Blog Challenge: Offer Random Advice

Very simple challenge

Leave a comment in which you offer one piece of advice

Advice can be whatever you feel is important for other people to know.

Let the advice offers begin.

My advice: Don't poop on your shoes

I really have no idea why I just typed that, but it sure makes me laugh to read it.

Here is some real advice: Always start an email with a greeting and close. It is a nice way to begin an email.

Going through my GMAIL account - links to some good stuff - mostly all from TWITTER

Japan, one week later, in 25 powerful photos http://j.mp/fETyTd

Great little 4 minute video about the world around us. http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2010/10/22/wanderlust/

I want this as my next classroom project http://prototypedesigncamp.com/

Part 1: Going Digital …Ten Points To Consider When Transforming Towards Digital Curriculum

http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/part-1-going-digital-ten-points-to-consider-when-transforming-towards-digital-curriculum/
 
2 Simple Tools Every Classroom Teacher Should Try http://bit.ly/htAs8T
 
100 Reasons to Mind Map: http://tinyurl.com/ns8jr2

What Bill Gates Could Learn from Chris Rock http://bit.ly/fD8jHo (via @earlyeditionapp) < so true for learning!

Video Response to Our Friends in Japan

Check out our latest video response to our friends in Japan. The International Pen Pal group came in early and we made a video. We decided to go with a yoga theme and things just went from there. It was fun and we look forward to seeing how our friends in Japan respond.

http://coffeechug.wikispaces.com/Japan+2010+-+2011 

International Pen Pal group makes video to our friends in Japan

Check out our latest video response to our friends in Japan. The group came in early and we made a video. We decided to go with a yoga theme and things just went from there. It was fun and we look forward to seeing how our friends in Japan respond.

http://coffeechug.wikispaces.com/Japan+2010+-+2011

My Kids Artwork Shared in Story by the amazing author Christopher Herz

Check out the amazing Sunday Story created each week by the gifted author Christopher Herz. Due to the fact that my daughter broke my camera we had a discussion and we decided that my kids could draw pictures instead of me submitting pictures. I sent him four pictures (2 from each) and he used one from each of them.

I am amazed at how he takes all these images submitted to him each Sunday and transforms them into a story.

Go to the link and and check them out. http://herzwords.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/sunday-morning-story-3-27-11/

Be on the lookout for these two images in the story.

5th Grade Students Cooking Mardi Gras Food

I just wanted to share a quick little video highlighting one of our class lessons from a few weeks back when Mardi Gras was being celebrated.

They spent one class period Skyping with a class from New Orleans.

They taught us all about Mardi Gras. You can view the Skype conference here: http://coffeechug.wikispaces.com/Skype+Communication

We decided to embrace our learning and do some cooking based on the foods they discussed in their presentation. This is a slideshow of us hard at work.

This is the video of them cooking. http://coffeechug.wikispaces.com/Students+in+Action

Book Review: Angry Young Man

Title: Angry Young Man
Author: Chris Lynch


In "Angry Young Man," award-winning author Lynch ("Inexcusable," a National Book Award finalist) takes readers into the mind of a boy whose journey of self-discovery leads to the unthinkable.

My Thoughts

I am not sure what to think of this book. I was excited to read this novel after reading his other novel, Inexcusable, a few years back and really enjoying the read.
I picked this book up as I read some press about the book. I did not read any reviews, but I opened the book with clean slate in my head and allowed it to create its own journey.

It is not a long read. It is short, but it took me a while to get through the novel. I was not hooked as I am with some other novels, but I was intrigued as to where the novel was going to take a turn in the storyline. I was waiting for the title to show the true colors of being angry so I continued to read.

I have not read about what others think, but I was disappointed in the ending. I know this sounds bad, but I never felt the emotion of "anger" in the novel. The brothers have some issues don't get me wrong, but angry was not something that I felt in the pages. I think there was potential for anger and I kept waiting for Alexander to go crazy.

Both brothers do some things that push the boundaries. Robert and Alexander do get themselves into some situations that are not the best of circumstances.

Robert I found annoying about he thought we was so cool and he treated his brother like crap and whenever he was called out on it he would always say he was joking. Despite the fact that I find that annoying, it is realistic because how often do students/kids make the same excuse when you call them out for being mean?

This is not a bad book. I found it interesting enough to finish. I had to know how it would end. The ending is one that will get you in terms of love it or hate it. I leave that for you to decide.

There are some good messages in the story. Giving people a chance, standing up for what you believe, respecting people and animals, and learning how to deal with our insecurities. I don't recommend dealing with them in quite the same manner as these two(especially at the end), but it does give you something to think about.

I am interested in what others have to say about this book.

Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament - FINAL TWO BOOKS

Here it is, the final two books in the 1st Annual Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament.

In one corner we have Maze Runner by James Dashner.

















And in the other corner we have Matched by Ally Condie
















Voting for the final book with end on April 10th. Two weeks to read and get your votes in.

All you have to do is voted by following the link here or over in the sidebar.

VOTE HERE

Book Club: Next Book Selection

Here it is....

Our next book selection in our book club. We are keeping to the idea of books turned into movies so we can read, watch, and compare.

The book club last night was quite enjoyable. We had a great time meeting in person to discuss the book in a very laid back manner.

I have kept up on some notes and ideas from our first book, True Grit, over on the wiki http://coffeechugbookclub.wikispaces.com/

Feel free to check it out. I will be adding a Winter's Bone page later today and getting ready for that discussion. Feel free to join the wiki and throw in your two cents worth on the books.

