Think teachers are just kicking back this summer? Not so fast. Check out these teacher blogs, alive with news, stories, opinions, controversy, and, okay, a little vacation fun:

Education in Texas

NYC Educator

Schools Matter

California Teacher Guy

A Passion For Teaching and Opinions

The Baltimore Sun's chief copy editor John McIntyre publishes an excellent blog on language and usage called You Don't Say. He recently posted a list of "other people who are writing intelligently and practically about language." Check out:

Style and Substance

Common Sense Journalism

Verbal Energy

The Editor's Desk

Over the last few weeks we've featured summer reading recommendations from a terrific group of guest contributors. (Thanks to all!) But what about books for kids? Check out these lists for great picks for your favorite student on vacation...

Reading is Fundamental 2007 Summer Reading Guide

Summer Reading Buzz

Reading Rockets Summer Reading

Houston school district summer reading lists

Need some company as you wrestle words to the page? Check out these online communities for writers:

Critters (Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror)

Forward Motion For Writers

Toasted Cheese

RAWSISTAZ

In this month's Language Lounge, our columnist Orin Hargraves looks forward to "real-time, hands-on, no-holds-barred action lexicography" at the big Dictionary Society hoedown in Chicago. Couldn't make the confab? No problem: Check out these linguists' websites for a taste of what Orin's talking about:

Café Mo

piloklok

English, Jack

A Roguish Chrestomathy

These authors blog about writing and the writing life -- and review books, a move that has stirred a bit of controversy (read this LA Times article for the scoop).

Seedcake

Maud Newton

Silliman's Blog

Moby Lives

We recently came across a terrific post on flip charts on the always-enlightening Presentation Zen blog. Flip charts? Yes, friends, in this PowerPoint-addled world of ours, the quaint, down-to-earth flip chart harbors untapped powers you just might want to harness in your next presentation. These websites show you how to get the most out of this oft-overlooked communications tool:

Using Flip Charts

Flip Charts: Low Tech Powerhouses

Make the Most of Flip Charts

11 Tips for Using Flip Charts

Basic Flip Chart Guidelines