Book Week IS Here

Two Signings Coming Up:

The Return to Galien. Since graduating from Galien in 1984, I've made several trips back and a lot has changed over the course of 25 years (the biggest one being the shut down of GHS). Another change is the library. "You'll be very impressed when you return to see the upgrades we've made to the library," Linda told me as we talked about the book signing. To be honest, I was never one for stopping in the library much. Probably because it was located near the baseball field and tennis court and if I made the trip to town, chances were it was likely to go to a court or field before sitting in the library with a good book. "I think I will be be very surprised," I replied.

I do have memories of going to the library, after all, it happened to be located across the street from my grandparents house, which probably gave me an escape from the evening news with my grandpa,... and I'm sure one or two of my teachers gave me cause for research. I remember a small, quaint room which housed tall shelves, or at least they seemed tall to a little boy. It held that inescapable book smell that is best described as 'old'. I also recall an elderly woman who managed the library, never talked to me much, which seemed good for me, because I didn't really have much to say. And then there was this window in the back that seem to light the small room with a sense of life. I remember thinking that if I ever needed to get out of there quick,.. that window would make the perfect exit. Of course, I never had a reason to use it.

I'm looking forward to seeing the upgrades and spending some time in a library that I spent more time riding by on the way to play then I did actually stopping in. If you find yourself in Galien this Tuesday, stop by (I don't think there's a game going on at the field), stop in, and I have a good book for you. Tuesday, November 3, 7-8 PM.


If you're in Niles this weekend,.. the Niles Star reports:

Local authors to gather for signing

By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

For painters, there are murals and galleries and museums.

For sculptors there are tons of sand and blocks of ice that make their way to downtown Niles each year. For musicians – air to breathe and wind to carry the sound from the Riverfront Amphitheater.

But there is another art form alive and well in Niles, if not a little hidden – the art of the written word. Four local authors will be on hand in downtown Niles for a group signing of some of their work Nov. 7.

“There are a lot of writers in Niles,” said Stephani Wuthnow, one of the authors who will be signing copies of her book at Color Me Christian at 101 E. Main St. in Niles on Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The authors may all be local writers but their featured works seem distinctly different, offering a variety for readers who make their way downtown for the signing.

Joining Wuthnow on Wednesday, Nov. 7 will be:

• MaryBeth Seal, author of the novel ‘Valley Girl.’ “We have all been a valley a girl at some time or another,” Seal writes on the book’s back cover. “Walking through valleys of trouble, sorrow, even the shadow of death is something we all can relate to.”

Where finding a way out of trouble and sorrow may be the subject of Seal’s novel, romance and Scotland serve as the backdrop for ‘Edwina,’ by Patricia Strefling.

The book describes the title character as”a small town librarian” who “loves her predictable lifestyle.” After her stepsister bails on a trip to Scotland, Edwina is left “exhausted and alone in Edinburgh,” where she “collapses into the arms of a tall Scot.” Her adventures with a new cast of characters serve as inspiration for Edwina, in Strefling’s “sweet romance” for readers from teens and up.

Strefling already has a sequel to the book in mind.

• David Kelly’s book ‘Time Out’ brings a new perspective to the phrase in his recollection of his daughter’s fight with cancer.

In the book, Kelly “recounts his family’s journey as his daughter, Hannah, battles a rare form of childhood cancer.

“At the time of her prognosis,” as the book describes, “Hannah was a fun-loving, ten-year-old girl who was looking forward to a summer playing basketball.

“Instead, she and her family would be at the Mayo Clinic, entering into the unknown medical world of oncology, radiology, and childhood cancer support. With thousands of newly-diagnosed children per year, Time Out not only walks you through experiences shared by many but inspires you with this family’s story of faith, strength, and hope.”

• Pastor Kevin Hester of Coloma is also making his way to Color Me Christian Nov. 7. with his books that focus on the harms caused by gossip. The ‘Gossip Free’ series looks at the dangers of the practice of gossip as it affects teens and young adults, children and even the workplace.

And Wuthnow brings a fresh take on teaching children about music in “A Musical Mouse in a Rhythmical House.”

Wuthnow said the “engaging storybook” can serve as a child’s first music lesson and is the first in a series that she’s planning for publication for young children ages 5-8.

“A Musical Mouse” focuses on the principals of music and how to work well with other musicians through the art of storytelling.

“The delightful secret is, adults who wish to begin learning music can also benefit from this series,” Wuthnow states about her book. “The appealing story line and illustrations of this book teach young children basics of rhythm, and resource ideas for parents and teachers are featured in the back pages of the book.”

Wuthnow said there will be door prizes and light refreshments during the signing.

I WANT an A!

"She's always gotten A's," seems to be the standard line I hear as a 4th grade teacher when meeting parents for the first time. Since when does a year of 3rd grade, where grades first begin, constitute a pattern of straight A's?

I wish I could have used that line throughout my entire educational career - 'Well, I don't know what that science professor was thinking by giving me a B in biology. Doesn't he realize I got an A in 3rd grade science , which covered all the science disciplines, not just one?'

The pressure to achieve is always a bit of a puzzle for me. Not that the pressure is there, but more from the standpoint of where the pressure comes from (student, parents, or peers). Sometimes I have students that experience all three. They have the parents who talk constantly about 'A's or failure', followed by their own pressure to maintain an A or feel like a failure, increased by friends who also strive for the A.

