I read a lot of books. I was thinking about how I choose the books that I read, out of the dozens of interesting sounding books, most of which I will never get around to reading.
I belong to two books clubs, though I have only attended one meeting of one of them due to my complicated evening schedule. But I do try to read the books that each of the clubs chooses. Because of my book clubs I have read a bunch of books that I hated -- really, really hated! But also quite a few books that I not only found that I liked, but that have stuck with me. These are books that I would not have read otherwise, but I'm so glad that I did. One example of one of these is The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore. This is sort of a dual memoir of two Black men with the same name, one who is now a successful, inspirational author and entrepreneur, and the other who is in prison for murder. It was fascinating to see how their similar childhoods had crucial differences that created such different futures for them.
Left to my own devices, I choose books that I already know I will most likely enjoy. I love mysteries and have several series I follow, including the Maisie Dobbs books. I have favorite authors: Neil Gaiman, Alexander Smith McCall, Jane Austen, and Josephine Tey, for example. I read reviews sometimes, and find interesting books that way.
I also try to read a book related to early American history every year. I teach American history from Jamestown to the end of the Revolutionary War in social studies. When I began teaching this, I only knew the basics, so I started with biographies. I loved both John Adams by David McCullough and Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (the musical was based on this biography).
This year for my history read I picked I am Murdered by Bruce Chadwick. This is a fascinating book that tells the true story of how George Wythe, one of the lesser known founders, was murdered by his great-nephew. It is an edge-of-your-seat mystery, though not who-done-it. The reader knows from the start that the no-good nephew did it. But the investigation and trial are riveting. Chadwick gives a huge amount of background information on topics related to the story. Wythe is a very interesting person who was instrumental in the founding of the United States. He signed the Declaration of Independence and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He taught law to many young men including Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall. But, we also learn a great deal about arsenic, medicine at the time, and what the Richmond, Virginia culture and community was like. Who knew that George Washington loved to gamble!! The book may be difficult to find, but I recommend it! I bought it secondhand, online, through alibris.com.
Since finishing biting my nails over I am Murdered, I need to finish All the Light We Cannot See before my book club next week!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Friday, March 3, 2017
Conflict Resolution in Colonial 4th grade
Social studies in 4th grade at my school is American history from the Jamestown to the end of the American Revolution. We teach mostly through simulation, though we also use videos, reading, and discussion. We are at the end of the French & Indian War right now. The 4th graders all have roles that include a trade, such as blacksmith, milliner, or carpenter. We have set up an economy where tradespeople make and sell products to each other.
Our students every year are an inventive lot and we need to stay on top of all the ways that they come up for gaming the system. We have quite a few rules: once you buy something you cannot return it or resell it; you can only make your products during social studies time, you must buy your "supplies" from the ship that brings them from England. One year we had an attempted robbery that was foiled by an informer.
This year, the enterprising printers decided to sell subscriptions to a newspaper. Now, the "newspapers" are hand-outs in disguise and everyone is required to buy one. So when the first "newspaper" was for sale, the silversmiths, who had bought a subscription, thought that they did not need to play for it. Oh no, we said, everyone buys one. Whatever plan the printers had is on them to deliver.
The silversmiths claimed they did not get their money's worth, or much of anything at all. It appeared to be a stand-off. The printers didn't want to refund any money and the silversmiths were not backing down. "You should go talk to the lawyer," said my partner. "Maybe he can help you negotiate or else represent you in court." We have had court in session some years to solve problems, usually disorderly conduct.
This time, though, our lawyer, Mr. John Randolph, patiently listened and offered sensible ideas and the parties were able to come to a resolution without going to court. The printers agreed to a refund for undelivered newspapers.
Very impressive work for 4th graders!
Our students every year are an inventive lot and we need to stay on top of all the ways that they come up for gaming the system. We have quite a few rules: once you buy something you cannot return it or resell it; you can only make your products during social studies time, you must buy your "supplies" from the ship that brings them from England. One year we had an attempted robbery that was foiled by an informer.
This year, the enterprising printers decided to sell subscriptions to a newspaper. Now, the "newspapers" are hand-outs in disguise and everyone is required to buy one. So when the first "newspaper" was for sale, the silversmiths, who had bought a subscription, thought that they did not need to play for it. Oh no, we said, everyone buys one. Whatever plan the printers had is on them to deliver.
