Now that you have taken the time to go through all of your closets, and attics and basements and anywhere else you could find items for your Bio Book Bags, what does this collection say about you as a reader? As a writer? Choose one of the items from your bag and do a quick write on it...right here on the computer...right NOW! This is not something you have to draft and revise, just let your thoughts flow as you explore the corners of your mind to discover how this item influenced you and who you are today in terms of attitude, your teaching, your likes and dislikes. Have some fun with this. Here is mine as a model.
My Winnie the Pooh cookbook makes me think of my Nana. Nana was the one person in my life who really saw me as her "favorite". How do I know this? I know this because of the way I felt when I was with her. She listened to me and really heard what I was saying about what I liked and what I didn't like. Her gifts, which include this cookbook and my Raggedy Ann and Andy chalk board, were gifts that "showed" how she knew me in a way nobody else seemed to. Somehow she knew that I loved to bake and that this cookbook would be something I would always treasure. The chalkboard was something that validated my desire to one day be a teacher, but it was even more than that because at that time in my life I was an avid collector of Raggedy Ann and Andy. Anything with Raggedies on them...I HAD to have!It was not just the gifts, but the fact that she really listened to me and would take the time to hear what I had to say. This meant the world to me and now that I think about it, that is one of the things that I carry with me as an educator...a teacher...a mom. To listen, to really listen when someone is talking shows that they matter. It shows that their thinking, their thoughts, and their ideas count. Yes, that is what my Nana showed me. She showed me the power of someone hearing you out and truly listening to what is in your heart.
That is my quick write. Notice how I get "off track" a little bit. THAT is what a quick write is! Just start writing and see where it takes you. I had NO idea that was where I was going. Quick writes ask us to follow our stream of consciousness...to make connections where there might have been none. It is a way for us to discover what it is that we did not know before. I never thought about my Nana in this way before and it clarifies my great love for her!!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteSo now we find out Tomasen's a PLUSHY. I was also a great fan of Raggedy Ann and her sailor suited beau. One of my favorite books was, Raggedy Ann and Andy Visit Cookieland. It was a cult favorite, never quite breaking into the New York Times top 100. However, after getting my tonsils yanked, this get well gift from Gran was my number 1 for about a year. I scuffled about in my footies imploring anyone taller than four feet to read it to me. I was prone to croup and congestion, so I have vivid memories of my poor, high school-aged brother, Fred, sitting on my bed with me, the Vicks vaporizor whistling away, reading about two yarn haired dolls running for their lives from Hookie the Goblin through a maze of flavored icicles in something called the grotto. I was relentless in my quest to have this one tour de force read to me every single night, so... I don't know if it was brotherly devotion or sheer desperation, but he saved up his babysitting money and bought me a new adventure, Raggedy Ann in the Happy Meadow. (No Andy, they must have been on a break.) What a disappointment. First, Ann couldn't pull off carrying the book solo. She was lost without Andy. (Sort of like Jennifer Anisten's career without David Schwimmer.) Also there was no villain in this story. The story lacked tension without an evil character chasing her around. The Happy Meadow actually had no plot. It had Ann listlessly traipsing around this pastoral limbo land, only to importune various fairies and nymphs living under mushrooms to sing trite songs and enjoy the beauty of nature. By chapter two, I convinced my brother to abandon this treacle and go back to the more reliable Cookieland. And, recognizing my early potential as literary critic, he did- though, no one was happier than he when I learned to read toward the end of kindergarten, thus allowing him to avoid a similar debacle with Yertle the Turtle.
In my last blog, I mentioned that I found three different journals that I had kept. Two of them have decorative covers with spiral binding. The black journal with a sun painted on the cover is the one I used to document my journey to Montana in 2007. On the first few pages, I wrote about the ten hour days I spent riding in my 2006 Corolla with my father. He had mapped the entire trip with AAA. Since my father drove most of the time, I was the co-pilot. My map-reading abilities were put to the test. My biggest struggle was navigating us back onto the highway when we took a wrong exit in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteEven though the landscapes and sights were amazing, I enjoyed the time that we spent together. We stayed at a hotel from a differnt chain every night. After we bought some groceries or ate a sit-down dinner, we would each relax in our own way at the hotel. My father looked over the maps for the next day. I wrote in my journal, called my new boyfriend, Josh, and watched my two favorite teeny bopper shoes on the WB. I especially liked catching my father up on the events of the entire season up to that point.
