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Saturday, February 11, 2017

Celebrate This Week: Reading Days


Thank you to Ruth Ayres at Ruth Ayres Writes. She hosts a link-up every week that focuses on the reasons we have to celebrate.

Today I am celebrating found time. A blizzard last Thursday brought over a foot of snow, but also two snow days that gave me some unexpected free time. For me, there is never a question as to how I can spend found time. A snow day means plenty of time to read. I consider this no-guilt reading. Since I would normally be at school and not able to do chores or errands, I don't have to feel guilty about spending time reading instead of doing those things.  With not just one, but two snow days, I had lots of time for reading.


I read an engaging, insightful novel called Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran. This story addresses immigration and motherhood and tells the story of two women, one living in the United States illegally after crossing the Mexican border and another who longs for a child. I had a hard time putting this one down. I also read a middle grade novel, an ARC of Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly that I received at NCTE, but still hadn't gotten to read yet. The characters are four very different middle school-aged kids whose lives intersect by chance, resulting in new friendships. I am in the midst of a professional read, How the Brain Learns to Read by David Sousa, which I am discussing with a group of literacy educators on Voxer. With my found time, I was able to read more of this book. I also started another professional read that I have on my #Mustreadin2017 list, Literacy Conversations in the Classroom: Deepening Understanding of Nonfiction and Narrative by Diane Barone and Rebecca Barone. Both professional books are enhancing my knowledge of literacy teaching.

My found time, with which I was able to get lots of reading accomplished, was definitely time well spent. The found time that I had to spend shoveling, on the other hand, did not quite measure up on the satisfaction scale. With additional snow possibly coming for Monday, there is always the chance of another snow day filled with reading, but I'm not quite so sure my back would appreciate that!

24 comments:

  1. I love snow days! We haven't had one this year, yet. My favorite thing to do is read. The freedom to read with the unexpected of time is natures gift.

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    1. It is so hard to find time to read so it definitely is a gift.

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  2. "A snow day means plenty of time to read" - I would make this into a banner. You used your found time really well.

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    1. I hope my students use some of their time to read, as well.

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  3. Sounds like a fulfilling way to spend your snowdays - well, minus the shoveling part!

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    1. Yes, I could do without the shoveling! Everything comes with a price, I guess.

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  4. Perfect way to view snow days- found time to be used the way you choose, guilt free!

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  5. "Found time" I like this phrase. I'm glad you're celebrating...now I'm going to be looking at my days with this lens of "found time."

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    1. It's also nice to have this "found time" in which I don't feel incredibly tired. On a school day by the time I have any extra minutes I'm ready to fall asleep.

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  6. I also like your phrase, found time, Lisa. It rings of satisfaction and affords you the luxury of just doing what makes sense on a snow day. Here's to found time. Thanks for letting me know that there is snow in the forecast in Massachusetts. I wonder if it is coming my way.

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    1. It is nice to have the freedom to do whatever I choose. As we all know, that is not a luxury we normally have.

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  7. "Found time"-- that's a treasure every teacher looks for! Stay warm, take care of your back, and enjoy every your reading.

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    1. For teachers and readers there is never enough time!

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  8. Oh, two snow days is a huge gift. Glad to know about the books read, and hoping the back is better every day.

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    1. Thanks. Today has been a mix of snow and rain so I'm hoping there won't be too much shoveling tomorrow.

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  9. I'm so glad you used your found time well! I still remember the year I had my husband drive down to school in the snow so I could I retrieve shoebox biography projects that needed grading. Not a fun use of a snow day! I never did that again.

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    1. That is definitely not a fun way to spend a snow day. Glad you learned your lesson!

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  10. "No guilt reading." That is such a funny concept, but so true!

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  11. We have yet to have a snow day - although we had a scheduled vacation/snow make-up day Friday. Putting away the guilt is not always easy but such a celebration. I have considered purchasing the Literacy Conversation book. Anxious to here what others think about it.

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    1. So far it has given some insight. It offers some alternatives to the traditional literature circles that many implement. It is a short book, but it is based on a teacher's practice which I appreciate.

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  12. Snow days are the most perfect days for reading - and you have a collection of wonderful books, Lisa. Lucky Boy sounds like a great read - I'll have to look for it at my library.

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    1. Definitely look for Lucky Boy. It is one of those books that you'll find yourself thinking about even after you finish it.

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