27 Comments
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Terry Freedman's avatar

Great story. I find it strange that a teacher would, in effect, punish children for reading outside of class time.

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Dr Dorree Lynn's avatar

Thanks.

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Paula Halpin's avatar

Lovely story about stories. Thank you, Anna.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Love it!!

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Loved this read. My grandmother used to read to me before bed, when I stayed at her house; it was the main highlight of spending the night with her. I still remember our first book, The Secret of Red Gate Farm, a Nancy Drew mystery. I was around 6, 60 years later I still remember the awe, I might not have totally understood the story, but it was how she told it and waiting to find out the end.

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Peter Newman's avatar

You bring us wonderfully back into the world of children, through vivid memories of smell, sight, and desire. Thank you, Anna!

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Carol Sutherland-Brown's avatar

Wonderful story! I think Anna's students are very fortunate to be taught by such an inspired teacher. Anna clearly learned young that you can sometime learn as much or more from the failings of teachers and bosses as from their strengths. I am reminded to read aloud, as much as I can, to whomever will listen!

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Loved this! As an old American Lit teacher, I experienced this many times too. One of my funniest times though was when a class read the classic short story The Bet” which starts out “ The night was young & gay…” with their own modern day interpretation. Took me a couple minutes to unravel what they were talking about. 😂

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Sari Lubitsch Tudiver's avatar

This story has perfect pitch! How we can reconfigure a vivid childhood experience and its frustrations into creative learning spaces, years later. Thanks, Anna.

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Kristin Shannon's avatar

Everything you write, dear Anna!

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Tamara Southward's avatar

Such a beautiful story.

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Anna C Rumin's avatar

Thankyou! Definitely something to think about.

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Ruth Miller's avatar

I should add, there is nothing like reading aloud to children, and even adults. I read to my 28 year old grandson when he comes for breakfast. I remember reading to my husband a particular book we both wanted to read, at night, before we slept. Read on everyone!

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Anna C Rumin's avatar

You are so right! I read Deliverance to my husband on a road trip years ago !

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Ruth Miller's avatar

Such a wonderful story! Thank you Anna.

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Michèle RdeC's avatar

Lovely story! Thank you.

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Susan Woeller's avatar

As I read this, I thought I too read to my Grade 8’s. And it too was The Outsiders. The books started to appear in my class, I think, as much to read ahead as to see what words Mrs Woeller was leaving out and blushing over!!! Thanks for the memories. I loved this one!

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Anna C Rumin's avatar

Hilarious! That’s a great story!

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