Last week, I took my kids outside and for the first time, I let them run around while I . . . wait for it . . . READ! For nearly 30 uninterrupted minutes! It was amazing: relaxing and invigorating all at once. The best part was that I was reading something that was unrelated to education and just for the fun of it. (It was a short book a colleague of mine had written a few years back entitled, Ground Rule Double.) This 30 minutes reminded me of how much I love to dive into a book and absorb myself in a story. Don’t get me wrong, I love to read to keep up on my profession, but this was different.
At the end of the year, I find myself constantly overloading with work: reading, writing, updating this, planning that, keeping up with the latest technologies and software and widgets. Then there are my responsibilities at school, not to mention those that await me at home.
Sound familiar??? Well, this is where being a teacher can come in handy – Summers! Let’s face it, everyone deserves a break, a vacation and since we are fortunate enough to have one, we need to take advantage of this.
For many educators this means keeping up to date on professional development, reading up on the latest in educational trends and planning for next year . It’s the same for me, but this summer I’m adding a twist! This summer I have made a promise to myself to read not only for my profession but just for Me! (I suggest you do the same!)
After asking a few of my reading friends what they suggest I read (after all, I want the best bang for my time), I have found a great option: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Everything I’ve heard about this book is great, even life altering and it is also coming out in theaters at the end of this summer.
But as I was talking about the book with my sister-in-law, Kristina, we thought it would be fun to do something much more with the book. So we have and we want you to join us! Here it is:
What: Summer Book Group for Eat, Pray, Love
Why: The Inspired Classroom is creating an Online/Face2Face book group just for the pure joy of reading, reflecting on self and connecting with others.
Who: This is for anyone (literally in the world) who would like to read and do some self-reflecting. You do not have to be a teacher to join us for this.
How: We have set up a Wiki to use for our online discussions. On this, you can read what others are saying, add to discussions and immerse yourself in all things about this book! You can even add and share your own pages to this Wiki if you so desire. You decide how much you want to be involved! You will need to become a member of this Wiki to add to it, but that part is easy (and, of course free!)
When: We officially launched the Wiki and the book group Tuesday, June 15th. But we have a fun launching party on June 22nd. If you are interested in learning more about the book group, how to join the Wiki or just want to enjoy a little time together, join us for the Launch Party on June 22nd. If you can’t make it, no worries, email us with questions or even better join us virtually on #ticchat where we will be tweeting live at all the Face2Face events!
More info about the Launch Party is on our Wiki Overview page! (You know you want to learn more…it includes Gelato!)
So, SUMMER READING… are you going to?? Please do some and join us!
WIKI: http://ticeatpraylove.wikispaces.com/
Launch Party info: RSVP on FaceBook!
Related posts:
Elizabeth Peterson has devoted her life to education and to reaching out to other teachers who want to remain inspired. Mrs. Peterson teaches fourth grade in Amesbury, Massachusetts and is the host of www.theinspiredclassroom.com. She holds an M.Ed. in Education, “Arts and Learning” and is currently enrolled in a C.A.G.S. program through Plymouth State University with a focus in “Arts Leadership and Learning.” Elizabeth is author of Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book that includes a method of music integration she has developed and implemented into her own teaching. She teaches workshops and courses on the integration of the arts into the curriculum, leads an arts integration PLC (PLaiC) and is adjunct faculty for PSU. Mrs. Peterson believes there is a love of active, integrated learning in all children and from their enthusiasm, teachers can shape great opportunities to learn. 
I first picked up this novel up during a pivotal time in my life, and I am SO glad I did. This novel literally changed the direction my life was heading in. At the time, I had graduated recently with a BA degree in Literature and was working at a legal assistant at a local law office. I was certain I was going to attend law school and become a lawyer, so I was getting a feel for my planned profession. No one had told me about the novel- I literally picked it off the bookshelf, and started reading. I finished book 1 before even leaving the bookstore and by the time I finished reading the entire novel, I had given my two weeks notice at the law office. The reason for this was simple, really – I realized I didn’t actually want to be a lawyer. And I thought to myself, if Liz can do exactly what she wants to do, then why can’t I? It wasn’t long before I realized I could, and having recognized that fact, I applied to an MAT program, completed my degree and starting teaching. And I have not looked back.