I'm always watching for mentor texts for our kindergarten persuasive writing unit and when I came across Rise Up and Write It by Nandini Ahuja and Anoosha Syed, I literally squealed. Not only does this book show how children can really impact change in the world, it is written by and about people of color.… Continue reading “I know we can change the world!”
Month: March 2022
Saving American Beach
March Madness is upon us in more ways than one! As a fan of Xavier Men’s Basketball not only am I watching the NCAA finals but I am also watching the NIT Tournament. Not where the Musketeers wanted to be, but they are still playing! In school, we have our annual March Madness book tournament… Continue reading Saving American Beach
A Little Bit of Zen for Our Little Ones
Need a little Zen for you and the little ones in your life? Look no further than this adorable, helpful book: Alphabreaths: The ABS of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard. Miss Erin (AKA Kindergarten teacher extraordinaire) does an amazing job of simultaneously fostering well being and academic learning. It's truly a joy to watch year… Continue reading A Little Bit of Zen for Our Little Ones
SOMETHING GOOD by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
The day the bad-something is discovered written on the bathroom wall, everything changes. Confusion, anger and worry spread through the class as rumors fly. It is not until some encouraging words from their principal and a creative assignment from their teacher, do the children rediscover their kindness and their power to create something good. SOMETHING… Continue reading SOMETHING GOOD by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
Above the Rim
How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball Written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Frank Morrison Sometimes you have to sit down, to stand up." It’s that time of year again! While fans are glued to their screens, anticipating college basketball wins through their March Madness brackets, elementary schoolers far and wide are elbow deep in picture… Continue reading Above the Rim
John’s Turn by Mac Barnett
John's Turn by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Kate Berube was recently published. It's a mentor text for being brave, taking risks, liking something different, and doing something in front of a large audience. I bet you can infer from the front cover what John shares with his whole school on a Friday morning. The… Continue reading John’s Turn by Mac Barnett
Writing Joy with Encanto
The first bend of our literary essay unit was a challenge. Do these young writers have enough ownership over the essay structure yet? I thought. Naturally, there was quite a range in the levels of independence at the end of our opinion unit, and I found myself feeling nervous for next steps. Yet, I found… Continue reading Writing Joy with Encanto
Bling Blaine: Throw Glitter Not Shade
This year our district's professional development focus is social emotional learning (SEL). I'm on my school's SEL committee which consists of myself, three other teachers, an instructional aide, our assistant principal and our principal. Last year we received training from an outside organization and this year we're tasked with passing on what we learned to… Continue reading Bling Blaine: Throw Glitter Not Shade
Decodables My Kids Can’t Stop Reading
Now, I am a big believer in authentic text, but there are times when readers need practice with a specific phonics skill. Applying newly learned phonics skills can be tricky for some, which is when I pull out a decodable text. A decodable text lets students focus on applying the phonics skill as they read.… Continue reading Decodables My Kids Can’t Stop Reading
Emma Every Day: Friendship Goals by C.L. Reid
Emma Every Day follows the adventures of young Emma, who loves playing soccer with her friends. Emma is deaf and wears a cochlear implant. Izzy and Emma use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. When Izzy wants to give up, Emma and her friend Chen are determined to show Izzy how fun soccer can be.… Continue reading Emma Every Day: Friendship Goals by C.L. Reid
Little People, Big Dreams: Greta Thunberg By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, Big Dreams: Greta Thunberg By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara March is Women's History Month. At our school, each class is choosing a woman that has made an impact on the world to research. They will then create a display to teach the rest of the school about that woman. Soon, our hallways will… Continue reading Little People, Big Dreams: Greta Thunberg By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Exquisite: The Poetry & Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
Exquisite: The Poetry & Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrera In honor of February’s Black History Month and March’s Women’s History Month and April’s upcoming Poetry Month, I tried to find a narrative picture book biography on a BIPOC woman that my kindergartners would understand. I succeeded with Exquisite:… Continue reading Exquisite: The Poetry & Life of Gwendolyn Brooks
Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer
Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer Fans of Daniel's Good Day will not be surprised by the exuberance of Wonder Walkers by the same author, Micha Archer. For me Micha Archer is on a literary roll, that I hope she keeps up. Look for me to review another book by this author in the coming months.… Continue reading Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer
Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl
The last couple of years have been hard on the world and it has taken a toll on all of us in different ways, especially educators and their students. As we move away from masking and social distancing toward the end of this pandemic, I find myself having a bit of difficulty in adjusting. Masking… Continue reading Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl
Timmi Tobson “Solve The Yourself Mystery Adventure” Series
Timmi Tobbson Adventures, by J. I. Wagner and illustrated by C. Frohlich, are an ongoing series of mystery books that invite readers to “Solve Them Yourself”. Currently, there are 2 books out, with a 3rd due to be released this spring. As each story begins, readers are given instructions and guidance for the mysteries that… Continue reading Timmi Tobson “Solve The Yourself Mystery Adventure” Series
Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang
"Make them special!... Make them yours." Amy loves to create and is very excited to make her own drawing after her teacher reads about dragons to the class. Amy works diligently to make her drawing special as Ms. Mary has directed. Amy's friends do not think Amy's drawing looks like a dragon. Their comments fill… Continue reading Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang
Mouse Seasons by Leo Lionni
Do you remember these books? I remember so clearly reading and rereading my copies of Fish is Fish, Inch by Inch, Alexander and the Wind-up Mouse, and Frederick. As a college student, I took a class on children’s storybooks, and remember being aghast at the fact that Swimmy was placed on the banned books list… Continue reading Mouse Seasons by Leo Lionni
The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López
“Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing.” Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López, creators of The Day You Begin, collaborate once again on this beautiful new picture book. Inspired by the stories and strength of enslaved people, Woodson pens a… Continue reading The Year We Learned to Fly by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López