Christmas is coming....things are speeding up around here

Late posting today because I have so many things on my plate for this season. It seems the calendar page just turns to December and zoom...you are unleashed. Maybe my posts will be a bit off this month because I believe in family first so sometimes the other loves of your life have to be put on hold to focus on what is the most important thing. Anyhow, last "literacy expert" to give a shout out to is my all-time favourite and once-upon-a-time mentor David Booth.

He is Professor Emeritus and serves as Coordinator of the Pre-Service Elementary programme at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. (You try to write that on one line of your resume....good luck!) He taught drama to grade 6.7,8, was a drama consultant for Hamilton, and then the City of York and Toronto. He is a popular international speaker and has authored several books. In 2006 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by at the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. I was so honoured to have taken courses under him and can vouch for his genuine passion and love to get kids engaged and loving reading. He has co-authored books with Bob Barton and loves you to experience the texts with rhymes, music and chants. His topics include - Whatever Happened to language Arts? and The Joys of Teaching Boys. He is a parent and teacher's teacher. He really "gets" the problems that kids are having and has such a tender and loving heart towards kids that are struggling. He makes reading and understanding literature fun and exciting. One of the most positive and rewarding times in my own life was when I was in David's classes. He is infectious and produces laughter and smiles when it comes to language and reading. Please check him out. If he is ever in your area doing a conference or seminar be sure to sign up, go sit at his feet and drink in his wisdom.
Read on.