Charleston!

Ron and I have been in Charleston since Sunday and have just gotten home. I was going for the SC Literacy Conference and since no one else from my school wanted to go, Ron decided to take a little vacation. We had a great time, though we were amazed that Charleston closed down at 6 p.m. every night! I'm posting some pictures here and I'll add some others under additional posts.

The conference itself was terrific! I was able to hear Dr. Tim Rasinski (The Fluent Reader), Ralph Fletcher (my favorite writing guru), Jane Yolen (award winning children's author ---Owl Moon and many others) and her daughter, Heidi Stemple. It was very inspiring with ideas to come back and add some new things to my classroom, but, also to do a little writing myself......we'll see where that goes.

I didn't get to have him sign my book, but I did catch a quick picture of Ralph Fletcher.

I bought a couple of books while I was there at the conference. I started one at breakfast this morning and I have to say it is one of the best books that I have EVER read. I am very interested in Holocaust survivor stories and this one by Jane Yolen (Devil's Arithmetic) is the most realistic and engaging that I have read. She has woven a story that brings the reader right into the plot. I'm planning to finish it tonight! (As a side note, I was able to speak with her for a moment and have her sign the book.)