August. Season of county (and state) fairs, hot weather, our wedding anniversary (Happy 1 year Thad), and the inevitable "end" of summer. I get to report back to school on Thursday while students get a few more days of freedom. While I bemoan the end of summer I do admit I am quite excited for the school year. I get to start my new position of part time high school media specialist, reading strat teacher and 7th grade speech teacher. One of these I have done before (reading strat) all others are new territory. This fills me with both excitement and fear. Excitement as it is something new and wonderful to learn, fear as I feel like I have no idea what I am doing.
I was a city public librarian for a few years while I finished my teaching certificate. I loved it, this led me to decide after teaching English for a few years (11th grade- non AP), that I wanted to get back into the library. After completing my 3rd year of English, and having only just begun my classes I was given the opportunity to switch to this position. I should feel comfortable as I have had experience in the public sector of this position, yet I feel I haven't been able to shadow or experience what it will be like in the school setting. I have gone to school several times in July and August, but I still have no idea where to begin or how to prepare. It is safe to assume that everything will work out, I'll figure out what to do eventually, but like many of the students, it simply makes me nervous for the school year to begin.
Book Review
I recently just finished the book Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver for a book club in which I belong. This is good as I need to start delving into the abundance of YA lit that is available and that my students will devour through the year. This book will probably appeal mostly to female audiences, but that doesn't mean men shouldn't give it a chance. The book follows the main character of Samantha, a high school senior and 3 of her friends. The girls are the popular girls in school and after a night of partying, get into a car accident. Samantha is able to relive this day over and over (think Groundhog day) until she is able to get it right. Reading it, at times it made me cringe as the girls are quite vicious to some of their peers and it is sad to know that things like this do go on. There is the tradition teenage romance fluff, parent/sibling relationships, etc, yet I thought it read quickly and had some poignant morals the main character realizes in her journey.
I have just started Sarah Dessen's Just Listen, and then will hope to tackle the Nebraska Golden Sower nominees. I hope to review them all if you care to know about a few good reads in the young adult department.
No comments:
Post a Comment