Saturday, May 20, 2017

Celebrating: Last Week of School

We just completed our last full week of school. Celebrations were abundant this week as we started to close out our fifth grade year together. The highlight for me was taking down all the book covers from the books we read this year.  As one of the students took them down and matched them with the books, there was a constant buzz in the classroom.  Conversations including “I remember” “That was my favorite” “I heard that story before, but I loved hearing it again” 

Thanks H. for always helping me and making strong decisions. 
I celebrate books!  A core value of my teaching is that I will read with my students everyday.  Posting the covers on the wall for my readers to refer to all year helps create a culture of readers.  I believe picture books need to be read K-12. The power of picture books open windows for all students. Allowing every student to see themselves in the books I have read this year is another core value for me. 


I celebrate summer reading!  Starting next Friday, I will be sitting on our new screen porch and starting to explore my TBR pile.  Life is going to quiet down, and I’m ready for summer. Honestly I am more than ready for summer.  Plus there will be more time for blogging, reflecting and savoring my time with #virtualPLN.  Oh did I mention gardening, walking, traveling and spending time with my family.

Every Saturday morning, I always read something that helps me breath deeper and reminds me of the importance of having a virtual community of learners. Thank you Ruth for encouraging us to celebrate every week. 

20 comments:

  1. Our last day is June 9th. I am ready! Congrats on making it to the end. I love the pics and memories of books read this year. Reflecting on what's been accomplished is an important part of closing out a year. Certainly something to celebrate!

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    1. Reflecting is one of my favorite parts of learning. I'm constantly thinking about what worked and what can be changed.

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  2. We end this week too and Friday will be my first day of a new season. I love the thoughts your students shared around books and how they have your enthusiasm!

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    1. I love the idea of a "new season" one in which the time slows down a bit and I can make different choices during the week. I hope our paths cross this summer.

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  3. I love that you post the books' memories with the covers all year, Maria. It must be awesome to see and become nostalgic over a favorite book. Have a lovely final few days!

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    1. Books are like presents that keep giving. I am anxious for our final 4 days as we prepare to close out our year together.

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  4. It's great that book celebration doesn't end with a school year but continues straight into summer.

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    1. Books are celebrating 365 days a year in my opinion :)

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  5. We are at the end, too. The end can be a good time to reflect on what the year has meant. I feel like it flew by!

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    1. I hope you have a wonderful last few days of the year. Thanks for always supporting my writing.

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  6. So happy for those core values that make you the educator that you are! Reading with students every day and looking forward to tackling your own TBR stack this summer. Those are the things that matter. Happy end of year!

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    1. Thanks Ramona - I am anxious as our last week together is coming quickly.

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  7. I'm so envious of your screened porch... Love your book covers on the wall... and totally agree with you that picture books are the best.

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    1. LOVE my screen porch. Last summer we were building this summer we are using. I like this end of the process much better.

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  8. We celebrate the same thing this week. I will be joining you on Friday, celebrating another school year gone by. Enjoy these last few days.

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    1. Congrats Leigh Anne on your final days. It's fun to think about what lies ahead for us this summer. Hopefully several celebrations to share with friends.

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  9. Enjoy those last few days, my friend! I am imagining you on your new porch, with a glass of something delicious and cool in one hand and a great book in the other. Heaven!

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    1. Thanks Tara! I am breathing deeply and trying to take it all in as I close the door on year 29. My porch will be favorite place of summer I am sure. The quietness and calmness are a perfect combination for me. Hugs as you continue on your journey with your students.

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  10. We're packing up my books too. I have no porch, but I'm too am looking forward to lots of reading time this summer!

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  11. Time to get to the TBR stack, that's a celebration, for sure!

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