Hi Writers, Let's learn to add labels and speech bubbles to our drawings and then touch and tell to think of what to write. I hope you enjoy watching Hoppy do a trick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfFfeT6BFzU I am going to work on my story and I hope you will too. Please add your writing to our Padlet… Continue reading K/1 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 5
Month: April 2020
Grades 2-5 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 32
Hi Writers, It is a BIG day at writing camp. Hoppy and Ranger get to watch a video of Alessandra teaching her cat Dusty to perform tricks. Then you will see how Alessandra uses her knowledge of vowel sounds to spell - WOW! I can't wait to hear what you think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9doBS1DGGQc Alessandra's letter to… Continue reading Grades 2-5 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 32
Dear Educators,
I hear you. I'm not good enough. I can't do this. This is too much. I hear you. What else can I try? How can I check on __________? Maybe if I... I hear you. What will happen next? How will I keep up? How can this be the best? I hear you. There has… Continue reading Dear Educators,
Grades 2-5 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 31
Hi Writers, I wrote in my notebook just like Mrs. Blumberg suggested. I hope you did too. Today I want to teach you how to slow down a moment when you write to capture the details. I can't wait to see what you created. https://youtu.be/9w6gobaAPuU I love reading your writing. Please add your work to… Continue reading Grades 2-5 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 31
Shakespeare for students: Engage!
Each year, in September, I introduce the works of William Shakespeare to my fourth graders with William Shakespeare and the Globe by Aliki and Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children, edited by Edith Nesbit. Selections from these books enable me to build background for students about Shakespeare. Students are fascinated by the… Continue reading Shakespeare for students: Engage!
Grades 2-5 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 30
Hi Writers, It's a special day at writing camp because we have a guest teacher. Today, Mrs. Blumberg (Mrs. B.) will explain how to keep a journal while we are staying inside to record this unusual time in our lives. https://youtu.be/7X2mZQ9W7tI Max created a poem to capture his feelings This student shared his disappointments about… Continue reading Grades 2-5 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 30
Rose’s Garden, written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds
This precious fable features Rose, a character who uses imagination, purpose and patience to build a community that is beautiful in every sense of the word. The plot involves Rose traveling in her teapot to a new land, a barren urban setting. She makes a plan to transform her new home. This eventually involves the… Continue reading Rose’s Garden, written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds
When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B Deenihan
When Grandma Gives you a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B Deenihan is a beautiful story about when unexpected things show up in life. In this story, the birthday girl gets a gift from grandma that is not in her list of "birthday wishes" at all. Grandma surprised her with a lemon tree. A lemon tree?… Continue reading When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B Deenihan
K/1 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 4
Hi Writers, Did you see how Alex wrote about a special toy? I'm going to try that today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60gPq-o73mE Look at what all of these kids are writing. You can add your writing to our Padlet Board too! https://padlet.com/tbmulligan/xtj7jk1467zg HAPPY WRITING!
Distance Learning with Choice Boards
Give your students a little control in a world where we've lost so much of that. You may be like me - stretched to your limit, worried about students in so many ways, wanting to teach but struggling to manage the many needs and schedules of our at home learners. While I can't make all… Continue reading Distance Learning with Choice Boards
K/1 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 3
Hi Writers, Let's write our story. Today I show you how I write the sounds I hear. I can't wait to read your stories. Please show them to your teachers. If you want me to read your writing, you can add it to the Padlet Board. HAPPY WRITING! Tammy https://youtu.be/Q3RUyNnjdNg
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger (Grades 2-5): Session 29
Hi Writers, Let's edit our writing today. In this lesson, I will show you when to put a new paragraph in your writing. https://youtu.be/xWb7bcMMPTA I can't wait to read what you create. Here is the link to our Padlet Board. I HAPPY WRITING!
