Friend Friday #57...

Hi!  I’m Kathy and I’m reading the book called The Orchardist written by Amanda Coplin.

I think this book was very interesting because I learned a lot about being a farmer/orchardist long ago.  Also, this story had very interesting characters.

My favorite part in the story was when the main character took in a young girl to live with him because he really changed.

The character that I liked best was Talmadge, the main character, because he changes a lot in the story.

I think the author wrote this book because she thought people would like to follow characters over a lifetime.  I also think she may have been to the Northwest and known about the life of an orchard farmer.

I would recommend this book to my friends because you really get to know that characters.

Reading to me is THE BEST because you can get lost in a good book!

*Kathy is a reading friend and co-worker at my school.

*We have taught together for years and have shared many book titles during that time.

*She is one of the people in my life that I love to pass book titles to because we have similar tastes in stories.

*Kathy just finished this book for her book club and told me she really enjoyed it.

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming...

How I Heard About It:  While organizing my classroom library before students arrive next Tuesday, I noticed this book (I actually had several copies) in my collection of novels.  It caught my attention, I threw it in my backpack, and read it over the last couple of nights.  

What It Is About:  The fourth grade class at Aesop Elementary hasn't had the best reputation since they were in Kindergarten.  Each year they caused problems for their teacher leaving that teacher very glad to pass them on to the next grade.  During fourth grader their regular teacher goes on leave and Mr. Jupiter comes in as replacement.  He himself actually went to this same school as a child and has had quite a unique and exceptional life up until this point of teaching this particular class.  The class is excited to have a new teacher so they can put him through the "ringer."  What they soon find out is that Mr. Jupiter is different from all other teachers and seems to be able to handle their "stuff."  Each chapter is about a different student in the class and a particular situation they get themselves into at school.  The class comes a long way with the help of their new teacher and learn a new thing or two along the way.

What I Thought Of It:  This was a completely enjoyable read.  I was surprised it had been in my library so long and I hadn't read it before.  I enjoyed the humor, the outrageous shenanigans, and the special and unique students in this class.  It was also cool that each chapter had a "moral" at the end.  The story moved along quickly, had lots of action, and many life lessons sprinkled throughout the novel.  As I was reading, I kept thinking if I'm enjoying the story so much, I know that my students will also.

Who Should Read It:  Being that I teach fourth grade, I believe this is the perfect novel for my students.  That being said, it would also work with strong readers in third grade and even readers in fifth grade.  The chapters are short and the whole book isn't too long.  I kept thinking that I would for sure use this novel either as a read aloud or a "Breakfast with Books" book club selection during the upcoming school year.  At this point, I'm leaning toward using it as our first book for our class book club.  Happy Reading!

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Trailer Thursday #57 (Summer Favorites)...

In honor of my summer reading, I'm picking some of my favorites!

The Adventures of Beekle:  The Unimaginary Friend
 by Dan Santat (Picture Book)

Comics Squad:  Recess by Various Authors (Graphic Novel)

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm (Middle-Grade Novel)

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan (Young-Adult Novel)

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian (Adult Novel)

Life Lesson #11 (Summer Edition)...

Teacher Motivation (by Justin Tarte)

*This is the final "Life Lesson" summer edition blog.

*In honor of all my teacher/educator friends, I post this for you.

*The beginning of a school year is so exciting.

*This video truly demonstrates all the wonderful things we get to do as a teacher.

*It is the hardest job out there, but also the most rewarding.

*Here is to a wonderful and successful school year!!!

Wonder Wednesday #57...

Wonder Wednesday - The Love of Reading (Part Thirteen)

*This is the thirteenth of an on-going series I'm going to post each Wednesday.

*I love posting on Wednesdays because it is all about the WONDERS of books, reading, and all that comes with it. 

*Toward the end of the school year, I had my students respond to some questions I had about their reading lives.  



*Each student filled out a reading survey with six questions to answer.

*I will post their thoughts here on Wednesdays throughout the summer.

*One of my most favorite things to do as an educator is to get feedback from my students.

*Here is a look at a couple of my students' responses from the survey I gave...


STUDENT #25 - Megan

Before I was in fourth grade I thought that reading was boring
because I thought that it was just a waste of time and I was doing it for no reason.  

Now that I'm almost done with fourth grade I think that reading is fun
because there are so many GREAT books out there!  

This year I learned that as a reader I love climbing through the "book portals"
because there are so many different worlds to visit.  

To me reading is nice and wonderful
because I love books now, but I still only like reading at night.  

As a reader I'm most proud of how fast I can read
because I may be able to read faster in my head but still I'm really fast in any condition.  

The best thing about reading is all the worlds
because they are all fun, some are scary, but most tell you to never leave.  


STUDENT #26 - Logan

Before I was in fourth grade I thought that reading was boring
because I thought it was a waste of time.    

Now that I'm almost done with fourth grade I think that reading is great
because it's like I'm in my own world.  

This year I learned that as a reader I can't stop reading books
because the books get better and better.  