I have the movie on hold at the library and intend on reading the book first and then watching the movie.

Book Club is open to all. Look forward to hearing from you.

Happy Friday

Best Reading on the Web this Week

1. “The kids need support, and frankly, so do I.” A teacher’s request, post-Wisconsin.

2. New teaching idea - Terra Clues

3.Debate Brackets

4. The final book in the Eragon series. Stupid me, I did not realize there was going to be a new book. Time for me to go back and read the series. I read books one and two and lost excitement after book two and never read three.

5. Discworld coming to TV?

6. Another awesome RSA production on a speech about the problems with education. I agree with everything in this video. The question is how do we get there?

7. Washing Machine Sparked a Revolution

8. Great author and Twitter friend and his amazing Sunday Morning Stories are excellent each week

2 VERY Important Things for you to do TODAY!!

Two quick reminders that you need to take care of today or tomorrow or else you are going to lose out on something special. Super special.

And don't we all want to be special?

1. Cast your votes for the Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament. We need more votes and this week will wrap up the Final Four and lead us into the Championship Round.

Will you choose Compound or Maze Runner?

Will you choose Matched or Red Kayak?

The form is over to the right so got there now and VOTE. RIGHT NOW. I demand you because I have so much power over you from behind my computer screen.

Feel free to go back and watch the video about voting. http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/2011/03/coffee-for-brain-book-tournament-your.html

2. Go back and read this post about me sorting my books over Spring Break. Get your requests in today http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-break-goals.html

3. I guess I lied because I need three things from you and not two. What are your current favorite apps? Aiden(my son) and I are always looking for something new to try out. We are currently addicted to Angry Birds Rio and Lanesplitter.

TA Dance Party

Online Book Club: True Grit - PLEASE JOIN AND ADD THOUGHTS, IDEAS, QUESTIONS, LINKS, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

I am reading True Grit again to prepare for a book club that I am running. I have also made the book club available online for anyone who is interested.

I will be having a meeting with some friends and teachers this Thursday to discuss the book in person and will share our ideas afterwards, but for now I have the wiki up and running.

As I am reading the novel for the second time I am realizing how much I love this book.

I want/need more input as I like to hear from all the great minds out there.

So here is the link to the wiki http://coffeechugbookclub.wikispaces.com/

Check it out. Join the wiki and post your thoughts ideas, links, and other tidbits about the book or movie.

I look forward to making this wiki very interactive with more books to be read and shared in the future. There is a page to suggest books to be read next and on Thursday another book will be decided.

Get involved and share your insights. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Book Review: Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson

Title: Wildfire Run
Author: Dee Garretson
Author Website: http://deegarretson.com/

From the author website

WILDFIRE RUN - Just once Luke Brockett would like to do something slightly dangerous, but when your father is the President of the United States, that is not an option.

Always surrounded by Secret Service agents and kept in a bubble of safety, Luke sees Camp David, the presidential retreat in the woods of Maryland, as the only place where he can almost be normal. For one week in August, Luke's mother has arranged for Luke and two friends to 'experience nature', if they can only manage to ignore the armed guards and the Secret Service agents all around them.

The experience comes to a quick end when disaster strikes. Luke and his friends are trapped inside, left on their own, the Secret Service agents incapacitated, forcing the three to outwit security systems designed to be unbeatable in their attempts to escape before it is too late.

My Thoughts
I love Twitter. It is my obsession. Now at this point in time you might be asking yourself why is this nerd starting off a book review with his love for Twitter. Well, to be honest and to cut to the chase I love Twitter for hundreds of reasons and of those reasons is that fact that I came across this book. I try to follow as many YA authors as I can and one of my favorite ways is do follow the ones who have a Twitter account. I was reading some tweets of some fellow online friends when this book was mentioned. It sounded good, I started to follow the author and was reading about her finishing up and getting ready to publish her second novel, Wolf Storm, coming out in September. At this point I figured I better go back and read her first novel, Wildfire Run.
 
As you read above about the basic plot summary this book is perfect for middle grade. I mean PERFECT. Once the first problem unfolds for these kids it is a nonstop action read all the way to the end. One thing just leads to the next problem. There is not stopping in the action and problems these kids have to face. With the setting at Camp David it made it even cooler.
 
This book is one that you cannot really find a good place to stop because it just begs for you to keep reading. There are no slow parts. I really enjoyed reading this book as my last little escape to end my Spring Break. Things are quite tricky for the kids being that one of them is the son of the president. So what might be something simple for a regular kid is not for Luke. I enjoyed reading about the aspects of the presidential life. Dee has referenced two books she read to learn more about the secret service and Camp David for research on this book and I really want to read them and learn more.
 
If you have not heard of this author or this book, then take the time to check out the book. It is worth your time. A perfect middle grade book especially this time of year when it feels good to just sit and relax. With all the crazy weather the world is experiencing lately this storyline of an earthquake and wildfires makes this seem even more real.
 
In the end, I loved this book and Twitter. Without Twitter I may have never been exposed to this novel.

Marathon Training - Weeks 4 and 5 -

This post is going to cover my training from the last two weeks as I did not take time to reflect last Sunday. Starting with my rest day on Monday, March 7th through my run today I covered 46 miles. This is not as much as I had hoped to run the last two weeks. I missed out on about 3 runs over the last two weeks. Part of this was due to Spring Break and the other part due to listening to my body and knowing when to just take it easy.

