The Finish Line – What is the Graduation Rate of Your College?

It is not just entering college that matters, it is actually graduating or that counts!  Hope College knows how to help their students get to the finish line.  As my son enters his Freshman year, I am relieved to know he is attending a school that knows how to help students accomplish their goals in 4 years!  http://www.hope.edu/pr/pressreleases/content/view/full/23386

March Reading Month Surprise Reader!

  Today I surprised a kindergarten class at West Elementary in Godwin Heights, Wyoming Michigan today by being their Mystery Reader.  I read one of my favorite books,  Book, Book, Book.   After we enjoyed this wonderful book, I passed out orange HOPE College pencils to remind each child to go home and tell their important to read to them.  We practiced telling each each, “I HOPE you will read me a story tonight.  Since my dad is the Public Relations director at Hope College in Holland, MI it helps to have an in!  This is my alumni school.  Also, my son will attend Hope College in the Fall.  I wore my HOPE T-Shirt.  I HOPE you will read every day for the rest of your life was my message today. 

 

I encourage every person reading this to volunter one hour this month by reading a story in one classroom somewhere this month.  If you are a teacher, go in a classroom that is NOT yours.  Read to another class.  They will LOVE it.  If you are not a teacher, go into a classroom and read to a group of students.  Make their day.  Be a mystery reader.  I promise you, you will benefit more than the students!

Just Right Books

      

I hope you pick the perfect book to read just like you pick the perfect clothes to wear to school.  I will remind the students of this lesson tomorrow. 

http://writingeverydayworks.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/hope-you-can-pick-a-just-right-book/

Saturday Picture Day: Hope College Basketball

Let’s Go HOPE!

Anchor of HOPE

Cousins at the HOPE game

Hope College: Acceptance Letter Accepted and Mailed!

The anchor of Hope

My son, Andrew, received his official letter from Hope College today. My dad (Public Relations director) hand delivered it. It was a very special moment for our family! The first gift of Christmas. Andrew mailed the official $300 ‘save my spot’ I accept envelope off to Hope already. This is an exciting day. The tradition continues to another generation.

Smith Family Picture 2008

David, Deb, Ashleigh, Andrew Smith

We spent the afternoon today at Christmas Vespers at Hope College with Grandma and Grandpa Renner.

Hope Application Submitted Today!

Hope College
Today was exciting! Andrew completed and sent his application to HOPE COLLEGE. The tradition continues from grandparents to parents to child. As parents we are given the gift of children. Then as they make decisions, we celebrate their independence.

HOPE you can pick a JUST RIGHT book!

Abby is holding a “little shirt” representing books that are too easy to read! HOPE you don’t pick too easy books! HOPE you know that reading too easy books are ok sometimes.

Books are too easy, just right, or too hard. This too little shirt is representing that are too easy for this reader.
Abby is wearing a JUST RIGHT shirt representing her just right books! She HOPES she picks just right books all the time (she does!).
She is excited that she is wearing her HOPE Just Right Reading shirt! YEAH ABBY! GO HOPE!
Abby is working hard and HOPE(ing) to read the hard books that her mom (or teacher) can read. She knows that she cannot read the hard books yet, but she knows she will grow into the Hope shirt and the (hard) books by working hard and practicing. The concept that adult shirt is too big and the books that are too hard works for kids.
The pictures are of my sister and niece since I protect faces of students in classrooms. I did this lesson with children today. It was great! I went to Hope College. I taught this lesson in my own classroom and never took pictures.