Notice and Note - So Excited

Today I was on Heinemann's site seeing if there was a book that I would be able to get in order to use up my extra credit points that I had accumulated before they phased out that program. I was thrilled to get What Readers Really Do. It had caught my attention previously, but after reading Pat Johnson's thoughts about it on the Catching Readers blog, I knew I would want to read it.

Needless to say, finding out that I had enough credit points to get the book had me excited enough. Then I was skimming the new books and was even more excited to see that Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst is now officially on the page, providing the first glimpses into the front cover, table of contents, a Notice & Note flyer...

I first heard about the ideas behind the book when I attended the Boothbay Literacy Retreat two years ago. I loved the concept from the start and their thoughts about what to notice while reading have changed the way that I read and have influenced mini-lessons that I have taught to middle schoolers. By looking over the flyer, it seems like Beers and Probst have continued to refine and craft the book. I noticed the subtitle is a clear link to the buzz about close reading with the common core. I look forward to see how it all came together.

I am going to go ahead and pre-order the book now (estimated publication of November 15, 2012). I will also be attending my first NCTE annual convention later in the month, so there's some fun treats in store for November!

One more reason to be excited for Boothbay Literacy Retreat

Recently when I knew that I might be able to go to Heinemann's Boothbay Literacy Retreat I picked up a couple of Chris Crutcher's books that I had since he will be at the retreat. Both books, Athletic Shorts and Whale Talk were amazing.

I just listened to the podcast from last year's Boothbay Literacy Retreat with Kylene Beers, Robert Probst, and Chris Crutcher talking about his writing process. He discusses how he explores as he writes - having the plot develop as he goes, rather than knowing where it is going to end up when he starts writing. This reminded me of Stephen King's explanation of his process in his book On Writing.

The end of June will be here before I know it, and I am so looking forward to networking with others who are passionate about literacy.

Can't Hardly Wait!

Kylene Beers, Robert Probst, Nancie Atwell, Sara Kajder, Linda Rief, and Chris Crutcher all at one literacy and technology retreat!? Oh, and did I mention it is offered through one of my all time favorite publishers, Heinemann? I could hardly contain my excitement just thinking about the possibility of going to the Boothbay Literacy Retreat, but today as I clicked through my web registration it is hard to believe that I will actually get to go.

All the pieces are coming together. As if the conference wasn't enough to be excited about, I will fly into Boston to spend a couple of days with my sister who has been living in Massachusetts for the last three years while her husband did his medical residency there. Then she will take me to the retreat in Maine and pick me up. Next, it will be time for her and her family to drive cross country to move back to the Pacific Northwest. On the way we will be able to see another one of our sisters in Iowa, as well as our 1 year old niece that we have only been able to see one other time! I have never had a chance to drive cross country either.

There is so much to look forward to. The only downside is that I, of course, will miss my girls and husband. I think I will be gone about two weeks total. My mom just reminded me that a couple of summers ago I helped out with an institute for two weeks in the summer, and I survived being away from my family. I will, however, make sure to spend a lot of time with the girls before going on my trip.

It is still hard to believe that I actually get to go. I will make sure to have writer's notebooks with me to document my experiences. I am certain the experience will inspire many WN entries that I can later share with my students. I will definitely be posting a lot about this experience.

*Note: Even though I do not have reviews/comments on my blog about each of the literacy leaders who will be at the retreat, I have books from each one (Sara Kajder's new book is the latest addition to my professional development library, and I will be posting about it soon). I have loved every single one. It is great to recognize all the names and have a reason to be excited for each one.