One thing I have learned since my stress fracture last winter is to know when to listen to your body and not push 100% all the time. I had to learn the hard way.

Two weeks ago I ran an easy 4 mile run on Tuesday, March 8th. I was still tired from running 12 miles along the Mississippi River. Pace was picked up quite a bit on this run to keep up with group. I felt like crap and that did not help the breathing situation. I was breathing very heavy due to fighting a cold and it was just not an enjoyable easy run. I ran this at around 8:21 mile pace.

On Wednesday we ran a 5 mile hill run. I must have rolled over on the struggle button this morning because this was the worst I have felt for any run this year. I was sore from the run yesterday in my quads and hamstrings. I felt like crap with enough pressure in my head that I thought I would explode brains all over. I really struggled to breathe this morning and therefore could not get into a good stride. I think we jumped our pace up too quickly and it caught up to me. Despite feeling like poo, not being able to breathe, sore legs, and just not mentally into the run this morning I was able to finish without stopping which is a good mental test for me to prepare for the actual marathon when I will be dealing with many obstacles in that long run. In many ways, this was probably a good test for me and I would like to think I passed. I ran an 8:37 mile pace and this one is #1 in terms of intensity of measuring my heart rate where I was pushing at 89% threshold which is quite high for this run.

Thursday we had to run a mile test to see how fast we could run. I had never tested a mile before so this was all new to me. Today was the first time for testing myself in the mile. I was not sure how to figure out how fast to run so I just picked a pace and tried to keep that stride. Pretty happy with the results. The wind was brutal on the back 100, but I think once it warms up there is no reason to improve the 6:25 mile pace that I ran this morning to 6:10 or under as I continue to train. My brain was frozen from not wearing a hat like an idiot. We had a mile warm up and a short cool down run afterwards.

Friday we ran 4.16 miles for an easy run. I ran this morning on my own which I have not done in a long time. I listened to my ipod which I also have not done in a long time either. I took it nice and easy giving my legs a chance to recover from running for three straight days prior. It was cold out this morning with a fog/frost air that froze my face. I did not want to run this morning and really thought about not getting out of bed, but glad I got up and went because I feel much better about it now. I ran a 9:08 mile pace and body felt back to normal after a tough week.

Sunday for my long run I was to run 10 miles. I took Saturday off. I was supposed to run another 4 miles easy, but decided against it. I felt great today. I did not do my four mile easy run yesterday. I was burned out of running after four straight days so I took a day off. Today I had the 10 mile run and decided to push a little bit to make up for the run I skipped. As soon as my body warmed up I felt great. It was the best I have felt this year. The run felt easy until the last mile. I kept all my mile paces under 9 minutes finishing my last mile in 8:12. Had a slight asthma attack when I finished due to the cold air, but legs don't feel bad afterwards. I ran the 10 miles at an 8:38 mile pace.

Monday, March 14th I ran again where I typically take Monday off as a rest day. However, being Spring Break I had to change up my routine as we traveled to Chicago. I was to run 4 miles with strides. Here is what the workout called for: Near the finish of your run, gradually accelerate over 100 meters until you reach 90 percent of all-out effort. Hold that effort for five seconds, then smoothly decelerate. Walk to recover. Repeat this cycle three more times, then cool down. The exact distance of each stride is not critical.
I did not stride at the end, but instead did one stride per mile. This caused my tempo to pick up without me realizing how fast I was running. I felt great. It was 50 degrees outside and I was shocked when I finished. Two great runs in a row. I have two days off for being in Chicago and then time to scale back and run slow for the remainder of the workouts. No need to risk injury or overdoing anything so early in training. Man, I feel great about my progress. Two miles of the run were at 7:24 and that is awesome!!!

I did not run on Tuesday or Wednesday due to traveling in Chicago with my family. However, I think we walked several miles when all was said and done.

Thursday, March 17th I had a 7 mile hill run. I picked a tough course. This morning I ran with another friend of mine who is training for a half marathon and we took off on a course that I put together to give us a good hill workout. We ran two pretty nice size hills that were gradual to really tax the legs. We hit these hills within the first two miles of our run with the idea of turning around and hitting those same hills at the end of our run. After finishing the hills we made it to Middle Road and took off towards the I-80 intersection. This area is nice and flat to recover from the hills and work on picking up the pace. The problem we ran into was the wind. The wind was brutal. If felt like we were fighting for every step and almost like we were pushing a football sled. This was supposed to be the easier part of the run and instead it was the hardest. We survived the wind to only hit the hills again and then finish the last mile in more wind. Since we are on Spring Break I was able to get in a really good stretch afterwards. This felt good after being in Chicago the last two days. We ran this at an 8:41 pace, but it felt like we were pushing much harder when fighting the wind.

Friday I did not run as my wife was out of town all day and I could not leave the kids. Plus I needed rest as I was sore from the hill workout. Additionally, I was playing in a basketball tournament on Saturday and I knew that was going to be a taxing day.

Saturday I played in a basketball tournament and we played three games in about five hours. Not sure how much I actually ran, but I know it was a lot. 3 games in 5 hours and I can barely move this morning. Needless to say I will treat this as a speed workout! 3 - 40 minutes games and I played all but 10 minutes.

