The One About Still Being Alive

Which I still am in case you were wondering.  

You know how life can be.  Always happening.  Always going on.  I am loving my new job, new school, new kiddos, new friends, and everything.  But I totally underestimated how much all of the newness for my family would equal so much busyness.  Oh well.

So, I've blogged before about my love of Math Journals.  Something I discovered and began using last year.  Well, I'm at it again.  I started them last month and my kids loved them!  I was so excited to begin using my own November Math Journals today!  That is, until the copier and I disagreed.  Oh well.  Life happens, remember.  So, they're copied now and we will begin them tomorrow.  My kids get so excited when I tell them we are doing something that I made.  They always feel as though I have made it just for them.  :)  But they are loving Math Journals.  Every level of student can enjoy them and it is a fun and easy way to reinforce core Math skills.  

I've lamented in past posts about how my TPT progress (making and uploading at least) has come to a screeching halt.  With no new products posted in a while.  Ugh.  Life again. But last month I saw a huge, and sudden, surge in sales.  Made me smile.  This month, just 4 days in, has proven to be the same.  It's beginning to light a fire under me and hopefully I will be able to harness all of the excitement, and find the time, to create and post some new things.  I've got a list a mile-long so the ideas are just itching to get out.  I've almost reached a milestone, for myself at least, in sales and am thinking about throwing a sale to celebrate.  I'll let you know.  Nothing huge, not like some of the big TPT names out there. But for me it's huge.  Just exciting to know that other people also like what I like and enjoy using the things that I have made for my classroom.  Collaboration is always fun, no matter who it is with!

So, I'm back.  I've got posts partially written in my head and a list of topics is always growing.  So, I hope to be back in full force this month.  This little post is just to say hi and make sure everyone, or anyone, is still out there.  

I hope the 1st Quarter, if you do quarters, of your school year is going well.  I am 2 weeks into our 2nd Quarter and all is great!  So, I'll be back soon.  Promise.  

Thanks for hopping by.

The One About Sub Notes

Wow!  Has it seriously been over a month since I've posted!  Yikes!  Sorry!

Trust me, it's not for lack of wanting to, just lack of finding the time to.  You know how it goes.  But I'm back and hopefully back into the swing of things.  And to say sorry for my absence I am throwing a sale in my TPT store!  Everything in my store is 10% until this Thursday, October 10!  So, head on over there (after you read this of course) and see if you need/want anything!  Sorry!

Now, for another kind of absence.  I was home with my daughter Stella today.  She's all better and will be returning to school, as will I, tomorrow.  This was a momentous absence though because it was a full 7 weeks of school before any of my kids got sick (my son Braeden was out last Friday but Amy stayed home with him).  That's a record.  Seriously y'all, we usually only make it a week or so!  That's why 7 is something to celebrate!  Lucky 7!  Oh, that reminds me of the show!  :(  The first of the new fall shows to be cancelled, and it was one I liked!  But I've gotten off topic here.

Absence.  Now, I don't mind missing school so long as I can plan for it.  Luckily Amy is the one that can take it on the fly.  She gets the times when someone wakes up sick and it's last minute.  I'll take the times when I know I will be out and can prep.  Last minute gives me anxiety.  Planning time let me get organized.  I knew I'd be out with Stella today so yesterday I was able to set everything out and get it all nice looking.  I also wrote my Sub Notes last night and emailed them to school.  Sure, I'd left my lesson plans out on my desk.  Sure, everything the Sub would need was right there.  But still, I have to write notes.  Notes specific to that day.  Those lessons.  The kids.  Do you do that?  Amy always gives me grief because my Sub notes can be lengthy.  For example, today's were 3 pages. That's not bad, right?!  I had stuff to say.  Prep stuff.  Background information stuff.  Little stuff not covered in the lesson plans.  Stuff stored in my head that doesn't get written down.  You know, the million other things outside of your lesson plans that you cover daily.

