RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

SUNDAY (EVENING) POST

Here’s what I finished last week:  NOTHING.  I think I have four books going and one, How Sweet the Sound,  so close to the end.  Will probably finish it tonight and review it tomorrow or Tuesday.

What I did instead: Prepared for and held First Class Day of the new semester in my Advanced Writing (argumentative writing aimed at an academic audience) class at the university and prepared for and held the second class of my “Kid’s Class,” Reading Improvement, aimed at struggling fourth and fifth grade readers, which I do for fun and to stay busy. My Advanced Writing is shaping up as the best yet (in 27 years of teaching the course).  I have graded two-thirds of the first day Writing Sample (which doesn’t count for a grade but let’s me see what they are capable of and who’s struggling), and so far I have identified one struggler (who is repeating the class), one possible struggler (who may  just need more time), and all the rest are excellent, some outstanding, writers.  This bodes well for an interesting and relatively easy semester.  The kiddie class has reminded me in two weeks something I had forgotten after teaching adults, or at least young adults, for thirty years–kids have LOTS of energy.  My reaction the past two weeks at the end of each class has been–“Whew!”  The kids will either keep me young or kill me.

What I started: Lab Girl,which my friends kept telling me was such a great book, but would I listen? Noooo.  Now, as I have read the first few chapters, I am swept away by the writing and entering a whole new, more scientific, world which I am unfamiliar but enchanted with.

What I watched on TV:  An episode of “Scorpion,” which never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat and two episodes of “Bull,” a fascinating story which has great relationships as sub-plots.

What I am looking forward to reading this evening:  The paper edition of  The Houston Chronicle.

Happy reading.  I have my “work” cut out for me!

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5 responses to “SUNDAY (EVENING) POST”

  1. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    Good grief! No wonder you’re feeling whacked… teaching youngsters is always a major undertaking. The other classes are also clearly time-consuming and demanding, while obviously also fun. No wonder you haven’t completed a book this week. Do you have any assistants in the class when teaching the children? I hope you have an enjoyable and RESTFUL week, Rae:)

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      I am working on getting a “student assistant”, a youngster who can help with the one-on-one working on the worksheets, etc. while I’m evaluating etc. It also involves having healthy snacks on hand for us all (so far I’ve bought a bag of cutie oranges (like tangerines or satsumas) and a box of power protein bars disguised as strawberry and chocolate “treats.” )Also I’ve had Latina mommas with toddlers and babies learning new words along with the children as they wait to give their kiddos a ride home. They have asked for worksheets to practice on too. Everyone needs to improve their English, and I’m picking up quite a bit of conversational Spanish as we go. This time the class is very small, which until I get the “bugs” out, is a blessing. We will run it again in March (only lasts six weeks) and again (maybe twice) in the summer. As word gets out that it’s fun and there are prizes, it will grow. I also want to do a Reading Improvement II for my grads this summer. I’ll bet I won’t get bored this summer break!

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      1. sjhigbee Avatar
        sjhigbee

        It sounds wonderfully satisfying and that you’re providing a fantastic service – but I’ll agree that I don’t think boredom will be an issue for you this summer, either!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. readerbuzz Avatar
    readerbuzz

    If my dad, an astonishingly healthy ninety, is any indication, busy is good.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      If you’re busy, you don’t realize time is zipping by.

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