Hello Book Bums families!
Welcome August! Did you know this month is one of three month names that also functions as a common word in English? August can also be an adjective which means majestic and impressive. Can you think of the other two month names? Hint - they're both verbs.
This week in the newsletter we're thinking about curiosity, vocabulary, and some presidential wordplay. There's also an important schedule announcement from Book Bums. Read on and enjoy!
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Word of the Week
rigid (ridj-id) adjective/describing word -unbending, or unable to change or adapt
The rigid material of a cast is perfect for stabilizing a broken bone.
Wordology Workshop
• The Latin root rig means straight.
• You can find it in our Word of the Week rigid as well as related words like rigor, rigorous, and rigidity.
• The word dirigible also uses the rig root. A dirigible is an airship, like a blimp; but unlike a blimp it's body is rigid, thus the name containing the root.
Literary Calendar
• August 5 is the birthday of Kentucky writer Wendell Berry.
• This 89 year-old poet is also an essayist, novelist, and environmental activist.
• He is often called a 'poet of place' in recognition of his connection to rural Kentucky.
The Peace of Wild Things
by Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
From our Bookshelves
Kay Winters wrote My Teacher for President back in 2008, but it might make a great gift to purchase and present to your child’s teacher (grades 1-3) to start off this school year. Take a copy to the Meet the Teacher event at your school so your child’s teacher can add it to their classroom library. Students will surely be talking about the election this fall, and this is a fun book that shares some of the jobs and characteristics of a good president. In truth, I’d vote for a lot of teachers I know! (I wanted to add . . . before I’d vote for the present candidates, but I’m striving to keep our newsletter PC.)
Long ago, one of my students at Shawnee Early Childhood School made this sign for me after he read My Teacher for President in my class. I’m not sure why I snapped a picture of that sign, but every time I see it in my photos it brings a smile.
Tips for Families
Remain curious. Those are words I’ve posted in some of my spaces as a reminder of how I wish to navigate life. With age comes knowledge, it’s true. But things are always changing, and keeping an open mind has myriad benefits. I’m wondering if you’ll join me in my pursuit of remaining curious.
When one is Open-Minded, s/he is . . .
Open to new ideas and experiences.
Passionate about their own beliefs but considerate of others.
Empathetic toward others' feelings.
When one is Close-Minded, s/he is . . .
Not receptive to other ideas; only their own.
Rigid in thinking and refusing to consider other beliefs.
Insensitive toward others' feelings.
You know that I’ve been promoting the “Science of Reading” (SoR) both in my classroom and at Book Bums for decades now. I heard someone say, “You cannot question the science,” and someone else said “The science is settled.” That’s simply not true. In science, we are persuaded to question everything. Even if it’s good, it could be better.
I hope we choose to remain curious, for when we believe we know all there is to know about something, we’re revealing just how little we truly know.
Just for Fun
Practical Grammar
president- (the s has a buzz sound) the person officially in charge—whether it's of a republic, a company, a college, or a fan club. This is a word for a leader, like the President of the United States or the president of the National Football League Players' Union.
Who is leading in the polls for president?
precedent- (the c-e has a soft /s/ sound) an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.
Parents who let their kids stay up late may be setting a bad precedent for future bedtimes.
precedence- (both c-e’s have the soft /s/ sound) the condition of being considered more important than someone or something else; priority in importance, order, or rank.
When your kids are sick, taking them to the doctor will take precedence over your need to go to the gym.
Tips for Readers and Writers
The word president follows the same capitalization rules as other titles. A title is the name that describes a person’s position, rank, office, or job. In general, you should only capitalize titles when they come directly before a person’s name as in President Abraham Lincoln. Also, the title president should be capitalized when it is used in place of a president’s name or when addressing a president directly as in “Hello, Mr. President.”
News from Book Bums
Did you know that, for years, we have not advertised the tutoring we do at Book Bums? We receive such great referrals from our families; and they share about us with their kids’ teachers, who then share that information with other families, so we keep all our tutors busy and are continually training more and more tutors to join our team. Whew! Thank you so much for keeping us growing!
This time of year, however, is when we typically have a lull. The back-to-school routines and families adjusting to the demands of the fall schedule often result in cancellations, and our teachers like to have their evenings open that first full week too, therefore Book Bums will be closed the week of August 19th-23rd.
We are always looking for great teachers to join our team. Just email Dr. Christy at [email protected] if you’d like to be added to the invite for our next teachers’ training session.
We usually have an influx of new students after schools’ first parent-teacher conference nights. If you suspect your child may be struggling, don’t wait. Request your free assessment today at https://bookbums.com/assessment/. We’ll get you scheduled in the next week or so.
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1 thoughts on “Newsletter – Welcome August – August 2, 2024”
Thanks for this newsletter! I look forward to it every Friday afternoon.
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