The Books that Shape Our Lives

I love being a reader and a writer! It is who I am. But, I also love being a teacher and helping students learn that they can be readers and writers, too. This past week, I had my students create several sections in their readers notebooks. As their teacher, I like to DO what I ask, so I have put examples of MY work. After doing this assignment, I thought it would be fun to share with you all and to hear back from you.

First, I created a READING TIMELINE. Starting from grade 1 until my senior year in college, I created a timeline represetenting the books that have shaped me, are important to me, or just made me love reading. some of my favorites on my timeline include:

The Outsiders - I think I've mentioned this before, but this is what got me reading in the first place. Stay Gold, Ponyboy!

Any and ALL Lois Duncan books - She was the ultimate suspense and mystery author. Remember the movie, "I Know What You Did Last Summer?" Well, the book is SO much better and I read it years before the movie was made. The first book I read was Locked in Time and it took place in Louisiana (where I was born). Then I found out that Lois Duncan lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico (where I grew up). So, that made an even tighter connection. 

Harry Potter Series - Although I read these books (and re-read so many times) in my adult years, they are favorites and I love them. 

Second, I created a page about the LAST 5 BOOKS I'VE READ. If I were completely honest with my students, I would have had 5 contemporary romance books, and I wasn't about to put the Fifty Shades of Grey series. Since I'm a pre-teen teacher, I kindof felt compelled to have a variety of books, so I added 5 I read over the summer. The list should show a lot about a person. What does your list show about you?

So, my dear readers, what are the books that shaped you? What book woke you up to reading? What book  can you read and reread (It's ok if it's Harry Potter!)? Please comment below. I'd love to hear!

Thanks for stopping by,
Melinda

First Loves

First Loves Blogfest

I have joined another blogfest hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh which is focused on our First Loves. Participants need to post 4 first loves: first movie, first song/band, first book, and first person. So, here I go!



First Movie: The first movie I ever remember going to was The Jungle Book. However, the first movie that I remember that made an impact on me was E.T. I loved everything about E.T. The friendships, the love, the science fiction, the hiding, and the discovery. I mean, who can resist loving a cutie, wrinkly little alien creature who says, "Ill be right here." I can't even count on my fingers how many times I saw this movie. I even had an E.T. birthday cake in the 5th grade! 



First Song/Band: I'm not sure if this is the first song I heard or first song I loved, so I will share a little of both. My first concert ever was Olivia Newton John. My oh my.... Let's Get Physical!  But, my first band love was Duran Duran. I was completely obsessed, much like the little Beilebers are now. I had my walls covered with the band, all their longplay albums (remember those) and belonged to all the fan clubs out there. 




First Book:  I became a reader in the fifth grade when I discovered the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Then the movie came out which made me more of a fan because of all the cute guys... Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe... :)

My hubby and I

First Person: Now, what is this supposed to mean? [{blushing}]  My first real boyfriend was in the eighth grade, Steve Ngyugen. I can't believe I remember his real name. My first love was Shelby. And my first real love was my hubby, Rafael. 






Love my first loves! Thanks for reading!

If you want to read more entries or participate, visit the link above.