Summertime, and the reading is easy...

Summer--to me-- has always meant the luxury of having the time to read. I save stacks of books for the summer when I can just relax and savor my reading. I gather together books whose reviews have intrigued me, those that have been recommended by friends, students, and colleagues, and books on subjects I find interesting. Then I find a cool, comfortable place and jump in.

Through my reading I become a world traveler. I explore new places and "meet" new characters. Often, I find out something I never knew and then explore that subject in many different ways. For example, when I read The Help I became interested in Southern cooking. Then I read some cookbooks devoted to Southern cooking and its history. Before you knew it, I was wrapped up in the culture of the South, the history of cooking in the South, the Civil War, the Civil Rights movement in the South, and a whole host of related topics. You just never know where a book will lead you.

Some people (me included), call that, "education." We who read KNOW things. We are then curious about other things. We experience things outside our everyday lives. We become smart, and knowledge is power; as good a reason to read as any I've ever heard.

This summer I am asking my students to read with me and share their thoughts and reflections on what we've read together. Parents can join in. Teachers are invited too. As a community of readers, we will all add something unique to the conversation.

In memory of Ray Bradbury

Why are school libraries important?

It warms my heart to bring to you this short video from The Center for Digital Learning at Syracuse University. I am privileged to work with my students, and I know that the value my instruction adds to their education will follow them throughout their lives.

Share: From eNews, "Researchers debate gaming's effects on the brain."

The following article raises interesting questions about the effects of gaming on our children's brains. Researchers in the U.K. have found changes in the gray matter of teens who frequently play video games.

Access the article here: http://www.eclassroomnews.com/2012/01/11/researchers-debate-gamings-effects-on-the-brain/

Video games: should they, or shouldn't they? Food for thought.

Share: Isaac Asimov on libraries.

When a town was preparing to open a new library, library officials invited authors to write letters to the library's young patrons about the importance of a library. This was the letter that Isaac Asimov wrote. I am happy to share it as it is as relevant today as it was in 1971.