Building Community

Today will be our third day of school. This year once again the first day of school was different.  I totally over planned so much that I will continue Wednesday plans today.   Each new group of fifth graders (remembering really they are still fourth graders) take on their own personality even on day one.  I almost view that as a mystery that I will need to unpack as the days move forward. 

The only thing that was similar to last year was that we built bridges with marshmallows and toothpicks.  I divided the students into 4 groups and asked them to build a bridge that would support books.  We used Clementine books which was interesting because one student told me that was her favorite book in 4th grade so I learned a little more about her reading life. 

After 20 minutes, I asked the students to discuss their strategies that they used for building their bridge.  Some the responses included:

-We had to stop and listen to each other.
-I had to slow down because the toothpicks were getting too sticky.
-We needed to cooperate.
-We took a bunch of strategies and put them all together.
-We needed to know the end result and work backwards.

After this conversation and charting their thoughts,  we talked about how these ideas will be our class rules "motto" this year. I asked them to remember the feeling of accomplishment as well as the hard work it took to build the bridge. We then  placed the books on the bridges.  The goal was one book-all four bridges held 2-4 books.  It's going to be a great year!! 

ARC: Birthday Bunny revised to Battle Bunny

I am so excited to be sharing my new ARC by Jon Scieska and Mac Barnett.  Illustrations by Matthew Myers. When I walked into Fundamentals the day before school started, I felt like I was given a welcome back to school present as I was handed: Birthday Bunny retitled Battle Bunny.  I was very confused by the cover but once I opened and looked inside, I was shocked by the creativity. I instantly fell in love with this thoughtful detailed story.  

As I read the first story: Birthday Bunny it is an excellent story with a twist that hooked me.  But when I read the revisions of the story entitled:  Battle Bunny I was even more hooked. As much for the story, but even more for the opportunities to use this as a mentor text for real world revision.  Scieska and Barnett are brilliant writers and the chance to see their thinking is a rare opportunity. There are mini lessons woven throughout the story.  Even with the changes including revisions to the illustrations I was amazed at the story. 

I had never considered the idea of purchasing old books at garage sales allowing students to try these revision strategies.  Can you imagine allowing students the chance to rewrite a story? Revision strategies could include changing vocabulary, building stronger details along with changing the plot structure. Actually the revision strategies are endless!!! Check out the ages…..due to be released October 22.

  

Slice of Life: Summer Doesn't Mean Stop

The Tuesday Slice of Life Writing Community is hosted by Stacey and Ruth at 

Two Writing Teachers 

School starts Thursday and as I protect my last two days of summer for checking a few more things off my to do list, I realize that summer does not have to stop. Yes by the dates on the calendar but not the parts that have enhanced my life and helped me grow professionally.  

I have had several learning experiences this summer that have allowed me to have conversations that will carry over into my classroom. Conversations beyond the three types of required writing. Now my focus will be on smaller pieces of writing and continuing to collect stronger mentor texts.  Thinking not about the parts of a persuasive piece but how to allow my students a wider audience for their pieces. I have created a class website in addition to a class twitter account (@228bes) which will "break down the walls." Other conversations involved time both in and out of school. In class, I must allow that additional time for deep conversations although the LP book says shift gears to science. 

Summer is about BIG ideas and time to think. So why can't BIG thinking continue into the new school year? During our Choice Literacy writing retreat, we discussed habits. A huge part of habits include how we use our time. One of our mentor text that we were given is The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen, I wrote these two quotes down as my "cues" as the school year starts.

 "I can also tell you your relationship with time is far more subjective that you might imagine." 

"Once you become conscious that your relationship with time is not something that happens to you but a dynamic orchestrated by you through dozens of large and small choices you make every day." 

Ever since we became empty nesters, my morning routine has been stagnant with no thought required. I now will read my new "cues" which will help me set my new routine. In addition my "rewards" will encourage me not to give up on my routine. My husband says I have opened my box and allowed new opportunities to be methodically planned. He is absolutely correct in order to change old patterns, I have to create new ones. 

