Conversations with the creators of the best in science fiction and fantasy. If you love SF literature, are an author or aspire to become one, you'll enjoy this podcast.
Middle-school teachers bringing you tips and techniques fresh from the real-world classroom environment. Discussions on education, ideas for parents and teachers
Show Notes:
Lorrie and Sheila discuss the use of technology in the classroom:
-
proxima use
tablets for computers
online lessons for the classrooms
modifying lessons
Interview with David Lubar – author of Invasion of the Road Weenies, a short story collection. We also discuss:
- Hidden Talents he compare todays sci fi authors with yesterdays
The C2C w’ class-link in my rss-feed didn’t work. I was directed to a libsyn html-page. The link on this page is OK.
Fixed.
Now you can get your… Fix. ?-)
Great show ladies.
I’m a father of an 11 yr old boy who doesn’t like to read. I know … nothing so abnormal there and admittedly, I never liked to read until about 4 yrs ago. Now both my wife and I both read a lot and have done all we can to encourage him but can’t seem to find anything he likes. He was into the Cptn. Underpants series for a bit but soon lost intrest.
Do you have any ideas about what I can do to help him discover the world of books
Hey Lorrie & Sheila,
I think it’s so cool what you are doing. Damn, Lorrie-you had me crying within seconds of talking about your kids. God bless you both-I know you’ll touch a lot more people than you have already. You 2 chicks can cruise with the Bluesman anytime.
John – find a topic (a specific sport, mysteries, technology, whatever) and find a book related to that topic. There is a book out there for everyone – we just have to find the right one. David Lubars books are great. The short stories keep the kids interest. Sounds to me that he likes humor which is great because a lot of the YA stuff is humorous. Gordon Korman’s No More Dead Dogs is very funny and kids can relate because of the school aspect which is involved. If he is into science at all – House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is an amazing book. It even has my non-readers reading.
Hi John,
I agree with all of Sheila’s suggestions. They’re all really great books. I wentto school yesterday and asked my boys what their favorite books are. Keep in mind that they are ALL reluctant readers so, it has to be good for them to keep reading. Their number one choices are “Drive by” and “The Magic Treehouse.” Unfortunately, I haven’t read either one so, I can’t tell you who the authors are (yet)but, will do a search and get back to you ASAP (Sheila, do you know?). The other choices are ones you might recognise…”Where the Red Fern Grows,” “The Outsiders,” and “Holes.” I have one student who is a sports nut and, he enjoyed a hockey story called “Ice Magic.”
Just wanted to let you know I’m not ignoring you
This is definitely a topic I want to discuss on the show. Don’t give up on trying John
Mary Pope Osborne does the Magic Treehouse and my daughter (8) has read about 25 in the series. She also read a lot of Junie B. Jones and Captain Underpants. She also must be entertained to keep reading.
I’ve a question. Okay, two really.
1) When are you two going to talk about your book (I saw it at Dragon Moon Press)
2) How do you feel about children and speed reading?
I taught my daughter to speed read and she’s burning through books like mad. I’ll take time to skim the books she’s reading and she’s got fair retention (actually better than when she read slowly). What is your take on teaching children to speed read?
John -
I think the book Drive By is by Drive-By Lynne Ewing. None of my kids have read Drive-By. If kids are enjoying it I say go for it! It can’t hurt to try and get your son to try a couple chapters to see if your son is interested. I have seen many students enjoy the Magic Treehouse series and they have many different adventures.
J.R. –
Lorrie and I can talk about our book! We had a great time collaborating on it! I would love to work on another one. Maybe on one of the up coming shows we can talk about what the process was to complete it.
As far as speed reading, I do not mind it as long as the student is comprehending the story. To throughly check comprehension I would have her read a chapter and you read it also and then quiz her on the contents. This will really come in handy during high school and college. I would just make sure she is not going to fast to miss important pieces.
Good Lord…I just read back what I wrote this morning. I promise you that I am not teaching my students to put the comma after the conjunction! Must not have been fully awake yet.
Hi ladies, I just got done listening to episode 1. As a high school bio teacher I am really enjoying the podcast. Your discussion of the use of technology in the classroom was great and useful. I will be sure to recommend the use of the tablets to my district this coming year.
I have a bit of a hard time with students who don’t like to read, because personally I knew how to read before I got into kindergarten. Reading is something I have enjoyed my whole life. Thanks for what you’re doing it is great!