Friend Friday #81 (The Sasquatch Escape)...

Hi!  I am Julie and I read the book called The Sasquatch Escape written by Suzanne Selfors.


I think this book was interesting because it is adventurous and has lots of action and events in the story.   

My favorite part in the story was when Ben and Pearl were looking for the Sasquatch because lots of fun came around.  

The character that I liked best was Pearl because she was one of the main charters and she was very brave.  

I think the author wrote this book because she wanted to entertain the readers.  

I would recommend this book to my friends because it is so exciting and fun.  

Reading to me is awesome because this book has entertained me and I can't wait to read the other books in the series.  


*Julie is a fourth grade student in my class.  

Trailer Thursday #81...

*This week's trailers highlight some of the picture books I'm using for Bracket #4 for

 Picture Book March Madness...

Oh No by Candice Fleming

Oh No!  by Mac Barnett

Good News Bad News by Jeff Mack

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Beekle by Dan Santat

Crankenstein by Samantha Berger

Life Lesson #22 (Be Kind - Part Three)...

Be Kind - Part Three

*Each Thursday I present to my class what I call a "Life Lesson" via a short video clip.

*After watching the clip, we discuss a bit about that we think the "lesson" is.

*The students then spend between 5-10 minutes writing in their notebooks.

*They can write their reactions, thoughts, feelings, emotions, or what type of lesson they learned.

*A few of the writers will share what they wrote at the end of our writing time.

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

Wonder Wednesday #81 (Picture Book March Madness: Part Two)...

Picture Book March Madness - 
Brackets #3 and #4

*This is the second year I'm having my students participate in "Picture Book March Madness."

*The readers loved it so much last year that I couldn't not do it again this February/March.

*This reading "Madness" goes along with the NCAA March Madness.

*I start a couple of weeks ago with Bracket #1.  Each week the students read and analyze 8 picture books.  After they read each one, they give it between 1-5 stars.

*Once all 8 books are read, the reader must put those books in order from their 1st favorite to their 8th favorite.

*It starts all over the second week with bracket #2.  We are currently reading bracket #4 books.

*I will rank all the books based on the votes and pair them up.  These will be displayed on a large bracket type poster.  Then the voting begins...

*Here are the picture books that were used this year for brackets #3 and #4...

Author Bracket

Philanthropy (NF)

Stampede! (NF)

Sam & Dave Dig Hole

Extra Yarn

This Is Not Good Idea

Boy + Bot

The Circus Ship

Kel Gilligan’s            

Picture Bracket

Shot Heard Around (NF)

My Daddy (NF)

Oh No

Good News/Bad News

Kitten’s First Full

Beekle

Oh No

Crankesnstein           

Picture Wednesday #24 (Puppy Love)...

Puppy Love

*I am a HUGE dog lover and share that with my students.  Probably daily!

*I have many students in the room who feel the same as their teacher.

*I couldn't resist using this picture when I saw it.

*Each Wednesday we spend between 5-10 minutes writing in our writer's notebooks.

*The fourth graders can write their reactions, thoughts, feelings, reminders, or create a story.

*We then share at the end of the time to see what people wrote about.  

Treat Tuesday #81...

Treat Tuesday - M & M Chocolate Oat Bars

*My wife ran across this recipe online.

*She made them and they were quite the hit around our house.

*Thought I would share the recipe here today.

*In one word = YUM!

Ingredients...

• 1½ cups quick oats
• 1½ cups flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup butter melted
• 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 bag milk chocolate chips
• 2 TB butter softened
• 1 cup M&Ms

Directions...

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, salt and 1 cup softened butter with a spoon. Remove 1 cup and set aside.
3. Press remaining mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.
4. In a small pot, melt condensed milk, chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons of butter over low-medium heat. Stir constantly until chips are melted and everything is mixed well.
5. Pour chocolate chip mixture over the bottom layer and spread evenly. Sprinkle leftover cup of oat mixture over the chocolate.
6. Top with M&Ms and bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting. ENJOY!