Sunday morning I honestly could barely get out of bed. I was so sore from basketball. I had extreme pain in my lower back(probably from the 245 times I was pushed in my back rebounding) and hamstrings, knees and joints were just a mess. I got up to run but it was raining so my mindset was to just rest. However, the rain ended early and I felt like I should run. I was supposed to run 13 miles today as part of my program. I knew that was going to be tough.

I thought about not running at all. After playing 3 games in 5 hours in a basketball tournament yesterday I could barely move today literally. I hurt everywhere, but mostly my hamstrings and lower back. After the rain cleared out this morning I figure I would give it a try as I know these long runs are the most important and I only got two runs in this week so I was behind on my running. I hurt every on single stride. This run was not easy nor was any moment enjoyable. Not only did my body hurt everywhere, but I took a new route and this route just so happened to be the hilliest route I have ran to date. I check every run on my Garmin for elevation and this one takes the cake. At mile 6.5 I was dead, but was so far out that I had to continue. I took a new route home and that lead to two more monster hills that wiped me out. I overdressed as the heat rose quickly and I was overheating like a dog in heat. Finally, I found a stride for a while when it flattened out. I thought about pushing on through to get my 13 miles in today(that was the intended goal) at mile 10 because I felt I could do it. However, at mile 11 my foot where I had the stress fracture started to hurt pretty bad along with minor cramps in my calves and left hamstring. I fought it out for .5 miles and finally called it. Running another 1.5 miles was not worth fighting through the pain and causing more damage. Had I not played basketball yesterday I would have been fine.

Next weekend I am supposed to run 15 miles on Sunday, but I am in another basketball tournament where I could play up to 7-8 games. These two basketball tournaments are really screwing up my training.

As I type this I can barely move. My body is shot. It has been challenged these last two days and tomorrow I am resting. I am not going to do anything. I was thinking about lifting, but not sure I even want to do that.

Back at it on Tuesday. Somehow, someway I will get my runs in this week. I need to get them in. At this point I don't know if I can do a marathon. It just seems like more running than what my body can handle. However, I have to remind myself that I am only 5 weeks into the training and have a long way to go. Time will tell, but I am not giving up on my goal.

What Happened To My Post? Spring Break Goals Pt. 1

Alright, something happened to a post of mine. I mean I spent over an hour crafting this single blog post. I never spend that much time on my posts, but this one was well articulated and one that I thought would provide a great deal of comments and feedback. I *thought* it was posted on Monday night before leaving for Chicago. I was so excited to get home on Wednesday night to read all the comments.

I had none.

I was bummed out. How could this post not grab a single comment? Yesterday, I realized after paying closer attention to my history on my blog that the post was lost. It was never posted and all they typing and crafting was lost.

I am even more mad because I was going to update my progress on this post.

The post was essentially my To Do List of things to get done over Spring Break. And now that it is almost over I was going to update the list. I had 33 things I wanted to get done.

Now I will attempt to make quick modified list and add some things I am working on for the next week.

1. Pick up dog poop. I knew that would grab your attention. When the snow melts it is amazing at how many gifts are left in the yard from my two dogs. Not a fun job, but one that must be done to allow the kids a safe run in our backyard. And let me tell you using a Wal-Mart bag as a glove to help pick up the raked piles of poo and grass and leaves is AWESOME!!

2. Library. We made several trips, but more importantly 30 cd's came in that I had put on hold to prepare myself for the Dave Matthews Band Caravan this summer which is a 3 day festival of bands and DMB. I have much music to get caught up on as I have not listened to half the bands on the bills. Really digging Delta Spirit right now.

3. Clean up basement. Also accomplished. It was getting messy and I realized this after viewing the backdrop in a few of my videos I made. I cleaned and picked up and also working on a Green Screen to use with my learning of

4. Final Cut Pro - This is a professional editing software that I want to learn. My big manual came in the mail so it is time to begin to learn all the cool things I can do with video. So excited.

5. Organize the books in my office that I have read, need to read, keep, get rid of, etc. This was a long process, but all is posted here. Feel free to request books in the post.

6. Type up Marathon Training Week 4 Report. Still not done yet.

7. Get five runs in this week. 4 mile with strides, 7 mile hill, 4 mile easy, 4 mile with MP, 13 mile LSD. Not gonna happen, but will have three runs in hopefully by tomorrow.

Due to time restraints this morning. I will continue this post with some more things that I need to get done in the remaining days of my Spring Break.

Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament - Voting

3:15 Launches

I have not had time to experiment with this yet, but anything with Patrick Carman has always been super cool so I am simply sharing the email I received. This is all on my To Do List tonight when the kids go to bed. I will post what I think tomorrow.

Official Patrick Carman / PC Studio Project Announcement

3:15 LAUNCHES

Patrick Carman and PC Studio have been using technology to meet wired kids halfway for years with groundbreaking projects like Skeleton Creek and TRACKERS. Today the studio is launching a project that will re-imagine the short story for a wired world. We hope you'll consider sharing a brand new way to engage distracted young readers and get them turning pages.

How to find out about the project:

- Visit www.315stories.com and click on the 'what is 3:15' link for a full and simple description of the project.

- Read the project description below (feel free to post or forward any or all parts)

- Download the FREE 3:15 App from the Apple store or Android Marketplace (keyword 3:15)

Apple: http://tiny.cc/y1tcj
Android: http://tiny.cc/z6b7y

How you can help get 3:15 in front of tweens and teens:

- Book bloggers, we have always appreciated you so much! Anything you can share about 3:15 with your readers would be amazing.

