Literacy Fair Example Board

This is my example board for literacy fair coming soon at our school.  I made this from one black foam board that I scored and folded to make a smaller sized presentation board.  This is an easy way to make a small one.  Students may of course make larger ones, but this is just to give ideas out.  I really like that I added a QR code on the bottom left, that students can scan and link to the Animoto video I made about the book.  Students will like that, they can scan right into their phones. I plan to offer big points for students who include these on their own boards.  Happy Reading!

Copy of Second Impact

Working on a video for my Literacy Fair ideas.  I plan to post a QR code on my board and the QR code will lead readers to this video about the book.  I will post photos when I get it all together.

Sports Books

 Second Impact by David Klass & Perri Klass


Where are all the sports book for YA?  I recently read Second Impact by David Klass & Perri Klass
This book was a wide open quick read for any sports lover. I love these types of books which the authors has a great story wound around a great ethical question. This book brings up the big question of Traumatic Brain Injury to football players who may have had more than one concussion.  This story make you think, is winning worth it and do we really know when to say no.  This book is a blog, almost like an epistolary story but told in Blog entries of one boys point of view and a girl who is the editor for the school newspaper.  When the story leaks and she is questioned by the principal, her Freedom of Speech comes into question and can you write what you really know about people.  As I read this book, I thought of how many great questions you can ask students.  Research topic would include the Traumatic Brain Injury in school sports, Freedom of Speech for underage bloggers, privacy matters of students who are injured at school, can you tell medical details or not.  This book brings to light major issues that students are faced with daily, with social media and sports injury, all wrapped up into a great fiction story.  Can you overcome big obstacles and still be successful. Is winning worth losing a friend?

NetGalley

Well now that college is over and I have succeed in all my classes.  I am constantly reading books on my list of books to read.  I became a member of NetGalley and that will just load my ipad with the latest books to be reviewed.

I just read one by Elizabeth Scott called Heartbeat.  Which is coming out in April 2014 for YA and it is a beautiful tragic story that questions the right and wrong of using life support systems to keep someone alive just for the sake of their unborn child.  Asking teens to tackle this type of morality is a big issue in this sweet tale of loss and love.  The smart girl is frozen in a stupor until she finds a car thief, druggie who is hurting as much as she is and just wants to go back in time together and fix the wrongs.  Somehow they find a way to help one another with their broken hearts and continue more than just a Heartbeat.

 

I can't wait for more fun books to be approved and added to the my pile of TBR list.
Happy Reading.
dk

Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles

I have been trying to complete grad school and study for my state certification so I am off a bit in my posting of great books and fun tech ideas. But it shall continue soon.

I love Jo Knowles and I got to see her in person at the Austin Book Festival for Young Adults a couple of weekends ago.  She was incredible of course.  She really has a beat with teens and you can tell in her books how heart wrenching her characters become so real that you can really identify with them.

I will read all her books now.  I got a signed copy of this book and I am in the middle of it.  I will post more about it when I finish, but this continues the story of Jumping off Swings, with Josh's side of getting a girl pregnant as a jr. in high school and how he can't deal with the adoption, with his parents separate lives, and how can he even look at people at school since he caused such a nightmare to happen to one girl.  He is living with some serious issues and goes to finish school with his Uncle who loves Jackie Chan.  But he is learning to deal with life as he goes.

The Selection and The Elite by Kiera Cass

I read The Selection by Kiera Cass last weekend and it is new in our library.  This story is a cross between Hunger Games and The Bachelor t.v. show.  This story involves a caste system of society and certain girls are allowed to compete for a Prince if they are selected to represent the country. This is only allowed it the Prince likes you.  It is a very interesting read.  It has lots of 'swoon' worthy parts that will make girls really like the story.  I was hooked at the beginning.  It is a love triangle but a lot of history is repeated in this new society and this will entrance readers.   I could not wait to read the next one in the series, which is called The Elite, so I instantly downloaded it in my Overdrive account to finish reading the story for the weekend.   This one continues the story as the main character is voted to stay in the castle as one of the remaining 6 girls left in the competition.  I can not wait for the third book to come out in May 2014. 

5th Wave

This book is intense, odd for me. It was definitely out of my genre area, but serious read, many have said it will next big winner of this year, but wow on violence and darkness.  I'm not sure what or how I would rate it.  So many love it.  It  is very sci-fi, with aliens, zombies, and a weird twisted love story.  It is complicated is an understatement.  Check out the trailers here, I plan to add this to back of my copy so students can watch the trailer when they pick it up off my shelves.   I did like the story over all, and it does have a good theme, but many said you could not put it down.  I was able to several times.  It would make an interesting movie and I am sure some think it is the next Hunger Games.  I am not so sure.  But I think my sci-fi lovers will enjoy it.

PowToon

This is my Powtoon I hope it loads correctly.  I plan to use it for my class first week to see how students can respond to emailing me and to listing a few of their favorite things, which will lead into our lessons on character and plot and conflict and such - as our first project online will be using our IPads and edmodo and more.  So I am really excited about the coming year.
Check out PowToon if you want some fun stuff in your room. It was pretty quick to make and easy.  I am thinking I will let students make one also one day.

I have been reading a lot, and in a lot of conferences so I will post more about those fun things I have been learning soon.

Jumping off Swings ...

