Speed Booking

I am never quite quite sure what to do to acknowledge summer reading in the classroom, especially with the 5th grade.  A few years ago I came across an article in Book Links (May 2007) that described "Speed Booking".  It's a version of speed dating adapted by Christine Boardman Moen for her classroom.

Essentially students pair up, quickly (90 seconds each) discuss a favorite summer read and then rotate to the next student.  It's an activity full of enthusiasm, activity and joy.  The boys get to talk about and discover new books.  It's a wonderful wrap up to our summer reading.

August

Well here we are in August.  Back in June, August seems so far away.  Now here we are in the first week of August and too many of my summertime projects remain incomplete -- or most honestly not even started! 

I think of summer as one great big weekend.  June is Friday night -- I can think of a million things that I'd like to accomplish, sure that when I wake up I'll be full of energy and ready for action.  Next comes July -- the Saturday of summer.  I'm sure I have plenty of time to take care of all my todo list items, so instead of starting I diddle away my time.  Then all of a sudden without even realizing it, it's August -- the Sunday of summer.  Now all of a sudden I am running out of time, my projects remain incomplete, and it's time to start getting ready for school.