It’s Monday. What are You Reading?

This past week I have been reading an exceptional book and would like to share it.

For many people, play and math are not words that go together. Yet in Sue Van Hattum’s book, “Playing With Math”, the two most definitely belong together.

Too many children and adults have math anxiety. Sue tries to dispel that by sharing numerous short stories written by teachers, homeschoolers and even young people who love or have come to love math.

There are numerous examples of ways to encourage and foster a love of math in children – through math circles, games, teaching practices. Each small chapter/story details ways of allowing children to play and discover math.

Interspersed throughout the book are math problems to solve or games to play. You are encouraged to solve or play the games yourself. Even though there are hints at the back of the book (check out for answers online), you are encouraged to keep trying without looking.  “The learning comes from the struggle.”

There were so many interesting stories but three stood out for me:

1. “The Art of Inquiry” by Julia Brodsky

Julia started a math circle she called “the art of inquiry” as she wanted the children “to make mistakes and enjoy it”. Getting children to ask the right questions “what if? and “Why?” was crucial. The group met once a week and explored problem-solving.

2. “A Young Voice: Consider the Circle, A Space without Corners” by Elisa P. Vanott”

Elisa’s story touched me deeply. As a teacher, I try to ensure all children feel good about math. Elsa was made to feel like a number, that no one listened to her. Yes she was slower, but it took an amazing teacher to propel her into a world of problem solving where she blossomed.

3.”Radically Sensible Ideas: Math Advice for Homeschoolers” by Pam Sorooshian

A chapter filled with wisdom and so much advice for reducing math phobia and how playing games “is a really fun and easy way for children to develop mathematical thinking along with a lot of basic number skills.” “

“What do mathematicians do? They play games. …Pleasure, fun, challenge, strategy – it all of these.”

There are so many resources listed in the book – from websites, to books to the challenges themselves. Some excellent advice at the end of the book highlighted the need for parents to encourage their daughters to stick with math and enjoy it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have always loved math and enjoyed teaching math at the primary level. Although I have not studied advanced math, I do enjoy challenges. Sue’s book has rekindled my interest in playing with math again. As Luyi Zhang says “doing math for its own sake brings me an incredible amount of joy.”

Sue Van Hattum’s book comes out in the fall 0f 2014. I would highly recommend reading it. Visit her site here.

30 Words Thursday

Today while visiting at Puslinch Lake, we watched several families of Canada Geese wander on the front lawn by the water. As we walked twwards them, the parents rounded up their offspring and headed to the water. By the afternoon, we had done this several times. The goslings are getting much bigger now. So fun to watch.

Canada Geese

Several Canada geese

Herding their gray goslings

Away from us.

Honking and hissing

Heading towards the water.

Safety for all.

Several families

Floating and travelling together

Across the quiet lake.

Final Check-In Round 2 ROW80

Hard to believe that Round 2 is complete – 80 days of pursuing writing and being accountable. ROW80 has really helped me be more accountable and I feel that even though I did not complete all the goals I set back in April, I completed way more than I thought I would.

Here are the goals I set and what I was able to complete:

1. Write daily, for at least I hour a day. I am less worried about the word count, as I am of actually writing.

     Although I did not write daily, I wrote often, at least 4 out of 7 days each week, sometimes more.

2. Revise/edit/submit “Girl With a Curl” . (pb)

     I won a critique for this story and it gave me new direction to edit and revise.

3, Revise/edit/submit “Red and Wolfie”. (pb)

      I put this one aside and will tackle it this summer.

4. Finish research for “Jacob’s Journey” (historical MG)

      I bought an excellent book on the Iroquois and am fascinated with my research. Still have more to do.

5. Read 3 books on writing

      I read : “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott

6. Take one writing course – Picture book writing with Susanne Hill in May

        I have taken 2 writing courses: Pix book Writing with S. Hill  and “Non-Fiction Archaeology with Kristen Fulton – loved them

7. Read at least 4 articles on writing a week

     This one was easy to do. Twitter was excellent for pointing me to some great blogs and articles.

8. Complete first draft of new MG novel

     This was on hold as I was still researching and taking the courses.

9. Take part in two weekly writing challenges: “Slice of Life Tuesday” and “30 Words Thursday”

     This I was able to do most of the time, sometimes even 3 posts a week.

10. Be sure to check-in Sundays and Wednesdays for ROW80

     I started off strong, then went to once a week.

There was much value in taking part in ROW80 and I plan to take part in the next round., which starts July 7th.

All the best to fellow Row80ers.

I am looking forward to achieving these goals and being accountable for them, in a supportive community.

Today it’s time to share what you’ve been reading lately;   Jen at “Teach Mentor Texts” hosts this informative meme.

As part of working on my “Writing Non-Fiction for children” course, I have been reading a lot of NF picture books, especially biographies. Here are a few I read this past week:

A Boy Called Slow  by Joseph Bruchac

This is the biography of Sitting Bull of the  Lakota Sioux, from his early years as a boy named Slow, who did everything slow to age 14 when he earned his new named Sitting Bull. He would become a great warrior as Sitting Bull.

Boy in Motion: Rick Hansen’s Story by Ainslie Manson

Rick Hansen is inspiring and seeks to better the lives of those who are disabled. This biography tells about his early life and how he faced being disabled, when as a teen he was thrown from a truck and was paralyzed from the waist down. But he was determined and battled to overcome his challenges.

