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
Category: Blog Posts
Posts from Members of the TBR Blogging Team
Thank You, Kwame Alexander
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
Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin and Kate Messner
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
Odd Bods: The World’s Unusual Animals
I don't know what March means for you, but for me it means a mad dash to prepare my students for our state standardized testing... the MCAS. We read text selection after text selection and write open response after open response. To try and make it fun, I tell my students each response needs to… Continue reading Odd Bods: The World’s Unusual Animals
The Meaning of Pride
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
The Book Fair
Book fair week is an exciting time for many students and families. Our Parent Communication Council (PCC) sponsors the annual book fair and they provide an evening during the week for families to come in and socialize together all while browsing the books. Families enjoy the event and have the opportunity to purchase books for… Continue reading The Book Fair
The Kindest Red
The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K.Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly In The Kindest Red, Faizah gets ready for picture day at school by wearing a hand-me-down red dress that she had been longing to wear. She and her friend Sophie twirl in their dresses. At school, her… Continue reading The Kindest Red
Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! For our class read aloud, my class opted for Gordon Korman's Restart. It's a title I had never read before, but the other fourth grade teachers in my school raved about it. When my class voted for it over the other four titles, I smiled. Not only was I excited to… Continue reading Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers
The Eyebrows of Doom
Some days you just want a good laugh with kindergarteners, a playful romp in author's craft, illustrations, predictions, and good old fun. This book by Steve Smallman and Miguel Ordonéz has many opportunities for that playful read aloud fun. After a week of benchmark assessments, I dropped by a kindergarten class and asked if they… Continue reading The Eyebrows of Doom
How We Say I Love You
How We Say I Love YouBy Nicole ChenIllustrated By Lenny Wen How We Say I Love You, by Nicole Chen and illustrated by Lenny Wen, is a perfect book to read as we head into the Valentine's Day season. The story celebrates a multicultural family and all of the ways they show that they care… Continue reading How We Say I Love You
Black Boy Joy!
I wrapped up the teaching portion of our mini lesson and began linking our community work to what I wanted readers to try independently. "Okay, you have two important decisions to make as you go off today! First, you'll choose a NEW short story to experience. As I lay out the stacks, I want to… Continue reading Black Boy Joy!
The Coat by Severine Vidal
Many people choose a one-word theme to guide their daily living in the year ahead. Since it’s currently January, social media feeds are filled with these one-word themes offering new intentions and inspiration for all. If you were to choose a one-word theme for your classroom, what would it be? Think about the ways you… Continue reading The Coat by Severine Vidal
Octopuses Have Zero Bones: A Counting Book About Our Amazing World
About a year ago, I was sitting on my couch, when I realized with a shock that I had an implicit bias against nonfiction, and that this bias had not only unknowingly affected my impressions of my loved ones but of my students as well. If you're interested in taking a deep dive into how… Continue reading Octopuses Have Zero Bones: A Counting Book About Our Amazing World
Sometimes, All I Need is Me
Sometimes, All I Need is Me by Juliana Perdomo was the perfect book to read while we reflect on starting a new year. As I read the story to my third grades this morning the room became more settled and a sense of calm filled the air. We usually have a similar feel when we… Continue reading Sometimes, All I Need is Me
I AM QUIET A Story for the Introvert in ALL of Us
Like people, books can be complicated. A quick glance at the cover and an opinion is formed ---“Now that’s a book I'd like to read, or Nah, I’m not into . . .” Time spent within the pages can confirm or change the reader’s initial impression, surprising them as the book’s message is revealed and… Continue reading I AM QUIET A Story for the Introvert in ALL of Us
Feelings Check
It's just the simplest form; the kids complete it about once a month. All I do is put it on their tables one morning, so they can fill it out after they put their things away. The students know the routine. They can bring it to me and share what they wrote or put it… Continue reading Feelings Check
My Name Is Not Ed Tug
A name is one of the most important identifying features about a person. It is one of the very first decisions that is made for you and you have no control or say in the matter. Many people like their names, or learn to live with a nickname, some people do not. When you get… Continue reading My Name Is Not Ed Tug
A Journey Under the Sea
