Reading + Pinning + Doing (10)

I was having some techinical difficulties...But here it is (a day late)


Reading
To balance Dostoevsky's The Idiot (a dense, slow read), I picked up Why We Get Fat, by Gary Taubes.  I'm not much of a non fiction reader, but I am taken with this book. 

Taubes ideas are somewhat controversial, but Taubes appears to be well-respected in the science community. His thesis generally is that we should cut out/limit as many carbs as possible (carbs drives insulin which drives fat production) including all sugars (yes, even fruits), milk products, breads, beans, rice, etc... He encourages us to eat as many green veggies as possible, along with meats. (This is super simplified btw- his reasoning is much more articulate and based in history and science).

I haven't been able to lose a lot of my baby weight... and have started to be bothered by it more and more.This book deals with the science and history of obesity/fat in the world. In the past, I've blamed a lot of my weight on genetics, and I don't think that's the healthiest mindset (it doesn't really motivate me to change my eating/exercise habits!)

I'm about 50 pages into this book, and I've learned a lot. I'm hoping to become more educated about the science of food, so that I am more knowledgeable about my body and health, etc.. I'm not much into fad diets, or dieting at all, but I realize that I need to try something soon so that I can become more healthy! 

Has anyone out there read this book? If so, what do you think about Taubes' ideas?

With my little one, in heavy circulation this week is... 

To Market, To Market by Anne Miranda (Illustrated by Janet Stevens): This book is lively, and great fun for any preschooler. It starts off with the mother goose rhyme and gives us a literal picture of what it would be like to go pick up a cow, duck, a spring lamb at the store. The illustrations are wonderful- A real hoot! I love it and my daughter asks for it every night. 

 

Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann: Hmmmm, I don't know if I approve of this book. It's cute, but Pinkalicious loves cupcakes and isn't a fan of green veggies (not a mindset we want to advocate for in our house). But, my daughter loves it. And it is pretty silly that Pinkalicious turns pink! My daughter isn't that into girly things, but maybe this book will do her in.

Potty by Leslie Patricelli: We've had this book for a while. My daughter isn't potty-trained, but we thought that this book would warm her up to the idea (hasn't worked yet). We hadn't read this book for over a month, and when we picked it up this week my daughter started "reading" it. She got all the words spot on on 4-5 pages. My hubby and I were astounded and impressed! This is the first book she has been able to do that with. My little girl is growing up too fast!

Pinning
There are so many great pins out there! Here are some of my favs from the week!

This Alphabet Mat from Teach Beside Me. I would love to make one of these for my little girl! It looks pretty simple.

This Guided Reading Focus Chart by Level from What the Teacher Wants. This is a handy resource for any elementary teacher.

Doing

Staying up too late!! I'm trying to get in bed by 10:30 these days, and it's after 11pm. So goodnight all, have a great week! I'm going to bed!

Have a super week! And please share- I'd love to know what you are Reading, Pinning, Doing??!!

I'm Linking up:

Learning All The Time!!

Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns

Reading + Pinning + Doing (8)

Time is short tonight because it's almost 8pm, and I still have to whip out my lesson plans for the week, so, here's and abbreviated post for you-

Reading
Still reading The Idiot by Dostoevsky. I'm at 5% now (only!). It's about 700 pages, so it may take me a while. I'm enjoying it, it's a lot more light-hearted and comedic than I expected.


My daughter loves Where's My Teddy,  by Jez Alborough. It's a great book for reading aloud to little ones because it builds phonemic awareness. My daughter gets a kick out of the massive teddy in the woods- her kind of humor, indeed.


Pinning
If you're a teacher you'll LOVE Show Me the Strategies, compiled by Donna Sears and Linda Stewart. It is an UNBELIEVABLY comprehensive list of strategies that can be used throughout lessons, beginning, middle and end. These strategies are meant to keep students interested, engaged and learning. (Description from Pinterest).


 I also LOVE this anchor poster found here. I am using an adapted QAR Strategy lesson with my students this week, and I was excited to find this model.


Doing
My husband and I went off for a night away last night to celebrate our 8th anniversary. We stayed close to home (about 15 minutes away), but the spot was especially sweet because we stayed there the night of our wedding.

  

The week ahead is full with my annual formal teaching observation. I have pre- and post- observation meetings. Our charter system is rolling out a merit pay system, so we are testing out the process this year. We'll see how it goes! Reading intervention doesn't really fit the mold, but I'm going to try and make it work!

Linking up at some fav blogs:

Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns                                    Learning ALL the Time!!

Hope you're having a great week!