Words of Wisdom

I spent last Saturday morning listening to Lester Laminack talk about writing and spelling.


First of all, he is HILARIOUS, especially if you like sarcastic!

He is very real, down to earth, and REALLY knows what goes on in our classrooms.

Here are just few of his words of wisdom that came my way while listening to him.

*The only kids who need to spell are writers and kids in a spelling bee.

*We need to study spelling as a language, not a stimulus response system. Spelling has to be broader than for a a test on Friday.

*We need to be building a repertoire of skills that will translate. We need to know how to transfer the patterns of spelling. Spelling needs to be learned in the act of writing.

*We need to help kids understand why language is the way it is.Students need to understand why, even in spelling. They need to understand why we do it before, how to do it. If we don't know why, we are just memorizing.

*The beauty of a child is in the passion of his/her language, not in the structure of the spelling.

I say...I'm not there but my goal is to get there!

He also had some powerful things to say about bullying. He will say it to children in an upcoming book called Sam Loves Pink. It's on my list.
.
I am sad to say that in all my professional reading and research, I did not own one of his books. How sad for me. That changed has since changed.

My next read will be...


My next purchase will be...



The children's books I now own are...


and...



Not only do I own these, someone else will own a new book because I am giving one lucky follower a copy of an autographed...



It is autographed especially to...



If you are interested in winning this autographed copy of Snow Day by Lester Laminack, just be a follower and leave a comment below.

Be sure to leave your comment by before Friday at 12:01 a.m. EST.

The winner will be selected by a random number generator on Saturday.

Good Luck!

82 comments

kimcollatos said...

Oh wow! I would love to win! Congrats on the opportunity to meet him :)


kimberlycollatos@comcast.net

Randi said...

I would love to be a winner. Sounds like a great inspirational time. I agree with the bullet points and will be Googling soon!

Randi @ Teach It With Class
My TPT Store
My Facebook Page

Kate said...

I would love to win! I've seen him twice and both times were great!

Kate
dancinqueenks23@aol.com

Heather said...

I follow your blog! This looks amazing and I can't wait to learn more.

heathernnance@yahoo.com

♥ Owl in a Vowel Tree ♥ said...

I just added a few of those books to my wishlist :) Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book, love it!

thepolkadotowl@gmail.com

Karyn said...

All of those books look fabulous! I AM glad that we won't be having a snow day any time soon though! :o) I follow your blog!

Kideducator@comcast.net

Julie said...

So cool! I love when I get to hear someone who really speaks to me and what I do in the classroom! *Fingers crossed that I win :) *

Julie
Light a Fire in Third Grade
Bourke.Julie@gmail.com

Sherry said...

Hope this follower (me) is the lucky winner!
sherrymatheson@gmail.com

SCTiger said...

I think Lester is great! I love his Saturdays and Teacakes. I already have this book, but someone else will really enjoy it! I love your blog!

Mrs. Davison said...

Hi I am now a follower and I'm interested in what Lester has to say.

Rebecca said...

Lester is fabulous! I have been lucky enough to hear him several times, including having him visit our school. So glad you got to experience him!

The Teacher's Chatterbox,
Rebecca

Cindy said...

Oh wow....congrats on this awesome experience!! I am a follower and would sure like to win this AUTHOGRAPHED book! My students will totally go nuts if they see a book signed by the actual author.

Cindy
b_inspired04@yahoo.com

Ms. Gaither said...

Wow--I wasn't even planning to be in a contest! I did want to let you know he is one of my favorite speakers--if not THE favorite. I could sit and listen to him for hours! I guess I get 'sarcastic' humor! lol

Barb
meet me at the zoo...
kinderzoo

Anonymous said...

I love Lester!! He has worked with our faculty a couple of times over the past few years. His wisdom of young writers has influenced the way I write and teach writing. I used to hate writing. I hated teaching writing even more. Now, I can honestly say that I seek out new writing experiences just so I can see what my little ones are capable of doing, seeing, and sharing.

I do not have "Snow Day" and would love to win an autographed copy.

First Grade Escapades

ceehce said...

I would love to win!

cotoclaudia [at] gmail.com

teaching.joys said...

I follow! Autographed books are always fun to use in author studies!

teaching.joys@yahoo.com

Tchur8 said...