As I start my 26th year of teaching, I have realized more than ever education is changing, I need to continue my summer conversations so that the energy of summer flows into the new school year. My summer colleagues is a community that I want to continue and connect with throughout the school year.  Just because summer is over, it doesn't mean to stop thinking BIG. It just means the transition of new routines and integrating them into the new school year. 

Remembering to locate those special writing places in our lives.
My morning view.

10 for 10 Picture Books

I teach 5th grade, and I LOVE picture books! All of these books are "new" to me as I searched the "new" shelf at our little country library. Although not all 2013 release dates, they will all be integrated into my class this year. 

#1 The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt I heard about this book on twitter, previewed it at the library, and it was on my MUST have list.  It is a perfect mentor text for reading (character and voice) and writing (description and visuals). Icing on the cake Drew tweeted back to me so I will start with sharing that tweet with my class!!

#2 Because Ameila Smiled by David Ezra Stein Loved the cover and after reading the simple story about paying it forward I knew it would be perfect for social studies because the giving inspires people from all around the world.  I found a fun book trailer too!

#3 Do You Have a Hat? by Eileen Spinelli again drawn to the bright orange cover and illustrations. As I searched this book, I realized it was published in 2004 must have been misplaced on the shelf. How lucky for me because I had missed it? This is perfect for non fiction text features with mini biographies about each person along with a fun description of their extraordinary hats. 

#4 The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman I learned about the next two books from Tara @A Teaching Life  She hooked me with her preview "I'm setting this book aside as a mentor text idea for our memoir unit next year - especially when we discuss how items we cherish are wonderful storehouses for memoir ideas."


#5 Louisa May's Battle by Kathaleen Krull. Tara shared about the book which I enjoyed learning more about the Civil War and how it lead to one of my favorite books: Little Women.  But the hook for me was "There is also a marvelous website that Hughes has created just for this book - with maps, background information and videos of herself explaining the writing process, and how this story was one she was just waiting for the right time to tell."

 #6 A Strange Place to Call Home by Marilyn Singer I am always on a hunt for poetry books to hook my students.  This is just the bait needed to bring them into an intriguing book about 14 animals that find their habitats in the most unusual and sometimes scary locations. Perfect for students writing their own poetry during our Life Science unit.

#7 Look Up! Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer by Robert Burleigh is a nonfiction PB that I will be adding to my shelf for several reasons. As a mentor text for science discussing the experimental process,  theme of perseverance, and finally how women's jobs have changed over time (SS=timelines). Here is a video that shares her history and connections with science.   

#8 exclamation mark by Amy Kouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld.  Excited to add this to my writing basket and using it for mini lessons including synonyms for confused and great prompt for WNB. But the first time I will share this book will be in the first week of school when we are building our class community by watching this video and will continue to use the book throughout the year.

#9 Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon. As I sat on the floor in the library reading the book,  I realized the WHO is the important word in the title. The global perspective is important along with the community working towards one goal making cookies.  I think we might be baking this day or at least be eating cookies.

#10 Inside Outside by Lizi Boyd  LOVED this wordless, cut out picture book.  Check out this video.  It is so much fun to see how the next cut out changes the next picture and helps the reader to understand the story.  Already thinking about how to use this in writer's workshop with allowing students to cut out a part of their illustration to add dimensions to their story. 

Thanks to Mandy Robek @ Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Cathy Mere
@ Reflect and Refine for hosting this #pb10for10 event. LOVE 8-10-13 for encouraging all of us to share so many amazing books-a day spent in picture book heaven.

