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I Wish My Teacher Knew by Kyle Schwartz is a must read for all teachers. The book is a set of essays based from student responses to the question "I wish my teacher knew___________." The teacher asked her questions the above question and the information she gathered from the assignment shocked her but helped to gain necessary information from her students about them.

The book begins by explaining the project that the teacher/author created in order to get to know her students better. The author describes what students said that the teacher needed to know in how to properly teach/engage the students.

Beyond knowing how to effectively teach students a teacher needs to be aware of issues that students may be experiences. The book states that it is important to know how to deal with these issues because if the issue of death, homelessness, family issues are causing issues for a student it will be difficult for a student to focus on their studies. These issues are just as important at learning in the classroom. As a teacher I found this very true. In addition to knowing how to effectively engage student based on their learning styles, the book also states that as a teacher it is important to know the students hobbies/ interests.

The book is thoroughly researched which is valuable to any person who is going into the field of teaching or has been in the field for many years. As a 2nd year teacher I found the book very interesting. I plan to do this as a first activity with my students to learn about them. The activity is a way to get to know your students without pre-judging their personalities. It is a stress free way for students to share important information.
  
Taming The Dragon (Sparks of Desire #5)
Taming The Dragon (Sparks of Desire #5)
Valerie Twombly | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
TAMING THE DRAGON is the fifth book in the Sparks of Desire series, but you can read it as a standalone as I did.

Kaden has baggage in his past which is currently affecting both his present and his possible future. Fate has spoken and given him the perfect mate except for one small problem - she's human. His dragon doesn't have a problem with that, nor does anyone else in his family but, for Kaden, this is a BIG problem.

Avery is a strong young woman, confident in so many ways apart from her own self, thanks to the majority of her family. Originally, she believes Kaden couldn't possibly be interested in her but Fate won't be denied. They have issues to work out, that's for sure.

This was a great story that kept my interest. I do love it when the characters are not just straight-forward, without any issues. Kaden is the strong, silent type who has to learn how to share with others. And Avery has to believe she is good enough, just as she is. Kelly and Bella are on hand to help with that, and Kaden also has help with his issues.

Another fantastic read by this author, and absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
it embraces the goofy and runs with it (0 more)
it is a little on the goofy side (0 more)
the 80s got an upgrade
this movie is a straight up blender of everything that was awesome about 80s movies, only amped up to 11 and given all the effects and production that just weren't possible back then.
it honestly felt to me like a serial to Flash Gordon, only fixing everything that made it cornball... yet somehow keeping the charm all that corny goodness delivered.
It's intense, funny, heartfelt, action packed, and addresses issues of family, sibling rivalry, and loss.
Highly recommended.
  
40x40

Aurora (9 KP) rated Dynasties in TV

Nov 12, 2018  
Dynasties
Dynasties
2018 | Documentary
Cinematography (4 more)
David Attenborough
Storyline
Educational
Conservation-Minded
Amazing from the Start
From the very first episode starring a chimpanzee named David, this show has been another BBC and Attenborough gem. The entire story is shot beautifully by an experienced camera crew who spends years with the animals. Each episode focuses on a different family group in a different part of the world, giving viewers a glimpse into the group's inner-workings. No hardship or heartbreak is omitted, creating an emotional journey each episode. Each episode ends with a look into the real issues surrounding the conservation of the star species.
  
TW
These Wicked Waters
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a really cool take on the little mermaid story. I have no idea if that was intentional because this book is about sirens not mermaids but there are definitely parallels.

I really like Annie's family issues. They informed a lot of her character and explained a lot.

It was a bit slow at first but once it gets going it does not stop. This could easily be a stand alone but I'm really hoping for a sequel!
  
Tiny Sunbirds Far Away
Tiny Sunbirds Far Away
Christie Watson | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Deeply moving, provocative and beautifully crafted novel.

Watson's storytelling is clever and breathtaking. The pace that the plot unfurls is sensitive and masterful. I was completely gripped as Blessing, the main protagonist faced realisations about her life and family - a pivotal, highly emotive, beautiful point in the book.

Her characterisation is superb, I really connected with all the characters and was deeply moved by their stories.

