Back to School Books!

My baby is starting Kindergarten this year! 😭😭😭 I plan on reading The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn the night before school starts.

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children’s classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

On the first day of school, I always read First Day Jitters by Julie Love to my 3rd graders.

Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn’t want to start over at a new school. She doesn’t know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.

Here are some other wonderful books to read before school starts back from summer break. Just click on the book. 🙂

I Love You All Day Long by Fancesca Rusackas is a favorite in our house. The main characters name is Owen!

Owen’s anxious question prompts this heartwarming, comforting tale of how a parent’s love stays with a child whether they are together or apart — all day long.

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wings.

It’s the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all–saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won’t be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! Colorful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Christmas poem.

Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School by Deborah Diesen.

Mr. Fish is nervously awaiting his first day of school, and he frets about not knowing how to write his name, how to draw shapes, and how to do math―until he’s reassured that school is the perfect place to learn how to master all of these new skills, in Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School from Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna.

Splat the CAt Back to School Splat! By Rob Scotton.

It’s the first day of school and there’s only time for Splat to share one of his summer adventures with the class. Will it be the time he went searching for pirate treasure? Or the time he went swimming with sharks in the ocean? But before the end of the day, Splat knows exactly what to talk about—and it’s the biggest surprise of all!

Back-to-School Rules by Laurie Friedman.

School’s in session! When it comes to surviving school, Percy’s at the head of the class. If you can follow his ten simple rules, making the grade will be a piece of cake (and school will be a lot of fun). But there’s more to school than showing up on time and staying awake in class. If you have any doubts, Percy also shows exactly what not to do.

What’s your favorite back to school books?

Summer Reading!

Being a 3rd grade public school teacher, I know the importance of early literacy. Every summer, I know I haven’t done a great job of keeping the kids reading.

I decided this year would be different. I challenged the Owen and Quinn to read 100 books this summer. The very first day of summer, made a special trip to the local public library. They each checked out 2 books and we plan on going every Tuesday. Not only did I put incentives in place to keep them focused on the goal, the library has prizes for every 2 hours they read. It even had a play room for children up to 4 years old, Quinn is already begging to go back. The county library has events from magic shows to movies planned throughout the summer as well.

Our school library is also open for the summer. I plan on taking the kids next week to check out some more books.

So, check out your local libraries. I bet they have lots of fun activities planned throughout the summer. Because, well…Libraries Rock!

Brain Break Websites!

As the standardized tests creeps closer I have been adding more independent reading passages into the school day. While I understand that test strategies are not the most interesting thing in the world, it is a necessity. I have found over the last few days that throwing in a brain break about every 45 minutes has really improved my students attention and added some motivation.

 

Our favorite website is GoNoodle! Seriously, it’s awesome and free to sign up! You can’t beat that! It has math and reading practice built into dance moves and songs. I put on the Word Jam vocabulary practice every morning.

 

Another favorite is just finding YouTube videos of Just Dance. We love the Super Mario song!

Next time you see your students starting to zone out give GoNoodle a try! They’ll love it and you can get them engaged again!

Dr Seuss Week!

Dr Seuss Week is one of my favorites! I look forward to it every year. Our librarian does such an awesome job of planning enrichment activities throughout the week. Plus, she turns to whole school into Seussville! Every detail is so well planned out. The students enjoy every moment and hopefully will motivate them to open more books!  This year’s schedule-

Monday: Cat in the Hat Day. Student’s wore their favorite hats and a guest read the Cat in the Hat to every grade level.

Tuesday: Fox in Socks Day. Students wore crazy socks!

Wednesday: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish Day. Students wore red or blue and a special guest read the book. She did the dancing milk activity and explained how having a fun positive attitude will spread out to everyone you meet. 

Dancing Milk Materials

  • Tray
  • Dish Soap
  • Sponge (for wiping up any mess)
  • Plate
  • Food Coloring
  • Milk
  • Object to Dip into Dish Soap (q-tip)

Directions: Pour a thin layer of milk into the bottom of the tray. Add the drops of food coloring. Dip the q-tip into the dish soap. Last, dip the dish soap q-tip into the the milk and watch the colors spread out and dance!

Thursday: Green Eggs and Ham Day. The cafeteria served green eggs and ham for breakfast. Then, we had a guest come read to every grade level.

Friday:  Hop on Pop Day. Wear pajamas for popcorn and movie during specials rotation.

Next year, I hope we can fit in Oh, the Places You’ll Go and have students dress for what they want to be when they grow up.

Some of our classroom activities:

  • Reader’s Theater.
  • We also wrote an essay explaining who we were, then made ourselves into the Cat in the Hat. http://www.learnandgrowdesigns.com/2012/03/dr-seuss-cat-in-hat-craft-template.html
  • Image result for Lorax quote

We thought about what this Lorax quote meant to each student, then wrote a paragraph explaining how we could show we care a whole awful lot everyday.

