQjs1lUcuaOpDy70gCP054kod5YuThRNgBMVDdLTRQVJMaHT8QrKCnepI0azAsU5RgmQw0nfc6ph7xxoxjTSGyYSzS4pbTcUBs1w/s1600/Loser's+Guide+%282%29.jpg" /></a></div>Last Friday evening, I lounged on our deck, periodically enjoying the view as I read the last third of <a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-affair-at-valley-high-school.html">A.E. Cannon's</a> novel <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Losers-Guide-Life-Love-Novel/dp/0061128465/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280705684&sr=8-2">The Loser's Guide to Life and Love</a>. </i>My husband busied himself with mowing, trimming, and watering our thirsty back yard. Occasionally, he interrupted HIS yard work and MY reading with a comment: "Are you enjoying yourself?" or observation: "I hope you're not overdoing."<br />
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I ignored his sarcastic remarks because a) I know he loves to work in our yard; b) I could NEVER do it to his satisfaction; and c) I really was enjoying myself! The July evening was much like the June midsummer eve described in the novel, minus dragonflies flitting about everywhere. And every few paragraphs, I laughed out loud - you know "lol". I've read humorous books that make me smile, but not so many that prompt audible giggles, chuckles, or snorts. (Yes, I even snorted.) <br />
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<i>Loser's Guide </i>is a perfect YA summertime read. It has fun elements like the lazy feel attached to long, warm days, a summer job that isn't the best but beats most part-time work; and most importantly, a summer romance based upon deceit. Yes, Ed's job at a movie rental store opens the door to the romance. Because he HAS to wear a name tag that claims the wearer is "Sergio," Ed adopts the persona of a romantic Brazilian transplant when the beautiful Ellie enters the store and his life. <br />
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(I couldn't help but remember the summer I was 14 and met a cutie in Las Vegas on our trip to Southern California. I lied and said I was 16 and for 3 hours I enjoyed a summer romance with a very handsome 18-year-old who was heading for college. We even wrote each other for about hmm 3 weeks.)<br />
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Besides the complicated premise, Ann (aka A.E.) develops endearing characters: the very funny Ed; the patient and slightly satirical Scout (aka Aurora Aurelia); the handsome geek Quark; and the deeper-than-you-think Ellie. I also love Ali, and who in the world of this novel doesn't love the exotic store owner who <span style="background-color: white;">brings mystery, charm, and a Midsummer Eve celebration where "friends and friends-to-be" are invited to party from dusk to dawn?</span><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">This is a light-hearted romp readers will truly enjoy. It was the pick-me-up I longed for after reading wonderful, but sad novels about desperate teens. I LOVED <i>Losers! </i>And I really like that Ann Cannon, too!</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: white;">P.S. When I finished the last page, G.E. finished the yard work. He turned to me and said, "Hmm. I feel like the paid gardener hired by a rest home." Bless him. </span></span>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-62512895125146079162010-07-29T19:21:00.005-06:002010-07-30T19:01:11.083-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers: THE MAZE RUNNER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp8UK0ojQBhEJaPIRYWV7YU1MhcAz_aOniCb9Ly4I7R4EcvFFq_KBROaRU7GC05T4UdORN-xBim_FXLV1jMME5ZIiv6MizAvZ0GSMg-6i8Uin1AMM42kgHDEmHLDH8Ssa3YmtLAsYMtw/s1600/The+Maze+Runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp8UK0ojQBhEJaPIRYWV7YU1MhcAz_aOniCb9Ly4I7R4EcvFFq_KBROaRU7GC05T4UdORN-xBim_FXLV1jMME5ZIiv6MizAvZ0GSMg-6i8Uin1AMM42kgHDEmHLDH8Ssa3YmtLAsYMtw/s1600/The+Maze+Runner.jpg" /></a></div>I will be the first to admit that I have NOT been a big fan of worlds-gone-wrong novels - aka dystopian genre. But last year I "had" to read a few books of this ilk as part of my job responsibilities. The first was <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280451008&sr=8-1">Unwind</a> </i>by Neal Shusterman; the second was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Last-Book-Universe-Rodman-Philbrick/dp/0439087597/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280451073&sr=1-1"><i>The Last Book in the Universe </i></a>by Rodman Philbrick; and then I got hooked on the first 2 books of the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Book-1/dp/0439023521/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280451240&sr=8-3">The Hunger Games Trilogy</a> </i>by Suzanne Collins. (And yes, I'm counting down the days when the 3rd novel, <i>Mockingjay</i>, hits the book stores - 26 days until August 24th.)<br />
