Book Banter!

MANY of us put on our Summer Bucket Lists to read more...well, have I got a story for you! :)

I've got to start with the series that I have been reading for the past two months...yep. Took me that long with school and wrapping up the year and starting a blog and Sparkle & Pop and...and...and...:) The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth. How many of you have read it??? (Pictures in this blog are linked to Amazon to purchase.)

I was blown away by the first in the series, Divergent, but as soon as people found out I was reading the series, they recommended I stop there and just imagine my perfect ending to this series. Allegiant, although well written, was a serious heart breaking disappointment (sorry Veronica!). The characters were memorable and I missed them once it was over, but the circumstances they were left in, was not the result I was expecting, after seeing the fight they just fought. I'm not into spoilers, but I recommend the series...I need closure! (I'm also a major advocate of reading the book prior to seeing the movie, so that is next on my "to-do" list. I'm slightly bummed that the movie isn't coming out on On Demand/DVD until August, but that's what I get for making my choice of books before movies.)

OK...now, a confession...I'm an absolutely awful teacher for doing this, but hopefully my kiddos will a) forgive me and b) be proactive and finish it off for themselves. I didn't finish our read aloud at the end of the year - did I mention it was busy? So, I popped it into my school bag and didn't think about it again until I did my "week after" clean out. Oh my...If you have not read Wonder by R.J. Palacio, run, do not walk, to the nearest book store or Scholastic Book site and order it! Now! Go! 

The publisher's description: August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

  

One of my colleagues recommended this book for my final read aloud, and I'm pretty sure her and I are in a "fight" right now. (Hehe) Part of the reason it took me forever to read, was because I was CRYING every other page! I'm hard core, E-friends...I see things in black and white and am pretty set in my ways...then I had a baby. Heaven help us all...the water works haven't stopped! :)

My students loved seeing the personal side of me. When we read a part that I felt was unbelievable, I would stop and say "Hey, does this really happen when teachers aren't looking?" and they would give me an honest answer and great conversations occurred. When I got all blubbery, they would ask "Did you connect this part with Reese?" *sigh* Yes, Little Brownies, you just wait until you see YOUR Mom and Dad react to something that has happened in your life! 

And finally...these "Mentor Texts" are all the rage and quite the Buzz (Words)...haven't we always used clips and snippets from books to show and represent to our students what we're talking about? Oh well...to continue along with my Book Banter...

Our Cultural Competency Team at school began to give us picture books to show various situations that could occur within our classes, that may show a cultural difference for students who have come from other countries. Their goal was to provide us with a ready made lesson and book that wouldn't require us to do more work, but would allow for the opportunity for a meaningful discussion and an eye opening experience. As this Little Library has continued to grow, I thought - "Why only use these for cultural lessons,when there are literary and writing skills to come out of this, too?!?!" (You can only multi-task so much in the classroom these days, am I right?) I absolutely fell in love with these three books and hope you might check them out! 

        

All are beautifully written and illustrated, show a wonderful CHILD'S point of view of events and not only bring in the cultural aspect, but are amazing mentor texts for personal narratives, voice, characterization, and author's purpose. My kids may end up hearing these books more than once! Ha! 

Four Feet and Two Sandals summary: "When relief workers bring used clothing to a refugee camp in Pakistan, ten-year-old Lina is thrilled when she finds a sandal that fits her foot perfectly - until she sees that another girl has the matching shoe. But soon Lina and Feroza meet and decide that it is better to share the sandals than for each to wear only one. As they go about their rountines - washing clothes in the river, waiting in line for water, and watching for their names to appear on the list to go to America - the girls discover the true meaning of friendship and sacrifice. This book honors the experiences of refugee children around the world, whose daily existence is marked by uncertainty and fear. Warm colors and bold brush strokes are the perfect complement to this story of courage and hope."

The Other Side summary: Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together.

Mrs. Katz and Tush summary: Larnel doesn't know his neighbor, Mrs. Katz, very well, until he asks her to adopt an abandoned kitten. Mrs. Katz agrees on one condition: that Larnel help her take care of the kitten she names Tush. When Larnel starts spending more and more time with Mrs. Katz to help with Tush, Mrs. Katz tells him stories about coming to America from Poland and about the good times she spent with her late husband. As Larnel grows to love Mrs. Katz, he also learns about the suffering and triumph black history shares with the Jewish heritage.

