reader

I think it's pretty important to like reading if you want to be a teacher. 'Cause you will do a lot of it. Of course, you could say that since you read all day at work you really don't want to come home and read anymore.

Crap, my whole theory here is flawed now.

Well, who cares!!

Currently I'm reading Lucky by Jackie Collins. It's a winner. So remember on Saved by the Bell when Zach and Kelly broke up? And Jessie, Slater, Lisa, and Screech all hooked him up with different people? Well he went on these dates. To see a movie. And one of the characters was this girl who chats nonstop about reading. She's read all of Jackie Collins novels, and she suddenly asks Zach, "Have you read Hollywood Wives?" Yes, I know each episode by heart. I quote them often and frequently ask myself, "What would Zach do?" "Course he's a lawyer now on Franklin and Bash now and it's just awful to watch him with other women when he should be with Kelly!

Oh my gosh.

I promise in real life I don't birdwalk like this.

Or do I?

ANYWAY, I started reading Jackie Collins because one of her books caught my eye at the airport when my bestie and I went skiing. I saw the book, immediately recalled the episode of Saved by the Bell where Jackie Collins was mentioned and became intrigued. I came back, went to the library, got all her books, and instantly became a huge fan. Another favorite author of mine is Jodi Picoult. I've read all her books. Ohmygosh I sound like Zach's date!!!!

I think reading is important because it takes you away to another time and place. It also gives you a great vocabulary. But, you could be like me and know TONS of words and use them all incorrectly and mispronounce them. It's really quite embarrassing. And somewhat amusing to those around me.

When you get home after spending all day with 28 fabulous kiddos (that number is debatable) you really want to unwind. Reading a good juicy book is a great way to do it.

Of course to balance it out, you really ought to read some children's books, too. During the school year I do that enough as it is. But during the summer, I try to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to certain children's literature. I've started Al Capone Does My Shirts and I have truthfully laughed out loud reading it. It's pretty funny! I might add it to my Read Aloud list. But I'm pretty exclusive when it comes to what novels I read to my kids.

I read every day after lunch for about 15-20 minutes. It's my most favorite time of the day. My kids write me letters or journals about how much they love the Read Alouds. I really get into it though. Not so much with voices (4th graders can be a little over that sometimes) because using different voices makes me feel silly. I try to read with a lot of expression. And I know when to read super fast and make them laugh, or drag out sentences and make them wait on pins and needles. And it helps that I've read the book so many times because I can look away and make eye contact with the kids and keep on "reading" the story. I'm exceedingly dramatic. Even those days when I have a headache or feel like giving busy work (which of course I never do, right?) as soon as I start reading to the kids, my mood turns around. I secretly want to come home and read to my husband but I think he might get a little freaked out.

It takes a few weeks to read a book when I'm only reading a little every day. So I try to have a brief recap
before I read everyday. Once I start reading a book, I know if my kids are into it or not. First, if they're REALLY squirmy, I know the book isn't a winner for them. Most kids squirm when they're sitting at my feet on the ground. But if I see A LOT of squirming, I know they aren't into it. Also, when I stop reading for the day, if the kids don't cry out, "Nooooooo!!!!!!" I feel like they aren't liking the book. I always feel so evil and mean when I tell them, "I'm sorry, I can't read anymore today!" But deep down I'm squealing with delight because they're so into it.

I have a few books I read every year and seriously get something new from them every time.

First of all, I like to start the year with Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Louis Sachar has some hilarious characters in this book. It's very light-hearted and silly. I use the copy that I read when I was in third grade. The pages are practically tissue so I have to be careful with it. ;o) But this book is adorable and there are a lot of activities you can do with it to start the year off.

Indian in the Cupboard. A Magical Fantasy sort of book. This book gets them every time. The idea that a toy could come to life and you get to take care of it is absolutely splendid. It's highly entertaining to students. And I really enjoy it, too.

Please tell me you've read Holes to your class. I have never seen the movie, though.