I picked up Jumping off Swings by Jo Knowles and thought O.K. let's see what people love about this story. That was at 10 p.m. at 1:30 a.m. I pulled the last tissue from the box and finished the book. In awe of such a strong writer, writing with such feelings that just drags your heartstrings through the mud. Wow. This book is for any teen considering relationships that can change your life forever.

This book points out that many teens just want to know they are loved unconditionally. I would have any of Jo Knowles books in my library and add these to my ever growing shelves.

Literacy Links and MORE....

Today I found myself with several hours of quiet time with no electronics and just sitting with pencil and paper. Ten pages later, I have found several ideas that I can NOT wait to use with students next year. I am hoping to do this project next year as part of my internship for college in the library. So I want plan out some more here.

 1. Idea number one - Baxter Book Bash - I would like to have kids who want to compete about books they have read. Just like Battle of the Books but adapted to our campus. So a team of 6 students against another team of 6 students, who have all read the same 3 books.  Bash could be set up like Family Feud and students could win points.

- Each team must bring 12 questions and answers about the books to the match. From question stems and using key vocabulary.
- Books Bashes will happen each six weeks with different Genres of books so all can participate-
    * Diary of Wimpy Kid Bash - Most Popular books and more can participate here.
    * Scary Book Bash - featuring those Ronald Dahls Tales of Fear, R.L. Stine, Cryers Cross or Wait til
        Helen Comes.
    * Historical Fiction Bash - new historical fiction books - Glory Be, Lions of Little Rock, Out of the Easy.
    * Hunger Games Bash - featuring Dystopian books - Among Hidden, Hunger Games, Matched
    * Buford Bash - featuring Buford High Books- The Bully, Pretty Ugly & more
    * Romantic Bash- featuring romantic novels - Sarah Dessen and Lisa Schroeder
    * Poetry Bash with Poetry Slam- featuring Shel Silverstien, Jack Prelutsky and more.
    * Animal Stories - Ivan the One and Only,  The Underneath, Shilo

- Maybe a teacher bash at first to show & model for students how the BASH will happen.
- Each team must answer the mixed questions from question stems and more.  I can't wait to make posters and see who will sign up for the Bash.  What a fun way to read with friends!!
I already have a poster started with - You and Your Friends Bash it Out!  Read it... Prove it.... Win it...!!!

Idea # 2 today - Is Monthly Subject Area Blogs from each department at school. So Engaging for Students

- September Reading  - on this blog, we could have one teacher post a video of what they may be teaching, or reading.  Students can post what they learned or liked.  Or a tutorial to teach others who may need help understanding what the goals are for this first six weeks. This would give the kids ownership in their learning and most love to help others. We could post Book Reviews of books read by students and teacher...!!  Student reviews written. Then pass the blog to next ELAR teacher team for next month.

We could have a Math Blog, Science Blog, a Social Studies Blog; Art Blog; posting photos of great art from students.  Then share with parents and others. ;o)

Idea #3 Literacy Links  - Awards I was thinking of ways we can reward for AR Goal Getters.  As students complete a book and take an AR test they can add a link to the literacy links of our class and by end of year we should have A LOT of links.  I always give snacks to those who take and AR - just because I work in an area that students do not have literature rich environments and they need all the persuasion they can to grab a book and get lost in it, most that are in my class learn it is way cool to read great stories.  So now for everyone who adds a link they get the snack, we will have a visual and they will keep reading.  PLUS the links will have to be filled out complete with Title, author, recommendation, AR Score and Reader's name and date - then we can have a visual of all that we have read.  And others may want to read a book you have read. ;o)  Great fun!!  I plan to use light purple strips, and gold for our school colors, but I saw a polka dot chain that was way cool too.  We shall see what paper is on sale. ;o)  So excited I can't wait for school to start.


This little game will be everywhere in my classroom.  I want posters about the blog, and students questioning students with fake mustache and we can really use it a lot!! LOVE it my Hispanic kids ran around with mustaches on all day when I tried it last year.  So fun.

Beautiful Movie Poster?

http://designreviver.com/inspiration/30-beautiful-movie-posters-for-design-inspiration/

High School Trends in Literature

High School

Crutcher, C. (2013). Period 8. New York: Harper Collins Books.

            When Paulie (Paul) admits he was with another girl to his girlfriend, she is finished. He knows what it is like to be lied to and so he always tells the truth. He is a cheater and their relationship is OVER.  But something is not right and someone is lying in Period 8. This is a class where the students meet to discuss their lives freely, and how they can deal with teen problems. The one rule in the class is to be honest.  Now someone is breaking the rule and some one is getting hurt, and where are they going?  Is the cheating growing?  Who is missing? Is that family abusive? Who should you trust when you are not sure about your friends?  What is going on inside that house at night will be a huge question as you read this mysterious tale of troubled teenagers.  Who will stand up and face the lies and who will find the strength to help those locked away or lost?

Draper, S. (2012). Pinned. New York: Listening Library.

Pinned is a slice-of-life drama told in the alternating voices of Autumn and Adonis. Autumn is strong willed, out-going, and deeply in love with Adonis. In fact, when she isn’t focused on wrestling, she spends her time trying to get closer to him although her best friend Peaches tells her he isn’t worth it. Her passion is wrestling and she feels the strongest, the surest of herself, when she’s on the mat. Although she is the only girl wrestler on her team, and one of the few female wrestlers in the state, she is determined to be the best and doesn’t hesitate to pin her opponents at the majority of her matches. However, there is one problem she can’t seem to tackle. Autumn is not a good reader. She struggles in her reading class and finds it difficult to understand word problems in her math class. Her parents try to help, but they are also poor readers. As her grades continue to reflect her failures, Autumn’s reading disability threatens to destroy her chances of doing the one thing she loves- wrestling.