I’m Happy-Sad Today
Yesterday afternoon I was sitting on my front porch looking at distance learning work in the sunshine when my friend sent a text. She's a faithful follower of the daily updates from our governor. She shared Ohio schools will remained closed for the rest of this school year. I anticipated this decision. Our numbers keep… Continue reading I’m Happy-Sad Today
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 28 (Grades 2-5)
Hi Writers, Today I will show you how to write a few endings to the letters you are writing. If you are not writing a letter, don't worry. This video can help you create an effective ending to any writing project. https://youtu.be/qtYMJAlU0V4 I can't wait to see what you create this week. If you want… Continue reading Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 28 (Grades 2-5)
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 27 (Grades 2-5)
Hi Writers, I have exciting news from writing camp. Each week, I will create a new writing project, and this week is letter writing. Since the people who live at nursing homes can't have visitors, I will write letters to the people who work and live there to cheer them up. You can do this… Continue reading Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 27 (Grades 2-5)
#ReadingIsNotCancelled
Our world looks and feels different right now. Teaching and learning structures look and feel different right now. In this time of extreme uncertainty and countless cancellations, I can say the following with confidence: Reading is not cancelled!" Teachers and authors have banded together, all over the internet, to make sure students are reading, writing… Continue reading #ReadingIsNotCancelled
Just Keep Reading…Part 2
“What are you reading?” How many times have you been asked this question? In this unprecedented time, this question is now followed up with, “Where are you getting your books?” Have you read all of the books you have at home? Are you interested in trying some new genres or authors? Do you want to… Continue reading Just Keep Reading…Part 2
K/1 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 2
Hi Writers, Look at all the writing and drawing students are working on while they are at home. Today, let's learn how to say our writing aloud before we write it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcElJMfCxlA You can add your writing to our Padlet board and I will write back to you. I can't wait to see what you… Continue reading K/1 Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 2
News from Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger
Many educators have asked for writing camp lessons geared to students in Kindergarten and First Grade. To help out, I will post Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger lessons for our youngest writers on Thursdays and Fridays. Writing Camp geared towards students in grades 2-5 will continue on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Thank you for… Continue reading News from Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger
You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration by Loree Griffin Burns
Loree Griffin Burns' new book You're Invited to a Moth Ball arrived this month. It's a delight for anyone who likes to be outside or has a fascination for insects. Now that our days and nights are less structured, there's more time to explore the world around us. You're Invited to a Moth Ball gives… Continue reading You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration by Loree Griffin Burns
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 25
Connor teaches Ranger how to say I love you. Hi Writers, Did you read what I wrote under the photo above? It is true. When you see the first part of this video, you can hear Ranger say I love you. This video made me laugh. I hope it makes you laugh too. Once you… Continue reading Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 25
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 24
Hoppy loves to take a nap on Ranger's head, and Ranger doesn't seem to mind. Hi Writers, Today I will show you what happened when I didn't reread my writing, and we will learn how to create a personal editing checklist. https://youtu.be/GLWI7RVV5g8 Thank you to all the kids who added their writing to our Padlet Board.… Continue reading Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 24
The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee
The Paper Kingdom, written by Helena Ku Rhee and illustrated by Pascal Campion, hits the perfect balance. The simple, enchanting story line will enrapture younger readers, who will love the magical tales Daniel’s parents tell him. At the same time, the underlying story of Daniel and his parents will leave older readers with important lessons… Continue reading The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee
Online Resource: Live Read Alouds from Authors
As students, teachers, and families navigate learning from home, many authors are stepping in to keep the book love going. Authors are offering livestreams of read alouds for the duration of school closures. Here are some of this week's offerings: Daily From April 13th to April 17th, Jason Reynolds will be reading Look Both Ways… Continue reading Online Resource: Live Read Alouds from Authors
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 23
Hi Writers, Today is an exciting day at writing camp because Alessandra, a third-grader, is my co-teacher. We will share ways writers can spelling long words. I can't wait to hear your thoughts about this lesson. https://youtu.be/UCkIGsO9dZQ Thanks, Alessandra, for being my co-teacher! HAPPY WRITING!
Online Resource: TrueFlix from Scholastic
I thought I would share an online resource that I have been using effectively with my fifth graders - TrueFlix from Scholastic. https://www.scholastic.com/digital/trueflix.htm As you can see, they are offering a free trial. The reading level has been perfect for my fifth graders, and each book is accompanied by an informative video. There is an… Continue reading Online Resource: TrueFlix from Scholastic
A Tribute to Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola has long been one of my favorite authors and illustrators, not just as a teacher, but as a child. I remember having "Strega Nona" read to me many times, and as someone who could eat pasta every day of the week, I really wanted that magic pasta pot! There was also a special… Continue reading A Tribute to Tomie dePaola
Can I Touch Your Hair?
One of the last demonstration lessons I wrote before we left school in mid-March was a cross-text synthesizing lesson with this lovely poetry book, Can I Touch Your Hair? by Irene Latham & Charles Waters. While I can't find my hard copy in the sea of books I have brought home with me, I bought… Continue reading Can I Touch Your Hair?
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 22
Hi Writers, Mrs. Kennedy had another lesson she wanted to teach you about spelling. Today you will learn how to make your own personal word wall. Grab some paper or a device and let's get started. https://youtu.be/us5DWTw4rfc Thank you to all the kids who added their writing to our Padlet Board. If you make a… Continue reading Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 22
Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 21
As soon as my friend Mrs. Kennedy heard it was spelling week at writing camp, she knew just what to teach. Here is a note from Mrs. Kennedy and her teaching video. Hi Writers, I thought of the writers I know and the tools they use to check their spelling as they are writing. Do you… Continue reading Writing Camp with Hoppy and Ranger: Session 21
Pokko and the Drum, Matthew Forsythe
Hi Readers, My friend, Mrs. Ryan, introduced me to a new story. Click below to listen to her read it aloud. I love this book. What do you think? https://youtu.be/MCvwwK5WhtQ HAPPY READING!