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This baptism into these excellent novels that delve into post-apocalyptic scenarios made a convert of me. And so when I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maze-Runner-Trilogy-Hardback/dp/0385737947/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280451240&sr=8-5"><i>The Maze Runner </i></a>or it found me, I was thrilled to read another page-turner in this genre. BUT I was even more excited to learn that James Dashner, the author, lives right here in the Beehive state. Granted, he grew up in another of my favorite states, Georgia, where I enjoyed teaching in the same county where James went to school, but I delegate him as a Utah writer because that is where he writes. Got it?<br />
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Now about the book. It's a GREAT book for boys, but girls will like it, too. While it doesn't have an overt romance YET, there is sure to be more of that in the upcoming sequel. But girls don't always read for romance. Well, a few teen girls don't. <br />
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During my reading, I caught glimpses of<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1449708472"> </a><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-William-Golding/dp/0399534067/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280452727&sr=1-11">Lord of the Flies</a> </i>without the societal break-down, and I also felt connections to <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Ender-Book-1/dp/0812550706/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280452773&sr=1-1">Ender's Game</a> </i>as well. But the "buggers" (grievers) are bigger, badder, and omnipresent! I also appreciated the sass and sarcasm exhibited by the characters without recognizable foul language. I say that because Dashner's glade/community spoke their own kind of potty-lingo, and so it wasn't as offensive. (I have an Austrian friend who has lived in the U.S. for a long time, and he claims that swearing in German just doesn't seem uncivil anymore. But I digress.)<br />
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Basically, the underlying question of <i>Maze</i> is what can drive intelligent young men plus one girl to solve the unsolvable before giving up? What challenges will discourage or destroy their determination? What else can such individuals accomplish if they overcome the impossible? It's VERY cool AND a GREAT RIDE. Yes, yes it is! If you doubt me, check out this awesome trailer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxNtm-JEMyTZknDzT1G9fYeeB9tZ79e8D8tNqT6ml9RzUpjz9SUO4ASbDcb7w1O965E0e3E3jakegjbf9-ThQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>P.S. This novel is the first of a trilogy, and I am just as excited to read the second book that debuts in October, thus starting yet another countdown!link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-75067576204609718222010-07-20T13:17:00.002-06:002010-07-20T13:20:34.589-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers: EVERYTHING IS FINE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT3Jfi6Bzen8eoJR1Hg7T2GeE-5ye-EC0JsJb_ncCYzChJvKpTeDx2O3NsIiPPDLdghQ_wweylvTDDzlpcRUku-YvV5bQQjlWt8FKL6KwSU27-05ODsftJtWNzemrUoNbFCrT0DtIz4w/s1600/Everything+is+fine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQT3Jfi6Bzen8eoJR1Hg7T2GeE-5ye-EC0JsJb_ncCYzChJvKpTeDx2O3NsIiPPDLdghQ_wweylvTDDzlpcRUku-YvV5bQQjlWt8FKL6KwSU27-05ODsftJtWNzemrUoNbFCrT0DtIz4w/s320/Everything+is+fine.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>After reading Ann Dee Ellis' book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Fine-Ann-Dee-Ellis/dp/0316014435/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279653123&sr=1-1"><i>Everything is Fine</i>,</a> my husband and I discussed why people want to read sad books. Some readers have experienced sadness, and so they may reach a point where reading a book about fictional characters experiencing similar situations comforts them. But we also realized as we talked that MOST readers relate to horrific experiences because such times may not come into their own lives, but tragedy often enters into the lives of people we know.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>**SPOILER ALERT ** </b></div><br />