Found at:  http://lilluna.com/mm-chocolate-oat-bars/

Treat Tuesday:  Middle-Grade Novel

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

Treat Tuesday:  Adult Novel

Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2/23/15)...

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… 

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

*4 Stars out of 5 Stars

My Book Review








Ruby by Cynthia Bond

*3 Stars out of 5 Stars

My Book Review

All the Answers by Kate Messner

*4 Stars out of 5 Stars

My Book Review

Noggin by John Corey Whaley

My Book Review

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week… 

Hero by Sarah Lean

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

The Same Sky by Amanda Eyre Ward

 

Music Monday #20 - Waka Waka This Time for Africa...

Waka Waka - This Time for Africa - by Shakira

*Changing gears this week with a little Hispanic Flare.

*I've used this song before in the past and my students always enjoy it.

*We will watch the first video once (maybe twice if we have time).

*After viewing it, the writers will write between 5-10 minutes in their writer's notebooks.  

*They can record their thoughts, feelings, emotions, reactions, or reminders.

*I have a few students share at the end of our writing time.  

*During the week after lunch we watch the video a few more times.  It is great when they start singing along with the words.  

Music Monday Selections for 2014-2015…

Week #1 = What I Am by will.i.am and Sesame Street Characters

Week #2 = Proud by Heather Small

Week #3 = Dreamer by Chris Brown

Week #4 = Roar by Katy Perry

Week #5 = What Does the Fox Say by Ylvis

Week #6 = Rainbow Connection from the Muppets

Week #7 = Good Time by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepson

Week #8 = Thriller by Michael Jackson

Week #9 = Hall of Fame by The Script and will.i.am

Week #10 = Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka

Week #11 = Count on Me by Bruno Mars

Week #12 = Superheroes by The Script

Week #13 = Something New by Axwell Ingrosso

Week #14 = Clouds by Zach Sobiech

Week #15 = Do They Know Its Christmas by BandAid
Week #16 = What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Week #17 = Shooting Star by Owl City
Week #18 = Happy by Pharrell Williams
Week #19 = The World's Greatest by R. Kelly

Noggin by John Corey Whaley...

How I Heard About It:  I'm not sure if I "heard" of this book or "saw" this book.  I just remember the cover grabbing my attention every time I would browse the young adult section at my local book store.  I finally bought it to read and boy am I glad I am.  

What It Is About:  Travis is one of a kind.  Well, actually two of a kind.  He is the second person to have his head attached to a new body after his first body "died."  After he died of cancer, his head was "frozen" for five years until a new body could be found for him.  When he awakes five years later, he feels like no time has gone by, but of course it has for all the people in his life.  His parents have tried to deal with his "death" as have his two best friends Cate and Kyle.  Travis is still sixteen years old, but everyone else has had five years behind them.  Travis returns to high school to experience it for a "second" time.  While trying to fit in at school, he also tries to maintain his relationships with Cate and Kyle.  Unfortunately Cate has met someone else and is engaged to be married.  Kyle left Travis with a major secret before he died, and now the two of them must learn how to deal with this secret.  The biggest change might actually be with Travis' parents  and he will learn how to deal with their change along with all the changes he is dealing with.  Lucky, he has a mentor with the first man to have this type of "surgery."

What I Thought Of It:  I loved this story.  At first I thought it would feel some what like sci-fi, which isn't my favorite, but it didn't feel that way at all.  The premise worked and I believed every detail in this story.  I could feel what each of these characters was going through.  The author did an outstanding job of conveying their thoughts, emotions, and feelings through the written word.  I so enjoyed the character of Travis and really came to know his two sidekicks in Cate and Kyle.  The story moved along quickly and the plot never slowed down.  One aspect that stood out to me was that the last few words of each chapter became the next chapter title.  I thought this was kind of cool.

Who Should Read It:  I could see any high school reader eating up this story.  The health aspect of it would be appealing, but everything that happens to Travis throughout the story can be related to by readers this age.  Adult readers that enjoy young adult literature will also find this a fulfilling experience.  It is definitely a read for high school and above readers.  Happy Reading!