Adonis is the exact opposite of Autumn. He has no legs, but he doesn’t let being in a wheel chair keep him from standing out. He is intelligent and loves reading. He is a leader and mentor, but does not have an interest in opening up to people and forming real relationships. He despises Autumn, who he sees as stupid and careless, and is often rude to her as he rejects her advances. But much like Autumn, he has a secret. There is something that threatens his image as a strong, unwavering leader. Before he went to the same school as Autumn, he was nearly drowned by a group of students as Peaches (Autumn’s best friend) watched. That was the only time he ever felt helpless and the shame of the event has left him embittered.

Autumn declines academically to the point of being taken off of the wrestling team, but she does not stop pursuing Adonis. Adonis hurts her countless times, but her love never waivers. She struggles to accept help for her learning disability from anyone, but eventually asks Adonis for help. When he rejects her, she realizes that Adonis does not care about her at all, and decides to leave him alone. She seeks help from a caring teacher instead. Adonis, somewhat relieved that Autumn no longer bothers him, begins to realize how alone he really is. He opens up to Autumn and shares his one moment of shame with her for the very first time, and they begin to form a secret relationship despite their differences.

Autumn and Adonis may seem like they are complete opposites, but Pinned shows us that the characters are alike in the fact that they both carry secrets. Autumn is ashamed of her reading disability and Adonis is ashamed of his potential helplessness caused by his handicap. Both of them have disabilities that they must live with and both strive to succeed in spite of them. Sharon G. Flake shows us that struggles can bring people together if they are willing to open up to one another and receive the help that others have to offer.                                                                                           ISBN-13: 978-0-385-36113-2

Kindl. P.(2013). Keeping the Castle. New York: Penguin Group.

Pride and Prejudice revisited in this fiction romantic piece.  You are in England waiting to dance with a group in a line, as you fell further and further into this story.  Main character Althea has to learn to keep her thoughts and words to herself if she is to find a rich man to marry.   But exclaiming how happy she is that her fiancé is rich out loud probably isn’t the best way to do that. So she watched him ride away, then she had hoped his hearing was not quite so good after that.  Her mission is to save her father’s castle for her little brother, while dealing with her two step-sisters. The problem was the castle was really old and falling apart and there was no money. She worked and entertained and scraped and saved every little bit she could to help in the castle. This author’s witty side was really seen throughout the story.  Althea got in to more problems the longer she tried to resist Mr. Frederick’s charms.  She intended to marry his friend, who was much older and in her thoughts more rich that Mr. Frederick.  She tried to set him up with neighbors and sisters and anyone along the way, as he infuriated her, with his noisiness about things being perfect in the old castle.  She had plans yet, somehow always ended up arguing with him. This story is a great introduction into the old English style courting and relationships, with some twist and bumps along the way.  If you are quick you can even read it in a complete English accent for fun.  This one will leave you smiling.

(Ebook downloaded on Nook app.)

Langan, P. (2013). Survivor. New Jersey: Townsend Press.

            The secret Tarah is keeping can destroy her family, once she remembers she knows why she was so sad as a child and what happened.  But should she tell, and lose what she has with her boyfriend. Or would it destroy her family? This story is part of the Bluford High Series for High School students, and is set in Bluford with several of the familiar characters involved.  Tarah’s memories are jarred when planning a family reunion, she is looking through a photo album and someone comments on her sad face.  This brings a flash of her uncle Rudy and what really happened.  Tarah struggles with this decision and when she is presented with her Unlce at the reunion she knows she can’t be alone with him again.  But now her cousin is alone with him?  She does not know what to do and if she can save her family from another disaster.  This topic of abuse is a tough one for younger students but more mature students should be aware of this type of problem and be ready to talk with an adult about it.  Survivor will make you consider your choices and how those choices can affect those you love.  Paul Langan tells this one with straight talk and easy to understand and relatable language that makes this one an easy read for teens.

Smith, S.A (2013). This is what happy looks like. New York: Hatchett Book Group.

      

      One mistake can lead to a real gift of friendship,
when a typo sends an email to the wrong person a
friendship develops between a hidden girl and a teen
star, but if either knew who or what the other one was
really, they would never talk.  So as the anonymity hides
their real world, the escape is building a wonderful
friendship of two unlikely people.  Would you befriend
the chance of being in the news as the latest squeeze of
the pop hero?  Even if you were hiding from a mess with the government, would you take the chance?  This
book makes you look at what you really are inside and the things that make you happy may not matter if it
 just across a wire or right beside you.  Sooner or later you have to pick one.  Chance the reporters or give
up the best thing you have ever met… and pray the cameras are off. Would you risk it for a chance of a
lifetime?  Is being famous all you think it is?

Takoudes, G. (2013). When we wuz famous. New York: Henry Holt.