For example, we both know individuals who committed suicide; we know people who died of cancer at way-too-young ages; we know women who have been raped; we know a friend whose nieces died of heat-exhaustion when those little girls climbed into the trunk of the family's car; we met a woman in our neighborhood who backed over her two-year-old son; and so it goes. <br />
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We are all affected indirectly when tragedy strikes - even when we read about it in the newspaper or see the story on television. If it happens in our family, neighborhood, city, or state, it usually touches us in some way. Even so, we hang around the periphery, safe from the really deep hurt. Until we pick up a book like Ann Dee's.<br />
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Oh my, the peek into the pain suffered by this fictional family was emotionally draining. I was so grateful that it was a short book. But I loved Mazzy and her karate chops and her obsession with breasts - her own developing ones and the developed chests of others; her relationship with the boy next door, and her love for her mother. Ann Dee does a marvelous job of developing this 12-year-old heroine!<br />
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I once heard <a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-affair-at-valley-high-school.html">Ann Dee tell a group of teens</a> that reading <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/House-Mango-Street-Sandra-Cisneros/dp/067943335X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279652843&sr=1-1">House on Mango Street</a> </i>by <a href="http://www.sandracisneros.com/">Sandra Cisneros</a> inspired her writing. Until then, she thought she had to fill up all the white space, but seeing and feeling Sandra's style, she decided she could write a book. And so she took a summer to do just that. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-What-Did-Ann-Ellis/dp/0316013633"><i>This is What I Did</i> </a>was the result. Isn't that amazing?<br />
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I'm amazed by her determination, her persistence, and her talent!link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-40423229100646905352010-07-17T20:09:00.003-06:002010-07-17T20:17:28.845-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers: THE CHOSEN ONEI first met Carol Lynch Williams at a poetry slam. We were both judges. While this "slam" was the third one I had judged, the experience was new to Carol. Ann Dee Ellis was another judge, and little did I know how our paths would cross again and again. <br />
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When Amy introduced us to the student performers, this is kind of how it went down:<br />
<blockquote>Students, let me introduce you to today's judges. <a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-affair-at-valley-high-school.html">Ann Dee Ellis</a> is the author of two young adult novels: <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-What-Did-Ann-Ellis/dp/0316013625/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279418719&sr=1-1">This is What I Did</a>,</i> which received 3 starred reviews. Her latest novel is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Fine-Ann-Dee-Ellis/dp/0316014435/ref=pd_sim_b_1">Everything is Fine</a>. </i><br />
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Our second judge is Carol Lynch Williams who has won many writing awards and published numerous books including <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-One-Carol-Lynch-Williams/dp/B00375LMEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279418623&sr=8-1">The Chosen One</a></i>, which is being praised in the world of book critics. Her most recent book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glimpse-Carol-Lynch-Williams/dp/141699730X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279418662&sr=1-1">Glimpse</a></i> will come out in July.<br />
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Renae Salisbury works for our school district.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwc17-ZOhPOudEn2tbRoXLNHhB8XGSoEwlv6xrHjXScLMpAV7WaCNAeEmf59uc-dcxo_i8XsTQYeztB5NBVzPsdIs5QrD19C3RRxmZl8nETyJDiHSxNVhWw7OrroS50NnWlbmEEj9ONw/s1600/Chosen+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwc17-ZOhPOudEn2tbRoXLNHhB8XGSoEwlv6xrHjXScLMpAV7WaCNAeEmf59uc-dcxo_i8XsTQYeztB5NBVzPsdIs5QrD19C3RRxmZl8nETyJDiHSxNVhWw7OrroS50NnWlbmEEj9ONw/s320/Chosen+one.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>It was a little humbling, but also inspiring. As is <i>The Chosen One. </i>I love reading, but I can put a novel down to fix dinner, wash, run to the store, etc. So when I ignored all those daily necessities so I could get Kyra out of her terrible situation, I knew all the reviews were true: <br />
