Confession: I Have Never Read Harry Potter

It's true. I have never read Harry Potter. I admitted this here on our blog over a decade ago and have still not read the series. I started the first book 10 times and never got past page 63. It wasn't that I didn't like the book. It just wasn't a priority for me when it first came out.  And then all of a sudden there were 7 books--each one longer than the last, and reading the whole series seemed like an overwhelming endeavor. And there are so many new books I am dying to read, taking the time to read Harry Potter has not been a priority. until now.

Last year, I attended two of the Scholastic Reading Summits. (The Summit is always one of my favorite days of summer, BTW.). Scholastic was celebrating 20 years of Harry Potter and the new paperback editions of the book were available.  And after the summits, Scholastic sent me this fabulous boxed set! Thank you Scholastic!  I took this gift as a bit of a sign that maybe it was time to read the books!I don't keep it a secret that I haven't read the Harry Potter books but sitting in that room at the Scholastic Reading Summit in Chicago, I realized how many of the references I just don't get. I was sad that I wasn't part of this conversation around books that so many people in my world have experienced.

Also, this summer, we are taking a trip to Disney and may spend a day at Universal's Harry Potter World. My family is obsessed with Harry Potter. All of them read the books more than once and one of the movies seems to be on quite often at our house.  I walk into the family room and my husband and daughter are often on the couch rewatching one of their favorites.  They are all abuzz about the things we'll do and they keep making references to the story and characters that I just don't understand.

So I decided it was time to read the books. For many reasons. I teach 5th grade and the first few books are perfect for 5th graders.  I have huge Harry Potter fans in my classroom each year and it seems crazy that I haven't read them. And how can I miss out on experiencing Harry Potter world as someone who read and loved the books?

In my post from 2007, I said, " If I read it later, which I very well may do, I will know so much from the talk, the media, just by being part of the world. I won't come at it as everyone else did. "   I get the jokes in the world enough to know they are Harry Potter references but I don't really understand them. I told my family last week, before starting the first book, "I kind of know all the characters and what happens from just living in the world."  They both looked at each other and rolled their eyes. And really, I know better than that.  Hearing about a book and a set of characters does not compare to experiencing the story. Of all the things I know in the world to be true, I do know this.

Last week, I read book one of Harry Potter. I enjoyed it. Totally enjoyed it. And I have started on Book 2.  I am not sure I will read all 7 in a row but I think you can say I am hooked and I am confident I will finish the series in the near future.  I am so happy to be reading them. And I am hoping to watch the movies after I read each book, when I can.

I share this babbling story of my Harry Potter reading for several reasons:

1. We all have these "book gaps"--books that is seems everyone has read but books that we've missed somehow. It seems to be a point of shame for readers who pride ourselves on keeping up and that's silly so I wanted to make this book gap public. It is never too late to enjoy a good book.

2. Sometimes we forget about the great books that aren't brand new. I have spent the last several years reading books as they are published, keeping up on the best and newest books that I sometimes forget about the fabulous books I've missed in my reading life. For my students, I am worried that I have focused too much on the new books and have forgotten to highlight all the great books from  past years. Lesson to self.

3.  Hearing about a book, walking through a room where the movie is playing does not compare to reading the actual book. Just a reminder.

4.  The thought of reading the Harry Potter series has been overwhelming to me. Most of my family and friends read the books one per year as they were published.  That seemed doable. But now that there are seven (and some are very long), it seems to overwhelming. I wonder if our kids feel that way about some of our series and classics?

5.  I imagine there are other teachers out there who have not read Harry Potter. If anyone wants to read it for the first time with me this summer, would love to have a little support group as I think I might be the only reading teacher who has never read it.

I'll keep you posted!

