Good Morning .  I selected this poem today for two reasons:

1.  Yesterday, Rusty the doxie, tryied to eat two mice that our cat, Mocha caught.
2. I love Naomi Shihab Nye’s poetry.

Hello

by Naomi Shihab Nye

Some nights

the rat with pointed teeth

makes his long way back

to the bowl of peaches.

He stands on the dining room table

sinking his tooth

drinking the pulp

of each fruity turned-up face

knowing you will read

this message and scream.

It is his only text,

to take and take in darkness,

to be gone before you awaken

and your giant feet

start creaking the floor.

Please read the rest of the poem here.  Have a wonderful weekend. School starts on Tuesday.  Happy reading.

MsMac

My contribution this week is an original poem, first posted  at Deo Writer .  Inspired by my afternoon ritual of reading in the “outside summer living room”.

 Summer

Fresh air living space
I sit, rest, and watch
Spotted towhees flit here, there
Scrounging the next meal

I sit, rest, and watch
A warm breeze caresses
Wind chimes lull me asleep
My book falls to the ground

A warm breeze caresses
Whirring wings of the hummingbirds
As they send Morse code messages
To each other

The whirring wings of the hummingbirds
Am I dreaming?
A petite energy warehouse
Cupped in my hands and released

Am I dreaming?
Short rapid barks startled me
I awaken. Pick up my book
Surrounded by fresh air living space

Kelly Fineman is hosting the poetry round up today. Head over and read more poetry.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

 I joined ALA (American Library Association) in the spring because I am going to the AASL(American Association of School Libraries) conference in the fall.  ALA sends me emails almost weekly updating current events throughout the country.

This is a current event I did not want to see “Spokane schools halve K–8 librarians’ hours“.   This is the second largest district in the state. My state.  My district(Evergreen Public Schools) is among the largest in the state as well.  How can that be? How can Spokane Public Schools decide to cut the teacher librarian positions to half time at elementary? How can they decide that libraries are not worth maintaining in the district budget? How can a they ignore the data and research that supports that a strong library program supports student achievement?  How can a district ignore that the National Board of Certification for teachers offers national certification of library media specialists?

Our district is experiencing a flat line in student enrollment. Probably for the first time since I started working in the district twenty-nine years ago.  That, of  course, translate into a reduction in funding. Last spring our district cut third grade swimming, driver’s education and went from an overnight out school model to a three day field trip model.  There was good rationale for these cuts but in the end, it does save the district money.  Our Library Advisory team and Advisory Coordinator positions were also cut.  It makes one wonder, “how will the library program be affected?” 

I recently posed that question to our superintendent. He assured me that “libraries should be the hub of literacy and research.”  

I cannot be like Chicken Little, waiting for the sky to fall. I will work this year (as I do every year) to make certain that our library is the hub of activity. I will make certain that I am available to support students and staff when I am not teaching classes.  I will be doing my part to  support the “$21-million state-budget request to fully fund school library media programs in every K–12 school…. $20 per K–8 student and $25 per high-schooler to provide an acceptable level of school-library resources for Washington’s school-age children.”

I hope our district will see the value that the library program provides for its students and staff.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

I am savoring the final days of the summer as much as possible. Monday I drove to the coast with a book club member.  We met with a few of our group to look at potential titles for the upcoming year.

I have one conclusion to this process.  There are too many books to read!! The book store owner brought out books and more books.  What I like about being in a book club is that I read books that I sometimes would never choose.  One books we picked, Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson, would not be a book I would autmatically choose to read.

I am hopeful that we will read Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Lainin Taylor.  I hosted a launch party for her with my book group.  I think it might end up on the list.

The owner of Beach Books (the bookstore) lets patrons choose from the ARCs they get. She asks that you give feedback. I was delighted to get a new book From Jennifer L. Holm, Middle School is Worse that Meatloaf. Laugh out loud funny!! The story is told from the point of view of Ginny, a seventh grader who has an older delinquent brother and a younger pesty brother. 

It is the new breed of book, quite visual but not a picture book. Elicia Castaldi is the illustrator and uses collages. Between the subject matter, the story told somewhat in poetry form and the visuals, reluctant readers will not be intimidated. 

I know that many fifth graders worry about middle school. This title should make them laugh.  Can’t wait for it to come out.

I leave Sunday for the final big vacation of the  summer.  Four days at the coast with my family and grandkids.  Looking forward to some reading time.  Hope you do the same.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

I just love Valeris Worth’s all the small poems and fourteen more.  I wish she was still with us to write more.

I was planning on sharing the one called “library” since I am gearing up for school but then saw “book”.  I love the images in that so enjoy:

book

Such a
Bountiful
Box of
Tricks:
Packed
With the
Five senses,
The seven
Seas, the
Earth’s
Four winds
And corners,
All fitted
Exactly in.

Find a book today and enjoy!! Happy Reading.

