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Sunday, July 31, 2016

Summer Fun

Click on this video to check out my latest adventures at the beach. Leave a comment and let me know if you have observed any natural occurrences at the beach, in the mountains or in your neighborhood that you have questions about and want to investigate further.  I love being a scientist, don't you?

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Summer Fun

Here is one of our classmates striking a pose in the park!  You look great!  Keep calm and yoga on!

Friday, July 15, 2016

Bookworm Buzz

In addition to all of the Caldecott books that I am reading, I am keeping up with new picture books and chapter books in the hopes of finding "the next great story," for 4th graders.  In the summer I also like to do the #bookadaychallenege, which means that I have set a goal to read 66 books this summer.  As of right now, I have read 31 books in 23 days, so I am on track to achieve the #bookadaychallenge.  How is your summer reading going?  Leave a comment or send me an email and let me know!  Enjoy the heat, read a good book in the AC, I know that I will.


Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit StillNadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still by Karlin Gray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! I remember when Nadia scored the perfect 10, I watched it on television and from that moment on I wanted to be her. This is a great non fiction story about Nadia Comaneci and how she got her start in gymnastics. The afterword lets readers know what happened to this Romanian gymnast as she grew older. I loved the pictures too. Can't wait to share it with students.


View all my reviews
Save Me a SeatSave Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book and have a few friends in mind who really enjoy it! Some Aha moments for me. :)


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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this novel in verse. So many points of view, could lead to some great debates!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very cute. Love the surprise ending. Students will love this book.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A must read for kindergarten teachers and their students during the first few days of school.m

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Just for fun!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Some great alliteration and vocabulary woven into a funny story that everyone will enjoy!

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Just for fun and a great way to practice nursery rhymes!



Bookworm Buzz-Caldecott Edition

I am making progress with the  Caldecott Challenge.  I have decided to only blog about the Caldecott books that I are new to me; books that I have already read with appear in my Goodreads account, but I won't put them here.  Trust me, there are MANY books on this list. I have read 90 of the 332 books.  That's a little more than 25%! Maybe I can be at 50% by the start of school.  It is good to have goals. :)
Here are my latest additions to Goodreads.  Enjoy!  I'm off to the library to pick up a few more books that are on hold.
May I Bring a Friend?May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who doesn't want to bring friends along? Great message. :)


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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love the similes and the metaphors...and the pictures!

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
LOVED the pictures! Just for fun, too!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Beautiful pictures and the message....Ahh...Leo Lionni, such a gift to children's literature.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love, love, love. Can't wait to use this with students, so many possibilities!


Friday, July 8, 2016

Bookworm Buzz

Click here to view  a video post about my latest read, The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner.  Mr. Williams and I had fun making this video.  Can you see  his reflection in my sunglasses?

You can also watch it here!

You can read my Goodreads review below.
The Seventh WishThe Seventh Wish by Kate Messner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved the latest by Kate Messner. A story that is touching and brave.


View all my reviews

Here is a link to Kate Messner's website.  Also, here is a link to another blog post about the book.  If you are concerned about your child reading this book, PLEASE read this post by Pernille Ripp, creator of the Global Read Aloud.

I also just finished The Wild Robot, which many of you will like as well.  
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great introduction to science fiction for readers who are not familiar with this genre. It will be a nice addition to our new science unit, Adaptations.


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Bookworm Buzz-Special Edition

Here is an update on my Caldecott Challenge so far.  I almost done with the 1930s, 1940s and 2010s but am only posting through 1944.  You can find all of my reviews on Goodreads or click on the Goodreads gadget to the right.  I will definitely need to spend a day at the Boston Public Library to read a few of the books from the 1940s which are in storage.  In addition, I have a few chapter books that I am reading and will share them as soon as they are done.  What have you been reading?  Leave a comment and let me know.  If you like one of the Caldecott books that I review, check it out of the library, but be prepared to have to order it, some are not easy to find.
Animals of the Bible: A Picture BookAnimals of the Bible: A Picture Book by Dorothy P. Lathrop
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first Caldecott winner ever!


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My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Interesting. Need to read it with an open mind and an awareness of the year 1939.

Andy and the LionAndy and the Lion by James Daugherty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved the dedication, loved the story!


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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love, love, love.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Interesting, need to remember that it was 1941.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cute, need to remember that it was 1941.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love that a novel in verse was picked in 1942.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Interesting fantasy, will appeal to many readers.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
1942 Caldecott winner. A beautiful story with beautiful pictures. A winner in 1942 and a winner now. So many talk worthy discussions here. 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cute, beautiful pictures

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Clever, very clever.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Beautiful illustrations

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Beautiful illustrations.