Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?
Have you thought about using novels with small groups, but aren’t sure where to start? It is definitely possible to do so in the primary grades! Here’s how I got started using chapter books with my second graders during my small group time. WHY USE NOVELS WITH SMALL GROUPS? My very first year of teaching, I was in… Read More
What does writing time look like in your classroom? Are your students feverishly writing page after page? That’s great! But if your students watch the clock and count down the minutes until writing is over, then it’s time to add a little fun to your writing block. Here are 10 simple ways to increase writing engagement in your classroom. … Read More
I think we can all agree that kids love to play math games. I love to build upon their love of games by incorporating game time into my math block as often as possible. Playing math games is not only fun, but these games can also provide so many benefits. Here are 5 reasons to play math games in the… Read More
Choosing the right book for your reading group can be overwhelming – especially when it can be a determining factor in the engagement and success of your group. Here are 10 things I take into consideration when choosing books for reading groups. Reading Level A student’s instructional reading level is a place to start when choosing books for your… Read More
Having stuffed animals in the classroom can provide emotional comfort and academic support. Here are five ways you can use stuffed animals in the classroom. Reading Buddies This is probably the most common way that teachers use stuffed animals in the classroom. If you use The Daily 5 for your reading block, you know that Read to Someone can often… Read More
If you want to encourage a love of reading in your classroom, you will need a wide variety of books. Finding those books is not always easy and your wallet can take a big hit! Here are ten ways you can add books to your classroom library. Scholastic I did my student teaching in a first grade classroom, but… Read More
While I love my name now, growing up it was not always my favorite. I did not like being teased about it. “Tell me a story, Storie!” or “Is your middle name Book?” or “Is that your REAL name?” A name is a huge part of our identity. Each student in the classroom has a special name. It is our responsibility to learn AND respect each and every name. This includes how to spell and pronounce them. There are a handful of books written that celebrate the beauty, history, and magic behind names, but Your Name is a Song is a new book by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe that needs to be shared.
After spending a day at school hearing her name being mispronounced, a little girl tells her mom that she doesn’t want to return. In response, the mother teaches her the musicality and magic behind a wide variety of names. Empowered with this new knowledge, the girl returns to school the next day ready to share what she has learned with her classmates and teacher.
This book not only has a beautiful message, but the illustrations are gorgeous. I appreciate that the author has selected a large variety of names to celebrate, but has also taken the time to include a pronunciation guide and meaning behind each name. This would be a wonderful addition to your classroom, school, or home library.
Be sure to check out Your Name is a Song by @authorjamilah and @lupencita . Thank you to @theinnovationpress for sharing this book with my family in exchange for an honest review.
➡️ Head to my blog to grab a few FREE activities to pair with this book: storiesbystorie.com/your-name-is-a-song-activities/
Seatbelts, everyone!
bit.ly
Universal, Elizabeth Banks’ Brownstone Productions and Marc Platt are developing a feature live-action hybrid movie about Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus. Joanna Cole wrote the books with ...Eva dreams of dancing. She also has cerebral palsy, and doesn’t know what dancing would look like for someone in a wheelchair. She’s doesn’t want to imagine or pretend, she just wants to dance.
When Mom finds an audition for dancers of all ages and abilities, Eva isn’t so sure. She wonders if the other kids will stare and whisper. When she arrives, she hesitates, but with the encouragement of her teacher and classmates, Eva’s dancing dream becomes a reality.
I Will Dance by Nancy Bo Flood and Julianna Swaney is an absolutely beautiful story and the illustrations are just as amazing. I love how this book portrays that there are many different types of dancers.
Have you read this book yet?
On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you that it’s summer? ☀️
It’s our first official day of summer break and I’m already dreaming of reading outside while my kids play. I thought it would be fun to kickoff the season with a fun craft. This one can be used to describe a favorite summer memory, a great book, and more! The best news is, it’s F R E E!
You can find this craft here: bit.ly/SummerSunCraft
