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Snowman-Cold=Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrations by Micha Archer

Snowman-Cold=Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas, Illustrated by Micha Archer April 10, 2022 We can't let April get by without digging into some poetry. One of my favorite poetry books that can act as a mentor for equation poems is Snowman-Cold = Puddle. Simple equations anchor this book while the author adds some explanatory details about… Continue reading Snowman-Cold=Puddle by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrations by Micha Archer

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What’s Inside a Flower? by Rachel Ignotofsky

What's Inside a Flower? and other questions about Science & Nature by Rachel Ignotofsky From the beauty and diversity of flowers to the steps involved in pollination, Rachel Ignotofsky breaks down every part of a flower and its place on earth in her stunningly beautiful book, What's Inside a Flower?. She modestly describes her purpose… Continue reading What’s Inside a Flower? by Rachel Ignotofsky

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The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge

Lita Judge crafts a dual informational/poetry books where she images the voice of the trees through poetry and explains the science of tree communities through sidebars. Take a journey with your students through this amazing versatile author's creative process outlined here in her own voice, identify the author's craft moves in this truly unique book,… Continue reading The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge

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Outside In by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby

Fall in New England is arguably the most beautiful season. Often a tree-produced riot of color, magical visuals flood our senses. Definitely time to get outside and possibly take a literal hike. I love so much about Outside In. It has been on my list to share for months. The illustrations beautifully crafted by Cindy… Continue reading Outside In by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby

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Extraordinary! Penny Harrison & Katie Wilson

As we begin this school year, perhaps a little unsettled from the last year and a half, our wonderful superintendent encouraged the educators in our district to ease into this year giving the students time to adjust, to settle in. She charged us with focusing on community building, the social emotional needs of each student.… Continue reading Extraordinary! Penny Harrison & Katie Wilson

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Setting Intentions: The Author’s Craft

At this time of year, I consider the beginning of a new school year. There are many obligations given to me as a literacy educator in a school district, but along with those noble ideas, I always set an intention for the focus of my work for the year, my personal work, my inner work,… Continue reading Setting Intentions: The Author’s Craft

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Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris

One of the bright spots of our current hybrid model is teaching a 'Changing the World' persuasive writing unit at first grade. This unit typically taught in the last quarter of kindergarten focuses on change-making. Initially student think of problems in their every day work and make posters and songs to encourage change. The young… Continue reading Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris

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My Footprints written by Bao Phi, Illustrated by Basia Tran

Fans of A Different Pond, will be thrilled to see a new offering by Bao Phi. Reading this book with Jennifer Serravallo's book club this summer, I was excited by what it offers to readers and especially to young writers. I tucked this book away, hoping to use it when the weather and the study… Continue reading My Footprints written by Bao Phi, Illustrated by Basia Tran

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Going Up by Sherry Lee

Going Up by Sherry Lee reviewed by Susan Kennedy As we are going back to school in whatever form that is taking, hopefully we are returning to writing. I love writing with students and hearing them storytell their narrative plans. Returning to school this fall, I hope we'll start with some narratives: small moments, memoirs,… Continue reading Going Up by Sherry Lee

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Creating a Buzz Around Books

      Creating a Buzz Around Books May 10, 2020 The laundry hums in the bathroom and I can hear someone walking around upstairs. If I'm distracted, the students probably are as well. One of the many concerns that we have as educators in this time of connected learning is keeping engagement and reading… Continue reading Creating a Buzz Around Books

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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?

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Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson

Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson An advance copy of this book made it into my hands from our local independent bookstore last spring.  I immediately loved it!  Always on the lookout for a book that fits the complexity we hope for our upper elementary readers without being too mature for them, Some… Continue reading Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson