by Cynthia Lamas
It isn’t too late to jump in and take part in the #ELLCHAT_BKCLUB 12.0 book discussion which started this past Saturday, June 16, 2018, with their second fiction novel Refugee by Alan Gratz. This book chat will last four weeks and is divided accordingly:
- Week 1: June 16 – June 22: pages 1-80
- Week 2: June 23 – June 29: pages 81-163
- Week 3: June 30 – July 6: pages 164-242
- Week 4: July 7 – July 13: pages 243-317
To learn more about the author, go to Alan Gratz’s website to read about his background and other books he has written. He has posted a “YAY” on Twitter about this book discussion. You can find him on Twitter: @AlanGratz.
This is a “slow” chat, which means that there is no set time to open the hashtag and post your responses to the questions that are asked. You can go past the dates, no harm no foul. This book discussion first and foremost encourages discussions that fits your schedule. PJs can be worn. Visit ELLCHAT_BKCLUB Blogspot to find all the details for this discussion and added ways to connect and follow the chat. Oh, yes there is a “CandyLand” game board to download and play!
This Twitter book discussion, #ELLCHAT_BKCLUB, which focuses on ESL strategies and English Learners (ELs) has been my best discovery on Twitter. I started following when I stumbled across their hashtag about a year ago on their 6.0 discussion of Boosting Achievement by Carol Salva and Anna Matis. It allowed me to go from being a Twitter “lurker” to a Twitter contributor. I feel safe and confident to express my thoughts and ask questions without being judged. I have expanded my Professional Learning Network (PLN) and have made true friendships and connections with teachers across the nation and internationally. More importantly, I have grown as a teacher and a leader in my school building advocating for my ELs.
This Twitter book discussion is the brainchild of Katie Toppel, Ed.D., and Tan Huynh. You can read more about this hashtag in Katie’s own words in a featured guest post on Larry Ferlazzo’s webpage. She gives a short bio on herself and on Tan as well as how to best follow the book discussion.
I hope that you will join us for this discussion or at least take a peak, and be a “lurker.” I will put it in Katie’s words, “The more the merrier.”
Cynthia Lamas is an ELL and Spanish teacher at Truman High School in the Independence, Missouri school district. She has 14 years of experience teaching at the elementary and secondary levels. Prior to teaching, she was a Medical Technologist (ASCP-MT) for 15 years. She considers herself lucky to have two careers she feels passionate about. She loves to travel, read, and see students thrive. She can be contacted at cindi_lamas@isdschools.org or on Twitter @lamas_cynthia.
Author photo by Wes Stitt.