We had a blast this week! Thank you to everyone who made this week possible. I can’t wait until next year!

Check back! I’ll add more Dr Seuss activities as I find them!

 

Children’s Books For Valentine’s Day!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, here are some books to have handy.

 

I Love to Cuddle by Carl Norac (PreK)

When Mommy and Daddy are gone, even for only a little while, Lola feels lonely.  There is nobody around to give her a hug!  Her baby-sitter is no fun, and the cartoons on TV can’t snuggle.  But then Lola comes up with a clever idea: she brings every cuddly thing she has into the living room and makes her very own Cuddle Island!  Now Mommy and Daddy are in for a big surprise!

Mr. Goat’s Valentine by Eve Bunting (Prek-1st)

After reading in the newspaper that it’s Valentine’s Day, Mr. Goat sets out in search of very special gifts for his first love. But just what would a goat choose as the perfect gifts to show how he feels?

Ollie’s Valentine by Olivier Dunrea (Prek-1st)

Ollie is looking. Looking for a valentine. Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo all have valentines, but Ollie wonders who will be his. His search leads him to a special valentine of his very own—a surprise for Ollie and readers!

The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever by Brenda A. Ferber (Prek-2nd)

Leon has a crush. A let-her-cut-in-line-at-the-water-fountain kind of crush. And he’s got the perfect valentine. But this valentine has no intention of getting caught up in any romantic conspiracy. “Love is yucky, kid! Valentine’s Day is all about CANDY!”

Love by Matt de la Pena (Prek-3rd)

In this heartfelt celebration of love, Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la PeĂąa and bestselling illustrator Loren Long depict the many ways we experience this universal bond, which carries us from the day we are born throughout the years of our childhood and beyond.

Love Monster by Rachel Bright( Prek-3rd)

Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it’s hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you’re a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.

The Sweetest Valentines by Jane E. Gerier (k-2nd)

A classroom project teaches a little bear named Fred the true meaning and importance of Valentine’s Day.

This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins (k-3rd)

This book is not a valentine. It doesn’t have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn’t that exactly what love is about?

The Trouble with Valentine’s by Elaine Moore (2nd-5th)

In an effort to play matchmaker, best friends Lexi and Ann Marie try to find a valentine sweetheart for their teacher, Miss Delaney, but set off a series of funny disasters instead.

Geronimo’s Valentines by Geronimo Stilton (2nd-5th)

Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love.

BabyMouse Heartbreaker by Matthew Holm (2nd-5th)

Babymouse loves Valentines Day! A day for pink hearts! Flowers! Candy! School dances and romance . . . sweet romance! WAIT! Romance? Ew! And what’s this about a school dance? Does that mean Babymouse needs a date? Uh-oh! Looks like this Valentine’s Day may turn into a Valentine’s dud! Will Babymouse go to the school dance? Will she get any Valentines? Will she find true love?

Junie B. Jones and The Mushy Gushy Valentine by Barbara Park (2nd-5th)

Hurray! February 14—Valentime’s Day, as June B. calls it—is just around the corner. Junie B. can’t wait to see all the valentimes she’ll get. But she never expected a big, mushy card from a secret admirer! Who is this secret mystery guy, anyway? Junie B. is determined to find out!

213 Valentines by Barbara Cohen (3rd-5th)

Wade has trouble adjusting when he is transferred to a special fourth grade class for the gifted and talented, so he plans to send himself 213 valentines signed by celebrities.

Roses Are Dread, Violets Are Boo: A Vampire Valentine Story by Michelle Poploff (3rd-5th)

Fearing that she won’t receive many cards on Valentine’s Day, Wanda Doomsday decides to invite her Uncle Vex to class to teach her classmates how to make special holiday cookies, but when he is suddenly unable to attend, Wanda has to scramble to make the event a success on her own

No Blue Moon Blues Here!

With it being the Super Blue Blood Moon, I didn’t have high expectations for today’s lesson. However, I was pleasantly surprised. We covered comparing and contrasting using the Three Little Pigs by Barry Moser and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka.  Monday I read the Three Little Pigs aloud, then Tuesday I read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

Today each student drew a Venn Diagram in their writing notebook and filled it out independently. Next, We played musical partners. I played Happy by Pharrell Williams as the students walked around with their writing notebook. Once the music stopped the students had to find a partner to share with. We played about three rounds then came back together whole group to make a classroom anchor chart of our Venn Diagram.

They did so well, and even came up with a few that I didn’t think of!

 

Of course with my afternoon class, the fire alarm went off as soon as we started the anchor chart. But, hey if I’ve learned anything from the last 7 years of being in a classroom it’s to be flexible!

A Week of Bedtime Stories!

