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DrSpalding

Joined July 2016

Reading is the foundation of education!

reading now icon

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

review

When You Trap a Tiger | Tae Keller

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I finished this Newbery award winner today. Slow to start but a very emotional, touching ending. Here's a quote! "The sadness fades, yeah. Eventually. But the missing… I don't know if that ever does." A great book about Korean culture, sisterhood and dealing with loss. ❤️?

PatriciaS Great review 👍 I will definitely be reading this and finding a way to utilize this in emotional support teaching students about grief and dealing with their feelings in a healthy manner. 3y

kspenmoll Happy Litsyversary!!! 3y

DrSpalding Thank you!! ❤️📚 3y

8 likes1 stack add3 comments

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Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us | Emerson Weber

My latest book purchase! Wonderful message of gratitude and endless possibilities for extension activities! ❤️📚

16 likes5 stack adds

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Wild about Books | Judy Sierra, Marc Tolon Brown

I hope you all made the most of your time in the CMC! Happy Reading!❤️📚

MandaMT Hi Dr. Spaulding! I keep seeing your students posts when browsing middle grade books. My curiosity is piqued. Would love to know a more about your course. Is there a syllabus I could check out? (I‘m the type that will read the occasional syllabus for fun). 4y

16 likes1 comment

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Butterfly Yellow | Thanhha Lai

I gave all of my students LOVE-ly bookmarks for Valentine‘s Day. I especially liked this quote... much of what makes a book good is that we are reading it at the right time for us. The finest work, wrongly scheduled can leave us cold; the most mediocre may with an emotional tailwind, change our lives. It‘s true...BOOKS change lives! ❤️

12 likes1 stack add

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OLIVIA and the Perfect Valentine: with audio recording | Natalie Shaw

Look at the amazing set up our curriculum materials center has to honor the LOVE-ly books! ❤️📚

AndreaEfres Shout out to the CMC staff😍 Great job -AE 4y

jinfanzon1988 Love the quote and it‘s relation to Forrest Gump. 4y

innertruthbooks 📚❤️ 4y

31 likes1 stack add3 comments

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The List of Things That Will Not Change | Rebecca Stead

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I have read well over 60 novels this year. I enjoyed the many themes in this book and am happy it will close out 2020! This book ends with the possibility of many new beginnings! Let‘s hope 2021 offers the same! ❤️📚 Happy New Year! #2021

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Frederick's Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass | Doreen Rappaport

New book alert part two! This picture book biography nicely compliments my talkingstatues.com center activity! Frederick Douglas calls your phone! Try it! ❤️😁

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Marjory Saves the Everglades: The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas | Sandra Neil Wallace

New book alert! Loving this picture book biography about Marjory Stoneman Douglas! She was a true champion of women‘s rights and the conservation of our “River of Grass”! ❤️📚

3 likes1 stack add

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One Girl | Andrea Beaty

Another new book alert! Simple language and beautiful message of where books can take you and the importance of education for ALL! ❤️📚

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All Because You Matter | Tami Charles

New book alert! Beautiful book with a very important message! ❤️📚

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The Book of Lost Names | Kristin Harmel

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Awesome HF title. Opening lines take the reader to the Winter Park Public Library 15 minutes from my house!❤️📚

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Charlotte's Web | E.B. White

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The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise | Dan Gemeinhart

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Oh my! Through many tears, I finally finished this lovely book. It is going to be a choice for literature circles this summer. Hopeful, heart wrenching, adventurous...and so much more! “I held that - and every the end and every once upon a time...”❤️📚#ucflae3414su20 #ssyra20-21

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Grumpy Monkey | Suzanne Lang

New #bookhaul ❤️📚 #UCFLAE3414SUB20

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Book Love: Twelve Essays on an Affair Without End | Bension Varon

These are my newly re-purposed/upcycled books created by Say it Simply Decor. As a true book lover, this is a wonderful way to honor my passion for books. ❤️📚

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New Kid | Jerry Craft

TBR PILE! ❤️📚

AleciaM How was New Kid? Really want to add it to my stack. 5y

DrSpalding Still on the TBR pile. Graphic novels are certainly a different read. Psyching myself up.🤣 5y

12 likes2 comments

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Gaston: with audio recording | Kelly DiPucchio

You all should have posted by now! Check out this retweet! Wow! ❤️📚

7 likes1 stack add

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Louisiana's Way Home | Kate DiCamillo

