In Progress

Seriously. I have so many books and magazines and other 'reading' endeavors half begun. I have high hopes of finishing them all (with the goal of beginning even more reading projects).

Currently, partially through Little Women (a free classic on my Kindle). Started This Present Darkness (Frank Peretti), which I think I have read in the past. I have Paris to the Moon partially started, but will have to go back to the beginning to remember what is going on in the novel. Almost done with the Book of Acts (Bible) and ready to go back and read about Joseph in the Old Testament. Started The Best Cat Ever, but couldn't really get into, which means I may give it one more try to see if it clicks. If not, it's hasta la vista baby - going on the book exchange web site. About half way done with Streams in the Desert (can only read one page a day, as it's a devotional). I would be in the middle of the June Missions Mosaic, except, again, I have misplaced the current month's issue. I have May and I have July, but June has jumped my ship of stacked and readable goods. Just finished Good Housekeeping. The July issue of Martha arrived yesterday, and it looks good. Making good headway through Classroom Management (for a class I'm taking). That is not it. But I'm embarrassed to say how many more reading projects I have lined up...

C'est tres normal for me. I LOVE reading. I LOVE words and plays on words. Written texts draw me in. Zip. I'm there. I once had my administrator say, as we were discussing one of my text oriented students, "Look at that poster. Now either you look at it and notice the pictures, or you notice the words."

I always notice the words first. That's my label. Text oriented.

I have it. My new career goal is to be a professional reader. Yes. I like that idea. Any ideas how to start that one and actually get paid for it?

Guess I'll have to read up on it.

Yay! Just found the June Missions Mosaic. Right here on my desk. Better get busy.

Frankie Works the Night Shift

Frankie Works the Night Shift by Lisa Westberg Peters (Greenwillow Books, 2010).




I just discovered this fabulous book! If you love cats, children, and enticing illustrations, this is definitely for you. Even if you only slightly enjoy the above, you will have a fun time reading Frankie Works the Night Shift.

Frankie (aka night watch cat at a hardware store) is on the prowl. Part adventure, part comedy, part counting book, this must have book was loved by my current audience of 6 year-olds.



I shall be hunting this book down for my own library. I know two grandbabies and many, many future students who will love Frankie as I do.

Going to the Olympics, Uh-huh

Yes, indeed, I am heading to the Olympics. THE Olympics. August. London, England. Kind of thinking hot and humid and sweaty and crowded (that last one could be a severe UNDERstatement) but who cares? It's London AND the Olympics!

How exciting is that?

In preparation for my trip, I found a great picture book about London at a recent library visit. Can't do London without some great photographs thrown in.

United Kingdom, Country Explorers, by Madeline Donaldson (Lerner Publications Company, 2011) is a great book. Written at an elementary level, it's a quick and informative read. And like I said, it has great photos. The book also explains some history of the United Kingdom and covers a broad base of general information. Perfect for someone who is going to the Olympics.

Like moi.

Christmas in Williamsburg

Christmas in Williamsburg, 300 Years of Family Traditions by K.M. Kostyal with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (National Geographic Society, 2011).

Yes. I know it's May. Not even May 31st. But I took a field trip recently with my kinder students to visit a local library where one of the mom's is a librarian.

And guess what I found? A very cool book put out by National Geographic. So, Christmas in May. :) Since I've been to this historic town, it was a little like revisiting a favorite stopping place. Except we went in the summer. And it was nice outside. And they weren't decorated for Christmas.

But still, it was colonial Williamsburg! For someone who spends 99.9% of her time on the west coast, that is pretty cool.

(Mr. Q. on the phone while gazing down the streets of Colonial Williamsburg.)

This book is filled with history and connections to the past and present. Christmas traditions are explained. Photographs, sketches, and artwork decorate the pages. Written for children and adolescents (and history loving Nana's), this book is delightful. Included are many do-it-yourself projects and recipes. Excellent!

I truly enjoyed my mini-vacation into Christmas.

(Don't know what I was thinking, but this is the ONE photo of myself in C.W., sitting next to a historical figure in bronze. Just can't remember who it was.)

I have to remember to recheck out the book around the beginning of November. When I am decking my own halls and re-establishing our Quantrell family traditions.

P.S. Can you see yours truly in the reflection on Christmas in Williamsburg?

Wins - By a Hand

"If he grows into his paws, this guy is going to be HUGE."

Those were my thoughts as I traced the hands of one of my students. Reminded me of the old saying about dogs. This guy had pretty large hands. It will be interesting to see how tall he gets.

Mother's Day is upon us next Sunday, so kindergartners are busily preparing for our Mother's Tea. Prep includes card making, cleaning of desks, making of gifts, decorating...That's how I came to notice the big paws of one of my little guys.

We made Mother's Day cards from a project listed in From the Hands of A Child, Special Seasonal Art Activities for Primary Children by Anthony Flores (David S. Lake Publishers, 1987). We turned the flower basket (complete with green hands for flower stems) into a Mother's Day greeting. They are exceptionally cute.

This book is great for hand-sy ideas. I had to trace the parts for my students, but older can do their own pre-craft work.

Thumbs up for this book! (and pinkies and pointers and ring fingers...)

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes

Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, Art by James Dean

I LOVE this book! My students LOVE this book! The soundtrack for it is awesome.

Pete the Cat has some cool white shoes. But they don't stay white. And Pete is cool with that, because it's all good.

Once you listen to this book on CD and check out the neat illustrations, the song and words will be burned into your memory. My kinders cannot help but jump up and move to the music when we have this book playing.

Don't want to ruin the ending for you. We created our own guitar props and added a tail, ears, kitty nose, and whiskers to our bodies to become like Pete the Cat. And then we went walking down the street...

Best Friend

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." John 15:13

Approximately 2000 years ago today, my best Friend did this.

He willingly and painfully gave up His life for me, His friend. Me, who wouldn't be born for over 2000 years. He, who is master of all time, space, and eternity, chose to take the hard way. For me.

For you.

His name is Jesus. The Name above ALL Names. Not some names. Not a few. Not just the pretty people (or the poor or the wise or the silly or this or that group). All.

"For God so loved the world (the WHOLE world, meaning the people on the whole world, including those in the past, present, and future) that He gave His one and only Son (ONE means 1, not any other number; only means ONLY), that whoever (WHO EVER, anyone can choose to believe, but choose they must do, just as Christ CHOSE to die for us) believes in Him shall not perish (ie: spend all time beyond death in separation from God) but have eternal life (that's a long time folks, eternity, to infinity and beyond)." John 3:16

Thank you, Jesus, for choosing me. And us.