As we neared the end of our units on both nonfiction reading and informational writing, I came across A Journey Under the Sea at my local bookstore. While at first browse I was captivated by the beautiful photographs, it was the vivid storytelling that convinced me this was a book I had to share with… Continue reading A Journey Under the Sea
Twelve Dinging Doorbells
Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Ebony Glenn, is set to the tune of the familiar Twelve Days of Christmas. In this version, a little girl gathers with family for the holiday. As the doorbell rings, relatives arrive filling the house with foods such as chitlins and baked macaroni and cheese. The… Continue reading Twelve Dinging Doorbells
With each year, a new purpose
Entering my eighth year of teaching, there are a stack of books that I know I'll read. Of course, there is plenty of room for new books to join and other familiar books to jump back in the pile too. Something that has been fascinating to me this year has been watching how books come… Continue reading With each year, a new purpose
How Old is Mr. Tortoise? by Dev Petty
I have a confession to make. I love read alouds. I love to read aloud to children and their teachers. I love children and their teachers to read aloud to me. I believe in the power of reading aloud. So many skills to work on with students with read aloud, playing with language, prediction, admiring… Continue reading How Old is Mr. Tortoise? by Dev Petty
If You Find a Leaf by Aimee Sicuro
If You Find a LeafBy Aimee Sicuro Today, my daughters and I braved the blast of cold that has entered the Northeast, fast and furious. As the wind blew harder, the girls delighted in the leaves that seemed to dance down the street. The girls raced the leaves until the wind died down. "I'm going… Continue reading If You Find a Leaf by Aimee Sicuro
Up Your Nose. . .?!
Two weeks ago, I drove to school thinking about the impressive features I had noticed in fourth graders' information books. Upon their arrival, I checked in with three writers about borrowing their books for the beginning of writing workshop. When we gathered on the rug, I quickly shared that I wanted to begin our time… Continue reading Up Your Nose. . .?!
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
Written by Nina LaCour & Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita "Have you have ever missed someone or something? Have you have ever missed someone or something and it almost felt like a physical ache? Have you have ever missed someone or something so much that when you were reunited the feelings of missing crashed into the… Continue reading Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
Dressing Up the Stars by Jeanne Walker Harvey
I’ve always known what I’ve wanted to be when I grew up since I was very small. I remember lining up my dolls to read to them and making my friends sit through hours of imaginary school lessons after our real day was complete. I didn’t know how or why, but I just knew I… Continue reading Dressing Up the Stars by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Better Readers, Better Humans!
With 18 index cards in hand, I scoured the shelves of the Millis Public Library. I glanced down at the nonfiction topics each reader was interested in and started pulling book after book. The stack continued to grow as I simultaneously began to consider what mentor text I would use. . .time for something new.… Continue reading Better Readers, Better Humans!
Turning Transitions into a Favorite Part of the Day
It all started because I didn't enjoy the transitions that are a part of classroom life. For whatever reason, clapping, chimes, and even silent signals just didn't feel right. So instead, I play music. When the students hear a song they end whatever they are doing and head to the meeting area. I really don't… Continue reading Turning Transitions into a Favorite Part of the Day
Because Claudette
Because Claudette by Tracey Baptiste is a must-have book for upper elementary classrooms. There are many ways I could have used this book in my classroom this morning including, but not limited to: Examining cause and effect text structure Discussing Civil Rights Discussing Ageism Discussing Perseverance Discussing Collaboration Discussing Nonviolent Protest But today, I chose… Continue reading Because Claudette
Everywhere With You
Everywhere With You written by Carlie Sorosiak and illustrated by Devn Holzwarth is a new addition to our classroom library. This book reminded me about the power of a first read without any stopping and thinking moments. The story opens with two houses and a fence between them. On one side of the fence is… Continue reading Everywhere With You
Out of a Jar
Many of you may already be familiar with Deborah Marcero's book, In a Jar, a strong mentor text for students as they reflect on memories made and shared. Out of a Jar, also by Deborah Marcero is her newest picture book and it artfully depicts many tough emotions a person can have, both the positive… Continue reading Out of a Jar
Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story
“Yes, we are FINALLY going to read this book, I have been DYING for you to read it,” exclaimed one of my fourth graders as he saw me pull Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story, from my basket. Shouts of “Oh, me too” and “I can’t wait for this,” could also be heard. Before reading, we acknowledged… Continue reading Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story