Adding a Twist to Book Talks

-->

There is nothing that makes me happier than when I am sitting at a conference, and I think to myself, "Why didn't I think of that?"  I love when that happens because the idea sticks with me, and I can instantly brainstorm how to begin using the light bulb moment.  My moment came at #Allwrite13 as I was listening to Jeff Anderson speak and his session was entitled WRITING WORD SHOP: integrating vocabulary throughout the day.  He is the author of 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know.  Excellent resource book that I refer back to throughout the school year to guide my writing practices.

He began his session with reading aloud the summary of the chapter book: Three Times Lucky.  I instantly recognized the story, and he asked us to turn and talk: What do you notice about the text?  Then he showed us the summary using the Elmo, and he continued the conversation asking us to list the powerful verbs in our notebook.  Finally and my moment when I literally said to Sarah, "Why hadn't I though of this?"  He did a mini book talk about what an amazing story it is and if you hadn't read the book-there it was a book talk all rolled into a vocabulary lesson.  What power instead of "book talking" using the summary as a mini lesson and turning around and passing the book to a student for their next JR book to preview. 

He extended the lesson by asking us to build a 4 block and asked us to sort the summary into 4 categories, and he did not give the categories to us.  After several minutes, he listed the different sorts. Again, what power in a class coming together to share their thinking about vocabulary.  In a classroom, I can envision doing this activity with our first read aloud-asking students to do the same activity. Sharing with them the process and then reading the story to them.  Once I have modeled WRITING WORD SHOP, I will pass the book on to a student and let them decided if they want to read it.

I am constantly searching for ways to save time and make vocabulary lessons powerful! Eureka I have found it!! 

On a side note, I have no idea why I am starting to get arrows in my post. Notice the one above-any suggestions on how to correct this?

WONDERing Back into School

Most of my summer was spent reading and thinking about technology and math.  The first part was easy for me because I had a huge pile of books TBR.  I was very fortunate to receive some excellent ARCS from my friend Tammy a few weeks ago so that topped off my summer by reading Counting by 7’s which is at the top of my list. Last week, I turned the corner and started focusing on literacy.  I spent several hours going through binders of information that I had collected and really had not looked at much last year.  I started wondering what do I need and want to transfer to the new school year. Finally after looking through hand written notes, typed written notes (yes from a typewriter) and I even still had a few ditto pages.  I decided I need to start perging.  What was interesting to me as I read through several years of information the BIG ideas are still the same. 
-->

*Building a community at the start of the year is crucial

*Knowing our students as readers/writers is mandatory.
*Students need choice in their reading and need time for reading.

*In order to write, you must be a reader.

*Words are everywhere and it is important to show relationships throughout the day.

Those big ideas carried right into my thinking today.  I started looking through past wonders that I have used in addition to searching for new ones.  Once again with the new grade level/common core pull down I was able to choose several wonders to begin  the school year.  Leave me a comment and let me know which wonders you will choose to share in your classroom.

Click on Explore Wonders on the left side.

Building Bridges:  First day of school wonder #236 How Long is the Longest Bridge?

Reading Workshop:  #889 What is a Genre?  #254 Why Don't All Books Have Pictures

Poetry Friday:  #575 What is a Poetry Slam? 

Math:  #224:  How Many is a Google?  perfect for Number Sense

Writing Workshop: #761  Can a Word Be Both a Noun and a Verb?  
Word Study:  #821 What is a Metaphor?  #702  Are You Sly as a Fox?

Liebster Award

 Yesterday I received a tweet from Holly at Reading, Teaching and Learning nominating me for the Liebster Award.  I had been reading a few other blogs that had been nominated, so I was excited when she nominated my blog.  This award is given to "up and coming" bloggers who have less than 200 followers. (I will be breaking this rule because I have no idea how many for some of them) Nominations come from other bloggers, and as I have constantly said without support from other bloggers I would not be where I am today. Thank you Holly for reading my blog and for this nomination.

Rules for participating in this blog award are as follows:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me. 
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers. 
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator.
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself. 
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees. 
6. Contact your nominees by commenting on their blog or sending them an email to communicate the nomination.