The silversmiths claimed they did not get their money's worth, or much of anything at all. It appeared to be a stand-off. The printers didn't want to refund any money and the silversmiths were not backing down. "You should go talk to the lawyer," said my partner. "Maybe he can help you negotiate or else represent you in court." We have had court in session some years to solve problems, usually disorderly conduct.
This time, though, our lawyer, Mr. John Randolph, patiently listened and offered sensible ideas and the parties were able to come to a resolution without going to court. The printers agreed to a refund for undelivered newspapers.
Very impressive work for 4th graders!
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Dr. Seuss, It's your birthday!
What shall I say?
You helped a zillion-ninety-nine billion and seven kiddos
Learn to read
Without a screed
With a treed steed.
You taught us lessons gently
With humor so intently
Consequently
We remember the Sneetches
On the beeches
The Lorax, faithful Horton,
Neither about to cavort in
Any way!
No Cat in the Hat game
Played to great acclaim
By children everywhere.
Thank you, Dr. Seuss.
From Thidwick the Moose
To Bartholomew and the Ooblick,
A writing life in a quick flick
of your pen.
What shall I say?
You helped a zillion-ninety-nine billion and seven kiddos
Learn to read
Without a screed
With a treed steed.
You taught us lessons gently
With humor so intently
Consequently
We remember the Sneetches
On the beeches
The Lorax, faithful Horton,
Neither about to cavort in
Any way!
No Cat in the Hat game
Played to great acclaim
By children everywhere.
Thank you, Dr. Seuss.
From Thidwick the Moose
To Bartholomew and the Ooblick,
A writing life in a quick flick
of your pen.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
What's with the weather?
Yesterday I was driving home around 9:30 pm, listening to the radio, when for the first time ever in my experience, the emergency broadcast system interrupted. I was a little worried about what the emergency was. It turned out to be a weather alert -- a tornado watch and possible hail in northern Illinois and Indiana.
Today it is snowing and cold. What?
So I decided that I am grateful to have a warm, secure house to live in, with a sump pump in the basement. I am grateful for my reliable transportation, and that my car did not get hailed on. I am thankful that we didn't have flash floods and that the roads are not icy right now. And I am thankful that I persevered through flash floods, broken sump pumps, and driving on ice, and I'm still fine.
And I'm eagerly awaiting summer.
Today it is snowing and cold. What?
So I decided that I am grateful to have a warm, secure house to live in, with a sump pump in the basement. I am grateful for my reliable transportation, and that my car did not get hailed on. I am thankful that we didn't have flash floods and that the roads are not icy right now. And I am thankful that I persevered through flash floods, broken sump pumps, and driving on ice, and I'm still fine.
And I'm eagerly awaiting summer.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
In appreciation for an outstanding teacher
I was 15 years old and had been playing French horn for only a year when I met Mr. Princiotti. He was the director of a local youth orchestra, the Young Artists Philharmonic, and he invited me to join!
I played in the orchestra for the next three years. My high school orchestra was also excellent, and between the two orchestras I was introduced to so much great music. Mr. Princiotti promoted me to first horn after my first year -- a surprise to me. He gave me my first opportunity to play a solo in public with an orchestra when I was a senior in high school. I played the first horn concerto by Richard Strauss at a summer festival in Stamford, Connecticut. It was an outdoor festival with food and entertainment, and probably more. We played in the "Pink Tent." I have fuzzy memories of how it went, which probably means it went pretty well since I seem to have a photographic memory for mistakes!
I went on to music school and to many more musical opportunities in my life. Mr. Princiotti was a huge influence on me as a musician - a model in many ways, for a life in music. He was passionate about music as well as being a very talented and knowledgeable musician.
Salvatore Princiotti passed away last week at age 83. He had retired from conducting the Young Artists five years ago. The tributes from the hundreds of young people he taught have poured in, and while everyone acknowledges that he was a superb musician and music teacher, it is the person he was that people are highlighting over and over in their remembrances of him.
He was kind. He was truly interested in his students and let them know it. He saw the good in everyone and pointed it out. While he could certainly be firm with the orchestra, it was always clear that he loved everyone of us. A short, perpetually rumpled man, he always had time for "his kids."
