Make a Difference Monday

Today is a gift, so share it with someone.  MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their life!  It doesn't have to be something huge..... just something!  What have you done this week to MAKE A DIFFERENCE?  What has someone done to MAKE A DIFFERENCE for you? 
adapted from KLove

The Book Whisperer Intro & Chapter 1

Discussion Ideas: 

(Feel free to use these to help with your own posts if you want!)

How did you feel as you started reading? What were your first thoughts, connections, insights?

I was so excited when I found this book study!  I am willing to admit that I need and want help so that I can become a better reading teacher.  I want my kids to LOVE reading... to WANT to read.  I can't wait to get further into the book so I can start making plans for the upcoming school year!

Were you like me and finally felt as though you had found someone who was speaking your language?

So much of what Donalyn Miller said and felt could have come right from me!  I've had the same frustrations with wondering what I was doing/not doing well.  If I felt frustrated about Reading time, how many of my students were feeling the same way?

Which part jumped out at you and made you say "aha!! I knew it"?

On page 17, Miller writes, "Instead of teaching books, I taught comprehension strategies and literary elements that students could apply to a wide range of texts."  I know this is common sense, but apparently I still needed to hear it....AGAIN!




Here is the WORDLE I created all about Reading.....or so I thought!   Somehow other random words form my posts somehow popped up as well!    Visit http://www.wordle.net/ to create your own!



The Book Whisperer Book Study

For more information about The Book Whisperer book study please visit Thinking of Teaching.

 QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

1) What is your favourite book (or series) from childhood?

I was so excited when I found this in my school's library a few years ago:

 

2) What is your favourite book (or series) now?

I think I have read every book that Maeve Binchy has ever written, and it all started with Circle of Friends.

3) What is your opinion of e-readers?

I've never actually used one, but if that's how people want to read...go for it!

4) Finish this sentence: "On Sundays I like to..."

I'd like to say relax and hang out with family/friends after church, but I'm usually cleaning, doing laundry, school stuff, figuring out what I'm going to wear for the week.  You know, the important stuff!

 5) Describe yourself in 5 words!

Christian, Mom, Teacher, Friend, Singer  (I'm kinda good--at least in my mind!)

6) Hardcover or paperback? Why?

Paperback, and because it's more flexible I guess!

7) Coffee or Tea?

COFFEE....anytime, anywhere!

Blogs, and blogs, and blogs....oh my!

As if I needed an excuse to read more blogs!  Check them out!

Sweet Treats

I loved the idea from Fabulous in First so much, I've already made eight of these!  I'm going to give the smaller ones to the teachers on my team, but the big one is mine!  I think I will set it out at our "Meet the Teacher" event.  They can grab a sweet treat as a thank you for taking the time to meet me. 

 

Here goes.....

I found all these incredible blogs a few months ago, but I didn't have time to really see what was out here until now.  WOW!!  I have found such amazing things and am thankful that so many teachers are willing to share their successful (and not so successful!) thoughts, ideas, stories, etc.  I hope to get better at this blogging thing so I can share with all of you!!