HAPPINESS IS WATERMELON SHAPED!: It's Monday! What are you reading? link-up

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? You are important! 12/9/24

Hello everyone! Today I'm linking up with Unleashing Readers for:

Here's an idea for any time in the winter: The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown.

After reading the book, you can have the kids write their own important book, using the same format as the book. Here's the link to this free and fun activity:

The Important Book Winter Poetry Project.

Another book that could be read at any time is:

Meet The Dogs of Bedlam Farm by Jon Katz.

Check out these four working dogs on the cover! I used to have a black lab mix years ago so this book was a magnet for me!

In this story, these farm dogs learn how to get along with each other despite their differences. Now that's certainly an important skill! I love how this book has photographs and teaches a lesson at the same time.

At home, I'm currently reading Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. I'm enjoying the book very much.

Have you read any of these books? Please let me know in the comments!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Panda Kindergarten!

Happy Veterans' Day! Today I'm linking up with Unleashing Reading for:

Here is some BIG news for 2025!

At the Smithsonian National Zoo:

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are here! Starting in January 2025, you can visit the new bear pair in their renovated habitat on Asia Trail.

One time I needed a book to read so I peeked in my Trait Crate (3rd grade version) and found a book called - Panda Kindergarten by Joanne Ryder:

This non-fiction books tells about a place in China that takes special care of panda moms and their cubs. Panda moms care only care for one cub so if there are twins, one gets ignored. Not at this place - the special people take care of the other panda while the mom tends to the other cub. Then the people switch the cubs so that they both get what they need from the mom. When the pandas are old enough, they go to kindergarten where they get to play outside on equipment; they even have rest time! My students were crazy for this book! Now they all want a turn to take it home. You know it's a winner when that happens.

Now that the pandas are coming back, it's a perfect time to read this fun book!

Another professional book that I have found extremely useful is Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller. There is even a second addition!

This book gives ideas for reading mini-lessons and lists of books to use to teach reading strategies such as how to better understand what you read; using prior knowledge; etc. I have found this book to be very helpful.

As always, thank you for visiting and have a great week!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? October 28, 2024

Today I'm linking up with Unleashing Reading for their weekly link-up:

Now that I am retired, I want to keep up with what's current in children's literature. Reading books to my students was always one of the highlights of my days!

Fun Chapter Book for Elementary Students!

This week I am excited to share a great series by author Judy Blume:

In this easy to relate to series, two siblings - the Pain and the Great One - encounter every day scenarios that the author makes fun and educational. My students loved when the Pain put a pussy willow bud up his nose. He ended up in the ER where the doctor passed on an important lesson. If you're looking for an entertaining read aloud, check out any book in this series.

Perfect Veteran's Day Picture Book:

I recently read The Women by Kristin Hannah so the Vietnam War is fresh in my mind. The Wall by Eve Bunting is a touching story of finding soldiers name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. I remember how powerful the traveling wall was for me so I enjoy sharing this book with my students. The Wall is a touching and memorable book that is perfect to read around Veterans Day.

In my personal life, I am currently reading and loving this suspenseful book:

The God of the Woods keeps me up reading at night. The book is about a young teenager who goes missing at her summer camp. Of course, I want to know what happens! If you're looking for a book that will keep you excited to keep reading, this is a book for you!

Thank you checking in! I hope you learn about some books you would like to check out!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? = Link-Up!

Today I'm linking up with Unleashing Readers for:

Life in the Wild Series by Nicholas Oldland

Due to a family health situation, I retired last June. When I left, I took these books by Nicholas Oldland with me:

These books are entertaining and wry. The author uses a lot of figurative language which I love. Every year on the third grade MCAS, there were questions about figurative language, and these books give an excellent opportunity to introduce and reinforce this concept in a fun way.

Click here to hear Hockey in the Wild read by me on my Youtube channel!

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dagliesh

I fell in love with this "based on real life story" the first time I read it, and I made sure to read every November when I was teaching. Sarah is an 8 year old girl who travels through the woods of Massachusetts and Connecticut to help her father build the family's new home. Sarah meets and plays with the Native American children.

Check out me reading this book on my Youtube channel!

Now that I'm retired, I really miss reading aloud to my students. It was always one of my favorite times of the day!

Those Darn Squirrels Has 2 Sequels!

Happy November Everyone! Today I am linking up with:

Teach Mentor Texts with Jenn Vincent and Unleashing Readers for:

Those Darn Squirrels by Adam Rubin

This week's Fountas and Pinnell books include humorous books. One of them is Those Darn Squirrels which details Mr. Fookwire's attempts to save the bird feeder food from being eaten by one of the most intelligent animals: squirrels. My students LOVE this book both for the writing and the delightful illustrations.

Today I went to my library's e-book selection so I could put the book up on the "big screen," when I realized that there are sequels to this book, and I can't wait to read them! (Click on the covers to read more at Amazon!)