To Look Closely Book Study

It was great seeing everyone at Panera Bread.  I loved hearing your thoughts for integrating ideas from this book into your curriculum.  We decided to write our thoughts about the rest of the book on this blog and then have a final meeting when school starts.  Let's read the next three chapters and leave your comments (positive or negative) below.

We Share Everything

My kindergartners' new favorite book is We Share Everything by Robert Munsch. In the book it's the first day of kindergarten and the children don't know what to do. They are fighting over blocks, paint, etc. and the teacher comes over and says in a sing-song voice, "Now look, this is kindergarten. In kindergarten we share. We share everything." The kids say, "okay, okay, okay." So the kids decide to share their clothes. When the teacher discovers this, she gets angry at the children. They children remind the teacher that, "This is kindergarten. In kindergarten we share. We share everything." The teacher faints and the kids start stripping off their clothes and sharing them with their classmates. You can hear Robert Munsch telling the entire story here.

I gave you that synopsis of the book to share what one of my ESL kindergartners said yesterday.
I kept dropping my marker, eraser, etc. and I made a grrrrrrr sound. My student said, "Now look, this is kindergarten" in a sing song voice. And of course I replied, "okay, okay, okay." It was one of those moments I won't forget. This student with limited English made a connection with that book and we made a connection with each other.

Never underestimate the power of reading aloud and reading favorites over and over. The language and repetition of this book creates patterns that appeal to children and help them learn. Book language becomes a part of us and a part of our classroom community.

Free Photos for Your Blog

You can find free photos for your blog at photopin.

How's It Going?

Someone asked me last night (at Tech Night) how I was enjoying my new position and here is the answer. I'm enjoying my position as a Title 1 Teacher and working with small groups of children teaching what I love best...reading. The perk of my position is that while I'm working with a small group, I do not have to worry about what the rest of the class is doing.  All you kindergarten teachers know what I mean! Although when I go into kindergarten and first grade classrooms, I sometime have feelings of...aw I miss that!  Everyone has made me feel welcomed to my new school and into their classrooms. I feel like the children that come to my room are indeed "shared" with me by their classroom teachers and I'm enjoying collaborating with the teachers and sharing antidotes. The leadership at my school is wonderful and they have made sure that I am included in school activities and committees and they value my many years and experience as an educator. I am also enjoying meeting new people and teaching writing before school to 3rd and 4th graders in our Morning Programs.

And how many people can go to work everyday knowing that their day is going to be filled with joy?  I know everyday that some child, book, story, or situation is going to make me laugh out loud.  This past week we had visitors in our classroom.  One of them was a PhD from our Central Office.  When I introduced her as Dr. ___to my small group, one of the children immediately pulled up his pants leg and said, "Fix me." When she explained that she wasn't that kind of dr. he replied, "Then what are you good for?" Of course he was very dramatic and I can't possible put into writing how funny the situation was.

And here is my sermon for this post...
This week I was reminded by an article  shared by our Director of Curriculum Instruction that good teachers are always learning and growing. They never say, "I already do that." Whenever you are involved in professional development whether it is a speaker, professional learning team, book study, or conference, think about how you can incorporate what you are learning into what you are doing.  If it sounds familiar, think about whether or not you have done that in a while.  Maybe it is time to take it out of your teacher tool box and use it again. Instead of saying, "I already do that," let it validate you as an educator.  Appreciate the speaker, conference leader, or your colleagues and appreciate yourself.

Fostering Independence

Fostering Independence


From Catching Readers Before They Fall blogpost

http://t.co/t8WBTa1n

Guest Post on AL NBCT Network Blog

Read my guest blogpost at http://alnbctnetwork.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-does-national-board-certification.html

Books That Heal Kids: Book Review: Beautiful Oops!

Books That Heal Kids: Book Review: Beautiful Oops!: Beautiful Oops! Author/Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up Publisher: Workman Publishing Company From the Boo...

I've been following this great blog where the author recommends books related to children's feelings, hardships and diversity. I have this idea for my book club for our December meeting.  Everyone choose a book recommended on this blog and bring it to book club.  We'll share the books with the club members and then donate them to a charity or needy school. Be sure to check out this blog and get your own group of friends, church members, or teachers to buy and donate books this holiday season.

Merry, merry!