I started a teacher book club at Deer Creek HS in spring '08. I enjoyed discussing books with my friends in college, so this was a natural step. I like discussing novels with my students as well, but I also like to bond with my peers over a good book. Our membership is quite low, but I'm not complaining. The people in the book club are all great. And all women--besides me--I might add. So far, we've read four books together: A Long Way Gone, The Long Run, Early Bird, and Salem Falls. Our next selection is The Last Lecture, which we will advertise when the school year starts. Maybe we can get a few more members. Any male readers out there?
I want my students to know that, as their English teacher, I still enjoy reading. I still enjoying devouring a good book. For the sheer fun of it. Case in point: I stayed up past 2 a.m. last Saturday night finishing the final pages of Salem Falls. I couldn't put it down. I felt like an elementary student all over again--when I was finishing another Romona Quimby adventure or Boxcar Children mystery. There was no stopping the turning of those pages.
Does reading keep me young? No, I can't say that. But it does keep me plugged into life, the world, and the human race. Students, I hope, can tell the difference between a teacher who reads for pleasure and one who does not.
About Me
- Mr. Stephenson
- I was born on Labor Day in Fort Worth, Texas, while his father was attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jason's parents are both Sooner born and bred, though, and they returned to Oklahoma as quickly as possible. Growing up as a preacher's kid and an older brother, Jason always felt that he was being watched and that he should set a good example. He enjoyed grade school, junior high, and high school in Atoka and Holdenville. Living in a small town where his graduating class was around 75 allowed Jason to be active in a wide variety of clubs and activities. He played the cornet in band for eight years, and he also played on the academic team. He also made time for student council and NHS. Jason got a full-tuition scholarship to Oklahoma Baptist University*, and he is very grateful to have had such an outstanding liberal arts education. Now having taught 7th and 8th grade literature at Deer Creek Middle School for two years, I am enjoying the challenges and excitement of teaching high school English. *Not wanting to give up on a chance to qualify for OBU's full tuition scholarship, I took the ACT five times until I got the score I needed.
6 comments:
I just realized my mistake with the hyperlinks. I found the appropriate hyperlinks again and posted them in a correction entry.
Thank you,
Bryce LaFon
I tried to read a Jodi Picoult book and I didn't like ti that much.
But I can't wait to read the Sedaris on (of course!) and Fast food nation sounds really interesting.
Of course Heath ledger deserves an oscar! however post-humous it may be!
When I was younger I would read constantly, especially at night. I HAD to read every night just to go to sleep and would often stay up extremely late. I still do that alot these days.
I bought a newer copy of to kill a mockingbird for 25 cents today at a garage sale. It's mostly for Atticus's sake because the cover of my copy has fallen off and he can't be trusted with my mom's good copy.
Have you read crime and punishment?
I got crime and punishment for 1 dollar and the spark notes for 50 cents!!!
I leave august 21st.
Which Vizzini book was it?
It's my favorite book of his!!!!!!
Sorry that it has taken me so long to get back with you. I have been in Paris, Texas visiting my Dad.
The book that I chose for the assignment was absolutely GREAT! I actually just let a friend borrow it to read on her vacation.
I don't think that I would have been dissapointed at all if she would have chosen a different college. The whole time you were reading the book, Opal lead the reader to believe that she was going to go to Harvard. So I always expect the opposite. The ending, I think was too expected. It tricked me! Haha.
Talk to you soon,
Kallee
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