Getting out doesn't  mean you will stay out. You may be the smartest in your class, more talented than most but you will never lose where you come from, so in the action of When we wuz famous, the main character, Francisco gets the chance to go to private prep school for academics and basketball, and he takes it.  But will it change him?  Will he still hang with his friends?  Will he outgrow his girl friend?  Is it for the best or is it just the end of what he knew. After his first trip home he notices changes, in how he feels about those around him.  He knows he is doing the right thing going to the better school, but he feels guilty for leaving his friends, a.k.a. ‘the krew.’ Francisco was frustrated with all the stress of being the best, keeping friends happy and taking on the law. He knows he lied to his girl friend for money for his best friend to get out of jail?  That one lie changes his future and outlines disaster to come his way, trying to get out or over the one lie. This book is rapidly filled with regret and attempts at righting a wrong that should have never happened.  What did Francisco learn and what did it cost him? You will have to see when you read, When we wuz famous?  Do you owe your friends or yourself a good life?  If you make a promise when you are five should you keep it all your life?  Can you trust your friends? This story gets mixed up with drugs, police, girls and what happens when you make the wrong choices trying to please everyone around you.

Wein, E. (2013). Code name verity. New York. Hyperion Books.

This historical fiction tale draws you into the world of World War II female fighter pilots and what happens to one prisoner of war.  If John Green and this author ever get together, it would be such a distraught tale that one may not be able to read anything they come up with.  This story reminds me of the great friendships you would read in a Green book, but with such a twist and historical points made that it wraps you into a web as if you are there with Maddie and Queenie because the final twist of this story just leaves readers in shock, so unexpected.

‘Maddie’ has been taken prisoner and is being questioned by Nazi soldier, Hauptsturmfuhrer Von Liden for information about her country, and the British’s plans for war. She writes out a twisted message of what she thinks will throw them off the path, about the air strips and locations of her friends and allies.  She is tortured and stripped for more information and bargains for her clothes back piece by piece. She wonders where the real Maddie actually is, and did she survive the plane crash?  Was she captured and thinks if she will ever see her friend again? Her friend Maddie joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force for the British just to help out.  She learned how to fly as a young girl.  But never thought she would really be flying to help in this war. She was wondering where did Queenie go and did she make it out alive too?  But she knows one thing, Queenie switched their identities before she jumped out of the plane.  Would they know she is a spy?  Will the British be able to get her out of the country?  Will she ever see her friend again, and could you do the ultimate sacrifice for a friend?  When does friendship end and does it if you are a traitor to your country?  Who will survive?  These questions will keep you glued to this book.  I would recommend this book to students wanting to know more about real historic events and friendship.  I will own several copies of this book for my students. 

Jr. High Titles Trending in Youth Literature

Engle, M. (2013).The lightning dreamer, Cuba’s greatest abolitionist. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

            This author is a weaver of stories that can surround the reader in softly lyrics and gentle tones that discuss serious issues.  The story of the Lightning Dreamer, girls are not supposed to think, read or write.  They are supposed to marry well and just be.  This causes a bit of a problem for Tula, a young girl just wanting to read and be free to not hide while she does it.  She doesn’t want her mother to be so greedy and to marry her off to anyone with the most money.  She wants her friend, and slave, Caridad, to be free too. Her father let her read, and read to her, but her new step father won’t allow it.  Tula’s mother is expecting her to marry so she will regain her grandfather’s approval and inherit more money for the family. Tula identifies with the gift her grandfather gives her (in an implied metaphor) a caged yellow bird, that can’t fly and can only sit and sing. Watching her pet makes her feel useless and lifeless.  She recites poems from others writing about freedoms and justice. 

I love the way the words flow in this story, how the author makes you understand the feelings and wishes of the characters while using the least amounts of words.  She mentions in the story how words in the poems are like the flight pattern of birds swooping and flying high and low.  Her poem like story keeps you reading and makes it quickly a favorite of very sad and great story that will affect the way readers see those from other countries and make you thankful for the freedoms we take for granted every day.

Halperin, W. (2013). Peace. New York: Simon & Schuster.

            This book is beautiful collage pictures in soft pastels that lead the eyes on a visual journey across great lands of people who have stood up for peace throughout the world.  It is very diverse book. The book is filled with quotes from famous important people in the world, like Martin Luther King, Jr., Pope John Paul II, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Dalai Lama, who promote peace around them. It allows you to use your senses in the book, so you can see peace?  For touching, may your hands be peaceful it says. And even includes senses of tasting to promote peace in the choices we make around the world with our food.  This book has depth and complexity that readers can wonder on each page about how peacefully they can surround themselves with a better world. This book could be a great asset to any classroom for writing about one quote or page of pictures.  I would like to ask students to use the quotes to identify something in their life they could relate to in a more peaceful way.

Schroeder, L. (2013). Falling for you. New York: Simon & Schuster. 

       I heart you, you haunt me. In this story Rae is a high school student trying to hide from the abusive step dad and her worthless mother.  This story is told in backwards order, so it is like a rewound movie that begins at the end and shows the reader what led up to that fateful day.  This was a bit hard to follow but gave the read some neat little foreshadowing of what is to come.  Rae meets a boy who she thinks is her friend, yet he doesn’t really want her as much as he wants the image of a girlfriend.  He is pushy and demanding, this book is a good example of what NOT to put up with in relationships.  She enjoys her job and finds her real family there at her work in the flower shop.  Rae also begins a new friendship that is more calm and friendly with the barista from the neighboring coffee shop.  The story involves poetry as, Schroeder loves to weave into her story.  This book also brings up the argument; of should anonymous submissions be allowed in the school poetry contest.  Does it let students hide their pain, or should students say how they really feel and be free of belittlement or teasing. Falling for You has the theme of finding oneself and understanding you should not let others abuse you. But to learn that lesson will Rae survive?