So, do you write Sub notes?  How specific do you get?  I acknowledge that I am a bit of a control freak when it comes to my classroom.  But I have gotten better over time.  I just like things done a certain way, my way.  I mean, aren't all teachers control freaks deep down inside.  Isn't that one of the things that makes us teachers?  The things that draw us to this crazy, yet infinitely rewarding career?  The ability to control a ton of stuff and little people and do every little thing just the way we want?  Yikes, that makes it sound bad, but I know I'm not alone.  I mean, I know it probably (and likely) will not all be done the way I would do it, because the Sub isn't me.  But the notes protect me and give me a sense of comfort and control.  After all, it was written right there in black and white!  

So, what do your Sub notes look like?  I can't be the only one!  :)

Thanks for hopping by!

The One About Starting Over

Hey!

So, my good intentions of coming back after summer fizzled away with the busyness of August.  I am sure August is that way for you too though.

After an awesome summer at home with the family, August brought us back to reality.  The reality was that there was a ton of change coming upon us with the new school year.  Me moving schools.  Amy moving grades.  All of the kids changing schools.  The kids being split between schools.  Everything we knew had been turned upside down.  But not in a bad way.  Change can be good, even though I am, admittedly, at times resistant to it.  But we were all very excited about these changes.  They were fun.  Positive.  Exciting.

So, August brought me to a new school.  Well, sort of.  You'll remember that I am now teaching where I attended elementary school forever not too long ago.  The church and school welcome me with wide open arms.  It was an effortless transition.  I have been amazed, humbled, and blessed with coworkers and church members alike eager to have me aboard.  It did make climbing the mountain of change much easier.  

But, as you may know, with moving comes boxes.  As in everything you own.  In boxes.  That you have to unpack.  Find places for.  Hide.  Cram.  Get creative.  You know the drill.  It took me the better part of a week to get everything out and away.  And honestly there are things that I just had to place somewhere with the hopeful promise of returning periodically throughout the school year to finally put away and sort through.

After that faculty meetings began.  As did block planning, lesson planning, back to school planning.  Luckily I am familiar with some of the curriculum so that isn't all new to me.  But you forget about how many little day to day procedures and routines there are to learn at a new school.  Big ones like fire drills and restroom locations and what to do/who to see when you need _____.  Little ones like lunch count and scheduling and recess.  All in all though my coworkers have been eager to help, assist, and offer advice when needed.  Again, I've been blessed.

Despite seeming like I would never be ready and dealing with the hectic schedules of 2 different schools and all of the kids Amy and I made it.  The school year started off very well last Tuesday.  I have 17 kids this year, our cap is 18 and I am sure we will fill that spot soon.  My kids are amazing, as are their parents.  The first day went off without a hitch.  My 10th year teaching and this was the first year with no crying.  One little girl had the sniffles for about 30 seconds, but that was it.  I was pleasantly surprised.

These first 5 days have flown by.  Last week was filled with initial assessments, rules, procedures, getting to know you, back to school activities.  You know the stuff.  This week we began everything, with the exception of Reading Groups.  I am still doing assessments in order to properly group them.  I will begin that next week.

My classroom is huge.  The one downside is that it is an interior room (read: cave) so I have no windows and there are none in the hallway.  In the event of a power outage, I only have the soft glow of 2 red "EXIT" signs to illuminate the entire room.  But, it's all good.  The room I am in now was my 5th Grade classroom so that is pretty crazy.  The walls are cinder block which brings me back to my first job in New Orleans where I also had cinder block walls.  So that was a bit of nostalgia.  I think I am happy with my set-up and haven't felt the need to rearrange anything yet, hopefully I've hit upon a good layout that I can stick with.  I am notorious for changing desk arrangements and/or other room components mid-year.  We will see if this year is any different.  