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Ruby by Cynthia Bond...

How I Heard About It:  I heard of this novel via the Oprah Book Club.  I've read several of her picks in the past.  Some of them I have really enjoyed and some of them not so much.  After hearing her rave about this latest find, I was curious to read the book.

What It Is About:  It is a bit hard to describe this story because I'm not sure I really understood it.  Ruby lived in a small town in Texas.  Many horrible events occurred in her early life which left her damaged and emotionally scared.  As a young girl she met Ephram who is a young boy living in the same town with his older sister.  Both of their parents have caused a "stir" within the town which has left them alone to raise themselves.  Ephram falls "in love" with Ruby and just wants to be with her.  Ruby leaves Texas as soon as she can and goes to New York to escape her past.  Years later she has to return to town because of a tragedy.  Ephram is thrilled to know that she has returned and makes it his mission to become part of her life.  Life becomes hard for Ruby again because all of her demons from the past return and drive her "mad."  The town's people don't make life easy on Ruby and Ephram takes it upon himself to save her not only from them, but from Ruby herself.

What I Thought Of It:  This was not the kind of story that is for me.  It was hard to follow at times. I think this is because it was part fiction, part fantasy, and part just plain strange.  I did like parts of the story when I could understand it, but overall it just wasn't for me.  The writing was beautiful, but the plot was just too "out there" for my personal tastes.  This is what I have found with some of Oprah's picks.  I'm glad I tried it and stretched myself as a reader.  It is always good to try books that you normally wouldn't read.  

Who Should Read It:  I'm sure there are readers out there that will love this story.  It is really well written and some beautiful language.  If you follow Oprah's book club, then you might also enjoy this novel.  I would think that readers that enjoy realistic fiction with sprinkles of magic, witchcraft, and ghosts will find this story quite compelling.  

Rating:  3 STARS out of 5 Stars

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty...

How I Heard About It:  Earlier this year I read The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty and really enjoyed it.  I actually listened to it on audio and did the same thing with this novel.  Both books had the same narrator and she was enjoyable to listen to.  

What It Is About:  This is a BIG story with lots of "Big Little Lies" in it.  The story centers around three women in an Australian town.  The three women all have children that are starting kindergarten at the same school.  Madeline, Celeste, and Jane.  As the youngsters are starting school; Jane's son is accused of bullying another student in the class.  This indecent follows Jane and her son and gets bigger and bigger and bigger.  Madeline and Celeste come to Jane's rescue and try to shelter her from the "adult bullies", but it isn't easy.  Some of the parents start a petition to have the "bully" removed from their school.  During the school year Madeline, Celeste, and Jane become better friends and begin to reveal their secrets and how each of them is tied to each other more than they could ever have imagined.  All the secrets are revealed at the annual school trivia night.

What I Thought Of It:  This was such an entertaining and great audio book.  This author sure does know how to tell a story.  These three main characters were incredible to read about and discover all of their "stories" that made them who they are.  I liked how the story was told from the alternating view point of each of these characters.  The beginning of the story tells that a major "event" occurs at the school trivia night, but you don't find out what this event is until toward the end of the book.  This was both a positive and a negative.  It made you want to read on, but also got a bit frustrating because it took so long to get to this event.  It was worth waiting though because there were so many surprising moments at the end of the story that I didn't see coming.  

Who Should Read It:  This is the perfect novel for adult readers.  It is story telling at its best.  If you haven't read anything by this author, then this would also be the perfect book to start with.  The number of pages is a bit on the long side, but once the story starts you really can't stop reading until you finally find out what happens at the trivia night.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

All the Answers by Kate Messner...

How I Heard About It:  I'm a fan of Kate Messner books so when I heard she was coming out with a new novel, I was excited to get my hands on it.  I was even more excited with all of the great pre-release positive reviews.  