MsMac

I met with the coordinator of the district support group for the National Board Candidates yesterday.   Writing. I will be doing a lot of writing this year.  Technical writing about my teaching practice. That is why I am excited about this adventure.  I will be writing about how my teaching has an impact on student learning along with demonstrating knowledge about the following: 

What Library Media Specialists Know                  
Knowledge of Learners                  
Knowledge of Teaching and Learning                  
Knowledge of Library and Information Studies

What Library Media Specialists Do                  
Integrating Instruction                  
Leading Innovation through the Library Media Program                  
Administering the Library Media Program

How Library Media Specialists Grow as Professionals                  
Reflective Practice                  
Professional Growth                  
Ethics, Equity, and Diversity                  
Leadership, Advocacy, and Community Partnerships 

I read these standards and think to myself, I should be able to articulate what I believe, what I practice, and what I know.  To obtain certification, I will show evidence through lessons and student work how I do the above.  A videotaped lesson with a pan of my library is another requirement.  I will write about a maximum of eight accomplishments in the last five years as it relates to student learning. Finally after all that is sent away for review, I take a writing assessment with scenarios given.   

The conversation began yesterday with the statement that the design of the National Boards is exactly for a teacher like me. One with experience and one reflective in their practice.  That was encouraging to hear.  I know I would not be interested if I had to take a multiple-choice exam to be certified. 

So we meet six hours a month as a large group to work, get tips, check to see if we are on  pace.  It is rigorous and the expectation is not to miss meetings.  Meeting with other candidates weekly is a recommendation. 

I feel much supported in this process. I understand that Washington
State has a high rate of success.  That the district provides an opportunity for teachers to gather and work is fabulous. 

Going off to organize my notebooks.  I promise to update along the way.  I am sure that not all posts as cheery as this one. Please remind me to re-read this post.

Thank you for the words of support as I begin.  Happy Reading.

MsMac

 I set some lofty goals for myself earlier.  Thought I would check in on how it is going. Summer vacation is rapidly closing in on me.

 Misadventures of Maude Marcheby Audrey Couloumbis (finish reading)
I finished it and loved the adventureness of the story.
Giant Rat of Sumatra by Sid Fleischman
Have on order. Awaiting arrival.
Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Finished in one sitting yesterday.  It is really suspenseful.
The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley
Finished. Am thinking how to book talk it so that kids will pick it up. I liked it but I like fairy tales.
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale not read
Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach not read
Chicken Boy by Frances O’Roark Dowell
I enjoyed this. I wonder about its readership with fourth and fifth graders. Will play up the whole idea of raising chickens.
Scarecrow and his Servant by Phillip Pullman not read
A Dog’s Life by Ann Martin not read
Whittington by Alan Armstrong (finish reading) not finished
Owen Foote: Mighty Scientist by Stephanie Greene  not read
Airball: My Life in Briefs by L.D. Harkrader not read
Stumptown Kidby Carol Gorman  not read
The Day Joanie Frankenhauser Became a Boy by Francess Lin Lantz
not read
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell not read
The Diary of Anne Frank not read
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrew Edwards
not read
Harriet the Spy by not read
The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
Started re-reading last night
The White Mountains by John Christopher not read Okay, I have not done well and still have many to read before August 28th (when staff needs to report)

But I have also read:
Poetry Matters. Ralph Fletcher
The Glass Castle. Jeannette Walls
The Year of Magical Thinking. Joan Didion
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. J.K. Rowling
Ana’s Story. Jenna Bush

So I will buckle down, get those books read. Try not to be distracted by other titles not on the list. I will check in later this month with another update. By the way, have you discovered Good Reads?  It is an awesome way to track what you are reading and to let friends know.

What’s on your nightstand?

Happy Reading.

MsMac

I overslept this morning.  Normally I up between 5-6 AM even during the summer months. But today, the bed felt good, the dreams were good so I lingered. 

Please know that Miss Rumphius is doing the Poetry Round-up today.  I did the round up last week.

My poem today is about comfort. I originally posted it at Deowriter. But it seems appropriate in light of the tragedy in Minneapolis this week. 

Water Lily, Oregon Garden, July 2007

memory filled light
comfort held in blossom’s heart
tranquil surrender

My heart goes out to you, Minneapolis.

Happy Reading.
MsMac

PS I think this poem will be featured at Knocking from the Inside on August 11th. Tiel is hosting the weekly “Ringing of the Bards”.

The first of August always seems like New Year’s Day. A new school year beginning.  It has to be August because I have sat in school meetings when September first rolls around.

I love the beginning of a new year.  I went by school yesterday to check on the fish tanks. There was a disaster waiting to happen; one tank needed a severe water change.  So the five minute stop in turned into forty-five minutes. 

Usually there is a flurry of activity but not yesterday.  It seems that work has come to a dead halt for whatever reason.  This in a summer when we are getting new carpet, new vinyl and new bathrooms.  So what has ben done? Part so fo the vinyl and the carpet are torn up, toliets are removed (I know, had to use one) but it makes me wonder how anyone will be able to work in their room before the end of August.

You see, we are expected to return to school the end of August.  We all want our rooms and spaces to look nice when the kids arrive.  Not much time for that the last week in August. Those days are for meetings.  So it will be nteresting to see when the flooring and bathroom projects will be done.

But back to school is not only about physical space. It is about a new year, new ideas, and goals.  I have instructed my good friends to get a sheperds’s hook and pull me aside the year I return to school without new ideas and goals for the year. 

So this year, I am going to take the National Board Certification for Library Media Specialists.  I decided to so this summer.  A friend in Idaho planted a seed (probably unknowingly) followed by a conversation with another library media specialist who is on board to take it.  This is my thirty-fourth year of teaching. I am watching friends and colleagues retire. I need a challenge because retirement is a ways away for me.  Nobody has to get out the sheperd’s hook yet.

Happy Reading.

MsMac