 

  She finally found something right in her life, how could it turn out to be so wrong.  This story by Lisa

Schroeder is unlike her other books in that, she wrote this one as a story format, instead of poetry format,

like her first book,

Middle School Books Trending

Balliet, B. (2013). Hold Fast. New York: Scholastic Press.

            Early Pearl’s story is the ingenious story of mystery and mayhem, which one innocent simple family encounters after their dad, Dash, disappears suddenly.  This is not your normal family of a broken home; this is a family that reads together, sticks together.

Early, her mom, Summer, and little brother, Jubilation

 are suddenly in a shelter and learning about life in a

hard way.  Summer reads to the children in the shelter

to pass the time and Early is on the hunt to find answers

 and people to help.  All the while, being bullied and torn over the grief of losing her father.  She dreams of

him, and hears his distant voice giving her clues to what happened.  The police are swiftly investigating her

father as if he was a criminal, when he has only worked for the library in the History and Social Science

section for years.  Her father loved his job and family.  But where did he go?  Where did that money come

 from?  Why is there rare diamonds on their floor?  Who broke in, trashed the house, took the money, and

what were they looking for in their peaceful home full of books and words? 

            This book is written with incredibly clear talent by Blue Balliett.  The poetry and metaphors woven throughout the chapters are as clever as verses and hymns sung in another time.  This author has a rhythm and symmetry in her word choice, which captures the reader’s imagination.  Hold Fast will be a cherished book; some may real aloud in class, or share in a literature circle.  Although this story may be for upper elementary students, the poetry and symbolism streams through the paragraphs like a rushing rapids.  Readers can take small parts from this story and build their own creative links if needed, because of the great quotes from Langston Hughes, the poems and classic stories along the way, are great hints for Early to finds the answers to why and what happened to her dad.

Myracle, L. (2013). The life of Ty-Penguin problems. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

            A ‘boy’ books that will make you realize its ok to have a heart and be helpful in this glorious world of ours.   This book will make boys giggle and maybe tear up if they get real close. Lauren Myracle has given readers Winnie Perry for girls and now this is her little brother’s first book.  Ty is a normal boy with big plans that make up his creative world and help him entertain others around him as well as himself. Ty is a schemer and tries to save and help other characters in the story. Ty visits the hospital for his friend, they discuss the mole on a nurse’s face and gum by the foot. Ty decides he won’t take a bath until his friend gets out of the hospital much to others dismay.  They make a pact and the adventure is on.  But each chapter is filled with funny actions of Ty and his thoughts and friends.  He tries to stay out of trouble but ya know sometimes that just follows certain people around.  Read this book to your little brothers but prepare to warn them of all the fun they will have and try not to giggle aloud.

Northrop, M. (2013) Rotten. New York:  Scholastic Press.

            This simple saga jumps out and grabs your heart as the boy falls in love with his abused new pet. Protagonist Jimmer, learns to be accepting of the mistakes we make in life and how he can grow by owning up to those mistakes in this book.  Jimmer has returned from a summer in “juvie” and no one knows why or where he has been. His mom has a new pet and he is a little bit scared of it since it is so big and mostly the dog is scared of him too.  But his friends are not the best and the dog knows it.  So when one trys to jump his fence the dog bites him and that leads Jimmer into more trouble once again. But will he tell where he has been and face the consequences or will his friends tell the truth?  Is he headed back to juvie? So the story of visiting his “aunt” is getting real old to his ‘besties’ that sooner or later, he knows he must tell someone the truth.  But what will that cost him and will that one girl ever look his way again if she knew.  When his new friend, the dog, gets into trouble will Jimmer risk it all to save a dog on death row, or will he just throw him away like everyone else has in the past.

Elementary Books for Trends in Literature

Elementary  books Trending for Literature Class

Collins, P. (2013). The deer watch. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

 This touching tale takes readers into the woods with a child’s hopes of finding a deer in the woods for the first time. He leaves the house on his adventure but is finding more than just a deer. He plays in the sand, a sailboat, and in the marsh grasses along the way to the woods. He found an egret and more around the water’s edge but no deer. Over the hill he came across some construction workers, who would have scared the deer away so dad walked further into the woods and the adventure continued into conservation land and wildflowers. He found some blueberries and listened to dad tell about seeing a silver fox in the meadow on the land. There were still no deer to be seen, so the journey continued. This father and son team meandered through the woods to find a deer, but along the way they learned a lot more. (picture from Amazon.com)

Cotton, C. (2013). The book boat’s in. New York: Holiday House.