What It Is About:  Ava life is about to change and all because of a pencil.  As she doodles in her notebook she writes a question she has about a test she is taking.  She is completely surprised when a voice gives her the answer to her question.  After some practice with the pencil, she shares this startling information with her best friend Sophie.  They can't believe the luck they have because of this magical pencil.  They begin to ask questions for tests at school, about their personal lives, and about the lives of family members.  Some of the answers they get they love and some they aren't so sure they want to know.  Ava is especially concerned when she gets information from this pencil about her own mother and grandfather.  With this information, she must decide if she is going to rely on the pencil for the answers or leave them up to herself and real life.

What I Thought Of It:  I found this to be an enjoyable read.  Kate Messner creates another awesome story with this novel.  The plot is unique and fun to read.  The mystery of the pencil was intriguing.  I enjoyed the characters of Ava and Sophie and the interactions they had with the pencil.  I also thought the idea of the pencil only answering certain types of questions was interesting.  One of the many strong aspects of the story was the relationship that Ava had with her friend Sophie, her mother, and her grandfather.    

Who Should Read It:  The great thing about Kate Messner is that she "gets" kids.  She writes the perfect book for the middle-grade reader.  This novel is perfect for a fourth, fifth, or sixth grade student.  It would also make for a great read aloud for classes in grades three through six.  I'm actually thinking of trying to fit this novel in this spring as a read aloud to my fourth grade class.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Friend Friday #80 (The Terrible Two)...

Hi!  I am Akos and I read the book called The Terrible Two written by Jory John and Mac Barnett.


I think this book was funny because it is about pranksters.    

My favorite part in the story was when they put cows in the school because the principal had to cancel school.  

The character that I liked best was Miles because he is just like me.   

I think the author wrote this book because they wanted to entertain the readers.  

I would recommend this book to my friends because it is really funny and I know they would love the pranks.  

Reading to me is important because it is super fun when you find the perfect book like this one.

Trailer Thursday #80 (Mary Lawson Novels)...

Crow Lake and The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson 

(Adult Novels)

Life Lesson #21 (Be a Friend)...

Be A Friend

*Such a simple concept, but can be so difficult for many of our youngsters.

*This is a lesson that spreads out across the entire year, but is good to focus on in depth.

*The class watches the video clip and then share our thoughts a bit.

*I then have the writers write in their writer's notebooks.

*They can record their thoughts, feelings, emotions, what they noticed, what they learned, or anything else related to the video clip and the "life lesson."

*The fourth graders really enjoy the videos each Thursday and produce some great writing.

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)

Wonder Wednesday #80 (Picture Book March Madness: Part One)...

Picture Book March Madness - 
Brackets #1 and #2

*This is the second year I'm having my students participate in "Picture Book March Madness."

*The readers loved it so much last year that I couldn't not do it again this February/March.

*This reading "Madness" goes along with the NCAA March Madness.

*I start a couple of weeks ago with Bracket #1.  Each week the students read and analyze 8 picture books.  After they read each one, they give it between 1-5 stars.

*Once all 8 books are read, the reader must put those books in order from their 1st favorite to their 8th favorite.

*It starts all over the second week with bracket #2.  We are currently reading bracket #3 books.

*I will rank all the books based on the votes and pair them up.  These will be displayed on a large bracket type poster.  Then the voting begins...

*Here are the picture books that were used this year for brackets #1 and #2...

Text Bracket

House Jack Built (NF)

Night Moon Fell(NF)

I Want My Hat Back

It’s a Tiger

Day Crayons Quit

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

Interrupting Chicken

Stray Dog     

Illustrator Bracket

New York (NF)

Move! (NF)

Nugget & Fang

Baloney

Good News Bad News

Fossil

Wumbers

The Invisible Boy      

Picture Wednesday #23 (Sailing Ship)...

Sailing Ship (or is it?)

*Each Wednesday I share a picture with my fourth graders which leads into our daily writing.

*You can never go wrong with an optical illusion with kids.  They love them!

*We start with a class discussion about the photo and have a few students share what they see.

*Then the writers record their thoughts, feelings, reactions, what they notice, or create a fiction story.

*The actual writing time is anywhere from 5-10 minutes.  

*At the end of the writing time, a couple of writers will share from their notebooks.