A few years ago I went back to Connecticut for my high school reunion. While there, some of my fellow high school musicians organized a music reunion with several of our music teachers, all now retired. Except for Mr. Princiotti, who could not attend the reunion because he was teaching. I'm sorry I didn't get to see hi one last time, but what a wonderful life, to be able to do the thing you love, to the end.
I played in the orchestra for the next three years. My high school orchestra was also excellent, and between the two orchestras I was introduced to so much great music. Mr. Princiotti promoted me to first horn after my first year -- a surprise to me. He gave me my first opportunity to play a solo in public with an orchestra when I was a senior in high school. I played the first horn concerto by Richard Strauss at a summer festival in Stamford, Connecticut. It was an outdoor festival with food and entertainment, and probably more. We played in the "Pink Tent." I have fuzzy memories of how it went, which probably means it went pretty well since I seem to have a photographic memory for mistakes!
I went on to music school and to many more musical opportunities in my life. Mr. Princiotti was a huge influence on me as a musician - a model in many ways, for a life in music. He was passionate about music as well as being a very talented and knowledgeable musician.
Salvatore Princiotti passed away last week at age 83. He had retired from conducting the Young Artists five years ago. The tributes from the hundreds of young people he taught have poured in, and while everyone acknowledges that he was a superb musician and music teacher, it is the person he was that people are highlighting over and over in their remembrances of him.
He was kind. He was truly interested in his students and let them know it. He saw the good in everyone and pointed it out. While he could certainly be firm with the orchestra, it was always clear that he loved everyone of us. A short, perpetually rumpled man, he always had time for "his kids."
A few years ago I went back to Connecticut for my high school reunion. While there, some of my fellow high school musicians organized a music reunion with several of our music teachers, all now retired. Except for Mr. Princiotti, who could not attend the reunion because he was teaching. I'm sorry I didn't get to see hi one last time, but what a wonderful life, to be able to do the thing you love, to the end.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Food, Glorious Food
I was thinking the other day of a favorite restaurant. As is the way of many of my favorite restaurants, this one no longer exists.
When I was 12, my family moved from a small town in Wisconsin to Connecticut. At some point after moving to our new town we discovered the Colonial Inn.
The Colonial Inn, in spite of its name, specialized in Greek and Italian food. (The owners were a couple, one Greek and the other Italian.) It was located on the main street in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, in a white-fronted building. Inside was dark in a cozy way and the wait staff was friendly and helpful. This was where I first ate Greek food and I soon came to love moussaka, pastitsio, and baklava. In fact, the Colonial Inn became one of my family's favorite places to eat.
One of my memories is my dad asking the waiter about a particular wine. We happened to be sitting at a table next to a priest, eating by himself, with a whole bottle of wine. He had left his table for a minute, and our waiter, seeing the wine bottle on the table, said, "Oh, the father won't mind," and poured a taste for my dad.
On another evening, we were ordering dessert. The waiter suggested we might want to try the galaktoboureko because it had just come out of the oven. If you have never had this delicious dessert, it is a vanilla custard between a top and bottom layer of phyllo pastry. This was my first taste of galaktoboureko and I will never forget the experience of the light creamy warm custard and the crispy sweet phyllo. I learned years later that galaktoboureki is supposed to be served cold, but having had it warm, the cold version has never measured up.
A visit to the Colonial Inn also became a test for boyfriends, though we hadn't intended it that way. When my sister's first college boyfriend visited us, my parents sent us off to the Colonial Inn. My brother, sister and I ordered our usual Greek menu items. The boyfriend ordered a ham steak and cheesecake for dessert. He didn't last long.
Alas, the Colonial Inn is no more, but perhaps it's better that way - memories have a way of preserving those special moments without disappointment.
When I was 12, my family moved from a small town in Wisconsin to Connecticut. At some point after moving to our new town we discovered the Colonial Inn.
The Colonial Inn, in spite of its name, specialized in Greek and Italian food. (The owners were a couple, one Greek and the other Italian.) It was located on the main street in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, in a white-fronted building. Inside was dark in a cozy way and the wait staff was friendly and helpful. This was where I first ate Greek food and I soon came to love moussaka, pastitsio, and baklava. In fact, the Colonial Inn became one of my family's favorite places to eat.
