tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.comments2023-02-16T03:59:34.737-05:00Books Along the WayMellanie C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-11614230604069824342013-04-16T17:47:05.453-04:002013-04-16T17:47:05.453-04:00What Hillert's books do very well is help chil...What Hillert's books do very well is help children develop reading fluency. The repetition of key words and phrases makes it easier for young readers to add expression to their reading because they don't have to work so hard on decoding unfamiliar words. <br /><br />I really have come to a new appreciation of Hillert's books, despite having spent years being frustrated by them because of people (educators) using them in a way other than what they were designed for.Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-47968254569389741812013-04-16T17:37:48.878-04:002013-04-16T17:37:48.878-04:00As it turns out, I not only have the fibroid, but ...As it turns out, I not only have the fibroid, but several hernias. The plan is for me to have two surgeons going in laparoscopically, one to deal with the fibroid and hysterectomy, and the other to repair the hernias (including one I had repaired 18 years ago after my son was born). If the surgery proves to be too complicated, I will be moved to a standard operating room and they will open me up for a traditional surgery.<br /><br />Did your stomach go down after the fibroid was removed? <br /><br />I have to see the cardiologist again next week for a cardiac clearance--I'm having an echocardiogram and a stress test. I still haven't heard from the second surgeon, but right now it looks like the surgery will be a go for right after Memorial Day.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting!Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-7591541195494673282013-04-14T21:55:09.809-04:002013-04-14T21:55:09.809-04:00I was just perusing more on your blog after commen...I was just perusing more on your blog after commenting about Margaret Hillert books and share a commonality. I had a golf ball size fibroid that grew at least to a grapefruit size while pregnant. After pregnancy, I had it surgically removed (but not laparoscopically because it was too big). No complications. So glad I don't have it anymore! My own obgyn didn't have much experience in removing them, so I went online and did a lot of searching to find a local, skilled and experienced obgyn who performs surgeries multiple times per month not just a few times per year. I'm so glad I sought after an experienced surgeon. I hope you find the outcome you are looking for! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-4467751771972958782013-04-14T21:40:41.056-04:002013-04-14T21:40:41.056-04:00Thank you for your post about Margaret Hillert'...Thank you for your post about Margaret Hillert's books. I just became acquainted with them as I have been searching for beginning reader books for my child. My child is not school age yet, so I am also unfamiliar with Acclerated Reading. I appreciate having these insights in advance!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-77953551026116062782012-02-13T20:11:16.260-05:002012-02-13T20:11:16.260-05:00Absolutely! It was such a jaw-dropping moment for...Absolutely! It was such a jaw-dropping moment for me. And then I came home from a school fundraiser this evening to find I have two book orders. My store is alive and well!Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-14396830993271700052012-02-12T10:20:20.675-05:002012-02-12T10:20:20.675-05:00What a great post! Isn't it amazing how God op...What a great post! Isn't it amazing how God opens our eyes sometimes in the most unexpected ways?Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12537767678040466695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-62715222243232462112011-12-18T14:14:29.305-05:002011-12-18T14:14:29.305-05:00JennyB, nearly a year later, I have to say, I look...JennyB, nearly a year later, I have to say, I looked at Ms. Hillert's books through the prism of AR and found them very frustrating. They are really not suited for this program. However, as a tool to develop fluency in reading, they are wonderful. They also provide opportunities for parents to model expression in reading so children learn to do more than read by rote. <br /><br />Also, as an avid reader, I feel sorry that children are not getting the opportunity to read books just because they're drawn to them, but instead, hunt through the library for something they can take a test on. This trend is going to continue, I'm afraid, since teachers are having to squeeze so many other things into their day. The trend is to have the students use passages from their other core subjects for reading class, rather than focus on fiction and stories. They're encouraged to use AR to bridge that gap, but again, there's no room for reading that serves no purpose save entertainment. I'm so discouraged by this and alarmed and saddened that people who shape educational standards see this as okay.<br /><br />Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I've re-thought my post and come to a new appreciation for Margaret Hillert. Thanks for your feedback, and for giving me the opportunity to change my opinion!Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-86635197781761736042011-10-14T11:11:14.931-04:002011-10-14T11:11:14.931-04:00Margaret Hillert was my First Grade teacher, and t...Margaret Hillert was my First Grade teacher, and to this day remains my friend. I credit my excellence in reading, spelling, and my love of books to her. What an inspiration! And I feel very lucky. Perhaps the author of this article needs to evaluate the 'AR' program. I work in a public library and I see no benefit from it. It is a bit like putting a person in a cage. And letting the parents off from inspiring their children's reading. <br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Jenny L. Bates author, "Opening Doors: an equilog of poetry about Donkeys"JennyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07968467393996476235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-62404808512797208922011-06-12T14:01:01.886-04:002011-06-12T14:01:01.886-04:00I just discovered this author among the easy books...I just discovered this author among the easy books at the library and they are just at my daughter's level. Very easy but slightly more complex than "This is an apple. This is an orange." There is a story to talk about instead of just a series of words. While typical kids would benefit from the introduction of more vocabulary, my daughter is enjoying the opportunity these books give to her to read an entire story with only a few mistakes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-8932625164095546182010-12-16T22:45:31.058-05:002010-12-16T22:45:31.058-05:00Really interesting article. Hope to see same more!...Really interesting article. Hope to see same more!