Notes from the frozen tundra that is New Hamphsire

I wish I could say that January is flying by, but it is not. A friend told me that last Monday was the most depressing day ever (in history) due to a number of factors. I could think of a few reasons for that myself. On the other hand, the Inauguration on the 20th was surely a day for celebrating. Another friend reminded me of the book Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles which I had shared with her a while ago. Apparently there was a reference to that story in relation to Sasha Obama on the news. If you don't know the story, you need to find it. It is truly amazing how far we have come since the bad old days in the early 1960's when Ruby was harassed and taunted for being the first black child to enter an all white school in New Orleans. I have shared this book many times with students, and have taken it out again to read with a group of somewhat advanced second graders. As a read aloud or guided reading book (it is a level O, end of third grade) it is a wonderful choice for MLK day, or Black History month. Speaking of guided reading books, my advanced third grade group is well into The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This title is the first in the Percy Jackson trilogy. Percy Jackson is a half-blood, that is half human and half Greek god. This is written at about a fifth grade reading level, with tons of references to Greek mythology. This book is not for everyone, but the adventures, humorous asides, and Greek mythology is keeping this particular group very involved. I am managing to stay one chapter ahead of them, and they are helping me out with my rusty Greek mythology knowledge.