Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?
What does it mean to be brave? Many kids think it means being strong and doing heroic acts. But sometimes, it means having the courage to be yourself. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun is a great story about a young girl who learns to embrace her differences while facing a boy named Ralph who does not make this easy…. Read More
With so much going on in the world, it can be hard to feel brave. I want my kids to know just how strong they are. That despite their size, they can find the courage to face their fears. Sometimes I like to turn to a book when I can’t find the words myself. Here are some great books about… Read More
Waiting is hard. In the classroom setting, many students have trouble waiting their turn, which often leads to interrupting. So how do you tackle this issue? I tend to turn to picture books. One of my favorite books to share is My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook. Here are some of my favorite activities to pair with this… Read More
The Innovation Press has recently released Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe. This book is a celebration that reminds us of the beauty, history, and magic behind names. I want to share a few name activities you can pair with this book. I received a copy of this book from The Innovation Press in exchange for an… Read More
There is no such thing as a boy book or a girl book. Books are for everyone! Kids should be able to grow up and follow their own dreams, not one that society thinks they should pursue based on their gender. We have been adding several books to our collection over the past few years that help break gender stereotypes… Read More
When you think about summer, what comes to mind? For my kids, it’s swimming, running barefoot through the grass, a trip to the amusement park, and eating popsicles before they melt. Here are some great children’s books about summer that help capture those moments and memories. You can click on any of the covers below to learn more about each… Read More
✏️“I don’t know what to write.”
If you teach writing workshop, you’ve probably heard this more times than you can count. When your mini lessons aren’t reaching every writer, it might be time to reach for a picture book. That’s why I’m so excited that @katemessner and @marksiegel2020 have teamed up again!
How to Write a Story takes readers on a young girl’s journey from choosing an idea to sharing her finished writing piece. Kids are sure to get inspired by the colorful illustrations and create their next story. Swipe to sneak a peek inside the book.
What are some of your favorite picture books about writing? I'll share some of my favorites down below.
#howtowriteastory #writingmentortext
Just because your kids can read to themselves doesn't mean they have outgrown the read aloud. Here are some tips for read aloud. Number 5 is my favorite!😀
storiesbystorie.com
Reading aloud to children of all ages is so important. Some teachers and families don't make time for read aloud because of busy schedules, lack of books, or because their kids can already read indepe...This morning I set my son up on the computer for his Google Meet and then slid back over to my computer to start work. After listening to his teacher cheerfully greet each and every student, she mentioned that she had a book to share. Suddenly I found myself caught up in her story. Why? Because she was reading Our Class is a Family written by my friend, Shannon.
This rhyming story wants to help each and every student feel loved, included, and safe in the classroom. It shows that a classroom family celebrates what makes each member unique, how the people love and respect one another, and that the classroom is a safe place where it’s okay to make mistakes and grow together. This book is perfect for the first few weeks of school, but can also be revisited throughout the year.
Sometimes a book comes along at the perfect time with an important message. No matter how you’re teaching right now, your class is like a family. Building relationships and community is more important than ever. Have you shared this book with your students yet?
P.S. I hope you’ll autograph my copy of #ourclassisafamily the next time I see you @lifebetweensummers 😉!
MONSTERS!
This weekend I updated my book companion for I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll. While working on that, I decided to add resources for the sequels to that story: Hey, That's My Monster! and How I Met My Monster. These book companions all have comprehension questions, vocabulary practice, graphic organizers, and either a monster craft or directed drawing. Take a peek at these new crafts. I had so much fun putting them together!
These companions have been bundled so you can mix-and-match the crafts between the books. I'll leave a link with more info below.