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-73954393508451474202010-04-17T19:45:22.866-04:002010-04-17T19:45:22.866-04:00Jen over at Conversion Diary posted once about how...Jen over at Conversion Diary posted once about how to attract more traffic to your blog. You could check that out. Or you can win a give-away and have hundreds of people show up for one day. After that, you are back to your normal stats!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12537767678040466695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-7058759864782477322010-04-17T17:30:39.222-04:002010-04-17T17:30:39.222-04:00I try to take gentle hints, lol!I try to take gentle hints, lol!Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-86062011592635703742010-04-12T14:38:25.798-04:002010-04-12T14:38:25.798-04:00Nice to see our chat the other day inspired you to...Nice to see our chat the other day inspired you to post. :-)Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07651401312450990123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-13226859587894618592010-03-14T11:43:34.453-04:002010-03-14T11:43:34.453-04:00I come late to this party, as always, but your adv...I come late to this party, as always, but your advice is welcome and appreciated. Been a little distracted lately, and haven't had a whole lot to write about.Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-65857201098502933732010-03-03T08:50:31.907-05:002010-03-03T08:50:31.907-05:00I am, of course, a fan of the book blog plus, as i...I am, of course, a fan of the book blog plus, as in book blog plus other assorted stuff about life since it helps give the blogger a personality beyond just what they read. Of course, since I know you anyway, I don't necessarily need it from you, but I thought I'd share the perspective. ;-)Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07651401312450990123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-76839511787366713912010-02-09T13:24:33.873-05:002010-02-09T13:24:33.873-05:00I wish I could read the first comment. Kristen, I...I wish I could read the first comment. Kristen, I think you usually read more than I do--I'm only averaging a book every two or three days, and this month, I've only finished two. Of course, this doesn't count the NUMEROUS kiddie books I read every day in kindergarten, but I put those on my shelf at shelfari...lol! Do you have a blog, too?Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-27464464830249390692010-02-03T17:49:56.677-05:002010-02-03T17:49:56.677-05:00No way! I read more than you last month?! And wh...No way! I read more than you last month?! And why did I not know you had a blog until just recently?Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07651401312450990123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-25267303914611756542010-01-28T16:08:52.311-05:002010-01-28T16:08:52.311-05:00Exactly!Exactly!Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-16573117011879924762010-01-24T22:38:24.206-05:002010-01-24T22:38:24.206-05:00Authors should not forget how they got where they ...Authors should not forget how they got where they are!Deb Nance at Readerbuzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12128529491888701996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-15470485354724086852010-01-04T06:16:55.324-05:002010-01-04T06:16:55.324-05:00Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your ol...Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-61286087807303255702009-01-06T18:47:00.000-05:002009-01-06T18:47:00.000-05:00hey chick, well i have started my resolutions for ...hey chick, <BR/>well i have started my resolutions for the year. to read the chronological 365 day bible and war and peace. so far i am on track. i also will continue to lose weight- down 20 yeah!<BR/>susie in sunny naplesAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16645628400830705504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-65926687326048906932009-01-01T19:15:00.000-05:002009-01-01T19:15:00.000-05:00Wow, I should really check this more often! I hav...Wow, I should really check this more often! I haven't finished reading Tree yet, but my reading goal for 2009 is to finish the three stacks of books that I began reading but did not finish.<BR/><BR/>Muchas smooches,<BR/>MellanieMellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-24679091721187293402008-11-26T10:17:00.000-05:002008-11-26T10:17:00.000-05:00Mellanie,A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my all...Mellanie,<BR/><BR/>A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my all-time favorite books. Hope you like it as much as I do. <BR/><BR/>I have been missing you lots lately. You keep popping into my mind, so I hope you are well.<BR/><BR/>Call on the cell phone, it is still a local call for you!<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/><BR/>JennyJennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12537767678040466695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-31675394935916416112008-11-10T12:41:00.000-05:002008-11-10T12:41:00.000-05:00Thanks for writing this.Thanks for writing this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34746523.post-24658263937643789592008-07-26T12:46:00.000-04:002008-07-26T12:46:00.000-04:00Thanks for your comment. I'm not able to be as fo...Thanks for your comment. I'm not able to be as forgiving toward authors who "cheat," especially when they're so popular with their readers. I LOVED Janet Dailey before her plagiarism, but she was not repentant and acted like she was offended to have gotten caught. It was easy to write her off.<BR/><BR/>With Cassie Edwards, I have mixed feelings. In some ways, I feel more harshly about her case because she used an obscure source which she probably thought would never be noticed. <BR/><BR/>My problem is, it's hard enough as a writer to come up with an idea for a story and follow that plot through to completion. When an author has done all the work, and someone else comes along and uses it and attaches their own name to it, they've stolen something beyond just the simple words. They've abused the trust of their readers, and they've broken an unspoken contract between authors to support each other and defend the work.Mellanie C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05596931162257477702noreply@blogger.com