- Librarians and teachers, wow, you really make it happen day in and day out. If you have access to an iPod Touch, an Android phone, or any tablet that will download an App, please download the FREE 3:15 App (keyword 3:15) and share the first story with your students. If they don't have access to an App enabled device, their friends do, and they can share! We're so excited to see 3:15 inspire your wired young readers to read short stories.

- Fans, we need you now! Post on Facebook or Twitter, download the App, tell your friends, visit www.315stories.com and win a 3:15 T-shirt, or all of the above! We cherish our fans and hope you'll blow the horn for us.

A huge thank you!

Thank you librarians, teachers, book bloggers, publishers, and champions of reading! It's risky and expensive breaking new ground in the world of reading, and we simply couldn't succeed without your help.

Onward!

Patrick Carman
Creative Director
PC Studio, Inc.
www.patrickcarman.com

3:15 - Short stories for a wired world

3:15 means several things. It's a time when things go bump in the night. A place where spooky stories find a home. A feeling, that chill running down your spine.

Three stands for LISTEN, READ, and WATCH, because that's what you do with a 3:15 story. Fifteen is for how long it's going to take you: fifteen minutes or less. Paul Chandler, the narrator of 3:15, will introduce you to each story. After listening to the introduction, it's time to read for about ten minutes. Read the words to unlock the ending: a video that will show how the story concludes. We advise leaving the lights on.

3:15 launched on March 15, 2011 as an App (keyword 3:15) for all Apple and Android devices (iPad optimized version coming in May). The App is FREE, and comes pre-loaded with the first story. After that, new $.99 stories will appear in the App every two weeks. Season one will include 10 episodes, and culminate in a Scholastic print edition, releasing for Halloween, 2011.

For more information, please visit www.315stories.com.

Book Review: Recovery Road by Blake Nelson

Title: Recovery Road
Author: Blake Nelson
Pages: 310

Author Blog: http://blakenelsonteennovelist.blogspot.com/

Synopse (from Powell's Books)

Madeline is sent away to Spring Meadows to help with a drinking and rage problem she has. It's a pretty intense place, but there is the weekly movie night in town--where Madeline meets Stewart, who's at another rehab place nearby. They fall for each other during a really crazy time in their lives. Madeline gets out and tries to get back on her feet, waiting for Stewart to join her. When he does, though, it's not the ideal recovery world Madeline dreamed of. Both of them still have serious problems. And Stewart's are only getting worse....


My Thoughts


This is my second book I have read by Blake Nelson. I have also read They Came From Below which I remember really liking. This book is going up at the top of the list for books read this year. I really liked Madeline. I found myself really rooting for MAdeline in this story. I don't know why, but I was really concerned for her. I wanted to see her make it through her addiction. 


This book contains a little bit of everything. I think it nails perfectly the love dynamics of growing up when you feel your heart being tugged in every direction and not quite sure where to go.


Stewart is another character you cannot help but like despite the problems. He is real. I guess that is a the key ingredient to this story. Everyone is real. I was able to see all sides of the characters - the good and bad. I felt like I could remember back to high school and imagine people in my life who fit these roles.


This book has humor. I found myself laughing out loud a couple time over the comments of some of the characters.


This book has real consequences of abusing and using drugs. Not every path leads to a happy ending.


This book has a whole host of one liners that I just loved and wrote down in my notebook of quotes. For example, "Dorks are physically uncoordinated. Geeks have specialized knowledge of complex systems."


I cannot say enough about this book. Read it for yourself. Discover the world of drug abuse. Discover the power of choices and how sometimes staying true to yourself and doing what is right is the hardest thing a person can do. Discover a novel that reminds us that we are in control of our future and it is all about how we view the world.


And yes, I will be reading the other novels by Blake Nelson once I get through all my books in my office.

I have a MAJOR problem with buying books - PLEASE HELP ME!!

Over my spring break I have many goals(just scroll down to the post from yesterday) and one of them is to organize, gather, sort, get rid of, etc. of the books in my office. I have already cleared away hundreds over the course of this year with giveaways, selling on Amazon, and trading on www.paperbackswap.com

However, there is more to be done. I recently went through my shelves to determine which ones were keepers(you know those special books that you just cannot part with) and ones that could go. The problem I ran into is that I realized many books I have not had time to read yet.

So, I went through a pulled all the books that I need to read.

It blew me away. It was a good reminder that I have a book problem. I typed up all the books and it really hit home that I need to stop buying books and checking them out of the library because I have a library of my own just waiting to be read.......

271 books to be read(probably could have hit 300 if I include the books I will have to go back and reread to fmailiarize myself with the series.

That is stupid. Stupid that I own this many books and even more stupid that this many have not been read.

My goal after reading my currently library TBR pile and Shantaram(1000 page monster) is to
1. Read each of these books
2. If a fantastic read, then it can earn itself on the ranks of my black booshelf.
3. If a good or bad read, but not worthy of being fantastic, then I will remove it from my house by giving it away or selling it.

Here is the link to my list https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AmNBNr2UwLyIdHpXZDVmOWszTnN4MjNKSFZaeU9kb1E&hl=en&authkey=CIKb_LsK

Check out the list. Maybe offer some suggestions to which ones you would like for me to read first.

You can also put in any requests to have the books after I read them if there are some you would like. To make things easier, just leave a comment and an email for me to contact you when I read the book.

I am not really sure where to start in this massive list. The key is to not lose focus and buy more books or check out more.