All in all though, back to school has been a breeze this year.  I have been lucky.  But with all the change and easy transition is nice.  I still haven't been able to make much for TPT but I hope to get back onto that soon and get everything going.  I miss making things, and selling too.  I'll keep you posted though.  

I'll close with some pictures of my classroom.  Nothing fancy, I didn't go all out this year but I am pleased with how it turned out.  I hope your year is off to a great start!

Thanks for hopping by!

Giant panorama of the room when I first moved in.

My box pile.  It got bigger.  Then it went into the recycling because I could barely get in the door.

Finding a home for the frog collection is one of the first things I have to do! 

My name!  On the door!

My word wall.  Literally.  I didn't jazz it all up and decorate it with frogs.  I may do frog letters later and replace those but I didn't have the time or energy.  Note to self: frog word wall letters - make for TPT!

My vintagey (yes it's a word I'm sure) alphabet.  Again, not frogs but a retired teacher from my last school left it and I fell in love with the vintage, old school look and now I just can't bear to be without it.  I get attached like that.

My class pictures.  All 9.  

My door, decorated and ready.

Tags for the kids' backpack pegs.  Not fond of the curtains but I don't have cabinets, just open shelves.  I need to jazz the curtains up though.

Birthdays.

Big panoramic 1st day picture.  I hope it gets bigger when you click on it.

Me, ready for the first day!  Bring it!

The One About Summer Break

Hey!

How has your summer been going?  I hope well.  Mine has been awesome.

So awesome in fact that I took a break from blogging for most of the summer.  As you can tell.  

But I am back now.  Tomorrow is the last day of my summer vacation.  :(  I report back on Monday and then school starts on the 20th.  I can't believe how quickly this summer flew by.  Was yours the same?

I did a lot and I have to say, unashamedly, that I didn't do anything for school.  Well, that's not totally true.  I did begin by block plan for the year.  Well, sort of.  I got the dates and quarter breakpoints done.  That's it.

Sure, I had grandiose plans.  Plans for creating TPT products.  Plans for block planning.  Plans for looking over all of the new curriculum I'll have this next year and getting familiar with it.  But other stuff came up.  More important stuff.  Life family time.  Vacation.  Relaxing.  You know how it goes!

So, here I sit, facing the end of the summer break with tons of work looming before me. But I feel refreshed and ready to tackle it all.  I'm not going to lie and say I'm not nervous or slightly anxious about it, I am.  But I needed a break.  Needed a summer.  Needed a time off.  So I took it and I enjoyed every minute of it.

In case you're new or have forgotten, I'll be starting at a new school this year.  So that means I'm a newbie once again.  New policies and procedures to learn.  New coworkers.  A new boss who was my 8th Grade teacher!  Remember, this school is where I attended 2nd - 8th Grade!  So, it is a lot of new, but also a lot of fun.  I'm looking forward to it.

We will see how long this positive attitude lasts once Monday comes and the meetings and classroom prep begin.  I have a feeling the anxiety and sense of overwhelming work will creep in as they always do.  But they can be great motivators.  Until then though I have one more day and a weekend to enjoy before it all begins!  I'm going to do my best to enjoy them and relax as much as possible!  Hope you had a great summer and are easing back into August and all of the craziness it brings!

Thanks for hopping by!  

The One About The End of the Year

Well, hopefully you understand how busy the month of May is and aren't too harsh on me for not being around as much this month.  

Aside from the usual May craziness I am also preparing to move to a new school!  It'll be 1st Grade again so I won't have to change the name of this blog!  :)  However, I'd love to talk about it more but it's getting late and I'm fading fast.  Today was our last day of school (sorry if you're not out yet!) and I am exhausted.  You can read a bit more about the change at my personal blog here or just wait and I'll blog about it here in a day or so.

