I'm celebrating slowing down and marvelous books. Thanks Ruth for organizing our celebrations I enjoy spending Saturday mornings reading the wide variety of them. We completed our first week back and it was nice to slow down and ease in.
CELEBRATION #1 We spent time talking about our holiday break. I always encourage my students to share one favorite event and as usual it led to two, three, four and five favorites. The intriguing thing is that as I listened I learned about vacations, family, fears and new little puppies.
CELEBRATION #2 My students were sharing about their reading over holiday break. Several students shared amazing book talks and several Newbery Club members read 2-3 books. Announcing Bailey's winner A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen. Won't that be a huge celebration if it wins on Monday morning?
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| Our winner for Newbery Club |
CELEBRATION #3 I chose not to start a new chapter read aloud this week. You know that HUGE pile of picture books that you love and purchased but haven't had the chance to share YET. Well this week that's exactly what I did I shared my favorite new picture books. If you haven't read them I would encourage you to check these out of the library.
- Energy Island
- The Boy Who Loved Math
- A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin
- The Most Magnificent Thing
- Thank You, Mr. Falker Every time I read it aloud I get choked up. I have an autographed copy. I shared about when Patricia Polacco came to our school for an author visit. She brought a piece of meteorite and allowed every student and teacher to touch it and make a wish. My wish came true :) What an honor to share one of my favorite books with my students.
Did you slow down or read a great book? It was a wonderful first week back.
Holidays are special times, Maria, to celebrate all that is wonderful in life. Memories flow and new ones are made. Taking time to have students' talk about their holiday allowed you a teachable moment. Great!
ReplyDeleteIt's like driving your teenagers around. They forget your there and you learn all kind of secrets.
DeleteI LOVE The Night Divided!!! I'd love for it to win the Newbery!!! Awesome choice!
ReplyDeleteAnd even better yet I tweeted it out last night and Jennifer (the author) tweeted back and we "talked" a few minutes. Can't wait to show my class Monday morning.
DeleteGreat celebrations and yes- reading aloud picture books is so satisfying- for us and our students. I love your list.
ReplyDeleteThanks it wasn't easy to choose I had a rather large pile :))
DeleteI loved A Night Divided, too, so hoping for it to be recognized in some way! Wonderful that you shared picture books. I've shared so many, even with older students who delight in hearing them. Happy week back, Maria.
ReplyDeleteYour week back sounds as a wonderful sharing week. We will start school on Monday. We are in the middle of Family Stories unit. I have 'The Summer My Father Was Ten' waiting to be read aloud.
ReplyDeleteWe're reading Energy Island on Monday, can't wait. Thank You Mr. Falker begins our school year...and yes, I cry, too...every time!
ReplyDeleteI really love reading and so have adored our Mock Caldecott and Pura Belpre units. They allowed for lots of picture book sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Night Divided - I am currently reading this to my family! LOVE this title. And The Boy Who Loved Math - well, this is one of my favourite all time nonfiction books!
ReplyDeleteI read "A Night Divided" over break too and loved it! I have a German exchange student staying with me this year and now she has picked it up and is enjoying it as well. Great celebrations this week!
ReplyDeleteNeed to request A Night Divided. I've heard so many good things about it. Love that you eased back into your week. I heard Patricia Polacco speak at The National Book Festival, a few years back. It's a treasured memory!
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