As the teacher, I've always found that students who prepare, focus on their studies, put in their best effort, and follow through on their assignments, tend to do rather well. Yet, it's the students who have the A's already that come in and request / demand the extra credit work to ensure their chances of not only the A, but possibly the A++.

To my demise / fault I try and let these students know that it's okay to let the grade handle itself and they can focus on learning. What a concept! We actually put aside the goal of a grade and learn something. The problem with my attempt is that most parents view this as my interfering with the grand plan of the aforementioned straight A plan. After all, no matter how many times I say it, some believe that colleges do look at elementary records for entry.

Let me set something straight,... I like grades. I like the goal setting, I like the attempt to attain, and I even like showing kids how close they are to making their goals with bi-monthly reports. I think it's life when we get to see where we sometimes fall short, sometimes where we can relax and breathe easy, and other times where we are right on track. Grades give that gauge to students. Heck, whenever one of my kids come home after bombing an assignment or test, it usually sends up a flare that there's something we need to review and work on. It signifies that learning was neglected and more effort must be put forth. It does not indicate that the world has stopped spinning, that the college application stack needs to be reduced, or that life as we know it has suddenly and drastically taken a turn for the worse.

So how do you get this point across when a child walks in and says, "My mom wants to know if you can give me extra credit so I can get the highest grade in class." Most of the time, I don't. It's heart breaking to see a child put under this kind of pressure, but this kid is my student, not my own child. It's really important to put on a smile and reassure that student that know matter what, I appreciate their effort,... and we don't do extra credit to make goals,... that's what daily work is for.

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
- Edison

I would love to hear how other teachers feel about this topic.

Two Reasons I Love Volleyball

On the Net

With Time Out set for release tomorrow, it hit the internet today!

Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Better World Books, and others. If you want to get your hands on a signed copy, we have plenty of those too. You can order through us by following the directions on the left side bar.

Measure of Winning

What's the measure of winning? Surely there can only be one team / player that ends on a winning note.

State Champion.
National Champion.
World Champion.

I believe it comes down to expectations. If you reach a certain plateau and know that taking the next level is well beyond your reach,... then if failure is met, winning doesn't seem to be much of a measurement. However, if your expectations are in line with success and you don't meet the mark,.. then winning becomes the end all. But should it really matter? Winners say 'yes' to this question, while the losing side says 'no'. Take for example the Notre Dame v. USC game to be played today. Clearly USC has dominated and created a history of winning over Notre Dame, yet will they fold or concede their season if they lose? I don't believe that's the way it goes. It's just a matter of dealing with the disappointment of losing before you pick yourself up, refocus on what's ahead, and talk of a new day where winning is the target. It's called competition - something we strive to eliminate in our schools because we don't want kids to have to deal with disappointment. It's why in some youth arenas the score is not kept. Right or wrong,... it's our way of helping the little ones cope and keeping some over-zealous parents in check.

Sam's tennis just wrapped up the State Tennis Tournament where he and his partner (Alex) made it to the third round before dropping a close one. Just over half of the flights on his team dropped matches in the third, with a few playing on.

"I don't want to talk. Not NOW." There were several of these conversations held between players and parents as the day went on, as teams lost their chance to define their season. I couldn't help but think that while these boys will take a few moments to drop to the depths of disappointment, it's the bounce back that really defines them. Ranked #4 in the State and shooting for the Team State Championship, I know that they are disappointed, but the fact remains that you play to compete, you compete to win, you define yourself and your team by where you are, where you want to be, and how will you get there.

"So, what's in store for next year?" I asked Sam as we sat on the couch at home after a long day of tennis.

"A lot of work," he replied.
Best answer I could have hoped for.

And the Band Played On

"So will they be bringing out the football team to fill in the downtime?" I was attending my second band festival of the season. My first one was directly following a day of tennis watching Sam and the Bears, so it was more of a one and done scenario. We ran in right before the band took the field, threw Sam into a band uniform, and paid the token allotment to listen to 'the band'. After the performance, it was right back into the van, and off for home. This band festival was not going to be the same.

"So,... we can leave after the Bears are done, right?" It was more like a wish that I was stating rather than a question. Perhaps I should have made a cake and blown out the candles first.

"No! We're staying to listen to the bands," Kim is a person with a toe to tap whenever any band takes the field.
"The Bands?" I gave it my best surprised to hear that voice, but it was futile.

I gutted the festival out like a pillager with no village to pillage. The last band had finally finished their four-part program and the masses had begun the exodus. I stood with the excitement found within any kid on the last day of school, when I felt a tug, "Where are you going? They have to give out the awards," Kim hadn't budged - not one centimeter from her seated position.

"Awards? Are you serious? You want to sit through the awards?" I could hear myself asking the questions, but deep, deep down we all know the answer and the outcome.

For Real

Conversation held between myself and one of my students"

"Are you ready for the quiz today?"

"There's a quiz today? For real?"

"It's not for fake. I told the class about it yesterday."

"No way! For real?"

"Once again,... not for fake."

"Aw that's not right."

"What's not right?"

"That you're giving a quiz for real."

"Would you feel better about it if I gave a quiz not for fake?"

"Yeah,.. wait,... what? You're confusing me."

"Wait until you see your quiz."

"For real?"

"No,.. that one was for fake. Now go sit down so we can start."