THE PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME

okay. I am getting a little jealous of all these pictures everyone is taking with THE pirate himself, Dave Burgess. 

I didn't attend one of his seminars this summer, but I did just finish reading his book, [Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator] and I cannot wait to pirate it up this school year. 

"It doesn't matter how much material you teach, it only matters how much is received."

My copy is now littered with notes, highlighted text, and hook ideas that are applicable to what I teach. This book doesn't just tell you "what" other teachers do, it explains "how" you can make it work in your class, with your curriculum, all by asking the right questions. 

Read it, figure out exactly what PIRATE, stands for, and WANT to be GREAT. 

"To ascend to the level of greatness, you have to be on fire with passion and enthusiasm."

[no, I was not asked to write a review; these are just my fabulous opinions. You're welcome.]

WELL SPOKEN

Watch out Summer Bucket List, here I come.

I have already finished reading my first of at least three professional development books this summer. Well Spoken: Teaching Speaking to All Students by Erik Palmer is a must-read. Seriously. 

I was hooked before I even finished the first chapter. "Now, let me make a radical statement: the mission of education should not be to make students better at school but rather to prepare them for life."  yes!! Mr. Palmer, I completely and whole-heartedly agree. 

If we are being honest, we spend a lot more of our time as adults communicating orally rather than through writing. ...so we should probably teach a few of those oral communication skills if we are going to prepare our students for life. 

Well Spoken breaks down teaching speaking into two realistic, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-implement parts: building a speech and performing a speech.  Oh, and PVLEGS is the perfect mnemonic for keeping track of those elements of performance and engaging students. "Check out her PVLEGS!!"

Buy it, read it, incorporate it into your classroom. Go to www.pvlegs.com and  learn more about Teaching Speaking to All Students. 

...my quarterly book report projects are going to look drastically different and I cannot wait. 

[no, I was not asked to write a review; these are just my fabulous opinions. You're welcome.] 

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

okay, I know.  Many of you have probably had your Summer Bucket List organized by priority and color-coded for weeks, but I am just now getting around to even thinking about all that I want to accomplish this summer.

1.  I love reading.  I kind of made this ridiculous goal back in January to read 52 books this year; an average of a book a week.  ...so far I have read twelve...  I've decided that at least three of the books I read this summer should be for professional development.  This one has been in my car since I received it at a conference last August.  It is slightly smudged, but I feel as though it is full of potential.

2.  I also want to create another novel unit for my fabulous sixth graders.  ...I just have to pick a book.  I am currently leaning toward Wonder by R.J. Palacio or possibly The Westing Game.  ...other suggestions are welcome. : ]

3.  I need a better system.  I am so horrible at documenting all of those little behavioral outbursts, keeping track of incomplete homework, paying attention to who has supplies and who doesn't...  Help!! If you have a system that works for you, I would love to hear all about it.   ...seriously, help me.

4.  In addition to teaching, I am also the Youth Director at my church and I have spent many hours planning a Summer Mission Trip to COSTA RICA!!  I am so excited, and so very blessed, to be taking a group of high school youth to Costa Rica where we will have the opportunity to share HIS LOVE  in word and action.  ...there is still lots to be done, and pulling off this trip is going to be one of my biggest priorities this summer.

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20.

5.  Relax, relax, relax.  I need me some me time!!  I can think of nothing better than endless hours at the lake, sleeping in my hammock, laying in the sun, and breathing the lake air.  ...and I am hoping this summer's Jimmy Buffett concert is even better than the last.

[with the best friend at Jimmy last summer]

Well, wish me luck.  I LOVE summer!!!