I follow and would love to win!

Tchur8 said...

I follow your blog and would love the chance to win this book. Will also go check out...Cracking Open the Author's Craft.
You're so lucky! It's been years since our district had speakers or ones even that have come to our area giving us the opportunity to go and see...sigh.

crollins said...

I have not heard of this man but he sounds terrific! I will be looking into his work. I would love to win. And I am a devoted follower of yours.

Diane said...

Thank you for sharing your experience. I look forward to learning more. I know my first graders would love to have "Snow Day" join our classroom library.
Thank you for all you share!
dianesf@rcn.com

Unknown said...

He came to our school in March. It was a different presentation than I had ever hear but motivating.

Swimming into Second

swimmingintosecond@att.net

Gayla said...

Oh Kathy, you KNOW I like sarcasm!

hsamuelson said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful resource...I'm putting him on my list of people to read this summer! I LOVE his quotes regarding spelling and will have to look into getting some of his children's books as well. I would very much enjoy an autographed copy of his book ...especially if it says I'm a follower of you!

hsamuelson2013@gmail.com
Swamp Frog First Graders

Tina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tina said...

Thanks for sharing! I'll have to check him out in my "free" time (as in this summer).

I'm a follower!

Quench Your First

Tina said...

YIKES! I forgot my e-mail!

cantina920@yahoo.com

Quench Your First

Marilyn said...

I am a follower and your fan! This is something I'd love to have! I'll also be looking for his other books.♥♫

Jessica said...

Love your blog! I am your newest follower! Come visit me...

learnplayandhavfun.blogspot.com
spencerjb0711@gmail.com

Jessica

Nancy said...

It's not too late to teach this old dog new tricks!! Thank you.

Meghan said...

I have been reading your blog for a few months now and I LOVE IT. I don't know how you have the time to come up with such wonderful things, but myself and my other first grade team members are very thankful you have!!

Abby said...

Haha, I love who he wrote the book is for. Pretty funny! I would love to win! :]

-Abby

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your notes! I actually check out Snow Day every year from the library to read to my kiddos. Somehow, I missed that he wrote PD books, as well (you're not alone!).

Nicole said...

I'm a follower and I would love this! :)

Thanks!

Nicole
A Frenzy of Fun in 1st Grade

Melissa Steinhilber said...

I have had the pleasure of hearing Lester twice. Love, love, love him!! He makes so much sense.

Lori R said...

I am a follower and I would love to add this book to my collection!
lraines78@gmail.com

Mrs. Mary Aper said...

I am a devoted follower! :) Love your ideas!

Teacher Mom of 3 said...

Thank you for sharing!! I am a faithful follower and would love a copy of SNOW DAY!
mythreesonsmarketplace@comcast.net

sarah said...

I follow and would love to win this book!

smontano9@cox.net

Dawn said...

I'm already a follower of your blog and would love to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity!
dawnkey82@yahoo.com

Cindy Del Valle said...

Loooove your blog and I'm a follower!

Cindy
Cdelvalle81@gmail.com

Cindy said...

I LOVE your blog! I am a faithful follower! Would love to win! :o)

Cindy
ccfirstteacher@gmail.com

Cindy Del Valle said...

Loooove your blog and I'm a follower!

Cindy
Cdelvalle81@gmail.com

Lisa R. said...

This is great! Thanks for sharing! :) I am a follower!

Lisa
fsuteach81@yahoo.com

louise zirk said...

I love Lester Lamanak, also. His voice speaks directly to me. Thanks for the book giveaway.
louise
eugenezirk@centurytel.net

Kim said...

I love Lester too! He taught at Western Carolina and I saw him at a conference - I love to hear him read aloud - If you ever get a chance to hear him again , ask him to read Wodney Wat - hilarious!! I just started following you - even though I teach third grade, I like your ideas:)

Kim said...

oops, my email is mamabain1@hotmail.com

Kirsten said...

I've been a follower for awhile, and would love to win. The only book I own is Jake's 100th Day of School. Fingers crossed! :)

Kirsten said...

Oops! Email is tgraves@wi.rr.com

Mrs. Thrower said...

Thanks for sharing this information - His resource and pictures books are new to me. An autographed copy would be wonderful!

Amanda said...

I don't own any of his books! How can that possibly be?? :) I am a follower!

