It's Monday Here's What I'm Reading: Newbery Edition

One of the three areas that I am committing to for my blog is sharing more of my reading life. This is so much easier in the summer when I read almost everyday and prepare for Newbery Club 2019 when school starts in August. It's quite the challenge to read as many possible winners and record my thinking in my reader's notebook.

The pile on the left is my completed and on the right is my TBR pile. I take days off to read picture books which I will share in another Monday post. You know that feeling when you're finished with a book and you rate it 5/5 stars on Goodreads and then you read the next one and it's 5/5 stars. That's the feeling I'm having this summer. I would have difficult time choosing my favorite of the summer. It's like ice cream they all have individual tastes but put them all together and you have a perfect summer reading list. Now I would suggest going to get a favorite scoop of ice cream and enjoy a great book. Let me know your favorite book of the summer or ice cream flavor.

Complements of Google Images

Three Celebrations

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? 

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.  

Out of the Mouth of 5th Graders

We just completed our first full month of individual reading goals. As I read their reflections, I just stopped and started copying their thoughts onto my iPad.  These ideas are the #1 reason I continue to teach with workshop and allow students to choose their own reading goals. I am so proud of every student for their growth and perspective. 

I've been expanding my vocabulary with my word notebook, and it’s helped me to understand the book more.

I can read simple text very fluently. 

I am choosing JR books better and previewing now. 

I have improved a lot and even reading more genres. 

Status makes me more organized and has helped me push my reading.  

I am very focused in my book and I did not like reading before 5th grade.  Goals have helped me stay and enjoy in Newbery Club. 

When I got my word notebook, I collected 5 words and I used them in my narrative. I used all 5 words in one day in my writing. Instead of playing video games at home I am reading my book. (love this one)

I've started to read other genres, which I have not tried, and now I am reading nonfiction. 

I have read so much more than in 4th grade.  

I have kept up with hard, high reading levels in Newbery Club.

I have already achieved more goals this year than 4th grade. (it's only Nov. 1)

I now know because of my word notebook that vocabulary, reading, and writing are all connected.  PRICELESS! 

OLW: October Gratitude

Yesterday was one of those special days.  It started at 8:00 AM, fifty minutes before students typically arrive at school. Bill (librarian), Margaret (kindergarten teacher) and I met with Newbery Club. This year we have 17 students who are all reading at least 2 books for each club meeting. Today the top winners included:  Counting by 7’s, Center of Everything, The Mouse with a Question Mark Tail.  The conversation began with how all of these stories were very confusing and several students struggled when they started these books. After listening, the three of us supported them by explaining that higher-level text can flow back and forth with setting, flashbacks for characters and the importance of tracking their reading. By the end of club, the conversation shifted and students were using stronger examples from the text.  You can’t begin to appreciate a group of boys and girls who love to read and more importantly enjoy having a conversation with their peers and teachers. Off we sent them with their new list for the next two weeks. Of course, I had already had a three of the books on the next list to book talk.

Excited to see so many ideas for exploring vocabulary. Love the illustrations

Later in the day, when I was tired and feeling frustrated, two students asked if they could talk to me.  I asked them to join me at the round table for a conversation and they arrived with a smile. When they sat down, they wanted to tell me how much they love their word notebook.  Both students have never collected vocabulary words, and they just wanted to thank me for having a basket of fun word notebooks to choose from and more importantly for encouraging them to start their own word notebook. By the way, these two special memories were not in my lesson plans for yesterday.

Set up to support Newbery Club and reading Navigating Early

A GREAT Day for Being a Teacher!

Today was one of those days where I felt so thankful for choosing the BEST profession in the world.  To start my day, I was doing my lunch count, and found on my desk the envelope below with the attached letter.  I opened up the letter and almost fell over as I read it.  Kathleen is a first grader in our math buddy class, and her big brother is in my class. I saw her last Thursday in the hall and told her that her brother had some fun homework tonight and if she wanted to try it with him and write me a note I would have a surprise for her.  The homework assignment was to build packages and predict how many cubes would fit in each one?  WOW, her first grade response was better than most of  fifth graders. (Don't you love the Hello Kitty and heart stickers?) 

Next, I turned on my Smartboard at ll:00 to watch the Newbery announcements and although we were not listening to it we got to watch the slides of the books that won.  As the BIG winner got closer, we gathered as I stood next to two members of our Newbery club. We cheered because they had read at least one of the honor books.  I had read two out of three, and I also had a huge smile on my face.  

Finally the BIG event and turned up the sound, and the three of us screamed so loudly that a teacher next door came over to check on us.  Then I had a student "run" down the hall to tell the other Newbery members. 

  To celebrate we (Bill and I) invited the Newbery Club to lunch in the library so that the whole club could celebrate!  All the students brought their lunch, and we just talked about books especially the ones that won! We had 3 members who chose One and Only Ivan as their #1 book.  

What a GREAT day to be a teacher!!!