Each morning, we awoke in our hotel room and got ready for the day. Since we brought a 4 cup coffee pot with us, my father would make me a cup of coffee and pack up our belongings, while I showered. It was really handy for me to have my morning coffee fixed just right and handed to me. I felt like a princess! When I was ready for the day, my father was ready to get in the car. I remember leaving our hotel between 5:30 amd 6 each morning.
It is interesting that I can reread the journal to relive my experience in Montana with my Aunt Kathy and my cousin Michelle, who I had initially driven from Maine to visit. I can also just reread the first few pages and enjoy those five days I spent with my father. I remember the music we listened to, the places we stopped to visit along the way, and even some of the conversations that we had. Most of all, I remember the warmth of the closeness that we had during that time. I really felt as if I knew him as a person.
As I looked through, and thought about, my journey with books it was very fun to associate different literature with the memories they generated.
ReplyDeleteAs a young child (pre-school) I distinctly remember going to a neighbor’s house on a regular basis and immediately heading for the bookshelf that housed the precious little leather-bound book, with colorful little paintings, of “Who Killed Cock Robin” and asking Mrs. Scannell to read it to me. I remember she lived in a second floor apartment in a large farmhouse where several generations of this large family resided. There was something very cozy and welcoming about the whole environment and sitting on her big comfy couch hearing this book. As I read the book today I can’t imagine why it would have been appealing to a young child and wonder if it was the total package that seemed so great.
There was, of course, the “impress the smart boyfriend with what I was reading” phase. That’s when I read “1984”, “Crime and Punishment” and “No Exit”, among others. I read them for the wrong reasons but when all was said and done I realized I enjoyed them and they made me think at a level that was new for me at the time.
I have known for most of my adulthood that I am a nonfiction reader, but never really gave much thought to my childhood reading choices until this exercise.
It seems the books that left a lasting impression from a fairly young age were nonfiction.
This leaning toward nonfiction continues today. I have been aware of my preference and over the years have belonged to book clubs that have forced me to stretch myself into reading more fiction. That being so I have come to realize there’s allot of fiction out there that I enjoy. In my profession I spend allot of my reading time with children’s picture books and children’s chapter books. Interestingly though I find even when I’m reading these books the ones I enjoy the most are historical fiction, or at least books that could be based on facts.
I wanted to respond to some of the questions posed about my BioBag.
ReplyDeleteThe Highland Cook Book I bought many years ago. I use the Shortbread recipe on New Year's for a Scottish tradition that I can't spell. Three of my grandparents were born in Scotland--it is a way for me to connect to my heritage.
Dick and Jane, I have few memories of the stories; they were a bit lackluster. I do remember the illustrations more. They remind me of the idealized image of the 1950's like Father Knows Best in print.
Good Night Moon was representative of the many books I read to my son. My mother read to me as a child. I always felt a closeness to my mother when I read to Seth. It was a way to honor her memory as a loving parent.
I enjoy reading different genre. I gravitate towards adventure and mystery. Some of my favorite authors are Christie, Ludlum, Crichton, Clancy. I enjoyed Jrassic Park, but I think my favorite Crichton book is Congo.
I love reading and learning about new ideas, new perspectives.
I will always remember one of my older sisters, Mary Ellen, reading Winnie-the-Pooh to me at bedtime every night. I can picture what the room looked like - a double bed which took up most the room, a big dresser with a mirror, pink and white bedding (that does not sound like my house at all). Of course, I also "remember" jumping down whole flights of stairs when I was little and being told I could not go to Kindergarten, both of which have been disputed by my mother and older siblings. Actually, I don't remember that the room I'm thinking of was a room where I ever slept - where did we all sleep in that little apartment, anyway?
