from: here and here
What I'm reading: During spring semester I will be full-time student teaching. I will be teaching two 10th grade English classes, one 9th grade English class, and two Spanish 1 classes. I am excited and beyond nervous. Working with middle schoolers last semester was amazing. Each morning I would teach a 7th grade advanced Language Arts class. It brought me many joys and many tears. I loved middle schoolers, though. In preparation for the spring I have been reading lots of teaching books lately.
Deeper Reading by Kelly Gallagher is a book one of my education professors suggested. Although my birthday isn't until February, I asked my mom to get me these education books so I can read them before I start teaching again. This book is all about how to get kids to read on a deeper level. It has some really great ideas that I am excited to try out. I also bought Reading Reasons, another book by Gallagher. It's next on my list. I feel like I have discovered a whole new genre of literature: teacher books.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is the book I will be teaching to the sophomores next semester. I read this book in high school. The book will have lots of moral lessons to discuss. One of the books the freshmen will be studying is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I had never read this book before, but I'm excited to dive in with the 9th graders.
Out of everything I have read so far over winter break, Creative is a Verb by Patti Digh, has made me think the most. I started this book several summers ago, back when I had time to art journal and create things. I want to make my classroom a creative place, so I thought it would be a good book to revisit. I gobbled it up over the past two days when we were at the beach. I felt like the book was talking directly to my heart. Here is her website that has links to her blog and twitter and every other way to communicate with the lady.
What I've been thinking about: Reading Digh's book made me look back over the past year. Lately I have been feeling like I am missing out on moments in life. Just last week my mom's cousins came over to our house. They had so much fun laughing and sharing stories. But where was I? Working. Although I am BEYOND grateful for my job over winter break, I did not get to spend as much time with the people I love. Throughout last semester I got an average of 4.5 hours of sleep each night. Most of the time I would be in my apartment working on homework or lesson planning behind my shut bedroom door. I know it is important to get good grades, to plan solid lessons for middle schoolers, and to work in order to make money, but I do not want to look back on life and regret not actually living it.
One of the sections in Creative is a Verb talks about stillness. Digh discusses how the world often gives signs to slow down the pace of life. She mentions how creative people are often silenced, how life gets in the way of creating. This quote from Kevyn Aucion reminds me to stay passionate, even when people tell me it's silly.
There are two types of people in the world: people who are passionate about things, and people who've had their passion punched, beaten, or whatever out of them. -Kevyn Aucion
The past three days I have been at the beach. The beach is one of my favorite places in the world. Life slows down enough for me to read, sleep and exercise. Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, I did not have a headache. I actually got nine hours of sleep. And I finished a book. I was filled with peace.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. -Romans 15:13
I know 2014 will be just as busy as 2013. But each day or week I want to do something creative. I want to write a poem, share a story, do something kind for a stranger, inspire a high schooler, make a yummy meal, redecorate my bedroom. I plan on sharing it here on my blog.
So here's to 2014. Here's to slowing down. And here's to living a creative life.
Con mucho amor.
