Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman

I read this book briefly last year ( not really remembering it) and it wasn't until a student and a friend suggested I read it aloud. Wow! This adorable story is about a dog, Katie, who is anxious to get to know three new kittens her owner Sara Ann brings home. Katie welcomes the kittens with her usual "AROOOO," thinking her way of saying "hello" might welcome them. She realizes later realize that her howling and loving enthusiasm for the kittens has only frightened them. Katie falls asleep and then wakes up to the kittens sleeping upon her back. This time she remembers to be patient and the kittens stay.

I love this book for primary readers and writers because it is an enjoyable read aloud ( you were right Franki)! It easily fits into the hands of many readers who will have independent success with it in my room. It is a great mentor text for kids writing a personal narrative. I know I will use this text to think about the importance of layering ideas. The pictures are adorable (especially the last page...try to find the white kitten) and it provided us with an easy text for practicing that readers think as they read. A student today shared a prediction. Another made a connection between Katie and Big Al ( by Andrew Clements) comparing their eagerness to make friends and their patience with discovering how. This book has so many possibilities!!

I hope you love Katie as much as we did!

Trying something new

My 8 year old son decided about a month ago that he would enter a golf tournament at a public course after being encouraged by a kiddo he golfed alongside one day this summer. It was my son's second time playing through the course with his grandparents (Pa Jim and Grandma). I was at first taken back by his longing to play in this one day 9 hole tournament. He, quite frankly, is not much of a risk taker and has little experience on the golf course. Knowing this though, I excitedly encouraged him and supported him in his decision to give the tournament a try ( hoping he would grow from it).

The actual tournament was this past Saturday. I was anxious that he might back out or change his mind but he didn't. He showered and dressed, packed his golf bag and set off with my husband for the golf course. We also had our youngest playing his first soccer game and I was not going to be able to watch the golf tournament. As I was leaving for soccer, I heard him yell, "MOM!" with a tear in his eye and needing a hug before his big day. I ran back to comfort him and tell him I would be texting Daddy and praying that he would have fun. He calmed down and was off.

Of course, I was a wreck texting and waiting for replies all afternoon. Turns out he had a ball. He played great (6th place in his age group) and learned how it feels to try something brand new! He was proud and so were we.

What does this teach me, my students, you? Be brave, there is much to gain by trying something new. Peer encouragement is huge (I attribute his desire to try this to another 8 year telling him he was should)! Thank goodness for texting!!

Books and Messages for the First Week of School

At the end of the day and often end of the school week I am often thinking about what worked and how I can take what worked and find the next connector for my readers and writers. Thinking back to the first two weeks of school, I found myself making sure to send the message that readers find books that they love.

Jan Thomas' books were a huge success for shared reading!! Titles like, The Doghouse, Rhyming Dust Bunnies and her newest: Can You Make a Scary Face? were all big hits. Her latest book is completely interactive and invites kids to verbally, mentally and physically participate by standing up, sitting down and even performing the chicken dance. It was by far the favorite this week.

Other baskets of books that were popular (where I know all my readers would be successful choosing something they could read independently) were baskets like Elephant and Piggie Books, Song Books, Rhyming Books and some of our Fairy Tales.

This week we plan to think about how our book bins can help us plan, keep track and organize our reading. Hope you have a great week!

The Goblin and the Empty Chair by Mem Fox: Wow!

Listen to Mem Fox read her newest book here. I can't stop playing it over and over. I am addicted to hearing this new "fairy story" as she refers to it (I am assuming fairytale). It has elicited so many emotions for me, so many questions, inferences and I just need to talk to someone about it!!! What do you think?

What do you notice about our room?

Today as we began our second year together, I asked my students to notice something changed or new about our classroom. Noticing is such an essential skill for learners as kids use observation across the curriculum. It is also fun and something that most kids can do. So, after asking them to jot down their observation we quickly grouped similar observations. Here is the data ( I was so interested by their observations):

6 kids noticed right away that we had 1 new computer

3 kids noticed something about our round table (it has a new scale on it) (one post-it was modeled by me)

4 kids noticed the new chairs and bean bags

3 kids noticed many new books

4 kids noticed other things (new chart on wall, new partner to share coat hook with...)

This time helped me find out what is important to kids about space and learning. I can tell they enjoy and value technology. They enjoy little nooks and places to sit and get comfortable as they learn as 7 out of 20 kids noticed pieces of the room that really had to do with furniture.

The noticing set many other questions in motion that helped me to begin to explain routines and management of supplies and folders. It was so much fun, I think we are going to do it tomorrow as we notice the school hallways!

First Day!!

Tomorrow is it!!

Good-bye summer.

Hello school!

Lots of reading aloud

Talking and sharing

Learning will happen as the

students lead the way.

Looking forward to being caught up in their natural

thirst for wanting to know more.

Can't wait to giggle, wonder, learn to get lunch, take turns, make new friends and then feel the exhaustion of the day.

Then I'll remember what it feels like to start the school year.

Happy First Day, First Week or First Month...whatever it is for you now!

Up to my ears in work

Today at work, a friend of mine said she couldn't wrap her brain around one thing. I feel like this at the beginning of the school year too when there is so much to do and think about that it is often difficult to find a focus. I have caught myself running around the classroom trying to tackle three tasks at once but never really finishing any of them. I hate the feeling of being up to my ears in work.

This weekend (before the actual school bell rings) I am going to try to be up my ears (literally, like the boys) in family. I need to slow it down and enjoy before (what feels like) the race begins. Tonight we started off having dinner at our favorite pizza place in town. Tomorrow, a soccer game and then who knows what next!

You can see that we are up to our ears in ears of corn here in Ohio!