So, like I said, today was the last day of school.  But tomorrow is our school-wide party/day trip at a local water park.  We do this every year and it is always a great time for the teachers, kids, and families.  Possibly the best part is that every kid has to have a chaperone so we teachers get to go and hang out ourselves.  It is a lot of fun.  This year I'll be taking Braeden and Jackson again and they are stoked.  While I know a full day of fun in the sun chasing those two around will be a blast, I'm tired just thinking about it.

Ok, I'm going to have to sign off for now.  A brief update but I'll be back soon with more. I hope that your end of the year is going great and you can smell the sunscreen because summer vacation is so close!  

Thanks for hopping by!

The One About Reflections

Ok, so this reflections post should have come sooner.  A lot sooner.  But you know how May is.  Yikes.  Right?!  But that's a topic for another post.  On with the reflections.

So I made it!  The first year for this blog and the second for my family blog.  It was a lot of fun.  My favorite part of the challenge for this blog was sharing some of my favorite books.  Discussing them, sharing ideas, hopefully getting someone else hooked on a great book.  It was fun.  The posts were easy to come by, with the exception of X and Q, so that wasn't a problem at all.  

Another bonus was the interaction with others.  Reading the comments and responding to them was fun.  As I stated on my other blog, it is always fun to see just how far reaching the Internet can be and where people visit from.  I find it fascinating that bloggers from all around the world stop by to read my ramblings.  

The roughest part of the challenge, once again, is the fact that I never get around to visiting as many other blogs as I'd like to.  Bummer.  But I plan on continuing to visit and work my way through the list.  It's always fun to discover something new.

So, thanks for stopping by.  If you found me via the challenge I hope you enjoyed it, I know I have.  I look forward to reenergizing the blog and sharing more great things about what I consider to be the best job in the world.  Teaching.  First Grade!  Awesome!

Thanks for hopping by.

The One About Z - Z is for Moose

This is one of the newest additions to my classroom library.  A cute alphabet book involving a disgruntled moose who's just trying to find his place in the book and alphabet.  When he's skipped over for "M" he tries his best to fit into every other letter's page; much to the chagrin of the narrator, Zebra.

It's nothing super fancy or special, but it is a cute alphabet book.  I typically read my alphabet books at the beginning of the year as we review the letters, their sounds, and the alphabet in general.  However, I recently got this one so we had to read it.  The kids loved it and found Moose's antics hilarious.  They also enjoyed the pictures and clever writing. If you're not familiar with it I suggest you give it a shot.

 I don't have a ton of ideas or activities for this book.  I think it fits perfectly as a simple alphabet book.  At least that's how I plan on using it next year.  What about you?  How do you use this book if you have it?  What are some ways you like to use alphabet books in your classroom?  

Thanks for hopping by!  

The One About Y - Yertle the Turtle

Is this seriously the first appearance of Dr. Seuss on my list?  Shame on me!  How can that be?!

Well, I love me some Dr. Seuss.  I mean, who doesn't?  Especially in 1st Grade.  He's an icon.  The kids love him as much as I do.  We have Dr. Seuss Day and a week full of themed activities.  It's about time he joined the list.

"Yertle the Turtle" is actually just one story in the book Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories.  However, it is the first of the three stories and my favorite by far.  Although "Gertrude McFuzz" comes in as a close second; but we're not here to discuss Gertrude.  

Oh King Yertle.  The power hungry, social climbing, greedy, and selfish turtle king.  He is not a nice man.  He literally steps all over anyone and everyone he can to elevate himself (again, literally) above everyone around him.  However, he quickly learns that a tower made of oppressed turtles is not stable, especially when the base turtle burps.

Like many of Dr. Seuss' stories, there is such a powerful lesson to be learned here.  No one, or turtle for that matter, is any better than anyone else.  We should not use others to get what we want.  Be content with what you have.  I'm sure there are others, but these three are the ones I always cover when I read this.  Obviously it is read and included as a part of my Dr. Seuss unit.  Every year the kids love Yertle.  They enjoy seeing him get his comeuppance.  Plus it mentions burping and, let's face it, when you're 6/7 burping makes any story exponentially better!

