Welcome back to a new semester!  I trust you had some good things happen during the semester break.  On the blogs and tweets I’ve read since the New Year, I’m not surprised to see a number of thoughts on resolutions.  I’m not a big resolution fan; I like to reflect on the previous year and think about changes I may make in the new year.  One repeating idea has me thinking about a change in how I manage my online time.  I can get pulled into a Pinterest search, and the next thing I know, it’s past my bedtime.  Others must have the same problem with social media and technology; several posts I read talked about streamlining and adjusting how much time to spend reading online. It’s an interesting idea.  I’m not opposed to online reading and all that entails social media, etc.  I just wonder if we (adults and kids) wear ourselves out with the constant electronic stimulation, so that we are too tired to focus on a hard copy book.  It’s something to think about, anyway.

AL A CARTE (1/10/2014)

The Most Important Skill for 2014 – This blog is the one that got me thinking about time management and technology.  Must read more books…made of paper!

Reading, A “Specialist Activity” – While I don’t like the title of this article, I think the content is interesting.   Our society is changing…wonder if the author purposefully didn’t count people reading their phones?

 Stories May Change Your Brain – Reading actually has a biological effect on your brain.  Who knew? (Well, we did…and now we have the data to prove it!)

 We Live in the Age of Distraction – Tips on managing when there are so many distractions.  Good ideas for students, and us, too.

School Wasn’t Cancelled – The role model of my youth, Laura Ingalls Wilder, was no wimp.  This article reminds us of how times have changed.

Absurd Creature of the Week – This is definitely a middle school thing.  Might be a fun sponge to share and talk with students.  But creepy at times.  You’ll need a strong stomach.