1.  If you could invite any three authors or illustrators to dinner, who would they be?
a) I wish I could have met Carolyn Haywood because I went to the library every Saturday to choose a new book in the series. My favorite was B is for Betsy.

b) Again I wish I could have met Laura Ingalls Wilder:  I loved the whole series; I read every one of them at least twice.  We live in the country now, and I am pretty sure I started dreaming about it back when I read Little House on the Prairie.

c) Chris Lehman and Troy Hicks would be my final two although now it is 4 :) Both of these authors have shifted my thinking and helped me realize the importance of 21^st Century skills.

2.  If you were stranded on a desert island, what luxury item would you want with you?

I think I would have to bring my iPad because I would have my books, journaling, and music all on one device.  However, after the battery dies out I would be in big trouble. Hopefully I would be rescued soon.

3.  What is one important thing you learned in the past year?

How important the word “yet” can be at the end of a sentence. I heard this at a conference, and I am working diligently on adding it to several of my BIG ideas.

4.  What is the number one thing on your bucket list?

WOW that is a difficult question because I always think of my list as my future goals so I hope to achieve them.  Right now my selfish goal is to go to Ochos Rios Jamaica.

5.  What are some of your professional goals?

Continue growing (again) with technology in my classroom. Start breaking down the walls and opening conversations beyond Room 228. 

6.  Who or what makes you laugh?

I am blessed because my husband is funny and always knows when I need to laugh at home. My teaching partner, Sarah, and I laugh constantly at school and that makes life fun.

7.  If you had to write a personal motto or mission statement, what would it be?

My mom taught me when I was little and away from home to "always look at the moon because we are looking at the same one"  I have taught our children, so no matter where we are - we're all looking at the same moon.

8.  If you were allowed to talk about only one book for the next month, what would it be?

For school, it would be How to Steal a Dog. The lessons learned and the importance of family is one of my all time favorite books!!  Thanks Barbara O'Connor.

My personal book same kind of different As me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. This was a "life changing" book for me so many important ideas to consider.

9.  What is the one T.V show you can't miss?

CBS Sunday Morning

10.  Where do you want to be in 15 years?

I will be retired, spending time with our children (possibly grandchildren) and enjoying time with my husband.

11.  What was your proudest moment?

The day I married my best friend and today is our 28 anniversary.  The day our two children were born.  It’s all about family for me.

Taken this summer in Charleston, South Carolina

Random 11 facts:

1.  I love to take photos of flowers and unique architecture especially older buildings.

2.  My first teaching job was as a Special Ed. teacher in St. Louis.

3.  I've been to Boston 10 times with 50 soon to be sixth graders. 

4.  We have had horses, pigs, and cows on our farm. Several adorable kittens and our dog's name is Ringo after the Beatles.

5.  I don't like hot days.

6.  I love The Ohio State Buckeyes. 

7.   After I retire from teaching, I might want to work at Hallmark.

8.  I am excited for new opportunities presented this summer (NCFL and CL)

9.  I am a country girl that goes to the city to work.

10.  Our driveway is almost a mile long.

Here are my 11 questions, can’t wait to read your answers.

1.  Where is your favorite place to write?

2.  If you could have a second career what would you do?

3.  Describe a perfect Saturday morning.

4.  What is your favorite sport?

5.  If you could call anyone and talk to them, who would you call?

6.  Where would you like to visit if you could travel anywhere in the world?

7.  What book do you read aloud to your class every year?

8.  What is one secret that we don't know about your classroom?

9.  Would you rather be near the ocean or near the mountains?

10. What is the best advice you would give to a new teacher in your building?

11.  What is your favorite candy bar?

Excited to read your responses:

Barbara @  Wondering Through 2012 and Beyond

Tara @ A Teaching Life
Melissa @  Figuring Out How the Pieces Fit Together
Tracy @ Thinking Stems

Paul @ Mr. Hankins is Reading and Writing Kentuckiana