Procrastination

Fellow M.A.T.-alums Michelle and Martina have abandoned our evening plans because of snow...so now I am really stuck doing the last of my grading.  Sigh.  I have discovered my latest form of procrastination is checking/adding to my blog.  It's rather addictive.  Anyone else feeling this way?  

I've noticed that the more natural entries for me are more narrative (and more often of the venting variety) than academic.  I'm assuming this is okay...?  How is the blogging life treating other folks?

Please post some thoughts--or take my survey!--so that when I check this thing every thirty minutes, I will have an update!

Classroom Library

So I have this classroom library that I've been working on for a few years.  I'm in love with it.  I go to Goodwill and scour the shelves for good titles, hit up yard-sales, and when I am feeling particularly wealthy, I go to Border's and use my 25% to buy a NEW book I know the kids will read.  It's thrilling!  In my next life, I'm quite certain I'll be a librarian.  

Here is my grief: students suck at returning books.  I know, I know, it's bound to happen.  I had a class with Rich Kent where he assured us that if the books aren't being returned, it probably means they loved it so much they wanted to keep it.  And don't we want kids to love books? Grrr. At first, I was on board with this philosophy.  Then I realized how much of my money I was putting into books that were only being read by one student--then vanishing into the depths of an unknown bedroom or locker, never to be seen again.

Students sign the books in and out on an honor system.  I get after them once in a while with friendly reminders for return---but more often than not, the book never returns home.  My most recent tragedy was a brand new hard copy of Ellen Hopkins' latest book TRICKS, a must read for at least half of my girls.  I had a sticky note with a WAITING list inside the jacket.  And then...the student moved.  With my book.  Of course.

I might sound whiney.  I don't mean to.  Rather, I am hoping some of my colleagues can offer some advice on the situation.  Do you have systems that seem to work in your own rooms?  I'm also interested in any solutions you have to my secondary issue, which is getting the books back in good condition.  I mean, I'm glad they are available for the next reader, but kids do judge them by the covers, and if the covers are dog-eared (or missing!)....well, there isn't much clamor to check it out.  

Many thanks!

Followers?

I have followers of my blog...how do I follow other blogs?  Enlighten me!

PS

I've sent my blogging link to my dearest teaching friends:

Michelle M

Andrea 

Christie

Michelle A

Martina

Meredith

Ian

Now that you know where my blog is ladies and gentleman, you must check it out--and respond!  IF you don't, I might just have to write about you...

Inspiration?

Here is my "blogging" life for today: I have a million papers to sort through and very little motivation to do it.  Grades close on Thursday and I am the ultimate procrastinator :(

Looking for words of encouragement or tips to get through the pile in front of me!

Snow Day?

It's almost 10:00 and I am just like the students---crossing my fingers for a snow day! We had our first day of mid-years and now I have a fantastic pile of papers to read. And then the papers that I had before mid-years to read. And some journals. I have visions of a super productive day sipping coffee at Borders and getting a massive amount of work done.

Current read: Cut by Patricia McCormick. We are reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson in class, and I'd heard this books has a similar feel. So far, I've still got Speak on top, but it's certainly a quick/high interest read for readers interested in delving into the mind of a troubled teen.

Help!

The picture on my blog has taken over! Any one know how to make it a reasonable size?

Anytime I've used a blog, it has been to document a trip, so I'm feeling a little at a loss for words here. I'm so used to photos telling the story for me and just filling in a few blanks.

I'm interested in the idea of developing the blog as a way of documenting good reads--but then I realize there is already a sort of blog dedicated to this. Also called "good reads"? It will even link books directly to Amazon so you can check out reviews. So, what can a blog like blogger do that "Good Reads" can't? Not sure.

I'm also looking at blogs vs social sites like Facebook or MySpace. What do they offer that these two do not? Perhaps the catch is that they are social...whereas these blogs can be developed in any direction you'd like to take them.

Must go develop a mid-year for tomorrow while watching a few episodes of Freaks and Geeks!