I also have a cute activity where the kids state whether or not Yertle was a good kind and why.  They then make a turtle and past their writings on the shell.  Super cute, fun, and easy.  They always hang on our bulletin board out in the hallway for all to see.

So, what about you?  Are you familiar with Yertle?  What do you think?  How do you include his cautionary tale in your classroom?  Can you believe it took 25 letters to get Dr. Seuss on the list?

Thanks for hopping by!       

The One About X - X-Men and Xerxes

And I though "Q" was difficult.  

Unless you're going to read some X-Men comics or a biography about Xerxes, then you're pretty limited when it comes to reading something with a title beginning with "X".

I don't own a book that begins with "X".  Every other letter?  Sure, even "Q".  But "X"?  Nope.  So, I can't be of much help to you today.  Unless of course you find yourself a fan of the X-Men or Xerxes.

I read X-Men comics when I was a kid, but I don't have any in the classroom.  Time to change that?  I have read that providing comics to kids is a good way to get them interested in reading.  But then again I have also read that it is not.  Hmmmm, I wonder which is true.

Have you ever seen the movie 300?  King Xerxes in that movie is pretty wicked cool looking.  But that pretty much sums up my knowledge of him as I have never read any biographies.  Well, I guess he's mentioned in The Bible, but other than that.

So, there you have it.  2 choices to feel your "X" titled book needs.  Comics or biographies of ancient Persian kings.  Take your pick!

Any good "X" books you know of?  Any?  

Thanks for hopping by!

The One About W - Wombat Divine

Another Mem Fox book. Another favorite. 

Poor Wombat. He so desperately wants to be part of the Nativity play. But he's big. And loud. And clumsy. But worry not, there is a place for everyone and each of us has our own gifts that we can bring. 

Such a great story. I always read this one at Christmas for obvious reasons. But we also talk about being yourself and that everyone is needed. Told you that was one of my favorite themes in books. 

As with Mem Fox's other books this one is chock full of Australian-centric animals and terms. I also love this aspect of her books. I mean, how often do you get to read about emus, koalas, and kookaburras?  Well, outside of Australia that is. 

I highly suggest you include this one in your Christmas collection. Don't worry you have plenty of time to find it. You'll be glad you did

What do you think?  A fan?  Of Mem Fox?  Wombat Divine?  Wombats in general?  

Thanks for hopping by!

The One About V - Verdi

Remember Janell Cannon from a few posts back?  Stellaluna?  Well, I'm here to sing her praises as an author/illustrator once again.

Verdi is one of my all-time favorite books.  Yes, another.  I love this book and always have.  The story is fantastic.  Learning to be happy in being yourself is a favorite theme of mine and one that cannot be overdone, in my opinion.  Also applicable is encouraging the kids to enjoy their childhood and not to rush into everything.  Sometimes kids, even as young as 1st Graders, are so eager to be adults that they overlook the joys in being 6/7.  It's a catch 22 though because that is knowledge that comes with age and wisdom.  I also tell that to my kids.  Does it sink in?  I don't know, but at least I try.  Maybe in all of these years it will affect one kiddo and it will have all been worth it.  Throw in more beautiful pictures with a wonderful story and Janell Cannon has done it again.

I read this book fairly early in the school year and always at least once more throughout the year.  The kids love it too and find Verdi's antics and personality hilarious.  As do I.  I wish I had a Book Buddy to go with this book, that would make my day.  I should start a search for one.  A small yellow snake shouldn't be too difficult to come by.

What about you?  Familiar with Verdi?  Janell Cannon?  What do you think?

Thanks for hopping by!

The One About U - Umbrella

A Caldecott Honor book.  So you know it's a good one.  A classic.  

A sweet tale of a little Japanese girl who receives an umbrella for her 3rd birthday and longs to use it, even though it is the middle of summer.  Eventually it rains and she proudly carries her umbrella with her.  Taro Yashima has written, and illustrated, a cute little tale that captures a child's perspective on life perfectly.  

