Book Balance

Summer is flying. I have piles of books that I had planned to read...most are still piled...untouched and unread. I did read a few this summer. You will see I tried the school vs. non-school balance. My pile included:

This was a great book, but more applicable to the upper grades. Since I teach first, I took what I could. (I actually took this to the beach! #teachernerd)

Excellent book! I couldn't put it down.

This was a great, easy read that calmed me down about conferring during Writer's Workshop. I think teachers can be too hard on themselves to "research the perfect teaching point." The message this text sent me was that conferences are conversations. Talk with the student about their work.

 Again, great tips but for upper elementary/early middle school. Knowing what I did about the first book she wrote, this one was more of a skim and jot anything interesting that jumped out at me.

This one was mentioned for our book club. Very interesting story about a teen who wakes up in a different body every morning. A little unsettling, but interesting all the same. I saw this one through to the end. (I have begun a bad habit of abandoning books midway if I'm not into it).

Are you reading anything good? Beach reads? Back to school prep??

Liz

Veteran's Day Adventure

A Happy Veteran's Day and thank you to all of those who serve and have served for our country!
I had the good fortune of being in NYC today to witness the Veteran's Day Parade down Fifth Ave. I must say- it was inspirational seeing the lines of service men and women march down the street while hearing "God Bless the USA" by a high school choir. (Hits close to home on a number of levels.)

After a few minutes of enjoying the parade- my mother and I made our way through the crowded streets and happened upon a goldmine of books. I had completely forgotten about this used bookstore in midtown! They had a deal today- in their clearance section (all books $1!!) 5 for $3!! I stocked up. It also proved to be a holding ground for undiscovered treasures. I have been part of many Professional Developments including ones based in my district, Teachers College development, etc. I have heard MANY titles and purchased TONS. However, there were some that I had never heard of that were unbelievable! Here is my score:

The most expensive hardcover was $8.50. Seriously- very creative mentor texts, clever craft moves, and touching stories. 

The store had used movies, video games, and adult books as well. Here is the info about the place:

Bookoff

49 W45th Street

New York, NY

Do you have used bookstores near you?
Wiped after a fun-filled day in the city! Hope you enjoyed the long weekend!

~Tish

Bits and Bobs

So... my classroom is buzzing along into the holiday craze. We survived Halloween (awwww yeah!) and we are steaming toward Thanksgiving. Amid the sugar highs, school-wide assemblies, and buzz that is first grade...real work and progress is actually starting to emerge.

Exhibit A:

We used Interactive Writing to compose an invitation to read with our 3rd grade buddies. Interactive Writing and Shared Writing are often confused. Interactive means that you and the students share the pen. While one student fills in one word, the rest of the class can use their "magic pen" (finger) and sky write, write on the carpet, write on their arm, etc. You can see this letter is a mix of my writing, and several different student writing.

 Exhibit B:

The first grade teachers are also using the chart for several of our topics this year. We brainstorm what we think we know about a topic. As we learn about the topic, we move our ideas to the confirmed side or the back (the misconceptions). There is also a large area for new information we may have learned. The students refer back to this chart ALL. OF. THE. TIME. They love to see their ideas move around the page or to put up their new learning. New learning- gets them super excited!

First grade should be fun...and as teachers we need to fit in A LOT of learning into each and every day. Hey, if they get a kick out of saying "ding" each time we confirm an idea...I say go for it. For some reason, this interactive chart does it. They can just move the ideas around themselves. We have done one for Spiders, Pumpkins, and we are currently working on our Native American one.

Exhibit C:

Setting- classroom halloween party
Student: "Mom, what do I have to do here?"
Mom: "You have to write a few words to describe your pumpkin."
Student: "Hmmm...I think I will go with extraordinary."
Mom: "Are you serious?"
(Mom promptly calls me over to show me what her son has chosen to write about his pumpkin.)

LOL
No joke.
We read The Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni and Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson. Both very strong interactive read alouds. I totally didn't plan the extraordinary part- but as all observant first graders do, they noticed the same word in both titles. We had discussed their newly found vocabulary word in detail...and I guess it paid off. They are using it appropriately in their writing and in their describing as well. Take a peek at these books and keep your eye out at the used book sales at your local library. I have seen these for as little as $1. That's when you buy a few copies so that you have a back-up when they read these to pieces.

                  

Happy Teaching!