Big, Big Plans

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Planning for Summer-Learning, Reading, Balance and Baking

It is hard to believe that Friday is our last day of school!  Summer is quickly approaching and, as always, I have way too much planned. I realized that I am the kind of person who creates impossible to-do lists.  Mine are never quite doable or finishable. There are always too many tasks for the time allotted. But my lists give me a vision and things to look forward to:-)

This summer, I am excited about the learning opportunities I have. In June. I'll be speaking at Lakota Literacy View which is an amazing summer institute in Ohio.  I have attended in the past and am excited to be part of it again this year. Even though I'll be facilitating workshops for most of the time, I'll have the opportunity to hear keynotes by Sharon Taberski, Lester Laminack, Katie Ray, Penny Kittle, and Matt Glover. And I know I'll learn so much from all of the teachers there. I am excited to kick off my summer learning at Lakota.

When I get back from Lakota, I'll have a few days before I leave for All Write Consortium Summer Institute.  The institute is only 3-4 hours away and the list of speakers was too good to pass up. Speakers include Cris Tovani, Debbie Miller, Ann Marie Corgill, Terry Thompson, Lester Laminack, Jeff Anderson, Ruth Ayres, Georgia Heard and Katie Wood Ray.  2 days filled with this great thinking. I am excited because there are 7 of us from Dublin attending the institute. And lots of Twitter friends are going too. It will be a fun group and a great few days!

Choice Literacy workshops begin in June in Tacoma. I'll also be doing Choice Literacy workshops in July in Michigan and Wrenthem.  It is always fun to get together with the Choice Literacy gang and I always learn so much from the participants, as well as from our informal conversations after the workshops end each day.  It feels like a great summer camp for grown-ups--being together with like-minded educators from around the world.

In July, I'll be attending November Learning BLC again.  I am really excited about it this year. Since it is my 2nd year there, I think I'll try to be a little bit less overwhelmed by the pace of the day.  I am excited to hear some new thinking by speakers I heard last year and I am also excited to hear some new voices.  There are so many people there that I heard last year that I now follow on Twitter, blogs, etc. that I think it will be a different experience. And now that I am more familiar with the shopping and restaurants in the area, I am set:-)

I think there should also be lots of time for reading this summer. I am going to attempt Donalyn Miller's #bookaday challenge, although I am sure some days will be easier than others. My 11 year old seems somewhat interested in giving this a try too so I think there'll be lots of family reading time!  On top of #bookaday, Columbus Kidlit bloggers will be participating in Mother Reader's 6th Annual 48 Hour Reading Challenge in which we will dedicate 48 hours to reading (with a little bit of book shopping in there too). If I counted correctly, there are 83 days of summer.  So, I am building my summer reading list.  Some top picks for summer are (just to name a few...):
So, What Do They Really Know by Cris Tovani (Stenhouse, July)
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
Entwined by Heather Dixon
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger
Juniper Berry by M. P. Kozlowsky
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer Holm
Jeremy Bender Vs. The Cupcake Cadets by Eric Luper
The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
The Loser List by
Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Breadcrumbs by Ann Ursu
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Reality is Broken by Jane McGonigal

I'm also hoping to learn about some apps for the iPad (I am totally underutlizing my iPad!) and how to use the Color Nook that I purchased for the library. My goal is to find some great ebooks and to learn to download ebooks from the Dublin Library.

And, I am hoping to get this foot back in order so that I can get moving again.   I am hoping for exercise and balance.  The summer seems set up in a way that it might be possible. Time for work and reading. Time for exercise. Lots of time to spend with family.  And some time to learn a few new recipes--I am going to work on cupcakes (thanks to recipes from Jen Allen and hopefully Mary Lee:-)) and basic Cakepops from Bakerella.

So, that's my summer to-do list.  My thinking ahead about all that is possible. Maybe that is why I like to-do lists....they help me think about all the things I would love to do if I had time.  A good balance, I think.

Summer Goals Revisited

Sigh.

This isn't going to be pretty. Here are the summer goals I set in June:

1. In an attempt to slow summer down and savor every minute, I vow to make fewer lists. (Ignore the fact that this is a list, please.)
2. I will exercise EVERY morning and walk EVERY morning that it's not raining. EVERY. (Embedded in this one is a daily glance at the ceiling to say, "Thanks for another day above ground.")
3. I will write in my writer's notebook EVERY day. (Embedded in this one is a close attention to what's right in front of me, reminiscing about what's behind, and anticipation for what lies ahead.)
4. Make multi-tasking an endangered species in my life. Focus. On. One. Thing. At. A. Time. Be a better listener.