One of my memories is my dad asking the waiter about a particular wine. We happened to be sitting at a table next to a priest, eating by himself, with a whole bottle of wine. He had left his table for a minute, and our waiter, seeing the wine bottle on the table, said, "Oh, the father won't mind," and poured a taste for my dad.
On another evening, we were ordering dessert. The waiter suggested we might want to try the galaktoboureko because it had just come out of the oven. If you have never had this delicious dessert, it is a vanilla custard between a top and bottom layer of phyllo pastry. This was my first taste of galaktoboureko and I will never forget the experience of the light creamy warm custard and the crispy sweet phyllo. I learned years later that galaktoboureki is supposed to be served cold, but having had it warm, the cold version has never measured up.
A visit to the Colonial Inn also became a test for boyfriends, though we hadn't intended it that way. When my sister's first college boyfriend visited us, my parents sent us off to the Colonial Inn. My brother, sister and I ordered our usual Greek menu items. The boyfriend ordered a ham steak and cheesecake for dessert. He didn't last long.
Alas, the Colonial Inn is no more, but perhaps it's better that way - memories have a way of preserving those special moments without disappointment.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
OLW 2017
This is my first time choosing One Little Word. Last year was the first time I learned about the idea and read some of the posts about people's choices and reasons.
In choosing my word, I wanted a word that would influence all parts of my life, not just my teaching life. I am concerned about the mood in the United States and about many of the problems in other parts of the world. It always seems like, what can I do? I'm just one person. But on the other hand, I belong to many communities. I am a teacher and can influence my students.
The word I choose for 2017 is bridge.
The more I thought about it, the more places in my life I saw that a bridge could be helpful. In my teaching, I need to build bridges so that all my students can be successful, whether that means helping develop a positive class community, reaching out to parents, or providing help to students to bridge the gaps in their skills.
We have a chasm separating groups in this country now. We desperately need to build some bridges. I had already decided to not contribute to the divide, by not participating in any of the memes or conversations in social media that ridicule one side or another. But silence doesn't build a bridge. I am thinking how I could try for a wobbly little footbridge by talking civilly to people who I do not agree with. Perhaps, "I don't understand this viewpoint. Can you tell me what is important to you in this issue?"
Bridges to other people: I have trouble talking with people, even people I know well, so talking to strangers is quite a challenge. I have always enjoyed the chance conversations with strangers when they spring up. To help me with this bridge, I am going to read the highly recommended book, When Strangers Meet: How People You Don't Know Can Transform You. There's also a TED talk!
Life bridges: As I look ahead, I know I won't always be teaching, at least full time, in a school. I will be thinking about a bridge to another stage in my life. What do I want to do after this stage? It's an exciting thought.
I will be staying aware, to see more bridging opportunities in 2017.
In choosing my word, I wanted a word that would influence all parts of my life, not just my teaching life. I am concerned about the mood in the United States and about many of the problems in other parts of the world. It always seems like, what can I do? I'm just one person. But on the other hand, I belong to many communities. I am a teacher and can influence my students.
The word I choose for 2017 is bridge.
The more I thought about it, the more places in my life I saw that a bridge could be helpful. In my teaching, I need to build bridges so that all my students can be successful, whether that means helping develop a positive class community, reaching out to parents, or providing help to students to bridge the gaps in their skills.
We have a chasm separating groups in this country now. We desperately need to build some bridges. I had already decided to not contribute to the divide, by not participating in any of the memes or conversations in social media that ridicule one side or another. But silence doesn't build a bridge. I am thinking how I could try for a wobbly little footbridge by talking civilly to people who I do not agree with. Perhaps, "I don't understand this viewpoint. Can you tell me what is important to you in this issue?"
Bridges to other people: I have trouble talking with people, even people I know well, so talking to strangers is quite a challenge. I have always enjoyed the chance conversations with strangers when they spring up. To help me with this bridge, I am going to read the highly recommended book, When Strangers Meet: How People You Don't Know Can Transform You. There's also a TED talk!
Life bridges: As I look ahead, I know I won't always be teaching, at least full time, in a school. I will be thinking about a bridge to another stage in my life. What do I want to do after this stage? It's an exciting thought.
I will be staying aware, to see more bridging opportunities in 2017.
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