Helen’s Big World by Doreen Rappaport

Such an amazing biography of Helen Keller, from her early years right until the end of her life, when she was such an activist and writer. Beautiful illustrations and Helen’s own quotes throughout the book, make this a very inspiring, enjoyable biography.

Irena’s Jars of Secrets  by Marcia Vaughan

This biography tells the story of Irena Sendler who was, born to a Polish Catholic family. When the Germans occupied Poland and imprisoned the Jews into Warsaw’s ghetto, she used her position as a social worker to smuggle in food and medicines and then later to smuggle out Jewish children. Thousand s would be saved and she kept a record of who they were and where they were sent to in jars she buried. Another inspiring story.

ROW 80 Sunday Check-In

This month I have been working on my non-fiction picture book writing course – offered by Kristen Fulton (“Non-Fiction Archaeology). I am writing a biography of a special horse and enjoying the process.

I have also started a week long blitz of writing 7 sloppy non-fiction picture book manuscripts for WOW Non-Fic Week (again with Kristen Fulton). We had to do the research beforehand -I did most of that research and have 2 scripts done.

I have been trying to revise several of my picture books as I am attending the WOW Retreat from July 7-13, and we will have 4 of our stories critiqued in a round table format. It should be a week of learning and growing, I hope.

As the mood or inspiration hits, I have also worked on my “Fired” nove. I am also continuing research on “Jacob’s Journey”.

30 Words Thursday

This week I wrote a slice of life about organ and tissue donation month. It has been on my mind  quite a bit lately, as my husband celebrated 11 years with his kidney.  As I thought about what to write for “30 Words Thursday” ( at “Treasures Found“) , this acrostic basically wrote itself:

 

Be a Donor

                              Organ and Tissue Donation Month

                             Really needs us all to

                            Give the gift of life

                           And be a hero.

                           Now’s the time to register and

                          Save up to eight lives.

Slice of Life Tuesday

 

Today is “Slice of Life Tuesday” – the writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers”

Last week my husband and I made one of our regular trips to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, for one of the many doctor visits my hubby must go to. last week was also the 11th anniversary of his kidney transplant.

As we were leaving, we stopped by the display that advertised the Organ and Tissue Donation awareness campaign the hospital was running.

Their theme: “Be a Hero. Be a Donor”

I really feel that being a donor is crucial – that it should be an opt-out on your license, not an opt-in.

Having seen first-hand what dialysis is like, and how it effects your loved one, I urge people to register as a donor. As a donor, you can save up to 8 lives. What a gift to families who’s loved ones are suffering.

 

 

It’s Monday. What Are You Reading?

Today it’s time to share what you’ve been reading lately. Jen at “Teach Mentor Texts” hosts this informative meme.

Here are a few of the books I’ve read the past week:

 

Sixteen Years in  Sixteen  Seconds by Paula Yoo

 

This book tells the story of Sammy Lee, who overcame many obstacles, including racism, to compete in the Olympics as a diver and win gold, twice. Well written. And a wonderful message of perseverance and determination to achieve one’s dreams.

 

 

Red Bird Sings by Gina Capaldi and Q.L Pearce

 Another biography, this time of  Zitkala-Sa, born Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, who was taken as a child to a residential school, but who would triumph, again over racism at the turn of the nineteenth century. She was a musician, a teacher,  writer, and a  political activist who sought to educate Americans about native people. The text uses her own writings to tell her story.

 

Meltem’s Journey by Anthony Robinson

 

This book is part of a series on refugees from around the world.  Meltem is a 13 year old Kurdish girl who must escape from Turkey with her mother. She finally settles in England but must undergo many delays and upheavals before she can be allowed to stay permanently. An interesting look at a refugee family and their trials and tribulations.

ROW80 Mid Week Check-In

The past few days I have been concentrating on my non-fiction writing course with Kristen Fulton.

I have my topic, and have even written two possible beginnings. It is about a horse and have to decide who’s POV to write it from – the owners or the horse. I have done most of the research and gotten more books from the library today to do more.

I have also been working on editing several of my picture book manuscripts. I have typed three up now na am working on revising and editing. Two have gone to my critique partners and am working on their recommendations.

I also wrote 3 blog posts (two for this blog and 1 for my art one).

The rest of this week i will be working to complete all the research for my horse NF book and then start planning it out.

I also plan to work on another picture book script – needs a lot of revising, but one I really like.

I have read a number of NF picture books this past week and will continue to do that this week. There are so many amazing NF books.

All the best to everyone in the week ahead.

The rest of this week

Slice of Life Tuesday

Today at “Two Writing Teachers” it is time to share a slice of life.

I spent a good part of today watching the funerals for the three mounties killed in Moncton last week, as probably many Canadians were. It was over three hours and

 was a solemn, heart wrenching service.Then this evening, I watched the Nationals coverage and I was touched once again.

So many images will stick with me – the thousands of marching officers from all over Canada and even the US;  the 3 caskets covered in our flag with their stetsons and belts on top, at the front of the arena ; Danny, the police dog, catching a last scent of his master; the wives receiving their husbands’ hat and flag.

There were so many extraordinary moments: People in Moncton opening their homes to the hundreds who needed accommodation;  the service being broadcast all over Moncton so that thousands could mourn together; so many wearing red in tribute to these men.

It has been an incredible week – from the shootings last week; to the search for the killer and the outpouring of grief, anger, and then the massive, collective pride and love for the RCMP.

May these men rest in peace, knowing they died heroes.

Here is a link to the service.