The days that make us happy make us wise."  John Masefield

I don't know what John Masefield was thinking when he wrote this quote, but I do know that Alternative students and staff are spending the days reading happily.   We talk about the books we are reading, what we like about them and if we would recommend them to a friend.

In the process we are becoming more fluent and skilled readers and increasing our knowledge about life and the world.  That is making all of us wiser and better prepared for our futures.  Altogether, it is making me a very happy Reading teacher.

Stop by my room and I will help you find a book that you will love to read and share.  Stay tuned for information on upcoming family and school reading events and Regents review schedules.  --Ms. Lake  735-3350

I hope you enjoy the rhymes below from poet John Masefield! 

 "Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)