 A historical fiction story of one boy’s hard work to get the book he really wants to read from the book boat that comes along the Erie Canal to his community each week, is what this book is about. It has very colorful photos of a young man hoping to buy The Swiss Family Robinson book from the boat, but he doesn't have enough money. This story is set in the 1800’s and after the Erie Canal was opened, these floating libraries brought books to communities that were miles from real towns. This boy found odd jobs to get his book and he worked hard. He was so hopeful, only to find the book had been sold the day before he made it back to the boat. So he had to find a solution or pick another book and this story shows what can happen after you work hard for something you really want, it makes you feel like you have really accomplished something when you achieve your goal. This book can begin a historical lesson about how things like building the Erie Canal did change the world.  (picture from Amazon.com)


 Fleischman, P. (2013). The matchbox diary. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

 This sweet historical fiction story is about a grandfather reading to his child. She picks a book and he reads to her, but this time she picks a box – a cigar box. In the box is a bunch of little boxes matchboxes and in each of those is a memory that the grandfather kept during his time coming to America, so he would remember his homeland of Italy. In one box, there was an olive pit, so he would remember the olives that grow all around his own grand mother’s home. This is a sweet, sweet tale of how to remember your youth and inspiring story to make readers want to make a memory. This book showed and interesting way to keep things that help us remember important times in our lives. (picture from Amazon.com)


 Kann, E. (2013) Emeraldalicious. New York: Harper Collins Books.

 This series of books attracts the extravagant girlies all over the world. If you like color this is color sparkles and a magic book that tells the story of how to make the world a beautiful place. Pinkalicious takes her brother Peter, to the park to play with their wand, they find things that just don’t belong in the park and figure out a way to clean it up. They make a magic wand that suddenly has power. It makes a throne of the trash and they make a shawl of flowers. Peter waved the wand and suddenly flowers bloomed around the trash. They recycled all the trash into useful things to play with, this then turned the park into the Emeraldalicious Garden for them to play in.  (picture from Amazon.com)



 Kennedy, C. (2013). Poems to learn by heart. New York: Disney Hyperion Books.

             

This is a collection of poems by Caroline Kennedy, combined with paintings by Jon J. Muth. There are poems for any occasion in this book. Poems about people to entertain you about, family, friendship and of course love. This book also has classic poems we all know and love, like Gettysburg Address and other great historical poems. There are poems about nature from William Shakespeare, Gwendolyn Brooks, and William Carlos Williams. You will find poems about war, and poems that cover sports and games. This book is a varied collection of poems that will help students see the value of great writing and ways to help children begin their own poems.
(picture from Amazon.com)



Konnecke, O. (2013). Anton and the battle. MN: Gecko Press.

           

Anton and his friend Luke are in a constant battle to be bigger, better, stronger, faster, taller, smarter, and more in this lively tale. The creative pictures help the reader understand the challenges that is laid before each character. Then a little dog comes along and changes things. Will Anton and his friend Luke make it away from the dog or will their brave front fall quickly away.

 Langreuter J. & Dahle, S. (2013). There’s no one I love like you. New York: North South Books.

            Brayden Bunny is not happy with all the rules around his home, so he treks out on his own and does he really want to be free? Would you leave all your love to get away from a few rules? Brayden says who needs it and takes off to find fun. But after a trying out friend after friend’s life, he notices some important parts missing. Would you be as brave as Brayden Bunny? Read this one to find out what is really important to Brayden or does he get lost in the adventure.
 (picture from Amazon.com)

 Markle, M. (2013). Brave girl, Clara and the shirtwaist makers’ strike of 1909. New York: Harper Collins Children’s Books.

 This is a wonderful history lesson for students studying strong women of America or immigrants and the changes they encountered. This book outlines an important historical moment for women and for America’s industrial times. In this story Clara, tells us how the women feel and how the men thought they were not strong enough to form a union and yet they did and rose above the harsh laws for women working in the shirt factories. She discusses how men felt women were not smart enough, how she urged girls to fight for their rights. When she forms a picket line, she was fired, and arrested over 17 times, and beat up with broken ribs, from time to time but she did not break her spirit. She still fought for her rights and led a huge strike when she spoke to the women in Yiddish. Suddenly everyone was on strike to change the laws for women in factories everywhere. This book teaches the lesson of stand up for what is right and keep trying.  (picture from Amazon.com)



 Rosenthal, A.& Lichteneheld, T.(2013). Exclamation Mark. New York: Scholastic Press.

Short and to the point! This play on words or rather play on punctuation helps readers understand the use of certain important parts of writing. This main character really lets you show your emotions in your work when you may be angry!, or Sad! Or loud even! This story helps you be what you are and not try to imitate other things that you may not be. So be strong and find your own punch!!








Staake, B. (2013). Bluebird. New York: Random House.

 This sweet wordless story is told by Bob Staake who is a famous illustrator. His story is of a little boy who is befriended by a sweet little blue bird one day. The bird follows the boy home from school and along the way they find a snack, a sign and a park. They soon run into some bullies to try to take a sail boat away from the boy, and the Blue bird intervenes, and when the mean boy throws a stick, it hits the sweet blue bird. Now the little boy is sad he has lost his friend and picks up the blue bird to try to save it, as he does this all other color of birds come and pick up the boy and allow him to place the bluebird into heaven where he belongs. This book teaches children to be kind to one another. (picture from Amazon.com)


 Willems, M.(2013). A big guy took my ball! New York: Hyperion Books.

