Mrs.+Stout

I've had a very busy summer. Lots of golf, travel, grandson, and fun with friends. I may be the Out-To-Lunch-Queen. My goal for reading this summer is to complete both pleasure reading and professional reading.

Pleasure reading:
 * //Most Wanted Man// by John LeCarre. I read this book on a an unexpectedly long (two day) series of flights from London, England. It's a great spy story by one of the best espionage writers
 * //Independent People// by Haldor Laxness. This is a long book about 19th century Icelandic sheep farmers and their commitment to owning their own farms. Sounds exciting, doesn't it. Well, it's not. Everyone is tired, stubborn, pretty mean, and always hungry. But they do write poetry in their heads and their preoccupation with gossip is funny. The author won a Nobel prize and the book was very highly reommended on NPR. So far it's pretty slow going.

Professional Reading
 * Two books from Mr. Mirich dealing with Professional Learning Communities. Haven't even started them yet.
 * //Differentiated Instruction: A Guide for Middle and High Schools.// This book answers many of my questions about how to meet the academic needs of students who learn differently, have different interests and background knowledge....and all of whom need to meet standards and pass Big Tests. It's a good book and I will use it a lot with my job.

I've read a lot of magazines this summer. "The New Yorker "comes every week, "Harpers" comes every month and does my good friend "Oprah." My sister gives me her "Read Simple" and I read "Newsweek" on line. I also pick the long line at the grocery store so I can read "People" while I wait. (BTW. Did you know Michael Jackson DIED??)

____________________________________________

AUGUST 3, 2009 Well....//Independent// People just simply got too tiresome. So back to the library it goes! I did get the new Steig Larrson book called //The Girl Who Played with Fire,// which is the second book in a series by a Swedish author who died right after his finished them. It is a very violent book that I simply can not recommend to middle school students. However, adults who enjoy a thriller may have either book of mine.

I'm also reading the //Brief and Wonderful Life of Oscal Wao.// It's a great book about Latin immigrants on the East coast.

The professional reading is coming along nicely. I've not found them as engrossing as the novels, but important for next year.