Tuesday, July 21, 2015

My Little Book Box


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I have realized the older I get, the more I forget.  This has been especially true when it comes to remembering books I have read.  I am sure some of it is age, but I think the number of books I read also contributes to this problem.  

I knew I wanted to add more book talks this year in my classroom.  After reading about one minute book talks in Kelly Hallagher's new book, In the Best Interest of Students, I knew this was something I wanted to include.  Not remembering what books are about makes this idea difficult.  

Thinking about a possible solution, I knew I needed to start recording what I read, and I wanted something I could access easily.  I knew I did not want a binder; it would be too clunky.  I knew I did not want something digital; it could have technological problems when I need to access it.

I decided on a box.  A simple file card box.  

For each book I read, I will write a short book "commercial" or a quick note that I want to read to students and file it my box.  When it is time for a one minute book talk, I simply find the card and~voila~ I can "remember" what the book is about!  This will also be beneficial when students come and ask me about a book.  Instead of saying I have read it, but I don't remember it, I can simply grab the card and read it to them or let them read the card themselves.




Each card will have the title, the author, a very short summary about the book, a reference to a part I want to read in the book, and other books by the same author.  I also wrote the genre in the top right hand corner so I know where the book is located in my classroom library.

Hopefully this is a simple thing that will help me remember, because unfortunately, I am not getting any younger and I do not plan to stop reading any time soon.

15 comments:

  1. I love this idea!!! Such a simple way to remember, but so much more!! You are modeling this for students. These cards will be available if someone want to take a peek...so many possibilities!! YAY!!!!

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  2. This is a great idea! I love that you are keeping the summary short, with easy references. Let us know farther down the road how this worked out in use!

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  3. I agree, this is a great idea! Definitely something I could do.

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  4. Awesome, awesome idea! I also have this concern about my memory of what I've read. Maybe it's just because we are filling our heads with so much good reading that it overflows sometimes. {I'm sure it's NOT because we are getting older! :)

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  5. You are modeling to your students that each book is worthy of remembering and sharing :)

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  6. I hear ya! I remember I read a book... just can't tell you any details. I try to write something on Goodreads to help me, but usually then I just want to rate it and get reading the next book!

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  7. Great idea, Leigh Anne, for you and for access for your students too. It shouldn't take too long to make a card, & then you have easy reminders.

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  8. I am going to steal that idea! It might be fun to have either a shared box or their own box to allow the students to do that same thing! Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!

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  9. I love that you thought through your problem and solved it in the simplest and purest of forms! I'm reading one (for pleasure) now that I am still debating whether or not I have read it…and I am half way through the book...

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  10. Great idea - this is exactly what I need to do, too!

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  11. Great idea - this is exactly what I need to do, too!

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  12. I forget the details of books, I hold on to the feeling of them which makes for lousy book talks!
    Great idea Leigh Anne. Thanks!

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  13. This is a perfect way to recall books. I always say that I can recall my overall impression, but beyond that little is remembered. Just finished Circus Mirandus today, so I should try your system out right away, but my handwriting won't be as beautiful as yours!

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  14. Great idea! (I am glad I am not the only one with the forgetting problem!) I need to get this started, because I have done a lot of reading. I find myself looking at a book or title (many of my reads were library books borrowed on my Kindle) and thinking, "What was that one about?"
    I second Ramona's thoughts about your handwriting... besides my memory, that is something else I see getting worse the older I get!

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  15. Love this idea! Definitely going to think about doing this.

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