Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Interesting Facts: Authors, Words and Books

Thanks to a recent email from a friend who knows I love cool and quirky facts, I found yet more...cool and quirky facts from the fun folks at Mental Floss.  Some of these could be excellent fun as we approach the end of another school year.

Twain's Typewriter
Authors and Their Typewriters
I'm thinking this is a great way to talk about the creative process and the tools you use.  I still love writing ideas down in a small notebook, even though I'm a self-proclaimed techno-geek.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/21979/quick-10-10-authors-and-their-typewriters

Authors and DIDJAKNOW?
Now these are just fun things that make you say, "Hmmmm."
Thoreau....yoga master...REALLY?!?  Apparently, yes! http://mentalfloss.com/article/50408/henry-david-thoreau-yoga-master

Making Up Words? 
According to my students, I'm famous for this skill.  They named my language "Duke-ish." Ol' Sir Isaac Newton himself invented his own language.  That's not bad company! http://mentalfloss.com/article/50461/language-isaac-newton-invented

And if you want to be proper, here's a spelling and grammar video for you. http://mentalfloss.com/article/50485/38-common-spelling-and-grammar-errors

Spendy Volumes
Here's a stack of books that will cost a little more than those you find at the yard sale! http://mentalfloss.com/article/50220/8-rare-books-cost-fortune