<ul><li>"Unsettling and COURAGEOUS ... beautiful, <b>COMPASSIONATE</b>, full of hope."</li>
<li>"An important book."</li>
<li>"<b>EXTRAORDINARY</b> ... BRAVE ... A <b>MASTERPIECE</b>."</li>
</ul>If you haven't checked it out, <i>Chosen One</i> is about a 13-year-old girl, raised in a polygamist community. Her father and motherS are good and kind and loving, but when the misguided prophet receives revelations that designate the older men should have the young girls as wives, the polygamist situation is even more scary.<br />
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I heard Carol say this was a hard book to write. Heartbreaking doesn't really describe her research. I would love to interview her and find out more about that research because her daughter quoted author <a href="http://www.ellenhopkins.com/">Ellen Hopkins</a> as saying something like, <a href="http://throwingupwords.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/ala-adventures-very-late/">"tell [your] mom not to be afraid to write the truth." </a>Of course, this made me wonder if Carol has been hastled about being so blunt about this very complex and frightening topic. <br />
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Secondly, I like to know if she has any plans for a sequel. Once again, I have SO many questions I would love to have answered. Somehow, I don't think Carol will do that because she just has so many more stories to tell. And I can't wait to read them.link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-74079678695008486662010-07-15T08:50:00.005-06:002010-07-17T20:12:40.461-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers - THE WAY HE LIVEDAs I continue my quest of reading books by some of Utah's talented authors, I must say I am proud that this state can boast that it could become a YA Author Factory. Just as BYU earned the reputation of cranking out super-star quarter backs, Utah is producing an amazing array of WonderWriters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FamXewxcrACixJ9LrVzUPqs7OZGo2o6DcN-t8itFAvmacFjsLmsSWQM1QsXpu08b6S0CYI5neEnzO-zsn1HUBmZFEu8T8UtEAvbYj5xQPTn-0RJTTF7NZjWOJP1MjgRVO8rwTdMO7FM/s1600/The+Way+He+Lived+AGAIN+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FamXewxcrACixJ9LrVzUPqs7OZGo2o6DcN-t8itFAvmacFjsLmsSWQM1QsXpu08b6S0CYI5neEnzO-zsn1HUBmZFEu8T8UtEAvbYj5xQPTn-0RJTTF7NZjWOJP1MjgRVO8rwTdMO7FM/s320/The+Way+He+Lived+AGAIN+%282%29.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Among these writers is <a href="http://www.emilywingsmith.com/">Emily Wing Smith</a>, author of <i>The Way He Lived. </i>There were so many things I loved about this novel, including the format. Each chapter tells the story about Joel, an outstanding young man who sacrificed himself to save others when a Scout troop ran out of water while hiking the Grand Canyon. Although Joel brought enough water to stay hydrated in the heat, some did not. He died of heat exhaustion because he deprived himself in order to help his fellow scouts and leaders.<br />
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As we view this teen through the eyes of his sisters and friends, we learn about him AND them. Using lines from <a href="http://www.rhymes.org.uk/mondays_child.htm">"Monday's Child"</a> to title the sections, Emily hints at what we can learn about the sister or friend. For Example, "Wednesday's child is full of woe" establishes Miles as the wayward friend who is deeply impacted by Joel's death.<br />
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<a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/06/book-affair-at-valley-high-school.html">Emily</a> also uses first and third person narratives to tell the story, even using fictional blog entries, chats, and other communications to share intimate details. Included among the details are connections to life as a Latter-day Saint, a Mormon. Because Joel and his friends live in a community where most citizens are members of that church. I appreciate her realistic portrayal of teens who embrace AND struggle with that religious culture.<br />
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When I closed the book, I knew Joel a little better, but I was left with dozens of questions, too. Some about him, but mostly, I wanted to learn more about Miles, Norah, Alden, Claire, etc. I was still worried about Joel's mom and dad, too.<br />