Next on my night stand is what Amazon says is "light hearted" and something they recommended for me by my previous searches...Where'd you Go, Bernadette? I'm not one to judge a book by its cover...but isn't it cute? I'm looking forward to reading this one. 

Happy Reading to you and yours, this summer! I would love to know what is sitting on your night stand to read! (Or what texts you use to "mentor"... :)) 

Teacher Tip Thursday

It's not really a tip, per se...but it's something I have to remind the kiddos of often. They can be successful. They can be strong. They can be anything they want or need to be! And of course...I'm a Potter-head. :)

Check out the other words of wisdom at the Teaching Tribune. :) 

Happy Thursday!

Two for Tuesday!

 

This is my first time linking up, but the ladies at Teaching Tribune definitely have the right idea with this summer blogging thing! :)

My two items are 50% off today at my TPT Store and you need to check out not just my great deals, but all of the items that are half off today only through the Two for Tuesday sale. :)





My first item is one of my favorites that I start this year with - The Genre Mini-unit  introduces my kidlets to all the various genres we will be reading throughout the year. It is a great way to begin, because they will have an idea of what to expect, as well as the characteristics to look for, that classify what they are reading through out the year. I also include a year long reading project, so students who get stuck in a "genre rut" are asked to reach outside of their comfort zone. :)




My next item is also something I use to start the year off in science. Our fourth grade standards are very much problem solving based and critical thinking developing. What better way to do those skills than to teach the Scientific Method?!?! The Scientific Method does not apply to science only, but can be used to show students that to solve a problem, there is a process available to them to figure it out. It's one of my kiddos' favorites!

Happy Tuesday and happy shopping!

All is not lost...Making new friends...and Happy Father's Day!

Well. As promised. My final pics for an organized classroom...:)

The fact I can walk around my desk area safely is somewhat of a big deal...and then I can also see my nonfiction and book club books at a glance. This will be AMAZING. 

Hello and THANK YOU to my new Blogging Buddy, Brooke Patterson, over at Countless Smart Cookies. Can't wait to see what this Smart Cookie has to share!

Last, but most certainly not least, Happy Father's Day! I'm so thankful for my Dad and my Hubby being in my life...and the life of my daughter! What wonderful Godly role models to follow in life! Love them! 

Have a great week!

Class is Closed!!!

OK...so, remember the time I started a blog and made it pretty and then left it alone for an entire WEEK??? Oh well...that's life! Thank goodness, my class is finally packed up and closed for the summer. Below are photos for those that are Organization Fans like myself. Most teachers run away from their classroom at full speed at the end of the year, but I hung out and made sure that my bins and centers were relabeled and the ripped signs were reprinted and replaced!

I had a picture of my newly organized bookshelves and binders, but I must have deleted it a moment too soon off of my iPad...when recovered, it will be shared. :)

Other than that, I've been working on a little Sparkle & Pop  project. One of my Amazing Past Parents owns the cutest store called Gallery 116 in Fishers. I popped in (pun intended) and chatted with her to see if she felt Sparkle & Pop cards would be a successful item in her store...she said she wanted to try it out and sent me a contract! Guess I better get Sparkling!!!

If you like what you've read, please leave me a comment, give me suggestions, or just say hi! As I've stated before, I'm new to the Blogging World and would love to hear some feedback from my fellow Teachers, Entrepreneurs, Working Moms/Dads, or any combo thereof!

Happy Friday!

Cleaning out...Part 2

Yep...it's happening. After 9ish *last year didn't count due to childbirth* years of teaching, it's time I cleaned out the classroom and get rid of what I haven't used in years. When you have taught 2nd, 3rd, 3/4 split, 4th, 5th, 6th grades and general elementary music, you tend to accumulate a LOT of stuff. Who knew? Next year, I'll have about 30 kiddos on my classroom roster, so "stuff" has to go, to make room for their wiggly bodies!

The Damage:

Not enough boxes in the world to pack away all of this "stuff!" 

The Book Shelves will be refilled, packed, and covered...SOON!

I've started on small corner at a time...Here's the beginning of the Rescue Mission:

The game and math/science manipulatives are coming along...

Next on the list...a new look for the blog. Cannot wait to see what this "Magical Mystery" will look like! Yea!!! Thanks to Dreamlike Magic for their help in the process! Looking forward to working with you. :)