Reading and Writing Instruction for Intermediate and Advanced Learners, Spring, 2009, Hickory, NC

I can't believe this...it's like waking up from a long sleep and finding out your dream is true!
My husband and I have been talking about these kids, ours and those belonging to others, that seem so entitled to everything, "I see it, I want it, I want it now!" is an expression my husband coined while talking about the consumer"istic" attitude of this latest generation. Only we didn't know there was a name for it...the Millenials! In our house it worked like this....I only care about my My Space page, and what I look like to other people, you are no longer the smartest people I know, in fact, you're the last ones I care to consult or impress, and I don't really care about my AP homework, just leave me alone with the computer.....and why can't I have a computer in my room like everyone else?

It's so comforting to know we aren't bad parents, and that we're not alone!

My name is Crystal Perry. I'm a second grade teacher at Ray Childers Elementary in Burke County. Our school has a Hickory address, but it's still considered Burke County. Strange isn't it? Anyway this is my ninth year teaching. I love it. I can't imagine doing anything else. However, I might change my tune on a full moon. I've been teaching second grade for nine years. I was going to move to third a couple of years ago and then we had a principal change so I stayed in second. I love second graders, but I think I'm ready for a change. I'm willing to move up or down I really don't have a preference.
I started working on my masters about a year ago. I honestly don't know when I'll get finished. Hopefully, I'll be able to wrap up by next December.
I have a husband named Stephen to whom I been married for ten years, a seventeen year old cat named Snowball, and a dog named Megan. I have no children yet.
In my spare time which is minimal these days I enjoy running, biking, reading, shopping, watching Lifetime movies, decorating, and eating chocolate. I lately have been reading the Twilight Series. They are great! I waited to see the movie because I didn't want to spoil the suspense.

Continue your book club discussion on "It’s a Mall World After All" by clicking on "comments." You should post AT LEAST two comments.

Continue your book club discussion on "The Kite Runner" by clicking on "comments." You should post AT LEAST two comments.

Continue your book club discussion on "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by clicking on "comments." You should post AT LEAST two comments.

Continue your book club discussion on "Walk Two Moons" by clicking on "comments." You should post AT LEAST two comments.

Continue your book club discussion on "The Other Side of Truth" by clicking on "comments." You should post AT LEAST two comments.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech is a story of two different lives of thirteen year old girls who have both lost their mothers. In this delightful read, Phoebe a shy, scared, overly sceptic young girl is always suspisious of her environment as well as people she encounters. Young Sal is very outspoken and has never met a stranger. Sal and Phoebe become friends when Phoebe sees Sal capture a spider on her school desk and releases the spider to freedom by letting it go outside the school window. This incident leaves Phoebe wondering how Sal could be so brave. This book reminds me of my grandparents and how set in their ways they both were in life. I can't imagine traveling across country with my parents much less my grandparents. But Sal does just this telling stories of Phoebe along the way.
Robin Hand

This was a lot of fun for me to read since my favorite genre is mysteries. I was so surprised with the ending! The author really had me fooled about Sal's mom and I was immediately drawn to search back through the story to see if I missed clues about her death. The brother for Phoebe was a shock too. I really thougt her mother was out for an affair with the mysterious stranger to spice up her dull existence managing the self-centered house hold she ran. It was a very touching finale. I am all about happy endings even though Sal's was a bit sad, it did give her closure and a chance to heal.

I have read the chapters and been very impressed with the information. Strategies are as varied as there are people to use them! I have received the book Classroom strategies for Interactive Learning but haven't read it yet. Here goes...