Amanda
First Grade Garden
atervoort@gmail.com

Mrs. Carly Green said...

Wow! Thanks for posting. I am always looking for new books to read in the summer. Thanks for sharing.
carlyluvs2teach@yahoo.com

Mrs. Carly Green said...

Wow! Thanks for posting. I am always looking for new books to read in the summer. Thanks for sharing.
carlyluvs2teach@yahoo.com

Stacyfud said...

Another book for my reading list. I'm a follower.

mbarrier said...

I love Lester Laminack! I had the opportunity to hear him speak at a Reading Conference last year! He was hilarious and so "down-to-earth"! I'm glad that you've "found him" and I hope your kiddos like him too!
Michelle

Marcy said...

I am a devoted follwer! I love your creativity!
Marcy
marcy_sundling@hotmail.com

Ashlee said...

I'd love to win this book! I love snow days but I highly doubt I'll get one anytime soon! Love your blog!

Ashlee

aldaniels15@yahoo.com

Maria Youngblut said...

I would love to win this book!
maria.youngblut@cardinalcomet.com

Tami said...

I am a follower! Would love the book!
tjulch@mpsomaha.org

tai said...

Thanks for offering the contest!

taied06@yahoo.com

Mrs. Hodson said...

amazing give away! I'd love to win :) I follow your blog!

Melissa

todayinfirstgradeblog@gmail.com

A. Reed said...

I am a follower. Thx for introducing us to these amazing resources. :)
Ashleybowlesreed@hotmail.com

Delighted said...

I'm a follower of your awesome blog & I would love to win an autographed copy!

First Grade Delight
imgoingfirst@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Don't you just LOVE Lester?!!! He has done PD for our system for years! Never a dull moment with him.....he even 'pole danced' for us once! Thanks so very much for sharing your experience with us!!!
~Heather
http://1stgraderockss.blogspot.com/
1strateteaching@gmail.com

Teri Lund said...

Always love a good recommendation. Can't wait to read these.
teriannclark@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

All of the books above look great!!! I definitely want to get my hands on the children's books as well as the two adult ones! The read aloud book looks GREAT!

Unknown said...

Whoops. My email is emilyecrews@gmail.com

Sarah said...

I am a follower - thanks for sharing - I haven't heard about him before - I can't wait to read his books. I would love to win an autograph copy
Sarah
sebbers@bellsouth.net

Jennifer said...

I am a follower and I would love to win this book!!

Jennifer
jenniferlalsip(at)yahoo(dot)com
The First Grade Dream

Melissa said...

I am a follower!

Melissa
mms1223@gmail.com

EmiyRCB said...

My students would love to win a new book for our classroom library!

Cindy L said...

I am a follower!

CL14Mentor@oh.rr.com

Ashley Sanderson said...

I would love to win!

ashleysanderson1@hotmail.com

flyinghighinfirst.blogspot.com

dafoose said...

Thanks for the recommendation....going to check his books out right now....of course after I click to follow you!
Dafoose@westperry.org

dafoose said...

Thanks for the recommendation....going to check his books out right now....of course after I click to follow you!
Dafoose@westperry.org

Charlotte said...

I loved hearing Lester Laminack speak last Saturday!

cstaylor616@gmail.com

The Ball Babies said...

Cool stuff!

Lori said...

I love the ideas you shared of his! I have read these before (maybe from him) and agree that spelling is a skill, although important in many jobs, is sometimes focused on too much.

I LOVE the book Snow Day!! We rarely get them here in Texas, so the book is PERFECT! I don't own it & would love an autographed copy!

perria said...

Pretty sure I'll be late to qualify for the drawing...but I am most interested in the comments about spelling that Lester Laminack shared with you all. I will definitely be purchasing some of his books! Thanks for sharing!

Mary said...

Thanks for my new summer reading list!

Mary said...

I am a follower!
mmteach774@yahoo.com

Amelia said...

I just found your blog and I absolutely LOVE IT! Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing such wonderful teaching materials. I am now a very thankful follower!

Unknown said...

Hi Kathy,

I appreciate that you highlighted Mr. Laminack's philosophy, and I definitely will purchase the two teaching resources before the end of summer.

This is what I like about teaching blogs for I become enriched by invaluable insights.

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