I've used this book when we learn about weather (rain obviously) as well as whenever we have any multicultural studies as it does include Japanese characters for some words.  It's a simple tale.  Nothing adventurous or wild.  However, I think that its simplicity is exactly what makes  the book so wonderful.

Are you familiar with this book?  If so, what do you enjoy about it?  How have you used it?  If you have not been exposed to it, I suggest you give it a try.  It's different than most stories written now, it's over 50 years old, but that just makes it all the more interesting.  The fact that it is something different.  Simple.  

Thanks for hopping by!  

The One About T - There Was An Old Lady . . .

Who swallowed a fly. 

You know the book. It's a classic. I love it. I have a fun Book Buddy to go with it. But it's not the book I'm mentioning here. Nope. I'm talking about the series by Lucille Colandro. 

I case you're unfamiliar with them, they're seasonal/topic books with a twist on the original theme. For example, in There Was A Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow a little old lady swallows many winter-themed items including the aforementioned snow, carrot, scarf, etc. At the end, she coughs up a snowman!  See a twist on the original book with some fun regurgitation. 

The kids love these books because they enjoy trying to figure out what she will be coming up at the end. I love them because they're fun and themed. I love a good themed book. There's the snow one for winter, and Easter one, a Valentine's Day one, and a summer-themed one to name a few. Yes, I own them all. 

I recommend these simply because they're fun additions to your thematic books/units. Also, they promote inferencing and thinking about the book as they're reading. Sometimes skills practice can be hidden and fun!

So, have you come across any of these books?  Way do you think?  Which one is your favorite?  I can't choose, they're all awesome!  Share your thoughts!

Thanks for hopping by!

The One About S - Stellaluna

I love this book!

Ok, so I say that a lot.  But I really do mean it each time.  Where do I begin with this story?  The beautiful illustrations by author/illustrator Janell Cannon?  The heartwarming story about self-discovery?  The suspenseful journey of a lost baby bat desperately trying to find her mother?  A story about how a friendship can grow despite differences?  Yes, yes, yes, and yes.  Plus I have a Book Buddy for this that the kids, boys and girls alike, adore!

There hasn't been a class that hasn't loved the story of Stellaluna.  Like myself, the kiddos always seem to find the story and pictures enthralling.  We go to this book time and time again to enjoy it.  It's just one of those books, there's just something about it.  At least for my kiddos and I that is.

I always read this one when we talk about friendship and fitting in.  We discuss how sometimes we are different and then try to hide those differences but it is always best to celebrate and use our differences.  It is also a go-to book when we study bats.  It doesn't have bat facts or info in it, but it just gives me another reason to read it! 

This is the first appearance of Janell Cannon on my list and I cannot wait to discuss the next one with you.  Are you a fan of her work?  What about Stellaluna?  Trust me, give it a try if you're unfamiliar, you'll fall in love!

Thanks for hopping by!      

The One About R - Ramona

Who doesn't love Ramona?  How can you not love her?

One of my all-time favorite series from childhood.  I remember reading every one of the books when I was little.  When I began building my classroom library it was one of the first series I made sure I owned.  I've enjoyed reading these books again as an adult and read them all again for my Children's Literature class in college.  I love them.

I always read at least one book to my kiddos each year.  I usually start with Beezus and Ramona because I like things done sequentially, I don't like to jump around.  This year my kiddos really took to this book and wanted more so we moved on to Ramona the Pest.  We are finishing that book on Monday and I am hoping they will choose to start Ramona the Brave next.  The odds are in my favor as they are loving the books and whenever I read them they get so into the book they don't want to stop.  It makes me so happy!

