Month: March 2023

The World's Loneliest Elephant: Based on the True Story of Kaavan and His RescueBy: Ralph FletcherIllustrated by Naoko Stoop The World's Loneliest Elephant, written by Ralph Fletcher and illustrated by Naoko Stoop, is a beautiful narrative nonfiction story. The book spans the life of a bull elephant named Kaavan, who came to live a rather… Continue reading The World’s Loneliest Elephant by Ralph Fletcher

In fourth grade, readers have monthly Shelfies to track their independent reading lives throughout the year. Once they complete a book, they write the title on their Shelfie. This practice helps them track their reading volume and book choices. Last year, I decided to add a little math joy to our reading community. This year,… Continue reading Book Count Warm-Ups

Kwame Alexander’s video kicked off our poetry unit of study. After they watched, the kids asked me if I knew how to make fried chicken and mac and cheese as well as Kwame (You will have to watch the video to understand Kwame’s joke.) Through this video, students developed a beginning understanding of ways to… Continue reading Thank You, Kwame Alexander

When I was a little girl, I’d get so immersed in the book I was reading that I’d tune everything else out. I wouldn’t hear people talking to me, I’d miss any commotion happening around me and I’d often blink and look around in confusion when I finally emerged from the page into the read… Continue reading Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner

What does pride mean to you? These ---the parting words from the book, The Meaning of Pride written by Rosiee Thor and illustrated by Sam Kirk have had a powerful impact in my social studies classroom recently.  For some readers, the book is an introduction to Pride, what it means and a celebration of notable… Continue reading The Meaning of Pride