Watson highlights the issues of Nigeria boldly and impressively yet weaves them masterfully into the lives of her characters leading the reader to care deeply about the people and the country.

A great read - I loved it.
  
Pineapple Street
Pineapple Street
Jenny Jackson | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I love a character driven novel, and Pineapple Street is packed full of interesting people.
The Stockton family are amongst the 1 Percenters - they’re unimaginably wealthy and live in a New York inhabited by few, very wealthy people. Pineapple Street looks at some of the issues that these very wealthy people face.

Tilda and Chip have 3 children: Darley, the eldest, decides to sign her money over to her children rather than have her husband, Malcolm, sign a prenup. This doesn’t seem to be an important decision with them both having good jobs. Things get a little tighter financially when Darley gives up her job at Goldman Sachs to be with her two young children, and even more so when Malcolm loses his job.

Cord, the middle child, finds it hard to cut the family ties even when he marries Sasha. She does sign the prenup, and has to live in Cords family house (his parents do however, move out) with all of his parents furniture still in it - and his younger sisters bedroom still intact.

Georgiana, the youngest, has a difficult relationship with the family money, and struggles when she enters into an affair with a completely unsuitable man.

All of the younger Stocktons start to look at their lives with a critical eye, and changer are afoot.

I loved this fun read about family, money, class, and with the story told from the points of view of the women - a woman’s place in this affluent world.
  
SD
Secret Daughter
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This novel tells the story of two families who become intertwined despite living half a world apart and without really knowing or ever even meeting each other. One is a poor family struggling to survive in rural India. The other is a pair of medical school students who meet and fall in love, one being from India.
The American couple end up having fertility issues, while the destitute couple in India are exactly the opposite. Not wanting to know her husband has disposed of another unwanted girl, the Indian mother smuggles her baby daughter to an orphanage in Mumbai. And it is there, where the American couple end up adopting her.
The story moves through the life of the girl in parallel with the lives of her adoptive and biological parents. In the end it is a tear jerker, but has a great message about who your real family is.
  
I Wish My Teacher Knew by Kyle Schwartz is a must read for all teachers. The book is a set of essays based from student responses to the question "I wish my teacher knew___________." The teacher asked her questions the above question and the information she gathered from the assignment shocked her but helped to gain necessary information from her students about them.

The book begins by explaining the project that the teacher/author created in order to get to know her students better. The author describes what students said that the teacher needed to know in how to properly teach/engage the students.

Beyond knowing how to effectively teach students a teacher needs to be aware of issues that students may be experiences. The book states that it is important to know how to deal with these issues because if the issue of death, homelessness, family issues are causing issues for a student it will be difficult for a student to focus on their studies. These issues are just as important at learning in the classroom. As a teacher I found this very true. In addition to knowing how to effectively engage student based on their learning styles, the book also states that as a teacher it is important to know the students hobbies/ interests.

The book is thoroughly researched which is valuable to any person who is going into the field of teaching or has been in the field for many years. As a 2nd year teacher I found the book very interesting. I plan to do this as a first activity with my students to learn about them. The activity is a way to get to know your students without pre-judging their personalities. It is a stress free way for students to share important information.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in response for an honest review.
  
This has been borrowed from the Kindle Unlimited Library.

This is the final book and Basi has some serious issues to resolve. She gave the Fyrlia's information that could start the end game and leave Kyros and his family in jeopardy so she has to fix that. Then there's what she promised to do for the Indebted. There's also the issue of trying to stay true to her grandmother's memory.

Once again I don't want to spoil it by going into detail but whoa, this had a lot going on.

I enjoyed reading more of the growing connection between Basi and Kyros as they completed more blood exchanges. It was about time that they finally just told each other the truth and worked through the issues from their short past together. They really were super cute and extremely hot at times. I loved them.

As for the game between the two clans of vampires. I'm so glad Basi was able to come up with her brilliant idea to thwart the bad side from winning as, like Basilia, I'd grown to like pretty much all of Kyros' family.

I did like the ending.

At the back of the book, the author had a note saying she was working on a werewolf supernatural battle series too and I think I'll read that too when it's released.