Writing Camp

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

Blog Posts

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!

Writing Camp

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

Blog Posts, Read Aloud

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

Blog Posts

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

Blog Posts

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

Writing Camp

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

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

Writing Camp

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

Blog Posts

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

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

Blog Posts

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

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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

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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

Blog Posts

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?