Chai Kitty and I finished Kate DiCamillo‘s sequel to Raymie Nightingale today. Let‘s just say one of us cried at the end. I already have my, signed by the author, copy of Beverly Right Here on deck to read next.❤️📚😻

mandarchy I love this series! 4y

DrSpalding So do I! Kate is an amazing author. I‘ve read the majority of her books!❤️📚 4y

16 likes1 stack add2 comments

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Grandpa Green | Lane Smith

The new Kohl‘s Cares books feature award winning author Lane Smith! Get these hard back books and cute plush characters for $5! ❤️📚

Bshelton27 These are so cute! Cooper wanted the Giraffe book and we read it before bedtime! I‘m definitely going back and getting the others. 😬🥰 5y

DrSpalding The plush characters are adorable! Really good books at a really great price. ❤️📚 5y

15 likes2 comments

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The Giver of Stars: A Novel | Jojo Moyes

#2020UCFSTEREADS Welcome to the STE Book Club! If you‘re new to Litsy simply refer back to this post or the hashtag above to see what we are saying about the book. If you post, you just use the hashtag so that we can see what you‘ve said. You should follow each member once they post. We will formally begin on Monday, January 13th and plan to read the prologue, chapters 1 and 2 (43 pages) by January 24. If you finish early, post.

DrSpalding If you don‘t want a spoiler, don‘t read the posts until you have finished the reading! What a great way to begin 2020! Happy Reading! ❤️📚 5y

Ehoffman Looking forward to it!! 5y

DrSpalding Me too! 5y

See All 39 Comments

martyhop I just got the book! Looks great. 5y

DrSpalding Tomorrow, the reading officially begins! I hope you have your books! Let‘s go! ❤️📚 5y

DrSpalding @martyhop ❤️📚 5y

DrSpalding @Mkelley ❤️📚 5y

Ehoffman So I‘m really liking Margery O‘Hare! I want to be more like her. 😉 5y

DrSpalding I have finished the prologue and am already to chapter 3! Margery seems to be just what Alice needed. It doesn‘t seem like her “leap of faith” marrying an American is working out like she thought. My mom was British and married my American father. I have many connections. The idea of delivering books via horseback is so interesting. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depres... ❤️📚 5y

DrSpalding @anakenn @twenzel you two are reading with us right? 5y

anakenn Yes. I‘ll be commenting soon! 5y

CherylVDM I've finished the first two chapters and am really liking the way the author is developing Marjorie's character as what appears to be a strong, resilient woman.
I feel like Alice is rethinking her decision to go on the “grand adventure“ and marry an American. I'm not quite sure if she got “more“ or “less“ than what she bargained for...
Did the Prologue make anyone feel uncomfortable and worried for Marjorie or was that just me? 5y

DrSpalding Yes!!! Sadly I think it was foreshadowing for tragic events to come!😕 5y

martyhop I have two thoughts to share this morning. First...I was a very reluctant reader growing up, not understanding why anyone would choose to do something so difficult as reading when they could be outside playing. Obviously, I‘ve changes a bit over the years, but while reading the prologue I thought, “Now, that‘s a great use for a book!” 🙂 5y

martyhop Oops...hit send...my second thought...I know the book is basically about Alice and Margery and the WPA project, but I‘m wondering about Bailey. Specifically, if Margery‘s influence on Alice will extend to helping Bailey deal with his abusive father, i.e., to become at home the person that Alice fell in love with in Britain. Just a thought. 5y

DrSpalding It seems Alice was never accepted by her family and was considered unruly. Margery is the same! I do believe she will help her come into her own; not necessarily closer to Bennet. 5y

DrSpalding #2020UCFSTEREADS 5y

martyhop Good point... (and thanks for the name correction) it will be interesting to see how/if the author further develops the male characters throughout the book. The optimist in me hopes that as women come into their own, men will appreciate ...and even embrace...the change. 5y

DrSpalding Let‘s talk about why Alice married Bennett. What kind of life did she expect in America? And how did it compare to her reality? #2020UCFSTEREADS 5y

Ehoffman I think she married Bennett as an escape. She may not have viewed it that way at the time, but realizes it later in the story. She definitely expected the “fairytale” life in America and was sorely disappointed in what her life became, but being a strong woman, she is trying to make a life for herself at the library. We‘ll see how it works out for her.... #2020UCFSTEREADS 5y