To me reading is great
because it's fun to be a reader.  

As a reader I'm most proud of how much better I got at reading
because it helps me with everything else I do.  

The best thing about reading is being in my own world
because it's is fun and I can use my imagination.  

Treat Tuesday #57...

Treat Tuesday - 
Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti Casserole

*This is a new recipe for our family.

*We love spaghetti and if you are from Minnesota, then you have to love a good casserole.

Ingredients...
12 oz spaghetti
1 (28 ounce) jars prepared spaghetti sauce
1 lb lean ground beef
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated


Directions...
1.  Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.

2.  In a skillet, brown the ground beef until cooked through; drain fat and stir in spaghetti sauce.  Set aside.

3.  Cook spaghetti according to directions on packet.  Drain and place cooked spaghetti in bowl.  Add cream cheese, Italian Seasoning and minced garlic.  Stir until cream cheese is melted and the spaghetti is thoroughly coated. 

4.  Lightly grease a 9x13" pan.  Spread a small amount of meat sauce in the bottom of the dish.  Put spaghetti on top of sauce and top with remaining meat sauce.  Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

5.  Bake for 30 minutes, until bubbly.


Treat Tuesday:  Adult Novel

The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha

*This week was workshop week and a co-worker returned this book that I loaned her over the summer.

*One of the best adult books I've ever read.  You won't be able to put down!




Treat Tuesday:  Middle-Grade Novel

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

*My new favorite middle-grade novel and you have to watch for its release next March.






**Now that I'm back to work I won't be posting the extra "treats" that I did during the summer weeks.  But don't worry, they will be back next summer...

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (8/25/14)...

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to their site...

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Read this Past Week…

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

*5+ STARS out of 5 Stars








Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week…

Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

*My adult-novel novel

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

*My middle-grade novel

A Sudden Light by Garth Stein

*Another adult read.  The book comes out in September.

*Author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

Music Monday Summer Edition #11...

Believer (Things Will Get Better) by American Authors

*At the beginning of last week we got an email from our Principal asking for our "walk-up" song.

*When we present or are featured in the building, she will play our "walk-up" song.

*As you know, I love music.  I started to think about what my song would be.

*It was harder than I thought it would be to pick a song that represents me.

*While working in my classroom last week, I heard this new song on the radio.

*The words "Things will get better" caught my attention.

*I looked the song up on YouTube and watched several versions of the song.

*I loved the sound, the beat, and the words.

*My "walk-up" song had been found and I'm excited to hear it the first time in my honor!  

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt...

How I Heard About It:  This is another title that I kept seeing mentioned over and over on Twitter.  The more the title kept popping up, the more I wanted to read it.  I saw that the release date wasn't until March of 2015.  That was going to be a long time to wait.  Fortunately I was able to get an ARC and I just finished the book with such satisfaction in my heart.  

What It Is About:  Ally is a sixth grade girl who struggles in school.  She is a bright, smart, and creative girl, but there is one major problem that is getting in her way.  She can't read and has always found ways to hide this issue from her teachers and the other students.  She just lets herself get in trouble.  All of this is going to change when her teacher goes out on maternity leave.  Mr. Daniels is the new teacher and different from all of the other teachers Ally has had.  He realizes how bright she is and that something must be getting in the way of her learning.  He is bound and determined to help her find out what is going on.  Ally must also deal with Shay who is the girl in the class that makes life miserable for everyone else.  With the help of her two new friends,  Albert and Keisha, the three of them learn what is means to truly be a friend, how to stick up for themselves, and how to set the world on fire.  Of course Mr. Daniels has a hand in all of this.

What I Thought Of It:  The novel completely lives up to the pre-release hype.  I adored the story and fell in love with both Ally and Mr. Daniels.  To be honest, he has become another "mentor" teacher for myself.  He is one of the best characters I've read about in a long time.  Ally is delightful and represents many of the children that are sitting in our classrooms.  The story moved along beautifully and was touching in many different points of the story.  I enjoyed how the chapters were short, but of course left you wanting to read a few more chapters to find out what was going to happen next.  As I was reading, I found that there were many important life lessons that could be addressed, discussed, and learned from throughout the story.  This has become one of my new favorite middle-grade novels.  

Who Should Read It:  Everyone should read this book!  I have already decided it is going to be my first read aloud for the year with my fourth graders.  I know it will make a solid foundation for classroom community and allow us to refer to many situations that occur on a daily basis in the elementary classroom.  There are certain novels that every classroom should use as a read aloud and in my opinion, this is one of them.  If you want to put this in the hands of a reader, it would be perfect for students in grades four through six.  I know the book doesn't come out until next March, but let me tell you it is WORTH the wait!  Happy Reading...

Rating:  5+ STARS out of 5 Stars

Friend Friday #56...

Hi!  I’m Wilson and I'm reading the book called The Brixton Brothers by Mac Barnett.  

I think this book is good because it is one of the best stories I've read.

My favorite part in the story is when he puts a book under his bed because it is a funny part of the story and I like funny parts.  