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Isn't it a great book that leaves you wanting more?link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-54357726265156234322010-07-12T22:09:00.002-06:002010-07-15T09:55:27.351-06:00Summer of My Utah Writers - PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALLA few conferences and workshops later, I have developed an awe for Utah's Young Adult authors. At least the ones I've met, and especially the ones I've read! Because these writers are A.MAZ.ING, I decided that I'd dedicate my summer reading to these talented individuals by delving into their works.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqmfTe3leS3HDU4cLGJBGcMh6Q2bZNStUcCOEVoUak5BwiKtYssxDgf_14xfs8hjYd2hVGyEh0VzTPLK15STPgSWcJbg1kn5dTOgZWBv9EaIDq-qy-Qnz8zJS7ECH8uMXER4N8qwzDjI/s1600/pRINCESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqmfTe3leS3HDU4cLGJBGcMh6Q2bZNStUcCOEVoUak5BwiKtYssxDgf_14xfs8hjYd2hVGyEh0VzTPLK15STPgSWcJbg1kn5dTOgZWBv9EaIDq-qy-Qnz8zJS7ECH8uMXER4N8qwzDjI/s200/pRINCESS.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>I've read two of Sara Zarr's novels, <i>Story of a Girl</i> and <i>Sweethearts, </i>plus Brandon Mull's first book in the <i>Fablehaven </i>series, but I have a long way to go in my quest to sample books birthed right here in the Beehive state. Thus far, I have finished <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Midnight-Ball-Jessica-George/dp/1599903229">Princess of the Midnight Ball</a> </i>by <a href="http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/">Jessica Day George</a>. <br />
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While I am not a big fantasy fan, I wish I were because there are TONZ of great fantasy novels are out there. I do think Jessica's are my kind of fantasy, however, because I love fairy tales, and some of her books retell fairy tale in a refreshing way. <i>Princess </i>is one of those. <br />
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The twelve dancing princesses lie at the heart of this story, but an ex-soldier turned gardner is the hero who outwits the evil king from below. Jessica not only weaves in her knowledge of Norwegian tales and legends, she also tucks in details from her love of handicrafts: sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting, fabrics, yarns, threads, etc. Jessica tucks in a fun surprise, when we learn our gardening hero also knits, and as readers might guess, this knowledge and talent helps him save the day! <br />
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This book is pure enough for the middle grade readers - chaste romance, minimal violence. <br />
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I can't wait to read <i>Sun, Moon, Ice and Snow, </i>but it must wait until I've visited stories by other authors from Utah. My next mini-review will be Emily Wing Smith's novel <i>The Way He Lived. </i><br />
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Later, rbslink2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5650747552148657902.post-36869385142896557172010-06-25T15:03:00.006-06:002010-07-02T11:41:34.891-06:00Book Affair at Valley High School!Schools throughout the Jordan School District celebrate literacy in a number of ways. Middle schools like Elk Ridge Middle invite local authors to spend an evening with students and their parents to learn more about the joys of reading and writing. West Jordan High sponsors a very popular Poetry Slam that runs for 3 days. Valley High also holds a Slam, but for the seven or eight years, they have also promoted literacy by holding <b>Book Affair.</b><br />
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According to Terry Jensen, English teacher at Valley, <b>Book Affair</b> was someone else's brainchild, but Terry soon took over and has chaired the annual event ever since.The purpose was to celebrate READING for LIFE and READING for PLEASURE. Organizers want students to know that reading remains a part of people's lives beyond formal schooling.<br />
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Initially, administrators and teachers, staff members and some students shared their favorite books with students. More recently, however, Terry expanded the program to feature state and community leaders as well as published authors. A few years ago, Sharon Jensen, former assistant principal at Valley, suggested a book give-away to further motivate students to read the featured books. Using a portion of Trustland funds, Valley gives away scores of favorite titles!<br />
