Heather's+Page

My Favorite Books...

My favorite children's book from my own childhood filled with happy reading was __Ramona Age 8__, and really any book from that series by Beverly Cleary.

My favorite book from highschool, and my answer to the question of "what is your favorite book?" for a long time, was __The Autobiography of Malcom X__. This book was chosen because it offered a different viewpoint, and I was developing my questioning skills and ability to look at things in unique and controversial ways.

My favorite book that I read in college was __Savage Inequalities__ by Jonathan Kozol, who I got to hear speak last year! This caught my attention at a time when I was beginning to think about my future career. And I started to develop the feeling and purpose of teaching as part of a much larger context, that of social change.

Now, as pointed out by one of my second graders this year, almost every book that I read out-loud to my class is "one of my favorite children's books"!

//Heather, I think the real idea is we love books. Having a favorite book is nearly impossible for a person who reads regularly. There is always a new one that is different and may hit your interests of the moment. I had the same reaction of kids when I talk about one of my favorite authors, Kids rolled thier eyes when I used that phrase. Ann 6-20-07//

My Favorite Pet...

I only had fish before I lived with Dan and his dog, Yappy. Not only did I get over my fear of dogs (for the most part), but I made my first dog-friend! I now realize how important my students' pets really are to them - and why this is a favorite topic of theirs for writing. My students even include cute pictures of dogs in pictures of their families!

Sadly, we found out that Yappy died on the last day of school - the teacher workday. I wasn't going to ruin this last day of work for everyone, so I tried to keep it to myself. I failed at this (I never have been good at keeping things in!). Then I completely broke down in an ugly cry that lasted about 2 hours! I am not someone who cries very easily or often. Cathy and Penny were great. They comforted me and told me that it was OK, and that he wasn't "just a pet" as I was saying over and over.

I don't think we'll get another dog for awhile. It's back to fish, they are much easier! But I have great memories of my favorite pet!