 A small pig reports to a big elephant that the big guy took her ball. But even though, Gerald the elephant says that’s not right, a really big guy feels differently. This quaint quick tale helps us learn that being bigger isn't always better. You would have to learn why. This story will help readers adjust to sight words and cute characters that they can relate to because everyone has felt small once in their life. This story helps us relate to others and learn to be kind with any size of person even if we may be scared of them.
(picture from Amazon.com)

Willems, M. (2013). That is not a good idea. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

 A travesty has happened in this quick snappy book of warnings. The fox issues a challenge to the duck to go along with his plan and take a little walk, while the ducklings issue stern warnings about things that are NOT a good idea. The duck seems to be on her own mission and follows the sweet looking Fox into the forest and home to make some soup? This of course, makes the ducklings are all atwitter, about the recklessness of the duck. But by the end, the key ingredient of the soup has a great twist much to the ducklings’ amazement. Read this sweet story to share with friend’s to hear the great warnings and see if you can imply what could go wrong, but it is great to have a twist at the end of any story to entertain your readers too. (picture from Amazon.com)

IPads in the Classroom

I have iPads in the Classroom. Now What? from Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano

Summer Week 1 - Hey can we come learn too?

O.K. so we are supposed to be enjoying our time off - right sitting by the pool and sipping lemonade.  Right.  I am in the middle of technology wildness, running labs, and net-books all over campus for summer school - passing out passwords, fixing broken equipment, finding missing equipment but I keep hearing these little voices. Several students keep calling me or texting and saying, "Hey I am bored can I come to school too?"


I want to have a camp for kids in the summer.  Is this crazy?  How many kids would actually come just for something to do and a snack?   I, of course would have to have a sponsor, or a grant but I can find one of those sooner or later.  But just think, there are a lot of kids who want a place to learn, and enjoy school with their friends and feel safe at school.  They miss it when it is gone.

Why can't the libraries be open during the summer?  Do they have to have the books on the shelf sitting so lonesome?

Why can't we have a read a long program where some come to read to little ones?

Why can't we have Appy hour where kids explore apps for iPads for classrooms or to teach a friend something they learned this year, using the iPads.  We are just letting them sit in a box so no one notices we have them. ;o(

We talked about Robotics camp, I think the elementary may be doing that for a fee.

Clay-mation could even be a two week camp that kids can come and make fun creative clay-mation. Why not? The cameras are sitting in a box.

Video game shows that students make. Or for that matter Video tutorials that students make for other students.

The kids want to do stuff, why can't we let them in to do it?  We all complain about time - how we need more time, well now is the time to make a difference with a child.

The building is being  used already for summer school, we could have an enrichment series offered along side the summer school , the lunch room is making food for the community, the buses are running anyway.  Why couldn't kids come as they wanted to take part in project that will enrich their summer and not just sitting at home alone.

It is breaking my heart. But maybe I am a weird workaholic and others don't agree.

40 Educational Apps for iPads for kids. Pretty cool stuff here.

http://www.onlineclasses.org/2010/06/16/40-amazingly-educational-ipad-apps-for-kids/

Student Prezi on Sarah Dessen

http://prezi.com/vzqrpepni82l/untitled-prezi/

Digital Foot prints

I am going to Teach this - because I watch my students during the classes, pause and take silly goofy pictures of each other all day long. They need to know others are watching and their future may depend on their post, and communication they are think are private when they have not read the fine print.  Way cool lessons here:  Thanks for sharing.

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/04/a-great-guide-on-teaching-students.html

I shall have to follow this blog.

Peace Love and Learning - my new motto. 

http://mattbgomez.com/apps-we-use-in-kindergarten-2013-update/

This Tech Site list a ton of apps for elementary users and some great examples also.  Take your time here in if you are looking for great work.

10 Expectations of Schools From Students

This was posted on George Couros blog -The Principal of Change - He says:
Carolyn Cameron, one of the most open and progressive principals I have ever known (she was also my former boss), shared the following video regarding student expectations for school.  The first point was that it was important to build relationships and know students as individuals.  The nine other points are things that I really believe in, but it was great hearing it from a student perspective.

What are we reading this week?

This week I am reading, Who Owns the Learning by Alan November.


I must say anyone in education NEEDS to read this book!  Anyone who is in a classroom and asking students to take charge of their own learning is where we need to be.  This book will change the way I teach from now on.  I am marking every page and still not finished, I will probably have to make an entire notebook over it also.

Today I read for class - Trends in Literature
Brave Girl  - Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909. by Michelle Markel- historical picture book
The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman - sweet story of immigration
Poems to Learn by Heart collected by Caroline Kennedy
The Deer Watch by Pat Lowery Collins

I also finished an audio book on the way home from UIL this morning.
The One and Only Ivan - by Kathleen Applegate.

I cried, of course, as the smooth timber voice wove the story around me in the car.  Such a sweet tale that is actually based on a true gorilla.  I know in my heart that all my animals have these voices and stories inside them.  As a child, I knew this and my best friends were my animals in my barn.  So I will always connect to any animal story.

I finished a girl/romance book this week by one of my favorite authors,  Lisa Schroeder, she is a favorite because my students love her short easy romances with some little twinge of truth and trouble in them.
Her latest is Falling for you.





Last week I finished this great Guy Read - Rotten.  This story is quick to read and fall into because Jimmer has just returned from juvie and he is trying to stay out of trouble, and yet his mom's new dog lead him right back into a big mess.  Jimmer becomes friends with the dog and tries to save him but who knows if he will or  not.




That is it for this week.  But I went to the library today to find some more great titles waiting for me.  YIPPEE.  What are you Reading??