ReplyDeleteAs I type this, I'm realizing that my sister Mary played a huge part in my literate life, only beginning with Winnie-the-Pooh, but continuing with many gifts of very special books throughout my life. Though she is 11 years older than I am, I remember well the letters we exchanged over the years. There are times in my life that I'm not sure I would have gotten through without her and, by far, she valued education and literacy more than anyone else in my family.
I went through my bio-bookbag yesterday and saw the note from Jen, asking "what is this all about?".... Well, Squeeze this Mr. Whpple.... is one of my favorite books of all time! Why because it's what got me hooked on PR. At this point the only real thing I remember from the book is that food doesn't have to be real when you see it in a commercial. Hamburger, fake. Fries, fake. Shakes, fake. It's all about beauty. Food needs to look appetizing, not real! There are plenty of days when i think about what I chose not to do by going to graduate school and getting an Elementary Ed. degree. I gave up newsletters, PR, copy editing, publishing, technical writing, etc. I miss it. I miss creating and I know that I create in different ways in what I do now, but it isn't the same. As an educator, my PR degree means a lot to me. I think about following your dream and looking for passion. I didn't go to college looking to do PR, in fact I started in early childhood education, it wasn't until I had three other majors that I realized PR was what I wanted to do. I hope to instill passion in my students. i want them to be successful, dedicated and excited about what they take on...
ReplyDeleteHello Bloggers,
ReplyDelete2nd try, yesterday's vanished, not signed in?
I don't know...
Kate, I love your theatrical writing style! I am putting our mutual favorite weird Christmas book in your mailbox the day after Thanksgiving so you can share it with the next generation. Get excited.
Heather, I loved Jurassic Park. It's an amazing book and you all should read it!
re. To Kill A Mockingbird
My sister Eileen and I read it after we were allowed to stay up with my Mom and watch the movie. That's probaly why we loved it so much. Peacful and wise book in spite of the tragic parts. I didn't realize how well written it was until I reread it as an adult. There is an unauthorized bio (called Mockingbird I think) on Harper Lee which is fascinating. Get it if you are a fan. She is an interesting woman.
Joh Irving: I loved A Prayer...and Cider House Rules but have not liked any of the others which are more acclaimed. I think I have to admire at least one of the characters in order to love a novel.
See you all this pm.
NL
Dec 5
ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank Kathy B-B for allowing me to observe a session of Reading Recovery. I found the program pedagogy and methodology very interesting. RR provides a lot of training, resources, and follow-up in the field. I find the RR structure very supportive & encouraging for teachers trying to help struggling readers in first grade. I beleive that early intervention is critical to students who struggle with reading. I enjoyed my time with Mrs.B-B and her student. Thank you again.
Yea! I think I may have been able to figure this out without the help of my husband. Because I was out for jury duty, I was late doing this. I had a few questions from people wondering if certain books were my favorite or they were new favorites because of Connor. I must say both.
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing "Puff, the Magic Dragon" as a first grader. My teacher had a piano in her classroom and we would sing the book often during rug time. I adored the song and my teacher. Now that I am much older I often get teary eyes every time I read it to my children or to my son. How time passes so quickly!
Another childhood favorite of mine was "Charlotte's Web". My second grade teacher read it to me. It was an amazing experience. I truly visualized what was going on in the book. I was also moved by the fact that my teacher actually cried and showed emotion when Charlotte died. It was the only time I ever experienced or can remember experiencing a teacher cry. It was also the first time that I compared a movie to a book. This was a "cool" experience for me. It was fun to know what was going to happen next in the movie because I had already experienced it! I loved "Charlotte's Web"! I read it to my second graders this year. They truly enjoyed it! They loved the movie. They did a fantastic job creating a Venn Diagram and they designed amazing new covers for the title of the book.
So, these are childhood favorites of mine that have stayed with me. I enjoy sharing them with my class and my son.