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This year's presenters ranged from a school board member to a manager of the King's English Book store. Here are some book picks and presenter pix to share with you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie82M_BvgRfwblVminLhm2MJxOr6rP_ZlyUHU27HNp9sY-ZoUghyphenhyphenC2AcDSBf0xF9zQVBIQO4ycwqHuhXSpdb1792wOacbbsg4t7OBFUS2wB65oTaG58YGHxxPuEv7k2GsZAdiDf2ajER0/s1600/Terry+Jensen+and+Madeline+the+Media+Center+Assistant%21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie82M_BvgRfwblVminLhm2MJxOr6rP_ZlyUHU27HNp9sY-ZoUghyphenhyphenC2AcDSBf0xF9zQVBIQO4ycwqHuhXSpdb1792wOacbbsg4t7OBFUS2wB65oTaG58YGHxxPuEv7k2GsZAdiDf2ajER0/s320/Terry+Jensen+and+Madeline+the+Media+Center+Assistant%21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Terry Jensen</b>, presented at least a dozen of his favorite titles and introduced <b>Madeline Stout</b> who shared her favorite book - <i>The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things</i> by Carolyn Mackler. Madeline enjoyed the book's humor, but even more, she appreciated that she learned the deeper meaning behind self image, and misguided ideas of perfection. The PRINTZ Honor book also talks about measuring up to family's expectations and asks teens to avoid being so hard on themselves. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpMQPCEaqw8yfl6Ax5y8I2QjLVIvCrUzbWg5OwSNkTlBGFqV0fvZ7yW1igw4KTAADuSM3PzOtBKqpek1Klj8tf_COdVV-278KOE1lMFohrH-lXSBoCvJUoYKaUep4CXOB3M7oz-W_8Gc/s1600/Christensen+and+Link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpMQPCEaqw8yfl6Ax5y8I2QjLVIvCrUzbWg5OwSNkTlBGFqV0fvZ7yW1igw4KTAADuSM3PzOtBKqpek1Klj8tf_COdVV-278KOE1lMFohrH-lXSBoCvJUoYKaUep4CXOB3M7oz-W_8Gc/s320/Christensen+and+Link.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>J. Dale Christensen</b>, a member and former president of JSD's Board of Education, talked about the importance of reading and then told students about the non-fiction best-seller, <i>1776 </i>by David McCullough.<br />
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Principal of Valley High School, <strong>Don Link,</strong> honored J.D. Salinger by talking about the first time he read <i>Catcher in the Rye</i> - the quintessential and controversial "coming of age" story. As Salinger passed away in January, this was especially appropriate. Mr. Link also recommended Salinger's <i>Nine Stories,</i> a collection of short stories.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FACJJGlTClPKvpaNtg1uPDEd8xBZgFMYIXLZluQbm8ttQc4LE1DhmXtsdJNx9OKvxUD2Cc3Rqk4rI88qsE3JojsFanItX_vSa9elLwGuGJElOM2k4imK93H1qT4n4G8tLTd6NGxnmiw/s1600/Psych+counselor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FACJJGlTClPKvpaNtg1uPDEd8xBZgFMYIXLZluQbm8ttQc4LE1DhmXtsdJNx9OKvxUD2Cc3Rqk4rI88qsE3JojsFanItX_vSa9elLwGuGJElOM2k4imK93H1qT4n4G8tLTd6NGxnmiw/s320/Psych+counselor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Vickie Bork</b>, school psychologist talked about <i>The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind </i>about William Kamkwamba, a young man in Africa who "built a windmill to elevate the lives and spirits of those in his community." The book demonstrates how just one person can make a difference in the world, regardless of age.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBdCuIrWNIhDCDvkwlw4QMus5shwg4bAilyWjK4P5xk-i6cFpPN-DtiRSjwaEbcMrVlPdnKvVbbOSuNrgmGf0akBhyclOXoM2brfY4pil9YsopgFOSNdh209f5W7YH6xVVlPujkJ0jxw/s1600/Blogger+to+blogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBdCuIrWNIhDCDvkwlw4QMus5shwg4bAilyWjK4P5xk-i6cFpPN-DtiRSjwaEbcMrVlPdnKvVbbOSuNrgmGf0akBhyclOXoM2brfY4pil9YsopgFOSNdh209f5W7YH6xVVlPujkJ0jxw/s320/Blogger+to+blogger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Deseret News journalist, author of <i>The Loser's Guide to Life and Love</i>, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, my blogger friend <b>Ann Cannon</b> recalled a day spent at a book shop in a near empty mall where she stumbled onto <i>Fellowship of the Rings </i>by J.R.R. Tolkein. That day she picked up a fantasy, even though she hated that genre; read the the prologue, which she NEVER DOES; and read a description of little people with big hairy feet. She was grateful that she overcame all those prejudices, including ones about feet, to read this classic. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr0aizMv8G5Vs_o2Exhc0CAiuYn3VeMV0N-ioU17YWY7CQDe8kxST0sPOGhyphenhyphenPamhx1Dl8vKUhJtVe2rQNsh3YWWSsjMDCRw4n9XDXVLUM370VXy36jmZeS1P1yW7QVbtt8rQAZY1kPSM/s1600/Sharon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinr0aizMv8G5Vs_o2Exhc0CAiuYn3VeMV0N-ioU17YWY7CQDe8kxST0sPOGhyphenhyphenPamhx1Dl8vKUhJtVe2rQNsh3YWWSsjMDCRw4n9XDXVLUM370VXy36jmZeS1P1yW7QVbtt8rQAZY1kPSM/s320/Sharon.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><b>Sharon Jensen's</b> favorite book is <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319#noop">The 4 Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book</a></i> by Miguel Ruiz. The book suggests 4 ways of handling one's self in order to achieve personal freedom. They are as follows:<br />
