New York Times Style Section

I cross country skied all weekend, so I did not have a chance to look at the Sunday paper until yesterday evening. One of the first sections I look at is the style section. I was so excited to see the front page. YES! Diary of a Wimpy Kid is styling. Jeff Kinney’s series was featured in a great article by Jan Hoffman. There is also a piece on Jeff Kinney. As I read the article I kept thinking about all the things written about Captain Underpants and Bart Simpson. It is funny how similar it all sounds.

In the end it comes down to a quote from a mom, Debbie Drucker, “He (her son) knows the boys are naughty and not P.C., and he loves that. It’s not a big message books as opposed to the other stuff we try to cram down his throat. I’m just happy to have him read.”

That’s my goal. Get the boys to read! And, hopefully not eat cheese off the playground, no matter what the bet is!

Evan's Dad

Yesterday was the first Guy’s Read of 2009. They were very excited to attack the snacks and sing songs. After about 10 minutes we split up to discuss the books. This meeting turned out to be special because a dad participated in book club. Evan’s dad Mike joined us for discussion. Every month I invited dads to join us and this was the first time. It was fun to have the connection to home. He admitted that he had one chapter left. He was glad at the end of book club that no one gave away the ending. He was excited to go home and finish the book.

I am excited that there is a bigger home and school connection. I hope more dads will come in the future.

Our next book is Knucklehead Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories About Growing Up Scieszka. Most have already read it and talk about their favorite parts. Hopefully there aren’t many electric radiators at home.

My New Look

So everyone is talking about resolutions, and as I wrote earlier I do NOT do them. At the beginning of the school year one of my goals was to make things simple. I played around with different layouts and found one that is simple. I hope you like the new look.

Now if I could just do the same clicking with everything else.

The Wrong Book

Picking books for the book club can be challenging. Finding a book they will all like is something that is in the front of my mind. One Small Step by P.B. Kerr is a great book about the Apollo space program (OK the secret ape space program), and a fantastic book for guys. I learned many things about space travel. For instance, pooping in space is not an easy chore! It is not a challenging read, but there are too many situations that are not appropriate for third graders. Carol wrote on her blog about a Maya Angelou book, and how it is not right for certain ages.

As educators we have to balance appropriate reading for our students without censoring what they read. CENSORING BAD, directing kids to the right book priceless!

2008

It is hard to believe that today is the last day of 2008. I cannot tell a lie it is ending wonderfully. I spent the morning with my friend Carol. We work and live within miles of each other, but it has taken months to actually get together. We spent hours talking about, well about everything. It was nice to see her. She asked “Are you making any resolutions?” The answer is NO! I look forward to the upcoming year. Thank you to all the fellow bloggers that inspire and teach me. Have a fantastic 2009.

Bright Beginnings for Boys: Engaging Young Boys in Active Literacy

Earlier this week my friend Barb gave me an article from the most recent IRA magazine about a new book called Bright Beginnings for Boys: Engaging Young Boys in Active Literacy by Debby Zambo and William G. Bronzo. The joy of technology is that I was able to down load the first chapter from the book. The first chapter is titled Nurturing Young Male Readers. I am not a researcher. I am a practitioner, so this information helps me work with my students.

What I really liked about this chapter is how it addresses capturing boys’ imaginations. Zambo and Bronzo talk about using picture books that have positive male characters (I argue that it must be true in novels and graphic novels too.) and how boys relate to the actions and emotions of the characters. This was very evident in my class this week when I brought out An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco. 25 of my 29 students heard this story last year in second grade. I heard many boys say “this is such a sad story!” When I asked do you want me to read something else the chorus of “NO” was very clear. I agree with the authors that “Thinking about how characters feel allows boys to step outside themselves in to someone else…”

While I read the chapter I thought of the Guys Read book club and how the boys reacted to all the books we have read. Their favorite books are the ones with positive role models (I guess Greg in Wimpy Kid is positive!). They take it outside to role playing their own version of Lightening Thief.

I often hear teachers and parents say “Boys only read non-fiction.” I find this not to be true. I have given the guys many non-fiction books as possible book club books and they have not chosen one. They want the characters.

As I read more of the book I know it will inspire me to post more of my thoughts.

39 Clues: One False Note

I finally finished 39 Clues: One False Note by Gordon Korman. It took me awhile because I was so tired every night. Thankfully it happened before the weekend because Ethan was about ready to just take it out of my bag. There is already a queue of boys waiting for their turn.

I have to admit they are a fun read. I really like how geography and history are embedded in the story. When do you think they will figure out they are learning while having fun finding clues? The only problem with finishing 39 Clues: One False Note now is that the next one is due out until March!

Does it have to be a classic?

Recently a parent asked me why I didn’t pick any of the classics for the Guys Read. I explained that my goal is to introduce the boys to new books. She asked “but don’t you think the old ones are good? How about Red Badge of Courage?”

So, my question is, am I being too narrow in the books we are reading? There are so many wonderful books to choose from. The canon is important, but if we don’t read the new authors how will it ever increase? I, also, think that as they continue in their education they will have enough teachers that will ONLY let them read the classics.

Comment Challenge

I am having fun trying to meet the challenge. It is hard, but I enjoy finding all these new blogs. I entered to win a book at Book Dads. Wish me luck in both winning the book and doing a proper link to their blog.
http://www.bookdads.com/

Thank you The Well-Read Child.

What to do with 20 "guys" that want to discuss books?

Yes, it is hard to believe but last week 20 third and fourth grade boys showed up for book club. I am excited that so many showed, but trying to have a discussion was challenging. When it came time to pick the next book it was a tie. Half the group picked The Navigator by Eion McNamee and the other half picked One Small Step by P.B.Kerr. Since I am always flying by the seat of my pants I said that next time we would meet in two groups. One with me and the other with Mr. Bry, my team teacher. By the way his name is also Kyle! Luckily the next morning he said he would. Wish us luck.

By the way it is nice to have a long weekend. Off to read and enjoy a cup of tea we got in Paris last spring.

don't forget to comment on other blogs!

Finding Just Right Books for Book Club

The last couple of books we read for book club have been a little challenging for some of the guys. The first one Silverfin was exciting, and at their level; but it really is a book for 5th grade and above. The second one is Mariah Mundi The Midas Box by C.P. Taylor. Content and theme is much more 3rd to 6th, but the vocabulary was challenging at times. It is a great book for teaching rich language.

I have started the quest for a few more suggestions for the book club. I have a small stack and have started to read them. I started with Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Kids hate when you laugh while reading silently. They want to know what is so funny. We had a little time on Tuesday before our Parade of Masks and the autumn party. The story is about a science fair at a wealthy middle school where only the wealthy students win. There is more. In the capital city of Krpsht (pronounced “Krpsht”) in a country named the Republic of Krpshtskan the president is planning to destroy the United States. If you couldn’t tell there aren’t many vowels in the language either. I enjoy the book but it is definitely NOT for 3rd and 4th graders. One reference to a “hot” student is OK, but five on one page and it on to the next.

2009 CCIRA Conference

I received the conference registration book this past weekend, and as I looked through it I said "Oh my god what now?". This past spring I submitted a proposal for a session. Carol helped me wordsmith. During the summer I was notified that I was accepted. NOW the moment of truth. I am in the book. Will people sign up? Will it be what they want. I hope so. It is an hour session to talk about setting up a book club and suggested books. I am looking forward to it, but scared.