This is a fine point to tell you that I refrain from watching the movie version of any book I've read (with the exception of Twilight). I just don't want the movie to ruin my visualizations. Especially if I intend to read the book again. I'm certain that no actor could capture the character like I have in my head. And call me a snob, but I might be the best visualizer ever.

So anyway, I haven't watched Holes. And my kids ask me every year if we can watch it because they loved the book so much. I always make up some excuse why we can't watch it because I don't want to see it! Once, my neighbor showed her class the movie (we have open classrooms) and I BEGGED her to show it when my kids were in pull-outs so that I couldn't see or hear it! Hahaha!! How selfish am I? Anyway, the book is just plain spectacular. And that's all I can say about it.

I like Bud, Not Buddy. It's historical fiction so I can pull a lot from it. The young man in the story is extremely witty and very brave. And at the end, there's a huge twist that the kids never see coming. I love to watch their jaws hit the floor when I get to a certain chapter.

Bridge to Terabithia is one that I go back and forth with. I always read it but some years I do a novel study with it and let them have their own copies. Some would argue that it's somewhat mature in its content about friendship and loyalty. But mostly, I love that it shows children being....children. Pretending. Playing outside. Looking beyond the outside of others and seeing the good inside. Dealing with things they don't have the capacity to understand or the vocabulary to express. It's so realistic. And every year I let some tears drop at the end. As I read to them a certain part of the book, I keep one eye on the page and the other on them. If I can really get them deep into the book while I'm reading, their faces will change with every word. As soon as I hear the sniffles, I know I've got them--hook, line, and sinker. I usually have some parents contact me because their child comes home with heavy hearts from that book. But it's SO. GOOD. At the end of the book I have the students write a letter. The letter is from Jess, written to Leslie. And I won't say too much in case you haven't read it, but the letters these kids write are astounding. It's amazing what a child will walk away with.

I have to get to Number the Stars every year. It's a quick read and it's historical fiction so I can--again--tie in a lot of lessons and activities with it. The kids are always on the edge of their seat when I read this book. And I could probably sit all afternoon and listen to their predictions. This novel is perfect for discussing how good readers make predictions. It comes so naturally with this text. And most of the time the kids aren't correct---so it's a great opportunity to talk about when our predictions don't happen. My favorite thing is to be wrong when I make predictions! I love being caught off guard and surprised!! =)

Perhaps my most favorite book to read is Maniac Magee. In fact, I could probably write an entire blog post about it. I choose books to read aloud that I remember from my childhood. But this book was introduced to me by a friend. So the first time I read it was as an adult. I laughed, I cried, I yelled, I smiled. The book does it all. There are so many incredible lessons to be learned from this book. But mostly I like to use the main character, Jeffrey Magee, as a role model. Because he has so many heart-rending things happen to him in this book and he's still the most respectable, honest, admirable child character I've ever read. And he's really clever and quick-witted. If you haven't read this book to your class, you might read it alone first. There are some heavy themes and weighty expressions used which make it an absolutely phenomenal story--but can make others get a little uncomfortable. Every year--it never fails-- I have a parent show up to check a kid out or help with an activity and they come in at the worst time. It'll always be when the bully is attacking Maniac and using some malicious language. I have to assure the parent that in context the words are absolutely necessary. The author, Jerry Spinelli, captures moments and feelings with words like an artist. I usually feel like I'm there with Maniac through the entire story. I feel what he feels. Although it's fiction, deep down I really want to think like Maniac. Jerry Spinelli has written a character that will stay with you forever. Not sure what I mean? Go read it. You'll understand. But beware, it's too good to read just once.

I think I have successfully defined a teacher as a reader with this post. I don't know how many people will read this, but I hope at least one person can walk away from this and read one of those books. And know how important it is to READ! If I didn't read like I do, I probably wouldn't write like I do. It's that engrained in me.

On a lighter note, I am really proud of the USA Ladies Gymnastics team at the Olympics tonight! They are nailing the vault!

Night Night!