It is always fun to read this to kids today because the original series was written in the 1950's so there are many vintage and dates wording and references.  However, the kids don't seem to mind.  Despite all of these things, they actually can still relate to Ramona. The themes covered in the books are universal and timeless.  Active children with even more active imaginations.  The struggles and plights of being a 5-6 year-old.  Plus, Ramona is just pure fun.  She's opinionated and silly.  They love her.  

I wanted to show them the latest movie based on the books, even though the likelihood that they've already seen it is pretty strong; but it is not streaming on Netflix so oh well. Maybe another time.  

One last thing about Ramona.  I have a little girl this year that reminds me of Ramona so very much.  I noticed it the very first day of school.  She fits the physical description of Ramona.  She fits the personality and demeanor of Ramona.  Her name even begins with an "R".  It's uncanny.  There have been several occasions this year when I've nearly called her Ramona, catching myself just in time!

So, what about you?  Did you love Ramona as a child?  Do you give her new life with a new generation?  What do your kiddos think?

Thanks for hopping by!  

The One About Q - Quarters and Queens

Ok, I'll be honest.  Books beginning with Q aren't that plentiful.  Well, at least not in my classroom library.  I guess it's lacking in that sense.  Maybe I should spend some time pursuing books whose titles begin with a Q?

I have 2.  Neither are anything super fancy or special.  I do use them, but I don't have overwhelming feelings for them as I have for the books from A-P.  But, since I'm being honest here, I'll mention them.  

The first is titled Quarters.  Yes, you can guess what it's about.  It's part of a little easy readers series on money.  It's good.  I use it when we learn about money.  But it's a short little book, nothing spectacular.

The other is titled Queen Bee's Scream.  Sure, it sounds fascinating, but its alright.  It also is a part of a Scholastic series on phonics.  This one targets the long e sound.  So, it's great for teaching that and we enjoy it.  But not anything to write home, or to your readers, about.

I Googled books beginning with Q and there are a lot.  Not many look striking at a glance and many are in Spanish with a title that begins with Que or Quien.  I don't teach Spanish.  

So, sorry.  No wonderful advice today on a book.  What about you?  Any favorites that begin with Q?  Anyone?  Anything?  Bueller?  Bueller?

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The One About P - Pete the Cat

Now I know you are familiar with Pete the Cat.  Right?  I mean he is totally hot right now.  Groovy in fact to quote the laid back feline.

I adore Pete and his books.  They are a fantastic way to teach the kiddos to relax and not stress about little things.  Well, at least that's how I use them.  That and just for fun.  In fact, we read them before our Achievement Tests recently as a reminder to just relax and go with the flow.

Surely you've had, or have now, a high strung student.  There's always one, or more.  Pete can help.  Maybe your kiddos are nervous about something, like a test.  Pete can help.  Maybe you've got some little friends who freak out over little things, making them into giant ordeals.  Pete can help.  Trust me.  Pete can always help.

In fact, I often quote him, "It's all good." in the classroom whenever there is a change in schedule or stressful/worrisome events arise.  WWPS.  What Would Pete Say.  I'll admit it, I've said that to my kiddos a time or two.  Or more.

In addition to the awesomeness of the books, you can go online to the publisher's website and listen to them read aloud by the author, along with an animation of the book's illustrations.  Score!  Check it out.  Before long, you and your students will be jamming to one of Pete's easygoing tunes.  

So, whether it's about Pete's first day at school, his new shoes, or buttons that just won't stay on his shirt, there's always time to slow down and chill out.  Just ask Pete!

Are you a Pete the Cat fan?  I'm dying for a Pete the Cat Book Buddy, maybe I'll find one over the summer.  Do you and your students enjoy Pete and his relaxed and positive outlook on life's little inconveniences?  

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The One About O - Olivia

Who doesn't love this vivacious pig?  I have been a huge Olivia fan since her first book and thoroughly enjoy reading them all.  As you can see from the labels, I also have a Book Buddy and she is one of the kiddos' favorites.