<ul><li>Be impeccable with your word. (Spot on) (positive)</li>
<li>Don't take anything personally - what people do is NOT because of you.</li>
<li>Don't make assumptions about others.</li>
<li>Always do your best - no MORE and no LESS. </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdLzGxxgvPBiYB91_gDsIPdTwwnrELzS0mGWIQ1Rg6Howpt1f4zZeJ4JKoWXPYC9MUn8F-lRQkewgJq8auB5mevhI4wTHI73OiHGiGYg92cxuN4IdkDMUGol-bXJZEr3-R7BGt9do2xM/s1600/Lisa+Kolstad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdLzGxxgvPBiYB91_gDsIPdTwwnrELzS0mGWIQ1Rg6Howpt1f4zZeJ4JKoWXPYC9MUn8F-lRQkewgJq8auB5mevhI4wTHI73OiHGiGYg92cxuN4IdkDMUGol-bXJZEr3-R7BGt9do2xM/s320/Lisa+Kolstad.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><b>Lisa Kolstad</b>, creative writing teacher at the high school keeps 3 journals near her bedside. One is her personal journal; another is her "managing anger" journal, and the 3rd is her writing ideas journal. Because of her love of journaling, Lisa recommended <i>The Story Sisters </i>by Alice Hoffman. The novel is about the reuniting and reconcilation of 3 sisters whose lives have been laced with tragic chaos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrplK4XN_9apKlX92u5HDK2Ex93zVZlCGwfPTzZcSFE0vmzL31xIXsvjXj5b8iQXxl14K4_pcVZkH9RiRq02y495wygxa3BYMTmj6M6SaY_bbuTJd3xX33WlZ06AEtLiFV8pzrfJxsI8/s1600/TKE+Presenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrplK4XN_9apKlX92u5HDK2Ex93zVZlCGwfPTzZcSFE0vmzL31xIXsvjXj5b8iQXxl14K4_pcVZkH9RiRq02y495wygxa3BYMTmj6M6SaY_bbuTJd3xX33WlZ06AEtLiFV8pzrfJxsI8/s320/TKE+Presenter.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>Margaret Brennan</b> from THE KINGS ENGLISH, highly touted <i>I Sang to the Monster, </i>but she also recommended many other great reads, including the following with the disclaimer that not all of these titles are for young adults and include some heavy and/or adult themes.<br />
<ul><li><i>Little Bee </i></li>
<li><i>Adoration of Jenna Fox</i></li> (NOT Faux as I originally spelled it!)
<li><i>Things Fall Apart </i></li>
<li><i>Th1rteen R3asons Why </i></li>
<li><i>Reluctant Fundamentalist </i></li>
<li><i>Sarah's Key </i></li>
<li><i>Never Let Me Go </i></li>
<li><i>Beyond the Sky and Earth </i></li>
<li><i>Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust</i></li>
<li><i>No Shortcuts to the Top</i> </li>
<li><i>Escape </i></li>
<li><i>Infidel</i></li>
<li><i>19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East </i></li>
<li><i> Between a Rock and a Hard Place </i></li>
<li><i>Wintergirls </i></li>
<li><i> Escape</i> </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KGGB7uAkLlWlV8q13LKXbwErqrv757bIi7lAJYytEoO14jQ9jW6owH11LEDoVwLqehuotTBPatfHJYrszvFBOmpWhbqwdMwzUMDCRC0o-PPOdrgS5w7mtQhUj5fxtoUFzp0PWEvz1dE/s1600/The+Bueners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KGGB7uAkLlWlV8q13LKXbwErqrv757bIi7lAJYytEoO14jQ9jW6owH11LEDoVwLqehuotTBPatfHJYrszvFBOmpWhbqwdMwzUMDCRC0o-PPOdrgS5w7mtQhUj5fxtoUFzp0PWEvz1dE/s320/The+Bueners.jpg" /></a></div>One of the surprising highlights was <b>Mark and Caralyn Buehner's </b>presentation. The husband and wife/illustrating and writing team shared their experiences in publishing their well-loved picture books, including <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snowmen-at-Night-Caralyn-Buehner/dp/0803725507">Snowmen at Night</a> </i>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DEX-Heart-Hero-Caralyn-Buehner/dp/0066236207"><i>Dex:The Heart of a Hero.</i></a> The students particularly enjoyed listening to Cara read <i>Dex</i>, and I heard a collective sigh from the audience when she shared the sweet ending.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueh3nNVAJSyr1sejvX6m5T-d8R82PoOUFt0TSRhfDrIcJR2kr5WXJiq1rRm1qenIKMc9qwJAWrTJGyyivyvKdDOMfbAvXhGmcmhmwWsqr2tmSOmh1fX1-KlqJvlmlVxpXHgbq2VqDT1A/s1600/Office+Ladies+Book+Club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueh3nNVAJSyr1sejvX6m5T-d8R82PoOUFt0TSRhfDrIcJR2kr5WXJiq1rRm1qenIKMc9qwJAWrTJGyyivyvKdDOMfbAvXhGmcmhmwWsqr2tmSOmh1fX1-KlqJvlmlVxpXHgbq2VqDT1A/s320/Office+Ladies+Book+Club.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>The office ladies</b> have organized their own book club and present their favorites every year at Book Affair.<br />