P.S. I won't even begin to tell you about the hundreds of books I have stored on my iPad. That is big enough for a list of their own later on.

Time for me enjoy some reading....and coffee.

Book Review: Accomplice by

Title: Accomplice
Author: Valerie Cherrard
Pages: 142
Dundurn  http://www.dundurn.com/

Author Blog: http://valeriesherrard.blogspot.com/

Quick Summary from her blog:

Lexie Malton has a secret.  Her ex-boyfriend, Devlin, is now a heroin addict living on the street, and only Lexie knows that she's the one who put him there.

Even worse, Lexie's guilt makes her give in to Devlin's demands for money time after time, even though she understands how dangerous his drug use is.

Lexie finally finds the strength to stop enabling Devlin.  But when Devlin seeks treatment for his addiction, Lexie finds herself drawn back to him, never guessing what a dark and deadly path she has just chosen. 


My Thoughts


I have been in a reading slump. I have been too busy to read with so much going on at school at home. I finally had some time the other night to read and decided to open up this novel and give it  try. Needless to say about three hours later I was still reading in the same spot on my couch finishing up a great little story about a teenager dealing with a complicated situation.


Lexie is trying her best to figure out what to do with her ex who is addicted to heroin. She feels guilty for his current situation. She gives him money to feed his habit even though she knows it is wrong. Let me just say that what ensues when she stands strong and refuses to give him money is what makes this story.


I liked this story because I think any teenager can relate to the problems of friends and peer pressure. Granted, I don't think a majority of us are dealing with heroin abuse, but the concept that we have friends or ex lovers who for some reason we just cannot say "no" and this leads to further situations. 


This book felt realistic to me. It did not feel far fetched in terms of the strain of the relationship. The ending was good and I rather enjoyed this novel.  So much that I read it in one sitting.


This book is part of the Keystone Series which is a collection of high interest stories for reluctant readers.  There is another novel in this series, Marina Cohen's Mind Gap, which is on the top of my TBR pile.


This is a quick easy read that will grab you and not let go until the end. 

Question to Ponder: What is the best thing in the world?

I am reading the massive novel Shantaram right now(1000 pages) and I am just in the beginning, but the a question was being discussed in the novel that I thought warranted an opportunity for me to stop and ask it here on the blog to see what you think.

What is the best thing in the world?

The characters are discussing either

• power
• money
• love

What do you think? Leave a comment.

I am off to enjoy my Spring Break and when I return be ready for some major book reviews, project, videos, and book giveaways.



Blog Posting Has Been Slow Lately

I wanted to apologize for my lack of posts on this blog lately. It is that time of year when there is much to do and not much time to get everything done that I would like. I typically post to this blog several times a day and lately it has been several times a week. I have been busy. Super busy. But Spring Break is coming up next week so I should be able to get back on track and resume normal postings after break.

I do want to keep people in the loop. I have not been reading as much lately being the end of the quarter and my wife being pregnant(little Hoosier #3 will be here May 9th) has taken up much time. Add in the fact that my family has been sick with the flu for three straight weeks and finally it has hit me has caused us to go to bed early and not feel like doing anything.

However, I have still been able to get some things done.

1. Book Club - We are reading True Grit. Feel free to go to the book club wiki http://coffeechugbookclub.wikispaces.com/ and check it out. Maybe even sign up and join the convsersation.

2. My International Pen Pal Club is have lots of fun with their pen pals. After 9 weeks are letters from Russia arrived and we have many more on the way. Check out their adventures here

http://coffeechug.wikispaces.com/

This wiki also includes the pen pals for my 4th and 5th grade students where we have a lot going on right now.

3.  Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament - Trying to gather more votes for the Final Four round of the tournament. All info is posted in the tabs at the top of this blog and you can vote if you look over at the top of the sidebar.

4. Last, working on all the final touches to several little projects I have brainstormed in my mind for this blog and my school. These will all be unveiled soon.

Thought Provoking Links for us to discuss

1. Highlights from day one of #TED 2011 – exclusive speaker quotes, photos and more http://j.mp/gqMagI


2. http://showthemath.org/ - This is a simple site that allows you to show your work when solving equations (no - the computer won't do anything for you!). Right now we are still in the beta testing stage. Eventually you will be able to "published" your work and then copy it over into a document, post to a web page, or email a link to your published work. We encourage all feedback, so send us an email with your ideas.

3. Changes Schools Should Make to Better Serve Students: A Student's View

 This student brings up so many valid points that I don’t even know where to start. I would love to sit down and chat with her and pick her brain.



4. The Most Average Human on the Planet – This blows my mind. Are you average?



5. Video: No Child Left Behind and Global Competitiveness - Yong Zhao raises some very valid points. My favorite is about standardized test scores are turning teachers in low level right brain people.

As always I would love to hear from you. Check these out and leave me your thoughts.

Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament - Your VOTES are NEEDED!!!

The Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament has been doing so good up until the Final Four portion of the bracket. I have opened this tournament to EVERYONE to cast your votes for which two books make it into the final round. However, since I have changed the format to EVERYONE, NOBODY has voted yet.

I will assume you are reading.

I will assume that the books are so good that you just cannot decided.

But, when you finish please click the judging form over the right and cast your vote for the books that should make it to the final round.

http://www.jongordon.com/newsletter-030711-positive-kids.html

http://www.jongordon.com/newsletter-030711-positive-kids.html

I thought this newsletter raised some valid points. I will be posting my thoughts later tonight when I complete my schoolwork first. Feel free to leave some feedback about what you think about these tips.

