Time to Share Plans

My year is off to a busy start. The Caught Reading pictures on the window in the library are beginning to multiply and create interest. It's been really tempting to just coast along and enjoy what has already been accomplished. But if we want this year to be as special as last year, planning is essential and the Kudzu Committee will be meeting in the next few days. I can hardly wait to see what develops next.

Article about Kathryn Tucker Windham

This morning I read an article in the Birmingham News by John Archibald about Kathryn Tucker Windham. KTW was our kick-off speaker when we first began our WDYRLN? reading program last school year. She is a genuine treasure. Archibald's article was very well written with a charming mix of Kathryn's stories and quotes from Judith Spivery, a local teacher. Take time to read this story, you'll love it.

WDYRLN? Ballpoint Pens

To keep reading in front of our students throughout the day, the freshmen are getting ballpoint pens with the inscription "What Did You Read Last Night?" It just a little reminder but added to others, I hope it will impact our students reading, not just for now but for their whole life.

Freshmen Share WDYRLN?

As part of freshman orientation this year, I asked small groups of students, "What did you read last night?". Their faces lit up and even those who sheepishly ducked their heads and mumbled, "Nothing." listened while their classmates quickly spoke up to tell about their reading. Of course, these were my favorite moments of the day.

Bulletin Board

Since we're starting a new school year, I thought our students would be interested in seeing pictures of our new faculty, teachers and nurse, and hearing about what they like to read. My aide snapped pictures and we picked the new folks' brain about their favorite books/authors. I heard of new titles that I'll be looking forward to reading, maybe the students will be likewise inspired. I live in hope....

New Year

What a rousing start to our new year doing WDYRLN? As part of Institute, Cindy sang her wonderful, marvelous, glorious song and received a standing "O". Sesame Street is missing out. Her song would be perfect in building a love of reading in young children. Maybe someday......

Kudzu Meeting

Well, the Dynamic Kudzu Committee met yesterday to plan for this school year. I think everyone agrees that the WDYRLN reading program is well worth the effort and should be continued. Members shared lots of wonderful, compelling memories from the past year. News of WDYRLN is being spread. While on vacation in Hawaii, one member's husband got an author to autograph a book and also told to author about our reading program. How cool is that.