When I create blogs, a facebook account, etc. the first things they ask you are your interests. If you look at mine, they are reading, knitting, and traveling. Kristen and I are so similar (check out her blog entry!) Having the internet makes hobbies and personal interests that much more interesting with the availability of information at your fingertips.
Reading has always been my strongest interest. I started a book club that has been going on for about 8-10 years. We have a very diverse group of women in the group and read things I wouldn't always pick up. I also have begun to read a wide range of children's books to be able to recommend books to students at school and develop book talks for next year. I'm now trying to balance reading adult books with children's books. I'm an amazon.com nut. I have been with that site since it began and use it to browse for books, recommendations, book information, and BUYING! I also got a Kindle this year and read all my adult books that way and many of the intermediate level books before purchasing them for my library. Some of the Caudills are as cheap as $3-$5 dollars on the kindle. Many classics are now popping up for free!
I'm also using Follett Library Resources (http://titlewave.com/) for children's books. They have great book reviews on this site, good information about the book, and my resource for purchasing books for my LMC. This has been a good site for me to bookmark and use as I hear about the latest in children's books.
Knitting is another huge hobby of mine. My mother taught me to knit when I was a little girl, but I didn't fully take on the hobby until I was in my early 20's. I have started a number of knitting groups and taught adults and children. I used to only knit for myself, but now I mostly knit for gifts. I use Google to search for pattern ideas and receive a weekly newsletter that gives the latest in the knitting world:
"Knitting Daily"
I also do google searches when I come across directions in a pattern that I'm unfamiliar with. This gives me quick directions rather than going into the knit shop and asking someone who knows. I just heard today that there are more than 53 million knitters and crocheters in our country right now, so there is a lot on the internet to search for.
Finally, my last major interest is traveling. My husband and I have recently been going on interesting trips during my spring breaks. Our most recent years have taken us to Mexico City, France, Italy, Japan, Monaco, and China. We use the internet quite a bit to plan the trips. We don't go on tours or with any groups, so the internet has been a valuable tool. We do google searches which lead us down a path towards learning about the area, finding places to stay, and common sights. There are times we will just be driving by and decide to stay in that place over night. When we return from the trip we go on their internet site and see how the place was represented online and the ratings it had. It's fun to see if it looks better or worse online! Remember- anything can look good online!
It's hard to imagine how we did all this before the internet. We can now get more information, get it faster, and further develop our interests and hobbies.
You are so right! Things are changing fasr; you'd better hand on to your seat! If you really want to see changes, research Web 3.0
ReplyDeleteKathryn
Wow, Ellen you are right we are very similar in our interests. :) There are a few differences though...like for example I have never been out of the country unless you count Canada. But you have been on several neat trips lately it sounds like. Do you seem to have enough time during spring break or do you usually wish that you had more time?
ReplyDeleteYou are also going to need to tell me more about this Kindle thing. What exactly is it? I guess I could google it but I think it would be more fun for you to tell me. :) Is it similar to an ipod?
I also wanted to comment on your book club. Is this with people from school or somewhere different. I was thinking that it would be fun to start a book club with some of the teachers at school and that way we could read some of the new kids books, or the Rebecca Caudill books or something.
I would love to travel and read more. For me a vacation involves not working at all. When do the bills stop coming again? However, I would also like to start a reading group for my students. We'll have to see where this leads...
ReplyDeleteYou have some wonderful interests, Ellen! I think it's great that you have started some cool clubs :)! I always thought it would be fun to join a book club (that is if I had time...lol). I am also excited to read that you have a Kindle! Those seem really cool! Do you enjoy it? I'm not sure if I could do without the nice old book in your hands and the turning of the pages, but the deals on the books you can download sound good! Also, I didn't know that you could look up patterns for knitting online! I think that is awesome! You just taught me something new :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat hobbies Ellen! I too am a huge book fan. I used to belong to a group but life got to busy for us to keep it going. I also embroider and paint...not to mention designing jewelry. However I've only traveled to a few places and really want to go to more countries in this great big world of ours. I especially want to go to Italy...was it as magical as I dream it would be? My Mother was a knitter. I learned to crochet and embroider as a kid but can only do a little embroidery now. Not enough time to practice. Interesting about the Kindle. Is it easy to read? How does it compare to old school hardbacks? I'm not sure I could give up my trusty paperback that fit in my purse. Anyway...Great Blog!
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to see what people seek out on the web. One of our classmates was into cooking and the web was really helpful for that. I too have a love of literature for young people and have recently become the library person for our elementary school. During this past year I was lucky enough to share that with my students and not just be the computer teacher. I used the web to find booktalks and even a narrated childrens book that was on the Monarch list. I would like to improve our library software to include student comments in order to help kids get other kids into reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog
I love your webpage. Titlewave had a host of playaways. I hear they are good for students with special needs. I have 35 students in my class and 7 or special need students. I would like to know more about the playaways from someone who have used them. If you have any info or know anyone who has could you let me know about playaways?
ReplyDelete