Here's what I did first thing this morning:

1. Made lists -- not one, but TWO!
2. Gave myself permission not to exercise and walk. (It's not raining.)
3. Moved my writer's notebook to the other end of the kitchen table.
4. Stopped working on an enormous pile of Notables so I could write this post.

Sigh.

How did summer goals go for you? Anyone else want to come clean on their complete failures or stunning successes? (or anything in between)

Franki's goals are here. The round-up of goal-setters is here. Let us know if you post on your outcomes and we'll round those up as well.

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Edited to add: Karen at Literate Lives gives herself a 50% success rate. Yay, Karen!

Megan at Read, Read, Read got 4 out of 5 for an 80% success rate. Yay, Megan!
Jen W. at Eclectic Reader is feeling good about her goals. Yay, Jen!

Abby, at Authentic Learner got married AND met her goals.  Yay, Abby!

Bill, at Literate Lives met almost all of his goals, and who cares if it was by accident!  (I call that good goal writing!)  Yay, Bill!

Barbara, at Greetings from Nowhere achieved every single one of her goals!  Yay, Barbara!

Cloudscome, at A Wrung Sponge, has checked in with her successes, accompanied, as you might expect, by a gorgeous photo.  Yay, Cloudscome!

Summer Goals Meme -- Round Up

Franki got this thing going last week, and it looks like I'm just about the last one to jump in. Folks have written lyrical goals, terse goals, single goals, I'm-already-defeated goals, and admirable goals. I want to write challenging-but-attainable goals. (In order to be attainable, number 2 will begin in earnest on July 2, after we have returned from Europe.)

1. In an attempt to slow summer down and savor every minute, I vow to make fewer lists. (Ignore the fact that this is a list, please.)
2. I will exercise EVERY morning and walk EVERY morning that it's not raining. EVERY. (Embedded in this one is a daily glance at the ceiling to say, "Thanks for another day above ground.")
3. I will write in my writer's notebook EVERY day. (Embedded in this one is a close attention to what's right in front of me, reminiscing about what's behind, and anticipation for what lies ahead.)
4. Make multi-tasking an endangered species in my life. Focus. On. One. Thing. At. A. Time. Be a better listener.


Here's a round up of what I could find with a Google blog search as of today at 6:30 pm. If I missed you, or if you didn't get tagged and you want to join in the fun, leave a note in the comments and I'll include you!

Liz in Ink
Kevin's Meandering Mind
Two Writing Teachers
Becky's Book Reviews
Jen Robinson
nothing of importance (my everyday blog)
A Teacher's Life
Sarah Miller
Read, Read, Read
Greetings From Nowhere
Things Mean A Lot
creative literacy
Authentic Learner
My Breakfast Platter
My World-Mi Mundo
Franki started it all!

edited to add:
Read Write Believe
Literate Lives

A Break from 48-Hour Read With Summer Goals Meme 2008

So, it seems to be time for that Summer Goals Meme. Mary Lee and I were just talking about it this week and then Amy at My Breakfast Platter mentioned that she was ready for it too! Last year, I wasn't so successful. I set some great goals and then didn't meet very many of them! I guess summer goals might be like that--no big deal if you don't accomplish them!? So, I am going to be more realistic this year. When I looked back at my goals, it was kind of depressing because I have still not accomplished some of them! The two books that were on my to-read stack last June are still on it today.

So, here are some goals that I have:
1. Read Lots
2. Continue Boot Camp but also add a 30-60 minute walk about 3-5 days a week.
3. Learn a few new recipes.
4. Drink more water.

Okay, so that's it. I am trying to be realistic yet change a few habits. We'll see how it goes!

And to get the meme restarted, we tag Katie D at Creative Literacy, Karen at Talkworthy, Bill and Karen and Literate Lives, Abby at Authentic Learner, Stella at My World-Mi Mundo , Mary Lee here at A Year of Reading, Amy at My Breakfast Platter and Megan at Read, Read, Read.

Happy goal setting!