TGI Spring Break!

Can we just take a minute to appreciate the greatness that is Spring Break? Up until a few years ago we were still only getting one week off in March and now that just seems way too short. Thank goodness for whichever powers at the school board decided to save some money by closing the school for an extra week...I really appreciate it!

With Spring Break comes so much extra free time. Free time to sit and think about school stuff, just from the comfort of my couch. One of the things I've been thinking about this week are read alouds. Here are some of my latest favourites that you might want to check out.

1) Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate for Grades 4-6

When Jackson and his family have to deal with the possibility of moving again, his imaginary friend Crenshaw - an oversized cat - shows back up in his life. This book deals with a lot of heavy topics - poverty, the illness of a parent, moving - which can lead to some great discussions about growth mindset, grit, and sticking together.

2) Refugee by Alan Gratz for Grades 4-7

Refugee follows the stories of three characters: Josef, a Jewish boy living in Nazi Germany; Isabel, a Cuban girl in 1994; Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015. This book would be a great read aloud during a Social Studies unit on immigration/refugees to help students build compassion and empathy for what people around the world may be going through.

3) Ugly by Robert Hoge for Grades 3-6

If your students loved Wonder, try Ugly, the memoir of Robert Hoge who was born with a tumor in the middle of his face. This sounds like a great story highlighting the importance of courage, resilience, and overcoming obstacles.
*Disclaimer* This is the one book on this list that I haven't read, but I am intrigued by it.

4) The Wild Robot by Peter Brown for Grades 3-7

I've always loved Brown's picture books, so when I saw this come out, I had to grab it. This is a charming tale about a robot that is shipwrecked and comes alive on an island. She must learn to adapt to the wilderness (and its inhabitants) in order to survive.

5) The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown for Grades 3-7

If you loved The Wild Robot then you have to pick up the sequel (which came out last week) to see how Roz's story concludes. 

6) Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Another one by Applegate; her writing style is so engaging for students and teachers. This is a fantastic story that introduces students to the topic of prejudice. Since the narrator is a tree, there are a lot of interesting observations made about human nature and how we treat each other.

Well, now I'm off to enjoy another week of sitting on my couch. I hope you are also enjoying a relaxing break. If you're still in school, or just returning, and need something to occupy your students, make sure to grab my *free* Spring Break Mini Pack of Fun Activities {HERE}.

Why I Love Graphic Novels

A new school year is approaching and it’s the perfect time to reassess your classroom library.

Do you have books that you love, but haven’t been picked up by a student in years?

Do you have books that are so well-loved that they lose pages every time they are read?

Or do you just need some new suggestions to keep your student readers engaged?

Whatever your classroom needs, I am here to suggest that you make sure you have at least a few graphic novels on hand.

When I was first introduced to graphic novels during my university years, my professor mentioned that some people didn’t see any value in them.

This is not how I feel. At all. For me, graphic novels have so many fantastic qualities.

1) They are aesthetically pleasing (insert: less overwhelming)

Let’s be honest. When choosing a book, some students - especially reluctant readers - get overwhelmed when they flip through a novel and find page after page of text. The appealing visual aspects of graphic novels allow students to quickly get a feel for the story in a less daunting way.

2) They can cover serious topics in an accessible way

From bullying to illness, while some graphic novels are full of fun, lighthearted adventures, many others tackle daunting issues that students may face.

via Amazon

**El Deafo tells the tale of author Cece Bell's hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent feelings of being isolated from her peers.

3) They help students learn to make inferences

In graphic novels, so much must be left to the reader to infer because of the limited space for text and graphics. When students scan from panel to panel, they must be able to follow the story and think beyond what is explicitly shown. This is great practice for making inferences in novels that strictly contain the written word.

4) They engage reluctant readers

Students who struggle with reading often become discouraged when choosing texts at their level, especially as they move into the intermediate grades. They often want to read the same books as their peers, rather than stick out by reading books that appear too "babyish." Just as with picture books, the images in graphic novels allow struggling students to follow the plot, but with more mature texts.

**BONUS** In recent years, some popular novels have been getting rereleased as graphic novels. Struggling readers are now able to access some popular series that they may not have been able to in the past and I think that is just fantastic.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Baby-Sitters Club, and A Wrinkle in Time are just a few books/series that have recently been transformed into graphic novels.

5) They get kids reading

From struggling readers to students reading well beyond grade level, I have found that most of my students thoroughly enjoy graphic novels. Students often eagerly form their own waitlists for popular graphic novels from our classroom library and I could not be more thrilled. After all, don’t we want our students to develop a genuine love of reading?

6 Book Series for Reluctant Readers

Let's kick this post off with a quote that I wholeheartedly believe…

For me, finding books that students love, regardless of genre or topic, is probably my number one priority. I want my students to love reading and I try my best to model and encourage that every single day. When a student tells me they don't like reading, my standard response is:

Today's post was actually inspired by one of my students today. After months of being apathetic towards reading, he actually asked if he could take a book home for the weekend…I felt like I had won the lottery.