Bedtime stories are my favorite part of the day. I love the connections and memories I make with my sweet little. But, lately she wants to spend more time choosing a book then actually reading. Starting today, we are picking out the books for the week. Hopefully this will save some time during the weeknights and we can make it to bed on time! I love her choices.

 

Sunday: Esme the Emerald Fairy by Sarah Creese and Lara Ede. I ordered this one for my new niece, Esme, but Quinn decided to make sure it’s acceptable for her.

 

Monday: Press Here by Herre´ Tullet. Interactive and fun!

 

Tuesday: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs retold by Mo Willems. This one introduces some awesome vocabulary words.

 

Wednesday: Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton. It goes well with her starting prek this year.

 

Thursday: The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson. The illustrations are beautiful and its a wonderful read aloud.

 

Friday: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? By Jane Yolen. It really is a perfect bedtime story!

 

Saturday: The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton. Princess Pinecone and her pony are the best!

I can’t wait to see what she chooses next week.

Books for Teaching Persuasive Writing

One of my favorite units to teach is persuasive text/writing. There are so many wonderful books that display persuasive writing. One of my all time favorite series is the Pigeon books by Mo Willems. My son and I have read Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the bus every night for over three years. Some other wonderful books to include in this unit is:

 

I like to have these books displayed around the classroom during the two week unit. I also have a tiny obsession with Oreos, so I use the Oreo to introduce persuasive writing. Here is my anchor chart. Please let me know if there are any awesome books I need to add to my list.

Books Every Child Should Read Before Leaving Elementary.  

I can still remember sitting in Mrs. Watkins 3rd grade class hanging on to every word as she read aloud James and the Giant Peach. Like the mouth wide open mesmerized, completely engulfed into the story. It was the moment I fell in love with reading. Rather a teacher or parent, there are some books that every child needs to read or hear. Here is a list of books that every child needs to be exposed to before heading off to middle school.   

 

“Give me a dollar or I’ll spit on you.”

That’s Bradley Chalkers for you. He’s the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls, and the teachers say he has serious behavior problems. No one likes him—except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and she even enjoys his far-fetched stories. Carla knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren’t afraid to try.

But when you feel like the most hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. . . .

  • Wonder by R.J. Palacio  I’m not going to lie, we all had a few tears in class, but my students were hooked from page one.

I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

Auggie & Me gives readers a special look at Auggie’s world through three new points of view. These stories are an extra peek at Auggie before he started at Beecher Prep and during his first year there. Readers get to see him through the eyes of Julian, the bully; Christopher, Auggie’s oldest friend; and Charlotte, Auggie’s new friend at school. Together, these three stories are a treasure for readers who don’t want to leave Auggie behind when they finish Wonder.

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there’s no delete button. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people–her teachers and doctors included–don’t think she’s capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can’t, because Melody can’t talk. She can’t walk. She can’t write.

Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind–that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.

 

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions.  She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.

 

Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She’s spent years trying to teach David the rules from “a peach is not a funny-looking apple” to “keep your pants on in public”—in order to head off David’s embarrassing behaviors.

But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising, new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she’s always wished for, it’s her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?

 

Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school — and he’s always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he’s got the inspiration for his best plan ever…the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn’t belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there’s nothing Nick can do to stop it.

 

Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope.

The One and Only Ivan features first-person narrative; author’s use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective).

 

One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries – and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it’s because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie.

 

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost. . . .

Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle – that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

 

At the heart of the story is Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school who is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn’t and bullies her mercilessly. The class feels terrible when Wanda is pulled out of the school, but by that time it’s too late for apologies. Maddie, one of Wanda’s classmates, ultimately decides that she is “never going to stand by and say nothing again.”

 

It was so difficult to choose my top favorite. Did I leave yours off the list? Leave me a comment so I can add it to my classroom library.

Quotes to Survive a Bad Day!

Lets face it, some days are just harder than others. On those days, I like to find a little extra inspiration through quotes. Here are some of my favorites that helped me get through the roughest of days.

There is no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections.-Robert Tew

Curiosity is the engine of achievement.-Ken Robinson

 

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever. -Walt Disney

 

Are you a princess? I said and she said I’m much more than a princess, but you don’t have a name for it yet here on earth.-Brian Andreas

Even miracles take a little time.-Cinderella

Nothing is an obstacle unless you say it is.– Wallace Amos

Whatever you are, be a good one. – Abraham Lincoln

Don’t follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength and conviction, the only thing that can stop you is you!-Ruby Bridges

 

High expectations are the key to everything. – Sam Walton

Family is the perfect blend of love and chaos.-Unknown

Her smile makes me smile. Her laugh is infectious. Her heart is pure and true. Above all I love that she is my daughter. -Unknown

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.-Albert Einstein

Think before you speak. Read before you think.-Fran Lebowitz

and as always, ¨Just keep swimming!¨