Spring Break 2015 (Blog BREAK)...

Spring Break 2015 - A BREAK from the Blog

*As most educators I absolutely love my job of teaching, but I also enjoy the wonderful breaks we are given throughout the year.

*I'm finishing up conferences today and then have a week off for spring break 2015.


*This is always a time to spend with my family, sit back and relax a bit, and of course get caught up on all the books I want to read.

*I will be joining my wife and son (who is a senior) in Florida tonight for a long weekend.  I can't wait to find the perfect beach chair either right on the beach or by the pool, order a drink, and dig into a perfect novel.

*This blog has become a big part of my life, but I know I need to give myself a break from it from time to time.  I'm thinking this coming week is one of those times.

*The weekly features will not be updated until Monday, April 6th.

*I'm sure I will still post book reviews as I finish the many books on my TBR pile.

*Wishing all of you wonderful teachers, librarians, and educators a happy spring and the extra time to spend away from our "demanding" job with an excellent book or two or three.

*Happy Spring Break 2015!  Enjoy...

Friend Friday #85 (The Littles by John Peterson)...

Hi!  I am Vivian and I read the book called The Littles written by John Peterson.

I think this book was mysterious because Tom was dressed as a rat and didn't know if he was going to survive or not.  

My favorite part in the story was when the cat was nice and Tom could ride on its back because I thought it was nice that a cat would do that.  

The character that I liked best was Tom because he was really brave.  

I think the author wrote this book because he thought that the book would be interesting to many people.  

I would recommend this book to my friends because it is a mysterious book and I think kids my age like those types of stories.  

Reading to me is relaxing because I could cuddle up and read all the kinds of book I like.  


*Vivian is a fourth grader in one of my three reading classes.  She LOVES to read!  

Skype Visit the Jory John - Author of The Terrible Two...

Skype Visit - Jory John and The Terrible Two

*I remember hearing about this book long before it was actually released.

*When I read it I absolutely loved it and knew it would be a hit with kids.

*I actually picked it for a "Breakfast with Books" book club selection.

*This is an optional book club that I offer my fourth grade readers.



*We meet before school, enjoy some breakfast treats, and talk about the book.

*I was fortunate enough that Jory John, one of the authors, agreed to meet with us via Skype.

*We are in Minneapolis and he is in California.  So when we gathered at 8:30 AM this morning, it was 6:30 AM his time.  He was quite a trooper to be up and ready at that hour.

*Jory talked to us about his life, his writing, and we took "The Terrible Two" prank oath.

*Here are some pictures from our Skype visit this morning...

Trailer Thursday #85...

*Our picture books this week were all about Opossumondas.  This series of books captivated by fourth graders and we had many good laughs...

Epossumondas by Coleen Salley (Picture Book Series)

Life Lesson #26 (Be Different)...

"Be Different"

*Thursday is the day when I present a "life lesson" to my fourth graders.

*It is my hope that these mini-lessons inspire them to be the best possible person they can be.

*We watch the video as a class and discuss a bit.

*The writers then get busy in their writer's notebooks.  

*They can write their reactions, thoughts, feelings, connections, and/or reminders.

*At the end of our 5-10 minutes writing time, a few of the kids will share what they wrote.

*One of my major goals each year is to teach my students to be different, stand out, and be themselves.  Isn't that what we want for everyone!  

Life Lessons from this Year...

Life Lesson #1 - Be Brave

Life Lesson #2 - Be Kind

Life Lesson #3 - Be Courageous

Life Lesson #4 - Be Motivated

Life Lesson #5 - Be a Buddy, Not a Bully

Life Lesson #6 - Be Inspired: Never Give Up on Your Goals

Life Lesson #7 - Be SHOUTful (Shout Your Success)

Life Lesson #8 - Be Spooky (Halloween Week)

Life Lesson #9 - Be Kind (Part Two)

Life Lesson #10 - Be Happy

Life Lesson #11 - The Power of Literacy (Be a Reader)

Life Lesson #12 - Be POWERful

Life Lesson #13 - Be a Team

Life Lesson #14 - Be Merry

Life Lesson #15 - Be Giving

Life Lesson #16 - Be Brave (Part Two)

Life Lesson #17 - Be Positive

Life Lesson #18 - Be Dancelike

Life Lesson #19 - You Can Do It!

Life Lesson #20 - Be a Hero (Celebrating Day 100)

Life Lesson #21 - Be A Friend

Life Lesson #22 - Be Kind (Part Three)
Life Lesson #23 - Be Strong and Courageous
Life Lesson #24 - Be Fearless
Life Lesson #25 - Be a Sportsman/Sportwoman

Wonder Wednesday #85 (Picture Book March Madness)...

Wonder Wednesday - Voting for Round Three

*This week we continued our voting for "Picture Book March Madness."

*We are taking the "Elite 8" and narrowing it down to the FINAL four.

Class Three...

What is Your Favorite Book?

Crankenstein	11	52.4%
Good Night iPad	10	47.6%

What is Your Favorite Book?

The Day the Crayons Quit	15	71.4%
Interrupting Chicken	6	28.6%

What is Your Favorite Book?

Kel Gilligan	18	85.7%
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole	3	14.3%

What is Your Favorite Book?

Good News, Bad News	13	61.9%
Nugget & Fang	8	38.1%

Wonder Wednesday #85 (Picture Book March Madness)...

Wonder Wednesday - Voting for Round Three

*This week we continued our voting for "Picture Book March Madness."

*We are taking the "Elite 8" and narrowing it down to final four.



Class Two...

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Goodnight Ipad	9	40.9%
Oh No!  (My Science Project Destroyed the World)	13	59.1%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

The Day the Crayons Quit	14	63.6%
My Want My Hat Back	8	36.4%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

This Is Not a Good Idea	15	68.2%
Boy + Bot	7	31.8%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Good News, Bad News	11	50%
Wumbers	11	50%

Wonder Wednesday #85 (Picture Book March Madness)...

Wonder Wednesday - Voting for Round Three

*This week we continued our voting for "Picture Book March Madness."

*We are taking the "Elite 8" and narrowing it down to final four.



Class One...

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Beekle	15	68.2%
Kitten's First Full Moon	7	31.8%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

The Day the Crayons Quit	20	90.9%
I Want My Hat Back	2	9.1%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole	12	54.5%
The Circus Ship	10	45.5%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Nugget & Fang	12	54.5%
Good News, Bad News	10	45.5%