Marathon Training: Week 3 - Big Run and other obstacles

Hard to believe that I am already heading into week 4 of my marathon training this week. I was looking back over the week and despite missing out on one 5 mile run, I am very pleased with my running this week. I feel myself getting stronger and more confident in my running. I am continuing to work on some of the techniques from the Chi Running, but I really have no idea if I am on the right track or not.

Tuesday I had a 3 mile easy run planned. We ran 3.25 at an 8:16 mile pace. We picked up the pace a little on this run because it was so short. Our last mile was 7:56 with our Avg. Heart Rate at 151.

Wednesday we had a 5 mile hill run to accomplish. We we right on with our course and ran 5 miles at a 8:26 pace with heart rate 153. There is one hilly road that just kicks my butt and I don't know why. I am determined to blaze this road one of these times to prove that it won't get the best of me!

Thursday was a rest. It was needed. My body has been fighting the flu that has hit my house. Both my kids and my wife sound terrible. I went to be early and slept in and did not lift today. It was needed.

Friday we were to run 5 miles. We ran 5.3 at a very easy pace because I had to change my workouts for the weekend. Instead of running 12 on Sunday I had to run them on Saturday because I was driving back home for a James Taylor concert with my dad. We ran at a 8:54 pace and heart rate of 150 so it was a good run. There was four of us running and I really love running with others. It makes it more enjoyable.

Saturday I woke up at 4 am and took off to meet Chad at the Mississippi River. We ran on the back path at 4:30 in the morning. I thought for sure it was going to be freezing with the wind coming off the river, but it was actually quite pleasant. I was hurting the last mile. My foot started to cause me some discomfort and my legs were heavy, but overall I felt really, really good for a run of this distance for me. We ran the 12 miles in 1 hour 56 minutes so just 4 minutes ahead of our goal. Our pace was 9:39 with average heart rate of 153.

After the race I came home, took a quick nap, and then drove for 4 hours back home to Indiana. All I have to say is that without compression socks I would have been cramping like no other. God bless compression socks.

Getting home today I was not physically or mentally prepared to get in the 5 mile run that I missed out on this weekend.  I don't think it will hurt me any, but I have now missed one run in the last two weeks. I am going to be sure to get all the runs in this week before Spring Break.

This next week is supposed to be a recovery week where the long run is scaled back to 10 to recover from the 12 miler this past weekend. Actually, it will be my largest mileage week yet if I don't miss any workouts.

Thursday will be interesting as I have to time my mile run time. Feeling nervous about this as I don't want my time to suck too bad.

I hope to stay healthy. I was in bed at 8 pm Friday and am off to bed as soon as I hit publish on this post. I have enjoyed the training so far and look to have a really good week this week. It all starts tomorrow with a good lifting workout. I am going to throw in a lot of arms, chest, and back to help with my running.

Keep pushing yourself and good luck this week in whatever goals you set for yourself.

Teacher Thoughts

I saw this tweet the other day and just had to share it here:


"Give them another PowerPoint based task and you might as well start singing a lullaby as they drift off to sleep."


I am guilty of this myself, but it is time to move forward in our thinking and creative more real world applications in our classrooms.


What are you doing in your classroom to make learning more real world? 

Two Important Reading Items

1. The Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament is underway. I made a post the other day explaining how the final four format will work. The tournament is open to everyone. Read a pair of the books and fill out the judging form. There has not been any votes casted yet, so please get them in. I know we still have a little over two weeks left, but if I don't continue to remind and pester many of you will forget.

2. Just wanted to send out a quick reminder/update about the book club idea I suggested last week for teachers. The wiki is now up and running http://coffeechugbookclub.wikispaces.com/


It is coming along nicely. I have had some other adults across the US join the club and some of you have already joined. The wiki is a great way for us to read, post our thoughts, ask questions, and just have a place to share our thoughts while reading. If you are planning on reading the book, then please join the wiki so you can share out your ideas.

Secondly, I still plan on having a time at the end of March for us to get together in person to talk about the book(for those that can make it) and decide on the next book. The wiki is a great tool, but it is not the same as meeting in person. I will figure out the details later as I wait to see who is all going to participate.

New Series by Catherine Fisher

The amazing Catherine Fisher, author of Incarceron and Sapphique, tells us all about her upcoming Relic Master series in this fab new author video!


www.RelicMasterSeries.com Four gripping installments. Four consecutive months. One epic adventure. Coming Summer 2011.New York Times bestselling author of Incarceron and Sapphique, Catherine Fisher, discusses her upcoming series Relic Master. Learn all about the world of Anara and how this latest adventure will unfold!

And yes, I just bought all four books on Amazon the second I watched this video. BOOM! Take that in your face book readers. 


Now I just have to wait for them to be released and mailed to my house........

Coffeechug and his Little Lattes have started new little project

Over on our classroom wiki of international pen pals and other projects of us connecting to students from all over we have opened up a new little project titled, Global Gossip.

http://coffeechug.wikispaces.com/Global+Gossip

This is designed for people all around the world to answer questions using Twitter or email or whatever device they want to share information. The responses are designed to help my students bridge connections all around the world and for us to have a springboard for discussion in the classroom.

Please be respectful of the comments you type and I look forward to hearing from all of you around the world.

How do I respond?

You can go about it several ways.

