When we pause to celebrate, we find the joy.
A week filled with moments to celebrate and remember!
1. Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
I finally convinced my book club group to read this classic which I've never read (even though I've seen the movie and the play). I enjoyed hosting, and we had an interesting discussion, complete with my mother's first person account of how their family went on the road as migrant farm workers to Colorado and New Mexico when she was twelve years old. They left a couple in charge of their farm in Oklahoma and their efforts allowed my grandfather to save his farm when many had to leave.
2. Digital Natives
I subbed two days this past week. When I wasn't sure how to get the technology functioning, I asked Whitney, a neighboring teacher. She picked up the controls and started punching buttons. I'm always surprised by this behavior
from digital natives, but it worked. Note to self:
Don't fear the discovery method of learning!
3. Poetry Friday
I subbed in 8th grade Social Studies on Friday so I shared the picture book, One Today by Richard Blanco and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. I love that some of the students recognize the illustrator's name. If you haven't seen the book yet, run to your local indie bookstore and pick up a copy to revisit this poem written by Richard Blanco and delivered at Barack Obama's second presidential inauguration. Dav Pilkey's lush illustrations add a gorgeous backdrop to the words of this patriotic poem.
I also shared Tara's Poetry Friday post with some of my colleagues. Several wrote to tell me how much they loved and enjoyed the Pablo Neruda poem she shared.
4. Autumn leaves and sunsets
It's been awhile since I stopped by Slater Park to savor a few moments with phone in hand to capture the setting sun. Glad I stole a few moments yesterday.
I admire anyone willing to sub. I think that sometimes it is more challenging to sub than to teach a class regularly. Your fall pics are pretty. We had our first snow today. It melted quickly.
ReplyDeleteRamona, Glad you snuck over to the park and shot those great photos. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading and loving Grapes of Wrath....although I can't remember a thing about it now! I love the term digital natives. I moderated a district chat the other night and no one chatted except tech people. I felt very lonely, but thankful for the natives too. Love the pics as always.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a happy week, Ramona. I need to see that Richard Blanco book! Happiest of Thanksgivings to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThe books you mentioned are great and I hope people will pick them out. If you loved, One Today, read Richard Blanco's memoir and mini-poetry book For All of Us, Today.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love those pictures. All our trees are now bare. Thanks for sharing that Richard Blanco book, too, Ramona - How did I miss this?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I need to grab that Blanco book. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteYour post fills me with ideas. Your photos are beautiful and I am reminded how seeing water makes me feel so good. I am not familiar with One Today and am going to look for it. And like you, I just loved the poem that Tara shared. I posted it on my facebook page and got a number of private messages and emails from friends who were struck by it. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
ReplyDeleteRamona, I did take sunset # 4 for Autumn's Gallery with credit to you. Thanks for suggesting that I take a photo to grace the gallery.
ReplyDelete