So if you are having a difficult time finding chapter books for some of your struggling readers, I've got a list of six book series that have been read and reread by my students over and over again during the past few years. Initially I was going to write this post about book series for reluctant BOY readers, but as I was composing my list of books, I realized that most of these books are enjoyed equally by all my students.

All images via Amazon

1) Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Did I really need to mention this series? I thought I had finally stopped hearing about "The Cheese Touch"…until a student mentioned it just the other day. This series has been going strong for years and will hopefully engage reluctant readers for many more.

2) Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce

I am constantly being asked by my students to find more books from this series. The boys and girls in my class are fully obsessed.

3) Stink by Megan McDonald

I've known about Judy Moody for a few years, but I just discovered the spin-off series for her brother Stink. The length and reading level of these books makes them perfect for struggling readers who want to move onto chapter books…and what kid can resist reading about a character named Stink! Bonus: they are illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, the author & illustrator of some of my favourite picture books.

4) Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

Another no-brainer for this list. Rick Riordan now has a bunch of other similar or spin-off series, including the new Magnus Chase series. My students freaked when I told them about this new series before it was released in October.

Another great thing about the Percy Jackson series is that they are now available as graphic novels, a format that my students adore.

5) Bone by Jeff Smith

Like I said, my students adore graphic novels and I know they are not alone. Our school library has multiple copies of these books because they are always checked out.

6) Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi

What can I say? Another graphic novel favourite.

Do you have any other series that would make great additions to this list?

Wild About Us! Freebie

I recently discovered an adorable book called Wild About Us! by Karen Beaumont. It is a super sweet book about animals celebrating their differences. As I read it, I realized it was a perfect text to have students model to celebrate themselves.

From wrinkly skin to huge feet, from long noses to spots, the animals don't make fun of differences, they embrace them!

I've created this super simple freebie to get students writing about (and celebrating) what makes them wild about themselves. You can click {HERE} or the picture below to grab it.

You could even use this to make a fun Wild About Us! class book to begin or end the year!

A Random Assortment of Books, Shoes & Reviews

Can you believe the end of the school year is just around the corner? No? Me neither. The school years keep passing faster and faster and I cannot believe it.

So, it's the end of the school year and I haven't blogged in over a month, of course there are a few random, unrelated things about which to talk.

Number one is new books. Lately I have been finding a ton of new books/authors that are "new-to-me." It doesn't matter to me if they came out a year ago or one month ago, it is great to find new classroom books to add to my classroom library. I may or may not have a bit of a book obsession. It doesn't matter what age/grade level the books are meant for, if I like them, I buy them. Here are two that have caught my eye lately.

The first one I found came out about a year ago. It's called Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Light. If you teach preschool, kindergarten or even first grade, this one's for you. It's a great book for little learners who are practicing counting up to 20. The heavily detailed illustrations are in black and white *except* for the object that is being counted. Students will enjoy spending time counting the objects and searching for the dragon in each picture.

Click {HERE} to check it out on Amazon.

Another great book is Oh No, George! by Christ Haughton. This is a great book for students who are *trying* to make good choices, but may be struggling. George demonstrates how to make things better when his choices have negative repercussions (hello restitution!). **Spoiler alert** The unfinished ending provides a perfect opportunity for students to decide what the best decision would be, providing great practice for students who are struggling in that area.

Click {HERE} to check it out on Amazon.

Another thing I've been thinking about lately - shoes! I am not a huge shoe person, but I do love a great ballet flat. These new colors of Tieks have been calling my name. What's your go-to shoe?

And finally, I'm thinking about the end of the year - what teacher isn't? I don't know about you, but the next few weeks (still almost two months left) are full of assemblies, field trips, meetings and, oh yeah, curriculum. It is so important to make sure students are prepared for next year, so I have created a few reviews to help cover that. With an answer key provided for each packet, you just need to print and you are ready to go - a busy teacher's best friend at the end of the year!

You can click {HERE} or the picture to check them out.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend because you know Monday will be here before you know it!

10 of My FAVORITE Chapter Books for Kids!

I am so excited about this post. I LOVE reading. Picture books, novels, non-fiction, I get excited about it all. So today I wanted to talk about 10 (I know, how could I narrow it down to only 10?!) of my favorite chapter books for kids.

When I was making this list, I was getting excited. That is the power books hold over me. Just glimpsing the cover of a book I haven't read in years is enough to bring back great memories.

I have to preface this list by saying that it may seem completely unorganized and seemingly disconnected. There is no set age-range or theme, but rather I solely chose books that have somehow impacted me. These are books that have stayed with me since childhood or have somehow impacted my teaching. This list is a book of favorites - my favorites. I'm sure I've left out some masterpieces, but when I sat down to think, these are the 10 that popped into my mind. So without further ado, let's move on to the list!