While each of the books in this series are wonderful, it's the original Olivia that I love the most.  Maybe it's the witty little piglet herself?  Maybe it's the inclusion of famous pieces of artwork?  Maybe it's the simple and beautiful illustrations by Ian Falconer?  Maybe it's the smart and funny writing Ian Falconer.  Eh, who am I kidding, it's all of those (you know I'm a sucker for author/illustrators).  

I find Olivia hilarious and often laugh out loud when reading them to the kids.  As seems to be the case with a lot of the books I'm sharing, I read these to my kiddos just for fun.  Just for pure enjoyment's sake.  After all, isn't that the ultimate goal we strive for when teaching children to read?  I think so.

Now that the series and character have been booming there are cartoons and other books based upon the cartoon.  These are decent, they're not bad.  But I'm an Olivia purist and tend to stick with Falconer's works.  The kids seem to be drawn to them as well, or is it just my suggestiveness?  Either way they're awesome reads that you should definitely have in your classroom library!

Which is your favorite Olivia book?  Why do you love Olivia so much?  What do your kids think?

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The One About N - Never, Ever Shout in a Zoo!

Another silly story.  I don't know about you, but every field trip I have ever taken to the zoo is loud.  Maybe there's not shouting, but there definitely is excitement and noisy children.  Everywhere.

Luckily though, the antics that occur in this book have never happened to me, regardless of how loud we've been at the zoo.  One of the reasons I enjoy this story is because it is so outrageous and fun.  What kid doesn't like a story where animals run rampant through the zoo, all because of a little shout?    Another reason is the fact that it is written in a narrative tone where the author speaks to the reader, similar to Lulu and the Brontosaurus.  I find that my kiddos often enjoy this as well because it draws them into the book and helps get them to use their imagination, and this book is certainly one that feeds their active little imaginations.

As for using this in the classroom, I typically read it just for fun.  Sometimes you need a silly story to liven things up or break the monotony of a rough day.  However, you could easily take the surprise/twist ending a step further by having the students respond or continue it.  That would be a great idea for a class story or even individual writing.  I'm not sure if there is a follow-up or sequel to this story, I'll have to Google it, but it does lend itself to one at the end.  Do you know?

What do you think of this book?  Have you read it?  Do you enjoy it?  Any other fun zoo stories that you enjoy reading?  I've also read this prior to a zoo field trip, just for fun.

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The One About M - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

OMG!  This might be one of my most favorite books of all-time.  I know I say that a lot, but seriously.  Seriously.

Have you read this book?  If not, stop reading it now and go buy the digital version.  I'll wait. . . . 

Ok, good.  So this book was given to me several years ago by a student.  Clearly above a 1st Grade reading level, but that just means it was destined to be a read aloud.  The first time I read it, by myself, prior to reading it to my kiddos I was mesmerized.  It was awesome.  I cried.  I got goosebumps.  I fell in love.  When I read it to my kids they were enthralled.  I cried again.  I got goosebumps again.  I fell deeper in love.  It has become a staple in my classroom ever since.  It is always the first read aloud chapter book I share with my kiddos.  Every class adores it.  Every time I cry, get goosebumps, and reaffirm my love of this book.  It is seriously that good.

Kate DiCamillo has written a timeless tale.  The main character is a china rabbit with a serious lesson to learn.  The story spans decades and touches on such heartfelt topics such as love, loyalty, life, death, destiny, selfishness, pride, the list goes on.  It never ceases to amaze me how into the story the kids get, despite the fact that it is such a serious and higher leveled read.

Now, I will pause here to say that I know of one person who is not a fan of the book.  Amy.  My own dear wife.  I gushed over it to her as I have here with you.  She read it.  She hated it.  What?!  I still don't see how, but she does.  Maybe hate is too strong a word.  Maybe she'll grow to love it.  Although probably not.  Regardless, it remains, in my opinion, as one of the best books in the world.  Read.  It.  Now.

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