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.”

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH

I made it through Friday, the 13th ok. Whew! But today is the Ides of March, bad luck day (well for Julius Caesar anyway).

So far today:

Two “presumed” cases of Corona have turned up in my tiny town of Alvin, TX. It seems two individuals went to the Chili Cookoff at the Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston (before it was abruptly closed down) at the same time a girl visiting the rodeo from NY and later tested positive for the virus did, and they MAY have touched something she touched. Who knows? Hopefully, the symptoms these two individuals (same family same house, now self -quarantined  at home) will be tested soon, and it will turn out to be seasonal allergies. Pine and oak pollen are at high levels today, and we are self-quarantined already to avoid the pollen in the air. Yes, we have runny eyes, sneezing, coughing, but it happens when we go out to get the paper (which is full of awful news) or put a book or toy in my Little Free Library at the end of the driveway.A98244D5-A015-438B-BB9D-688C2EFD5E36

 

Here is what I’m reading today as I wait for the Support Center at my university to offer me tutorials to learn to teach on line.city of g

In the meantime I am in touch with a few of my students through good, old-fashioned texting. I am soooo glad I gave them my phone number. And, yes, students, those three assignments due March 17th are still due then. Submit them through email. LOL

Song recommendation: Living in the Moment on iTunes.

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3 responses to “BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH”

  1. carhicks Avatar
    carhicks

    Hang in there Rae, this too will pass. Think about how much you will learn about teaching online. 🤗

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  2. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I’m so sorry all of this is happening, but I am glad you and your husband are staying safe at home. I amuse myself by changing out the contents of my LFL periodically. Thank goodness that we have the virtual world and that we can keep in touch without danger of catching this awful sickness.

    I love the photo!

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    1. Rae Reads Avatar
      Rae Reads

      I am stocking my LFL with all the old workbooks, texts, etc. from my teaching days in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades as well as lower grades from tutoring times. None of the skills books/workbooks are written in or anything. I plan to make a sign as soon as Alvin makes the announcement that schools are closed for the rest of the year.
      I am stocking the Stevenson LFL you put up as well. Stay in and stay safe.

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