10) The BFG by Roald Dahl

All books via Amazon

Of course I had to start my list off with a Roald Dahl - you'll see that this will be a reoccurring theme! I first heard this book as a classroom read-aloud in third grade and have loved it ever since. The detail, the humour, the suspense, it is great.

9) From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Mystery, intrigue, and New York City, what more do you need?

8) The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

I love this book because it is the perfect first chapter book read-aloud for young readers. Plus, it's a really great story - who can't help but love that sweet, little Despereaux?

7) The Giver by Lois Lowry

When I read this book in seventh grade, it was so different than other books I had previously read. The concept had a powerful impact on me then that still resonates to this day.

6) Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

When I read this book, all I wanted to do was eat tomato sandwiches and carry a spy notebook. Love it.

5) James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Another Roald Dahl. I'm sure I could have filled this entire list with his books but I limited myself to three. This one makes the list because it was the first novel read-aloud I heard while in school. One of my favorite teachers read it to my class in first grade and it sparked my interest in novels. Before that I had been a voracious reader, but I had only ever seen picture books for kids - I thought novels were limited to adults! The thought that there were novels - amazing, long, intricate stories - for kids, opened a new world of reading for me.

4) Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This is another book that has stuck with me since childhood. Novels can be powerful way to introduce tough historical topics to students, and this novel does just that.

3) The Breadwinner Trilogy by Deborah Ellis

This book came out when I was in university and by the time I started student teaching it was SO popular among students. The school library could not keep it on the shelves and boys and girls alike were devouring it. It brings current news and issues into the classroom and sends a powerful message.

2) The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

This series came out when I was a kid, but for some reason I didn't discover it until adulthood. I heard about it over and over again, but for some reason, I resisted reading it - big mistake! As soon as I picked up the first book, I couldn't put it down. It was a stay-up-until-2a.m. read for me and I continue to re-read the series all the time. I always feel that the hallmark of a great children's book is that adults love it too, and this series is a perfect example.

1) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Hands down, this is my favorite chapter book for kids. It's great as a class read-aloud, to inspire struggling readers or for students to re-read over and over again. This book has stuck with me since childhood. When I was in elementary school, as soon as my teacher finished reading it to the class, I immediately went to the local library and checked it out. I have read it countless times over the years and it will always hold a special place in my literary heart.

So those are my favorites, what are some of yours? Even as I was going through the list, I know I've left off a bunch, so I might have to make a 2.0 list!

I've seen a lot of students that struggle with reading & responding to chapter books. If you're interested in something to help your students with their comprehension, I have a bunch of prinables just for that . . .

You can click {HERE} or the above pictures if you'd like a closer look.

If you're interested in similar printables designed for use with picture books, you can check out a blog post I wrote {HERE} about using picture books to make predictions.

Daily Language Bundle Pack

You are about to see a rarity on this blog (well actually two rarities if you count blogging, since that has been pretty rare lately, too!) - a real picture. That's right. I actually took out my camera phone, and snapped a picture. I never do this. It took me two or three days to get first day of school pictures - SHHH! - of the students because I kept forgetting my camera.

But, on this rare occurrence, I took out my phone to get a picture of my new Daily Language pack. Perhaps I just had to mark this occasion, because in finishing up this new pack, I actually have finished up my ENTIRE Daily Language series for firsties, so I was able to bundle it, yay!

So, without further ado, here is one of the few pictures that will probably ever grace this blog . . .

I know, I know, but please hold your applause. I mean just look at that artistic angle, the blur, the ability to be two feet from it and still not have it fully in focus . . . is there an award or contest this should be entered into?

But seriously, how is that I can take a photo of something that is not moving, and it STILL appears out of focus. I tell ya, it doesn't matter how new/expensive/easy-to-use a camera is, I can not take a good picture to save my life, yikes!

But, back to the subject of the picture, my Daily Language pack. I now have 6 Daily Language packs available for first grade, including a Summer Take-Home booklet. You can click the pictures below to check out each individual pack:

Each page in the first five packs contains five questions, covering various common core language and reading standards. For the summer booklet, each page contains two days of practice, with each day covering one or two topics with one or two questions per day - gotta keep it simple in the summer! The packs spiral in difficulty, starting with a review of Kindergarten common core standards in the back to school pack and ending with a review of the first grade standards in the summer take-home booklet.

I chose to only do 5 questions per page because I wanted to keep it quick, simple and to the point. I find that the students that most need these reviews are usually the ones that also need something simple and not too overwhelming.

Constantly reviewing concepts, while adding new topics and questions makes this a perfect daily review that can be used for morning/bell work, to fill a few free minutes during the daily schedule or as homework. Each pack comes with an answer key - easy marking!

Click the pictures above, or {HERE} to check out the full bundle.

Now I've just got to finish the 2nd grade bundle, wish me luck!