1. Tweet your response with hashtag #globalgossip
2. Email me your response for me to share here on the wiki at aarmau@gmail.com
3. Some other means of communication will also work 

Let us begin. Feel free to offer suggestions to future questions. We are open to many ideas.

3.3.11: Question #1: What is one fact about your country/city that others probably would not know? Please include name of country/city/province, etc. in post so we can study further.

Coffeechug and his Little Lattes have opened up a new page on wiki.

Over on our classroom wiki of international pen pals and other projects of us connecting to students from all over we have opened up a new little project titled, Global Gossip.

http://coffeechug.wikispaces.com/Global+Gossip

This is designed for people all around the world to answer questions using Twitter or email or whatever device they want to share information. The responses are designed to help my students bridge connections all around the world and for us to have a springboard for discussion in the classroom.

Please be respectful of the comments you type and I look forward to hearing from all of you around the world.

How do I respond?

You can go about it several ways.

1. Tweet your response with hashtag #globalgossip
2. Email me your response for me to share here on the wiki at aarmau@gmail.com
3. Some other means of communication will also work 

Let us begin. Feel free to offer suggestions to future questions. We are open to many ideas.

3.3.11: Question #1: What is one fact about your country/city that others probably would not know? Please include name of country/city/province, etc. in post so we can study further.

Books Turned Movie Book Club

Check out my new online wiki page. I will not go into great detail here on the blog, but feel free to check out the online book club site and if you wish to join, then be my guest.

http://coffeechugbookclub.wikispaces.com/

Sunday night as I was watching the Oscars I had an idea. The first thought was that I had not viewed a single movie that was nominated and therefore need to upgrade my movie watching from Tangled and Gnomeo and Juliet. Second, it was a big year for novels turned into movies. I was reading an article this morning that suggested that 2011 will be an even bigger year for books turned into movies. My gears started turning and I decided to go and read the books of the movies nominated this year and do the same with the movies coming out. Then, I thought that it would be fun to have others to discuss the books and movies in terms of what we liked, did not like, themes, etc.


So, here I am the next day creating yet another wiki for me to use. I hope you sign up and join us on our reading voyages.

All you have to do is join the wiki. I will accept you and away you go with adding your thoughts and ideas.

I will keep important dates and meetings posted under the "Calendar" page.

This is still in the early stages so as I have time to develop this wiki I will try to make it look better and better.

If you join, feel free to spice things up a little.

Book Review: Long Distance by Bill McKibben

Title: Long Distance
Author: Bill McKibben

Author Website: http://www.billmckibben.com/index.html

From his website

LONG DISTANCE

Testing the Limits of Body and Spirit in a Year of Living Strenuously

In his late thirties, celebrated essayist, journalist, and author Bill McKibben —never much of an athlete—decided the time had come for him to really test his body. Cross-country skiing his challenge of choice, he lived the fantasy of many amateur athletes and trained; with the help of a coach/guru; nearly full-time, putting in hours and miles typical of an Olympic hopeful. For one vigorous year, which would culminate in a series of grueling, long-distance races, McKibben experienced his body's rhythms and possibilities as never before.

But the year also brought tragedy to McKibben and his family as his father developed a life-threatening illness. Forcing a deeper exploration of both body and spirit, the arrival of this illness transforms McKibben's action-packed memoir into a moving account of two men coming to terms with the limits of the flesh.

The author of such impassioned and groundbreaking books as The End of Natureand The Age of Missing Information, Bill McKibben is re-nowned as an original thinker. Here, writing with his trademark honesty and insight, he once again creates a provocative and unconventional book, a fascinating portrait of a man in midlife pushing his body and soul to the breaking point—and learning some unexpected truths along the way.

My Thoughts

I cannot remember how I came across this book. It was published in 2000. It must have been referenced in one of the previous books I have been reading about leadership and toughness. Regardless, this book came from the library and it was a good read. It was the perfect to come my way after reading two books about what it takes to being a leader and making something of yourself. This book was not one of those types of book, but rather a story that provided an example of a typical, regular, run of the mill person pushing himself to his limits while dealing with the regular dosage of life giving you obstacles along the way.

In his case, he was into skiing in a variety of cross country races. I am not into this nor have I even attempted this sport/exercise, but I took away man great ideas from his book. The book referenced many other references of books and gurus that I wrote down and have began to investigate a little further( I am on a current mission of learning more about the mental aspect of life in terms of pushing yourself to the limits). This was a good read. You know you have a good read when you are reading a book about a topic(skiing) that you could care less about and yet you find yourself interested in reading how things will turn out.

Let us not forget the upsetting aspect of life of his father losing his way of life and eventually succumbing to the better world along the journey of getting himself in shape. Between the two story lines, how can one not walk away from the book ready to push themselves to the next level?

I am glad I took the time to read this book. It is one that I am surprised I did not just give back to the library right away. Sometimes these little gems are the ones that stick with you longer than the other books that you swear you will never forget.

Another Dosage of Great Links to Check Out

1. With the Speed at which social media is causing change in our world, we need a social Network to record it as history.
http://newsrevolutions.wikispaces.com/


2. 50+ EdTech Resources You May Have Missed–Treasure Chest- Feb 13 2011


3. http://www.everloop.com/


4. How To Remember What You Study - http://www.pgcbasketball.com/how-to-remember-what-you-study/


5. FutureMe. My favorite link of the week. You can write to your future self either publicly or in private. Check it out.
6. 18 Supermarket Lies Revealed