The character that I liked best is Steve because he is the main character and I think he would make a great friend.  

I think the author wrote this book because he wanted to write a series that kids would like, especially boy readers.  It is a good mystery to figure out while you read.

I would recommend this book to my friends because it is an easy read, a series, and a super job mystery story.  

Reading to me is getting better because I use to not like it as much, but now I'm starting to like it more.  

*Wilson was in a pull-out program until this past year.
*About half way through the year, we pulled him back into the classroom.
*He told me he was sad that he was missing our "reading" time.
*I could tell that he was thrilled to get to read what he wanted and was really getting into it.
*At first he was overwhelmed by all the choices and would flit from book to book.
*After a few weeks, he settled into a great routine and found books/series that he really enjoyed.

Life Lesson #10 (Summer Edition)...

Robin Williams Tribute Video (1951-2014)

*There are so many wonderful tributes for this very talented man.

*Until his death, I didn't realize how many powerful quotes he had from his movies.  

*It is strange how sometimes fiction and fantasy can reflect real life.  

*To me it is important to get the message out there that if you are struggling or need help, to reach out!  

Trailer Thursday #56...

A Sudden Light by Garth Stein  

Garth Stein - The Book That Changed His Life

Garth Stein - The Interview

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Quotes from The Art of Racing in the Rain

Garth Stein - The Interview (Part Two)

Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein

Wonder Wednesday #56...

Wonder Wednesday - The Love of Reading (Part Twelve)

*This is the twelfth of an on-going series I'm going to post each Wednesday.

*I love posting on Wednesdays because it is all about the WONDERS of books, reading, and all that comes with it. 

*Toward the end of the school year, I had my students respond to some questions I had about their reading lives.  



*Each student filled out a reading survey with six questions to answer.

*I will post their thoughts here on Wednesdays throughout the summer.

*One of my most favorite things to do as an educator is to get feedback from my students.

*Here is a look at a couple of my students' responses from the survey I gave...


STUDENT #23 - Emma

Before I was in fourth grade I thought that reading was boring and not fun
because we had to do little book stuff and it was thick books and you would have to read three or may in a day.  

Now that I'm almost done with fourth grade I think that reading is way more fun
because I am not rushed in my reading.  

This year I learned that as a reader I can read longer books
because I read bigger books than I ever have before and liked it.  

To me reading is so fun and awesome
because I am not rushed now.  

As a reader I'm most proud of taking my time
because I do not like to be rushed when I read.  

The best thing about reading is how relaxing and enjoying it can be
because I have learned how to love reading.  


STUDENT #24 - Ryan

Before I was in fourth grade I thought that reading was not fun
because the reading last year was boring.  

Now that I'm almost done with fourth grade I think that reading is awesome
because there is a lot of great books in our classroom. 

This year I learned that as a reader I am getting a lot better
because I am reading longer books.  

To me reading is fun
because the books in Mr. Andrus' class are awesome.  

As a reader I'm most proud of all the books I read
because I read a lot of books this year.  

The best thing about reading is how I can travel to other worlds
because when I read my mind goes into the story I'm reading.  

Treat Tuesday #56...

Treat Tuesday - Texas Sheet Cake

*I am a cake lover.  

*I'm always looking for new types of cakes and cupcakes to make.

*This one is easy to bake and sure is tasty.  





Ingredients and Directions…

1.  Bring to boil:
*1 stick of butter
*1 cup of water
*4 TBS of Cocoa

2.  Remove from heat and add to:
*2 cups of flour
*2 cups of sugar
*1 tsp of salt
*1 tsp of baking soda

3.  Beat in :
*2 eggs
*1/2 cup of sour cream

4.  Pour into large greased 15.5" x 10.5" pan

5.  Bake 20 mins 350 degrees

6.  Let cool 10 mins and then ice cake

Icing recipe:

7.  Bring to boil:
*4 TBS cocoa
*6 TBS milk
*1 stick butter

8.  Remove from heat and add:
*1 pound of confectioners sugar
*1 tsp vanilla
*1 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)

9.  Pour over cake and enjoy!  

Treat Tuesday:  Adult Novel

One Mississippi by Mark Childress









Treat Tuesday:  Middle-Grade Novel

Nightmare at the Book Fair by Dan Gutman









Treat Tuesday:  Television Show/Series

"The Big C" on Showtime

*There are only four seasons of this show so it would be very easy to "binge" watch this series.

*The acting is top notch and the characters are awesome!




Treat Tuesday:  Movie

"Dead Poets Society"

*In honor of Robin Williams' life and his incredible talent.

*My daughter and I watched this the night before we moved her into her college house.

*We both cried during the final scene.  So powerful…

Treat Tuesday:  Music

"Hall of Fame" by The Script featuring will.i.am

*We had to submit a song to our principal that represents us that will be played throughout the year.

*This is one of my favorite songs and I love the message.

Treat Tuesday:  Photograph

Robin Williams (1951-2014)