DrSpalding I agree Liz! She never seemed to live up to her parents‘ expectations and I believe she thought, moving to the states would improve all aspects of her life. She only had thoughts of living in the city and had no idea of what rural life encompassed. I think she came with strength and then that strength was bolstered by her friendships with the other women in the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky group.🐴 #2020UCFSTEREADS 5y

martyhop I agree with BOTH of you! But then that makes me ask why Bennet married Alice. He certainly hasn‘t turned out to be much of a husband. Do you think it was his father‘s idea? His dad did seem to be quite impressed with English royalty. 5y

DrSpalding I think you are correct Marty. It looked good for him to marry her however it seems that his affection lies with someone else… Maybe? 5y

CherylVDM I am disappointed in Bennett and his father. They are both toxic. 5y

DrSpalding I agree @CherylVDM. He is the definition of a hypocrite!🤯 5y

martyhop Anyone else troubled by the similarities of society in the 30s and 40s to now?...intolerance/fear of “other”; expectations of women‘s roles; bullying; power of wealth... And I thought we‘d come so far. 😕 5y

DrSpalding I could not agree more. There were many times I thought, wow this sounds like issues we are still having today ...literally 90 years later! 5y

KarriW I am enjoying your comments. I am sorry that I am just now joining the conversation. I hadn't really thought about Bennett; I've been too worried about Alice. That scene in the Prologue has had me on edge since the beginning - just wondering when we will move back into what happens after that event. I do love the focus on books and importance of reading. Thinking that too has a message for today; too many people are not reading. 5y

KarriW This is not about this book....but I'm so excited that Mildred D. Taylor has a new book - that is the final book in the Logan family series: All the Days Past, All the Days to Come. I read the first few pages and was hooked. If you have never read “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry“, I recommend it - though it is a tough book because of the many truths. I can tell that the new one will be similar. 5y

KarriW Also excited about “The Undefeated“ (Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson) winning Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor and Coretta S. King illustrator award. (Sorry for the advertising break.... now back to “The Giver of Stars“. 5y

DrSpalding I watched the live webcast in the CMC with Amy! I love Kwame and was excited he won. Have you read The New Kid? It‘s the first graphic novel EVER to win the Newbery! 5y

DrSpalding We are very close to finishing up our book! Let‘s continue to book chat. In the 1930s there was a power imbalance between men and women—with men viewing women as beneath them. Let‘s talk about how the main characters all eventually rose above that and proved the men wrong. 5y

CherylVDM I‘ve finished the book. I really enjoyed it. The characters we very believable. It made me angry to think about women (black and white) and children were treated during this time period in our history. The men in power then, just like now, knew that knowledge is power and once you share a book you open an entire world of possibilities. I did like the irony of Clem‘s death being attributed to a hard bound copy of “Little Women” 5y

DrSpalding I agree @CherylVDM about how sad and mad I felt reading about the many injustices put upon the children and adults, black, white and blue! I had never heard of the blues and was forced to look it up. So interesting! While the part regarding her medical sessions was scary, the research lead to a better understanding of the condition! #2020ucfstereads 5y

martyhop Oops, lee-Anne, I think the blues were in The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek....but the injustice is the key to both books. 5y

DrSpalding You are right Marty! 🤣If anyone wants to read a complementary book… See Marty‘s post. Good one! 5y

KarriW I really enjoyed this book. Somewhere after ch. 8 I reached the “cant wait to get back to reading the book” stage. When it ended, I missed the characters. I wanted to follow them to next parts of their lives. I like the implied commentary about how women were treated. I liked the weaving of events into the plot - how event in prologue became key to plot - and then Bennett sharing info with Alice in store that led to solution. 5y

DrSpalding So happy to hear you enjoyed it Karri. Yes, excellent characters that you become attached to and wish you could follow them. I have really admired Eleanor Roosevelt ever since I read Dead End in Norvelt, the autobiographical novel by the American author Jack Gantos (Newbery winner 2012). The fact that she wanted books delivered to enhance society....we need to go back!❤️📚 5y

martyhop Amen! 5y

17 likes1 stack add39 comments

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Thank You, Omu! | Oge Mora

In honor of the 2019 book selection, Thank You, Omu! We provided our last read for the record opportunity at Lake Howell high school this morning. We presented and shared ideas related to this wonderful book about community and sharing with over 100 high school students that are currently teaching pre-K classes.❤️📚

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Wishtree | Katherine Applegate

