BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!

On my Facebook page last week, I made the comment that I was finally ready to enjoy my summer after weeks of being a trainer for summer school and three days at a conference in Cincinnati. A comment came back that said, "Kathy, the summer is almost over!" I realized that is true. I only had four weeks left. I knew I had to make the best of that time.

One of the ways I enjoy the summer is to visit the library for summer reads. I did have a pile of books by my bed that I promised myself I would read, so I was digging through those first. The library visit provided two new books by favorite authors and I am devouring those as I sit by the pool. (Another favorite activity.)

However, I had a couple professional books that were recommended to me this summer and I just had to start in on them, too. I thought you all might like to know what I was reading professionally for the summer, just in case you are anxious to get back in the groove.

The first one was recommended by a very talented, reading specialist. She told me her "bible" for reading was: The Fluent Reader by Timothy Rasinski. I ordered it and it came in the mail yesterday. I can't wait to dig in and find out more about oral reading strategies. The other book was recommended by a friend and future coach. She is very excited about her new role and has been doing some research on the subject. Her find was: Learning Along the Way by Diane Sweeney. I have been reading that for a few weeks now. I love it. Not just because my friend Marjory Ulm was Diane's coach and she is mentioned all through the book, but because it really gives me a focus on what FWCS could become.

Hope your summer is going slower than mine and you are enjoying EVERY minute of it. Do something fun for you and don't forget to stop and smell the roses!