Miscellaneous Missives

These aren't all my final thoughts of 2018 that ended in ways I never expected, but these are those final stats things I always do. I didn't know where to put the book of poems or this essay by Jason Reynolds, but both were on the top of some list.  At some point I will play the audio version of For Everyone to my classes. I made my goal for reading this year.  It's not that impressive when I think about the amount of YA I read, but the YA this year was phenomenal. Typically, I post my bike mileage, but the app didn't give me the fun graphics it typically does, but I road the fewest miles since 2014 (1855.48).  I'm going to blame it on the weather (seriously, this year's fall riding stopped in September). Finally, I completed the 10,000 Swing Challenge  from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and I'm proud of this.  I added weight as I went and feel stronger.  I'm hoping in will propel me into more fitness goals in the new year.

Once again in alphabetical order... Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain:  Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta Lynn Hammond Although I didn't agree with Hammond with every aspect of this book, she does look at the teen brain and combines ideas of rigor and being culturally engaged with students. Disrupting Thinking:  Why How We Read Matters by Kylene Beers, Robert Probst I actually implemented the BHH (Book, Head, Heart) framework the first week of school after reading this book.  Probst and Beers always give information that can be used in class with students.  It Won't be Easy:  An Exceedingly Honest (and Slightly Unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching by Tom Rademacher This was one of the first books I read this summer after a difficult year at school.  I appreciated his honesty about the teaching profession.  More importantly, I appreciated the humor. Pus...

2018 was an amazing year for young adult books, and one doesn't need to be a young adult to enjoy this list (again, in alphabetical order). The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater It seemed like I was on hold for this book forever, so people must be reading it.  I'm surprised (not surprised) that this is a true story.  Two teens from different background are riding the bus when their lives are forever changed.  Read it.  I don't want to spoil anything After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay A student had this book under her desk.  I picked it up, and it looked interesting.  It was a great find.  It shows the life and complications of student athletes, teens and friendships.  Between the Lines by Nikki Grimes Darrian wants to be a writer.  This novel shows different perspectives through poetry.  All of the students in this class bring their struggles out in the form of poetry. Dear Martin by Nic Stone I think everyone probably read this...

' This list is in alphabetical order. Dopesick:  Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America  by Beth Macy Although I know of the problems of opioid addiction, this was an interesting read.  The drug companies have really caused the latest heroin epidemic.  I realize I knew this before, but the stories explained it vividly. My Own Devices:  Essays from the Road on Music, Science, and Senseless Love  by Dessa I read this because Dessa was coming for Talking Volumes and loved it.  In fact, it's a book I might read again.  Plus after listening to her speak about the book and reading about her music, I've become a fan of her music. Tell Me How it Ends:  An Essay in Forty Questions by Valerie Luiselli Luisellli literally uses forty questions to undocumented children as they are about to be deported.  It was a great reminder that life in the United States is difficult as is life in their homeland.  We Should...

The list is in alphabetical order. American Street by Ibi Zoboi Although this book is fiction, I feel it does a great job what it must be like to be a Hatian immigrant in the United States.   A Gentleman in Moscow by Trivion Books Although I found it weird that someone could be put on house arrest in a hotel, I loved all the characters in this charming story,  It was a delight to read. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Packed with emotional and physical abuse, this novel shows a family in pain.  I felt I could understand the characters (most) and their actions.  It was a great story. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Perhaps it was the plot twists and bizarre events that made me like this book.   The Rent Collector by Cameron Wright I think I liked this book because of the importance of literature and reading to the characters.  Wright's novel also showed impoverished life in Cambodia. Sing, Unbu...

First, it seems I've neglected this blog.  I'm not sure what it will look like in 2019, but here's a post for 2018. January A friend and I participated in the No Human is Illegal.  This was a year of marching and trying to find positives in our current political situation. February It seems February was uneventful.  Wing Young Huie came back to my classroom for another visit.  The students and I always enjoy his visits. March The P!nk concert was amazing.  I love P!nk!    April As usual, I did #30daysofbiking in April.  This year's April was tougher than usual due to the massive amounts of snow.  April also brought the BRR ride in Georgia and Alabama and the devastation of the recent tornado. May After taking the previous year off, I returned to the golf course in May.  I actually did better than expected, but it's not like getting back on a bike.    June June brought more biking.  The Bacoon...

Last Friday I saw my principal's new Nikes that match our school colors.  She told me they were on sale at Dick's, so I went upstairs to order my new shoes.  I literally sat in the hall ordering the shoes and asking students if they wanted to see the new shoes I was ordering.  My new shoes came Tuesday afternoon, so I wore them Wednesday to school.  Plus, I put them on Snapchat and Instagram and perhaps in a message to a friend on messenger.  Unfortunately, they look cool, but they're not super supportive.  It's OK.  I wore them again today to match my school spirit wear.  In fact, at least six people at school also bought the shoes and wore them today.  Four of us had pictures taken with our new shoes, but I didn't think they'd want to be on my blog.  Check our our school t-shirts that say, "You Matter." The second week of school went smoothly, and it wasn't only because of my new shoes.  We're reading Seedfolks this week,...