Just announced, the sequel to The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate! Coming out May 5, 2020! I tweeted that I can‘t wait to read this book and SHE liked it! 💜📚

HeyMsBowen This is so exciting!!! 5y

AleciaM I am getting this one, can't wait to read it. No that I graduated I have plenty of time to read. 😄 5y

DrSpalding Congratulations on your graduation! I received mine in the mail about two weeks ago. It just came out! Let me know what you think of it! ❤️📚 5y

18 likes3 stack adds3 comments

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Louisiana's Way Home | Kate DiCamillo

This book has been on my TBR pile for a while. Looking forward to reading the sequel to Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo. ❤️📚

13 likes1 stack add

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Blended | Sharon M. Draper

In honor on #nationalreadabookday I am currently reading Blended! ❤️📚

HeyMsBowen THE BEST BOOK! 5y

16 likes1 comment

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Other Words for Home | Jasmine Warga

My #ReadingSummit recommendation...good so far! ❤️📚

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Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids | Donalyn Miller, Colby Sharp

The best books for kids are the ones they will read! #ReadingSummit

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The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend | Dan Santat

Good night! #ucflae3414su19

TobeyTheScavengerMonk Using Litsy for a college class! How cool! As an elementary ed veteran I think this is a great idea. 5y

DrSpalding @TobeyTheScavengerMonk I thought so! Meet them where they are...social media is a wonderful way to share what we read and learn from one another! 5y

17 likes2 stack adds2 comments

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There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Shell! | Lucille Colandro

#bookaday June 17, 2019 ❤️🏖

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The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors | Drew Daywalt

#bookaday June 16, 2019

Hervela.L My favorite book to read!!! 5y

9 likes1 comment

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Madeline Finn and the Library Dog | Lisa Papp

#bookaday June 15, 2019 ❤️🐕

7 likes1 stack add

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A Unicorn Named Sparkle | Amy Young

#bookaday June 14, 2019

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Thank You, Mr Panda | Steve Antony

#bookaday June 13, 2019

5 likes2 stack adds

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Gaston: with audio recording | Kelly DiPucchio

#bookaday June 12, 2019

raqueldonna This looks like the cutest book! 5y

DrSpalding It is If you love French Bulldogs and inclusive themed books! Antionette is the sequel! She‘s a 🐩 ❤️📚 5y

7 likes1 stack add2 comments

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Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes | James Dean, Kimberly Dean

#bookaday June 11, 2019 #math

5 likes1 stack add

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The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal | Nick Seluk

#bookaday June 10, 2019 #science #socialstudies

5 likes1 stack add

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Princess Truly in My Magical, Sparkling Curls | Kelly Greenawalt

#bookaday June 9, 2019

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Pete the Cat and the New Guy | James Dean, Kimberly Dean

#bookaday June 8, 2019

3 likes1 stack add

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If You Give a Mouse a Brownie | Laura Numeroff

#bookaday June 7, 2019

3 likes1 stack add

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The Napping House | Audrey Wood

#bookaday June 6, 2019

2 likes1 stack add

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There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight | Penny Parker Klostermann

#bookaday June 5, 2019

KristenDuck My kindergarten class loves this book 5y

DrSpalding My college students do too! ❤️📚 5y

5 likes1 stack add2 comments

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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom | Bill Jr. Martin

#bookaday #missedyesterday #twotoday June 3 + 4, 2019

5 likes2 stack adds

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Mr Tiger Goes Wild | Peter Brown

#bookaday June 2, 2019

1 like1 stack add

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We Found a Hat | Jon Klassen

#bookaday June 1, 2019

2 likes2 stack adds

review

The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock

This post contains spoilers

Meh

so-so

I finished the book last Saturday. I was surprised that BOY was an ANGEL! Did any of you see that coming? He was so loyal to Secunda until the very end. The photo is in St. Peter‘s Cathedral and the tomb is down below. #UCFBC19

CherylVDM I finished the book as well. I wasn‘t surprised that BOY was not “human” considering all the things he didn‘t do... I thought that perhaps he was in the “in between” and his task was to guide Secundus. Throughout the book I made connections to the relics, Catholicism, and my own belief systems. Rib, Tooth, Thumb, Toe, Dust, Skull, Tomb ... 🏡 6y

Ehoffman I finished as well. As I said from the beginning, interesting book, but I don‘t think I would use it in the classroom. I did think Boy was there to “guide” Secundus, but was surprised that he was an angel! 6y