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<a href="http://link2literacy.blogspot.com/2010/05/sara-zarr-and-writer-within_12.html">Sara Zarr</a> usually presents at B.A., but could not this year. Instead, she recommended <b>Ann Dee Willis</b> and <b>Emily Wing Smith</b> as presenters. Both young authors held the teens' attention even at the very end of the day as they talked about the influence of their favorite authors on their writing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAI6sP616GzV2KsGk1LvC-c2j4X4em83gd2t4VZp5ZIo2GxDZm1Jt0fICPQ-QBcefgsytpfHTpGAWIo3xc1EZIVsLYxb4_kS_majM1ef8J_149dQ4QlSyqSIVzAWPZ9mOm5GiOPilNNs/s1600/Emily+and+Ann+Dee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAI6sP616GzV2KsGk1LvC-c2j4X4em83gd2t4VZp5ZIo2GxDZm1Jt0fICPQ-QBcefgsytpfHTpGAWIo3xc1EZIVsLYxb4_kS_majM1ef8J_149dQ4QlSyqSIVzAWPZ9mOm5GiOPilNNs/s320/Emily+and+Ann+Dee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The simplicity of Sandra Cisernos's <i>House on Mango Street </i>motivated <a href="http://www.motleyvision.org/2008/ann-dee-ellis-review-interview/">Ann Dee</a> to dedicate a summer to writing and finishing her first book,<i>This is What I Did. </i>Ann Dee's first novel "received three starred reviews and was listed on Voice of Youth Advocates - 2007 Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers List, American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults for 2007 and was a 2008 International Reading Association honor book. Her second book, <i>Everything is Fine</i> was released March 2009. Kirkus described the book as 'Impressionistic, elliptical and full of feeling' and VOYA (starred review) called it 'a story so painful you want to read it with your eyes closed. It is a stunning novel.'” <br />
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<a href="http://www.emilywingsmith.com/">Emily Wing Smith</a> published her first YA novel, <i>The Way He Lived</i>, in 2007, and her second book is due out soon. The author quoted her favorite author M.E. Kerr's observation that writing helps young adults work through tough experiences and get back to where they want and need to be. Loosely based upon an incident that happened during her high school years, Emily's novel revolves around peers' perceptions of a young many who died one summer. Seen as a martyr by some and self-destructive by others, the protagonist is all and none of what others think of him.<br />
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"<i>The Way He Lived</i> received accolades including a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly. It was also winner of the Utah Book Award in Young Adult Fiction. Her next YA novel, <i>Back when You Were Easier to Love</i>, will be released from Dutton (Penguin) early next year." <br />
<a href="http://www.emilywingsmith.com/"></a><br />
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<b>Kay Erickson</b> and <b>Mark Murphy</b>, faculty members at Valley, wrapped up Book Affair by promoting their favorites: <i>The Greatest Generation</i>, a book Kay recommends because her dad was a WWII vet who never talked about the war. <i>Magnificent Obsession</i>, written by Lloyd C. Douglas and published in 1929, has been been his favorite job for 40 years. The classic nspired him to be of service to others, and Douglas' novel also touched my life some 35 years ago when I read it. It's one whose message I will never forget.<br />
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This summer my reading goal is to consume as many books by Utah authors as I can. They include Ann Dee's and Emily's, as well as <a href="http://throwingupwords.wordpress.com/">Carol Lynch Williams</a>' book <i><a href="http://us.macmillan.com/thechosenone">The Chosen</a>. </i>I recently finished <a href="http://www.jessicadaygeorge.com/">Jessica Day George's</a> fairytale-fantasy <i>Princess of the Midnight Ball, </i>and I am anxious to start <a href="http://breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/">Bree DeSpain's</a> <i>The Dark Divine.</i><br />
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Oh, and I won't let summer end until I read <a href="http://anncannon.blogspot.com/">Ann Cannon's</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Losers-Guide-Life-Love-Novel/dp/0061128465"><i>The Loser's Guide to Life and Love</i></a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQjcdiOvEyQ"><i>The Chihuahua Chase</i>!</a>link2literacyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17824869599980405915noreply@blogger.com4