August 20, 2005

so many books, so little time

on one of my sweltering NY afternoons,  needing a short break from the heat i took a quick look inside a bookstore.  i headed over to the young adult section to see what was new and the "old fashion" looking cover of a newly released book caught my eye.

The Penderwicks: a summer tale of  four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy.  by Jeanne Birdsall.  in brief  it's about  four sisters and their father who head off for their summer holiday expecting a rundown cottage and find themselves in a beautiful estate with magic, gardens, attics ,rabbits.....and a boy, the owner's son who is ready for great adventures.  it's a summer they will never forget. 

forget the kids!  i wanted to read it!!!  (i'm the one who didn't read the Anne of Green Gables Boxed Set until i was in my late 20"s).

well, i had to buy it.  but, i don't really have time to read it.  truth is i have about six, or more books on my "to read" list.  and at the moment  i'm having difficulty keeping up with my book group.  so today i got this great idea.  i thought, i'll start reading it to my 6th graders as i have time over the next few weeks.  i figure, it's still summer for a few more weeks, so it is still a timely read and even tho this is something they would NEVER read on their own i find they really do like a good read.  it worked with Wrinkle in Time last year.  they complained about that for the first few pages but then LOVED it.  plus, the beginning of the school year is a great time to start out with something a little extra like this.

so i will give it a try.  i won't know till i try.  that's kind of the way it is with most of what i do in my job.  try it and see if it works.  see if what you try reaches somebody.

Posted by lkg at 03:20:37 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

April 28, 2005

this job is not for the weak

sometimes i don't think that my job is fit for humans.  today was one of those days. 

it is true that teaching can be very rewarding.  it is true that you touch lives and the future everyday.  it is true that there are students out there that truly come to school to get an education.  but it is also true that many times i am an overpaid babysitter for children that are too old for a babysitter.

today was one of those days.

could be the time of year (did i mention that i have 25 class days left)!  could be that the weather is getting warmer.  could be, but bottom line is that the students i had difficulty with today are some of the same one that i have had difficulty with always.

comes with the job i guess.

in the meantime i sit here at home trying to unwind and relax.  get into "a zen place", which by the way i've tried to find at work. 

my peach/ginger tea is good.  my spa garden cd is soothing.  and i have a facial scheduled for next week.

all we can do is hang on!

Posted by lkg at 00:54:37 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |