Get Lost in a Book

Since Christmas several students have told me they went to see the movie "Frozen" and have talked about how much they loved it. I came across a suggested list of books to read from HarperCollins Children's Books for students who loved the movie Frozen. I wanted to share this with you because if my own love of reading and getting lost in a great book!

Book recommendations for kids who loved Frozen


I also wanted you to see this list of Top 10: Best Beginning Chapter Books Series for ages 6-9

Top-10-best-beginning-chapter-book-series-ages-6-9/



In our class each student has their own book bucket and they "shop" for 5 books each week to keep in their buckets. Whenever they finish a project/assignment they know they can always get their bucket and read. Jacob came to me our first day back and asked me if I had a certain book. My students have learned so far that I have had every book they have asked to read. (Yep-I have over 800 books)
What can I say? I love books!

So back to Jacob, he stumped me at first. I didn't recognize the title he mentioned. He told me it was really funny so I asked him to tell me more about it. When he explained it, I got a huge grin on my face and told him what the cover looked like and where he could find it in our room. He had a couple of the words out of order, so I didn't recognize the title. What a great moment! His whole face lit up and mine did too!  I love being able to put books in the hands of my students. If they are interested in the book, they will jump right in and read it.

On Friday Ally came to me and asked if I had a certain Junie B. book. I asked if she had looked in  the Junie B. basket and off she went. She came back to me and said "No, it wasn't there." Since I had been successful earlier with Jacob, I said tell me about it. I loved what she did! She brought me the Junie B. book she was currently reading, opened the front cover, and pointed to the small pictures of different covers of other Junie B. books. For the first time, I was stumped.
I didn't have the book she wanted to read. I guess there is a first time for everything!

I am just like Ally. I know what I like to read and I already have the next book picked out before I even finish my current read. I always have one in waiting.  I hope I can instill this love of reading in every student. Reading is my passion and I love seeing my students talking about the great books they have read. If I don't have the book, I want to find it for them.

By the way-the title Ally asked about has been ordered!

I think Ernest Hemingway said it best, "There is no friend as loyal as a book."

1 Grant Funded, 1 Needing More Support

Right before Christmas I found out our grant called, "Tick Tock Are You Finished" was completely funded!! We will receive 22 copies of the book, "White Snow, Bright Snow." I know students will really enjoy having their own copy to read as we read it together in class. It is so much better to have the book in your own hands, instead of trying to share a book with a partner.

I currently have another grant posted: The Book is in the Middle that we hope will also get funded. This grant is asking for two more sets of books. After we finish reading  "White Snow, Bright Snow", we can jump to another great story and then another!

This grant was written for 22 copies of: Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping and 22 copies of  Horrible Harry Moves Up to Third Grade. I will read a chapter at a time as students follow along. They will be able to go back and reread which will further their own understanding and comprehension.

Donors have read my grants and have provided funding so we could receive so many wonderful things for my classroom for students to use. It is just amazing what happens when friends, family, and complete strangers support classrooms!

Top 10 Things to Say

Please read the post below about Kid President before you watch this video. Come back to it afterwards and it will make more sense-


Top 10 Things to Say

Kid President!

Instead of the traditional: What do you want to learn in 2014? or.....This year I will....... I came across a great idea on "An Apple For The Teacher" blog. She shared a lesson she did back in April asking students to respond after watching a video from Kid President.

I loved it and wanted to begin our new year asking students to think about the things that would make our world better. I heard: no bullying, being nice to others, if Dads didn't have to go to war, and if they had a cure for Cancer, imagine how many more birthdays people would have. (Pass the Kleenex!)
*I will get those pictures up soon-

So, after that lesson we discussed that if we wanted the word to really be "AWESOME" we would have to make a difference. So back to Kid President we went and we watched "Kid President, 20 Things we should say" . My students then created their own top ten lists.

I made a video of their work with Animoto and it is posted above this post. You have to watch the videos linked above first to understand why two students wrote, "I kissed Beyonce". They have really enjoyed watching Kid President, but it has opened the doors for some very serious discussions.

1. What kind of world do we want to live in?
2. Can one person really make a difference?
3. What can we do?
4. How do we want to be treated?
5. What do we want others to say to us?
6. What are the things we want to remember to say to others?


I have really enjoyed the discussions we have had so far this week. We have discussed so much more than we would have if we had stuck to the same ole' traditions. Guess it really is good to throw out the old ways and embrace the new!

Thank you Kid President, You are AWESOME!!!

Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread Houses

I just wanted to share this video from the last day before Christmas break. Students had a great time making Gingerbread houses. Thank you parents for sending in the supplies so students could enjoy this experience!




Click on the words Gingerbread  Houses to see the slide show

The Hour of Code

My students participated in the Hour of Code today seeing first hand how to program a game in order to make programs run. They were so engrossed in each project they actually groaned when I told them they needed to log off so we could go home.

For more information go to: http://code.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was great walking around and watching the problem solving, determination and joy expressed by students!

 

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Donors Choose-Scholastic Magazine

So excited that our Scholastic news magazines arrived! Our school is currently participating in a drive called, "Random acts of Kindness" where students are encouraged to donate items to others. Today students read their first issue called "Giving for the Holidays." I loved how relevant the topic was to their lives. The magazine is available online so I was able to pull it up on the board to read along with students. The online version includes videos, games, and allows me to write or highlight on the magazine. This issue asked students questions and as we discussed it together, I could write the answers. What a fantastic resource! We were so blessed to receive this grant.

 

 

I did post two new grants asking for sets of books so everyone could read together. I borrowed a set of books from another teacher and the students and I have really enjoyed reading and being able to discuss the book as a class.

For the first 7 days the Disney company will match all donations with the code:DISNEY

A parent had already given us a twenty dollar gift card to use on our next project, so we are on our way!

 

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