Lion's Lair

A Change in Direction

mathnut — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:54:00 +0000

As a reader may observe, this blog has not been active for some time. The reason for the inactivity was that I was busy developing a moodle site for students to use in building their library skills and awareness. I have recently started a sister site for staff in a professional community moodle site. Hence I have not had the time or interest in taking this site down the original path. So……

We will start a new journey. I am going to use this blog to think with text about the area of reading, libraries, and learning in general. It will not be aimed at students but at the educational community. Thoughts will be more random and not as connected, but that is the way of my mind, my right side of the brain that is.

So … off to visit the land of Right Brain Ann.

Word on the Move #1

mathnut — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:45:26 +0000

words_on_move_Ep_1.m…:

http://www.divshare.com/download/1839876-923

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

mathnut — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:16:08 +0000

Open the book and walk into the land of werewolves and vampires. Since I know little of this fantasy world, I learned a lot about the characteristics of these two species. Now I suppose I will need to find some other viewpoints so that I have a clearer understanding of what are the universal common traits.

Bella is in her senior year of high school, in love with a vampire and a friend with a werewolf. It is her defining year as to where her heart lies. Her father, Charlie, a sheriff seems loving and friendly but clueless as to where Bella is headed.

Strength of character is evident in ability to defer gratification and willingness to sacrifice for others. A study of the three main characters would help define one’s own value system that is the foundation for character.

For Roald Dahl and Blue Balliet fans. . . The Mysterious Benedict Society!

mathnut — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:56:09 +0000

“Are you a gifted child looking for Special Opportunities?” This newspaper ad caught many eyes, but after some very peculiar tests, only four applicants remained for the unusual assignment of saving the world. In The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, set just slightly in the future, dire forces threaten individual freedom of thought. So Reynie Muldoon and his friends go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, (L.I.V.E.) but it’s nothing like
Fairview. If you think being smart consists of memorizing facts or doing mental math really fast, think again, or better yet, read The Mysterious Benedict Society. The different tests of problem-solving, intelligence and ethics will intrigue and amuse. If you’d like to see which character you’re most like — and what strengths you bring to the world — then visit the web site below and take the Personality Challenge. http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/features/MysteriousBenedict/content/classifieds.asp

One last word, don’t be put off by the length of The Mysterious Benedict Society, it’s the perfect summer read! — Ms. Welsh

Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm

mathnut — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 20:28:43 +0000

Set in the year 1953, this story immediately made many connections for me. I was 11 in 1953 as well. Penny’s mother would not let her go swimming for fear of contracting polio in the public pool. I remember those fears.

But the story is not about me. It is about the growing up a young girl who lives with her mother and grandparents. Her mother is in the extreme protection mode when it comes to her daughter. Her grandmother needs some help in the cooking department but love is a binding factor in the household. Penny’s other part of the family, her father’s family is a large Italian conglomerate of interesting characters over flowing with love and family identity. Penny learns and lives with both sides of her family. While the story is not a high adventure, fast paced, and earth moving, it is a tender story of a girl growing and learning about “life” in the fascinating world we have been placed in. She learns about secrets and boys, she feels for the strange and familiar, she learns to love and forgive.

If you choose to read Penny, and I hope you do, be ready for some moments of self reflection. It is through looking at oneself that one will gain the most from this little gold nugget of fiction wrought by Jennifer L. Holm

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

mathnut — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 04:10:31 +0000

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

This book was listed as one of the Newbery honor books. Of course I had to order it and see for myself what makes a winner. I also declare it a winner of Mrs. M’s awards.

A young girl, orphaned and shifted from family member to family member, inherits a homesteading claim from an uncle in
Montana. The book covers her first year in
Montana, in which she has to “prove” herself to finally get the claim. This would be difficult for a seasoned farmer, but a 15 year old girl sets her goal and works hard to prove herself. Maintaining livestock, putting in a fence, writing for a newspaper back in
Iowa, and finding what is important in life keep Hattie focused on her values. Understanding people is where Hattie has the greatest growth.

This is a story of courage and hard work. Will our young people of 2007, be able to connect with a story that deals with manual labor and a love of reading, with dances and picnics and no mp3 players or video games? The story line could provide some topics for conversations that may go deeper than the surface. I am anxious to hear from someone under 16 who read the story and is willing to share some thoughts.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

mathnut — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:35:31 +0000

Published this past year, 2006, the book has been nominated for the best ten books for young adults by the ALA.

The story is set in
Germany, (has many German phrases) and focuses on a young girls life during the years 1941-1944. While it is based on a real life story, the perspective of the war is from a different personage. While the persecution of the Jews is a powerful theme within the book, it allows that not all Germans held the Anti-Jew beliefs of the people in power. Liesel is an orphan who is settled with a foster family that provides her with a list of basic needs, not including money. Liesel is taught to read by her foster father, they paint words, alphabet on the basement walls. Books become the thrust of her energy and shared in some unique ways with neighbors. She has a friend, a neighbor, named Rudy who shares a strong leading character development.

The story is told by the “death angel.” This perspective offers a creative and singular perspective that forces one to think about the end of life to a deeper level. How Liesel and Rudy change their views and mature throughout the novel is memorable. I don’t think I am going to forget this book for quite a while.

Edwina the Emu by Sheena Knowles

mathnut — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:27:46 +0000

A perfect book to read when studying the letter e and its related sounds. Of course I could have used a pronunciation guide with Emu. I think I probably had 4 different ways to say it by the time I finished the book with the children. Edwina has a friend named Edward and they have 10 eggs in their nest in the zoo. Edwina volunteers to find a job so that Edward can sit on the nest. She discovers some things about herself in the quest for a job. Edward also learns the patience required to sit on a nest may not be his gift. What happens to the eggs? Read Edwina the Emu and find out.

Looking Out for Sarah by Glenna Lang

mathnut — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:18:38 +0000

School Lunch by True Kelley

mathnut — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:11:29 +0000

Finally, a book to encourage appreciation of the school cook. It is a wonderfully illustrated book showing the wearied cook traveling to a tropical island to refresh herself. Meanwhile back at school, the principal hires a parade of substitute cooks, even tries cooking a meal himself, only to find that this is not as easy as it appears. Written with a series of letters from the students and the principal himself to the cook asking her return, the final plea that moves her to action is …. Oh, I don’t want to tell you all. Read the book and find out what brought the cook back to her kitchen.