So this week was enlightening by a video of a student shown on the news, telling a teacher, "We are tired of these packets you give us, why can't you stand up and teach us, and not just hand us another packet."   As I watched I thought - YES more students need to stand up and say this. NO to packets of work that a teacher doesn't even explain.  Well then one of my own students asked me about it and I said  yes I had seen the video and I agree, more people need to take ownership of their learning and demand a different way.  So the student says to me, "we (as in kids in my classes) decided we should not do packets in your room anymore also."   To which I was shocked.  This is something that really bothers me, yes for prep for testing I give packets that directly discuss the skill and I teach a mini lesson on the packet before or as we are reading it.  I don't just hand it to them.  But I really really really want to be that teacher that does not use packets.  So how to do that?  I am reading - Who Owns the Learning?  By Alan November and he has a way to hand the reins over to the student.  So when I saw this picture today I thought, yes, lets follow their lead and let them learn like they would like.  So for the next 4 weeks in my classroom - No more packets.  I find good samples in good mentor text, and I ask them to find answers to the questions posted in the room. I ask them to become the scribes and notetakers to post on the blog, and I turn the learning over to them.

What I need to do this is a list of questions?

Infographic for IPads

iPad as Teachers Pet by Tony Vincent

A friend of mine told me about a school where friends of his, host appy hour for teachers with ipads and apps in the classroom.  How fun would that be in the library after school say once a month.  Appy Hour with some punch or something refreshing, lemonade, or coffee.  I am going to work on this for next year and see what happens with more and more people adding ipads to their classrooms.  This Scoop it. was incredible too.  Will be spending  days here -http://www.scoop.it/t/appy-hour-with-apps-to-rock-your-edtech-world

It has tons of stuff about appy hours and great apps.

Then I got lost and came across an old friend from Teaching like it is 2999's blog Ms. Magiera. Wow!  Check this out. Awesome Article from Education Week Teachers - http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/01/25/tln_magiera1.html?tkn=QORD11FsJxrxiKUl1%2FvOUnVr9dq%2Bie3Pg2Zq&intc=es

Displays in Library

This last month I made two displays for our library.  It was fun.  I made a READBOX that I found from Pinterest  Such a cute idea, I thank Naomi Bates for posting great ideas.  So my READBOX featured the top ten of books checked out recently, students could then see what everyone likes.  I just found a big box covered it with red paper and cut letter from my Cricket to make it look like one.  I used a color copier to feature some books and then I used a revolving picture frame to honor the top ten titles.  Students started conversations about the books from this, which of course was my goal.

Many asked for books featured on the screen.

This is my MUSTACHE display - actually it was in a window but for testing I had to take it down so I snapped a picture before moving it out of the window.  This was for April National Poetry Month and I added several books on poetry to its display and asked if students have read some poetry.  It caused as stir as many wanted a mustache - I gave out the mustaches as they checked out a book on poetry.  Perfect Fun for a book mark and SMILING with their Friends!!

TLA - Newbie View

Oh HOLY COW - I walked past Lois Lowery in person and wondered why everyone was taking photos of this sweet looking little lady.  NOW I know.  Wow!  I must thank TLA people who put the conference together because it was outstanding.  I was very impressed with the speakers and the caliber of authors attending was just shocking   I almost fell over Saturday morning when I saw Libba Bray just walking through the booths.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME!  I just missed her time for signing books. But how awesome is that.

I loved my sessions over YA Lit book battles by Dr. Lesesne and Dr. Rosemary Chance from Sam Houston State University.  My TBR list is now taller than I am, which is TALL!  I really learned a lot in the AASL Winning Websites for education. I can't wait to share those great ideas with my teachers at my school. Then the Scholastic Breakfast was awesome with my friends from Everman ISD and Susan Geye. The even served mimosa and bloody marys - unlike any Gifted & Talented conference breakfast.  Seeing Ann Martin just get up and read to us was very neat.  I always picture authors as these great individuals sitting at their typewriters or lunching with an editor as if life was so easy.  But they were just there in real life sharing ideas with us like old friends.  How cool.  So exciting.

I also am thrilled to have all the great books the publishing companies kept handing me, how cool is that.  All this great knowledge under one roof and free books... it was like Christmas for me so much I forgot food one day.  (That says a lot for those of you that know me) But I can say, I may have to attend every year. Then I turned around and Neil Gaimen is speaking Saturday.  Wow.  Who cares about sleeping late, lets go...;o) Here is a pic of the pile of books I have collected. And way cool posters about reading and of course I had to have a Keep Calm and READ on shirt just to bother my teen son who has the CHIVE sign on his Jeep. ;o)

http://ipadapps4school.com/  Super for ipads in school - you may need some of this info some day. Check him out. He is also cool on Twitter.

I just finished the book Period 8 by Chris Crutcher.  I would give this book 5 stars, I will be able to book talk it to my students who will want to know what exactly happens and why but I shall just lead them along... they will beg for extra copies which I don't have.   However maybe I will make a book trailer for it for my class.

Chris Crutcher has written many books that really entrance boys, or reluctant readers. He normally has a protagonist that is involved in some kind of sport, not necessarily a team sport.  He has strong male leads that discuss difficulties with family and relationships.This story even has a mystery going on around the period 8 where students meet each day for lunch to discuss problems but someone is lying and sooner or later someone will figure that out.

So happy with my readbox for my class, I am going to list pictures from the new releases for the front screen so students can see what they may want to check out. It will promote new books and add visual interest to the library.  I will take more photos when I have it set up in there Monday.

 It has been a reading busy weekend. Off to work.