“Dill left us early in September, to return to Meridian.  We saw him off on the five o’clock bus and I was miserable without him until it occurred to me that I would be starting to school in a week.  I never looked forward more to anything in my life.”  ―  Scout Finch, Harper Lee

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to its end, yet again.  At least here in my district, anyway.  

Despite that I am not returning to the classroom this year, the time flies nonetheless. In fact, perhaps even faster now that our son has arrived and he is almost officially out of 12-week newborn phase. He already has almost 100 books and we are reading to him every day—a variety of levels and in both English and Spanish. Not to wish time away, since it just vanishes anyway, but I sure look forward to when he is old enough for interactive bedtime reading!  

I know the majority of returning students are not like Scout Finch in the header quote, and eagerly anticipating school or interactive classroom reading.  But, thankfully, getting students engaged doesn’t always have to be a chore. Granted, you can’t please everyone (the year I taught seniors was the whiniest year on record.  Seriously, if we were reading they wanted to watch the film version, when I did incorporate a film comparison, they wanted to write, if we had an essay unit then they complained they wanted to read. Sheesh. Had it been the Elizabethan age I’d have had rotten produce thrown at me! Besides that they just wanted to graduate and start life, so they thought, this was also very early in my education adventures so I wasn’t as thorough and creative as I became in the years of experience that ticked by. 

In other words, it just wasn’t all their fault. 

Below are some experience-refined, and student-tested, resources to help you get the year started smoothly and make your students look forward to class more than “anything in [their lives].”  Hopefully anyway.  X)  I do wish all the students were as eager, and literate, as Scout, but these quality resources will help all learners, eager and reluctant, alike.  And also hopefully, help them find a lifelong love of learning and literature!

Additionally, I have also added a new resource to my Free Little Resource Library—six quote posters you can enlarge (or just print and use as is) for your classroom.  Instant classroom decor: Check!

These girls may not particularly care about bedtime reading, but they sure enjoy bedtime treats and rubs!  Not that Novah needs a story or a rub to zonk out; she is so relaxed she will sleep anywhere, at any time and in any position.  

I think she doesn’t understand how the pillows work though.  X)

Happy New Year of Teaching!

M.D. Saints
Reading the Rapids
Liberty Dog Writing Co.