Fire REVIEW

Fire

By Kristin Cashore

I finished this book Saturday night!!

Overall it was a great book. The beginning and really up until at least half way had only been about Fire. While I enjoyed learning about her there just wasn't enough of a two-person story that kept me on my toes. Again, loved reading it, but I found that I could put it down and not feel the need to rush back right away, yet while I read I found myself completely engrossed in the story. It was when Fire and Brigan's stories started to intertwine that I was held captive with suspense and wanted to pick it back up as soon as I put it down. I must say I was also surprised with how little Leck was in this story. I guess I had expected there to be more to his story.

I definitely recommend this series (Graceling, Bitterblue, Fire) to anyone!! I also recommend this series being read in that order even though it is not the published order.

Units of Study #1: Launching the Writing Workshop REVIEW

Launching the Writing Workshop

by Lucy Calkins and Leah Mermelstein

Here is the second book in the Unit of Study.

Here is my review. Sorry there was no description on Goodreads:

This book has tons of great information, mini lessons and advice. It was definitely a great refresher read, since it has been awhile since I taught a writing workshop, but it also was uplifting and got me excited to teach writing!!

Units of Study: Nuts and Bolts of Teaching Writing REVIEW

The Nuts and Bolts of Teaching Writing

by Lucy Calkins

I made the original post for this book as a Unit of Study, however, I will write the reviews all separately and number them accordingly (in the blog post title).

Here is the description given by Goodreads:

Provides a comprehensive overview of the processes and structures of the primary writing workshop. This is the first in a series of books designed to help primary teachers teach a rigorous yearlong curriculum.

Here is my review:

This book nicely goes over the different aspects of teaching writing. It discusses ways to help expand a child's writing, how to work with students who are not participating in writer's workshop, what god structures of mini lessons look like, different types of student conferences, etc.

Fire...

Fire

by Kristin Cashore

So.... I am continuing to keep Gone on hold because I need to read this final book of the series!!! It is technically the second book of the series, but have been told it is best to read last because it ties everything together and the characters in this book will make more sense. When it comes to books.... I do as I am told. ;)

Here is the review by Goodreads:

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.

This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.

Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.

If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.

Bitterblue REVIEW

Bitterblue

by Kristin Cashore

So, I just realized that I never made an original post saying that I was even reading this book! Now I am finished with it!! 

I read the first book in this series because a friend let me borrow it and because I needed to return it, I had put Gone on hold. :) I continued to keep it on hold once I finished Graceling because I had to keep reading the series!! Bitterblue is technically third in this series but it is best read second!

I absolutely loved this book! It took me just a little bit to get into it because I was expecting it to start off with Katsa and Po's story (from Graceling). However, it did not take me long to become completely involved in Bitterblue's life! I loved how her story heated up quickly and I felt that there were no real slow parts. Bitterblue is a fantastic character and how she handled her life and situations seemed very real and easy to follow and understand.

Units of Study for Primary Writing...

Units of Study for Primary Writing: A Yearlong Curriculum

by Lucy Calkins and various authors

In my professional world I teach 1st grade for half of the day. The teacher I share our classroom with and I have switched our "halves." I used to teach in the afternoons (reading groups and math) and she taught in the mornings (language, word work, writing and science). 

When we switched, which started at the beginning of this week, we also switched some of the areas we were teaching. I am now teaching reading, writing, word work (all the language) and she is teaching math, science and social studies.

I couldn't be more thrilled because it is so awesome to have the language all together!! It makes for a smooth classroom routine and for more connective teaching as well as language academic expectations, on my part.

However, it has been a while since I have taught a writing workshop so I need to brush up and Lucy Calkins is where it is at!! This past Monday we had off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so off my girls went to daycare and I read and read! I got through the first two books and plan on reading the third this weekend. I will write individual reviews soon! It is a yearlong curriculum so I won't be getting through all of the books by the end of this school year, in my classroom, but I do plan on personally reading them!

Graceling REVIEW

Graceling

By Kristin Cashore

What an amazing book!! There were so many characters intertwined as well as some unexpected turns in the story! The story of Katsa and Po is one of my favorites! It is definitely a must read!! I am going to read Bitterblue next. It is the sequel to Graceling even though it is the third book in the series!! In order to truly enjoy and understand the series I have been told it is best to read them not quite in the order they were published (to switch the order of the last two books).