DrSpalding I guess I saw SOME signs like when his hump was growing but I didn‘t think Angel. What genre would you think this book would be? 6y

KarriW I really liked this book. I did not predict angel and was surprised (though not completely) at end of part 2. I loved the message at end and the focus on good. I liked the home/tomb mix - made sense toward end. I like the historical setting details. I think this would be hybrid - historical fiction/fantasy - though the faith side of me says not fantasy :). I think 5th / 6th and above. I liked it just as a piece of literature - thought provoking 5y

DrSpalding I agree Karri! ❤️📚 5y

1 like2 stack adds5 comments

review

Where the Crawdads Sing | Delia Owens

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@AndreaG I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thanks for the push to finally read it. Loving nature and being in a kayak myself, I loved that Kya took the circumstances she was dealt as the Marsh Girl, and made the most of them. She was so strong in the face of immense adversity and inevitably became a published author. I do wish we knew more of the love story that was her and Tate but knowing they lived a good life together was enough. ❤️📚

AndreaG @DrSpalding So glad you enjoyed it, and I agree with your thoughts on the relationship with Tate. 5y

9 likes2 stack adds1 comment

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The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock

In chapters 1-10 I was immediately enamored with Boy. He‘s pure of heart! He LOVES animals which many of us in this book club do and obviously cherished the idea of reading and books! I made T-W connections with the Hunchback of Notre Dame especially in light of the recent fires and with several other stories where children have disabilities and just want to be accepted. In latter chapters I was happy to see the pilgrim caring for him.

DrSpalding #UCFBC19 6y

CherylVDM I‘m enjoying the text but am concerned about the safety of Boy. He is so sweet and caring. Secundus is evil but I‘m not sure why. 6y

DrSpalding Secundas has some redeeming qualities but he is surely using Boy to access the seven relics of St. Peter! 6y

See All 6 Comments

KarriW @CherylVDM I agree about Secundus though he did show some kindness to Boy. 6y

KarriW I love Boy‘s connection to animals. I keep thinking that “never reveal yourself” means more than just the hump. 6y

DrSpalding Oh… I agree Karri! 6y

2 likes6 comments

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The Book of Boy | Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Let‘s begin reading this tomorrow UCF CCIE colleagues. Post your thoughts here using the hashtag #UCFBC19. ❤️📚

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Mentoring Preservice Teachers Through Practice: A Framework for Coaching with CARE | Melissa Mosley Wetzel, James V. Hoffman, Beth Maloch

Let‘s begin Litsy posts on this book related to our TQP using the hashtag #TQPbookclub2019 ❤️📚

TQP TQP now has a Litsy account! Looking forward to our upcoming book chats on Mentoring Preservice Teachers Through Practice: A Framework for Coaching with CARE. #TQPbookclub2019 6y

Ehoffman Loving this book!! 6y

Mlittle Great book! Excited for the continued learning! 5y

See All 7 Comments

TQP I agree! I have used almost an entire pack of post-its on this book! One huge take-away so far is from page 30, “How did you GROW through this experience?“ as opposed to “What did you LEARN from this experience?“ Our words are POWERFUL! 5y

Mlittle The discussion about mentoring is very insightful! I have comments throughout the book. Excited that Kelly is using this book with our supervising teachers. It is about learning, risk taking, and growth! 5y

Mlittle I just finished the sections re: mathematics coaches. Very inspiring and insightful! Connections to literacy and learning! Our roles as coaches are so important! How could we use some of the powerful writings and thoughts from this book? 5y

TQP This quote made me think about praise in a new way...
“Praise“ given and received is addictive and mostly not empowering. (page 54)

How can we promote feedback that is empowering, both feedback that we give and receive? #tqpbookclub2019 5y

6 likes1 stack add7 comments

quote

Read! Read! Read!: Training Effective Reading Partners | Laurie Glass, Beth Pike, Linda Peist

This is my book mark. All previous posts to this one are considered on time!

review

Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship | Patrick Downes, Jessica Kensky

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Thank you Haley for reading and sharing this touching story. I was in Boston a couple of years after the bombing. I went to the finish line. It was surreal. This Schneider Family award winning biography was so touching! As you can see, my 🐕 Finn, at first wasn‘t interested but then, he liked it enough to nibble the corner. Dogs make lives better! Rescue makes Jessica‘s life better every day! #LAE3414sp19

4 likes2 stack adds