August 10 for 10 Picture Books - THINKING Books

     I'm excited to participate in Cathy Mere's and Mandy Robek's August 10 for 10 Picture Book Event!  This my 6th year to participate.  Check out the huge Google + community!  I always like to pick a theme to narrow down my focus, so this year I've decided on THINKING books with complex themes and philosophies.  These books will encourage "out of the box" thought processes and critical/creative ways of looking at things.  Symbolism, theme, multi-layered characterization, complex problems, and challenging settings are present in order to promote rich discussions and discoveries.  Here we go!

 

The Knowing Book by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Wow - this will inspire a lot of great discussions with kids.  What an awesome author/illustrator pairing, too!  Full of wonderings about the world, the power of the unknown, choosing the road less traveled by, journeys, and the joy of a life of possibilities, it makes a great beginning-of-the-year read aloud!  Get excited about what the new year has in store!

Wild Ideas: Let Nature Inspire Your Thinking by Elin Kelsey, artwork by Soyeon Kim

Informational books inspire creative thinking, too!  Nature is full of examples of animals solving problems, learning, and creativity.  Author Elin Kelsey urges children to look around and see what ideas they can get from nature.  Vivid verbs such as "procrastinate", "calculate", and "innovatate" describe what animals do.  I LOVE the 3-D dioramas that decorate the pages - beautiful!  Another avenue of discussion and exploration - ART!

Infinity and Me by Gabi Swiatkowska and Kate Hosford

A new pair of shoes and questions about infinity.  I love the simplicity and the existentialism all rolled up in one girl!  GORGEOUS illustrations and an opportunity for a rich discussion about infinity and what that means.

The Red Tree by Shaun Tan

Oh, how I love this book.  So much so that I included it in last year's August 10 for 10 Picture Book post around the theme topic, GROWTH MINDSET.  It makes a perfect book for beginning-of-the-year discussions about literary elements - symbolism, a dynamic character, inferences, but also social-emotional issues like depression, anxiety, and ultimately, hope.  Shaun Tan is brilliant and also weird and confusing - perfect for questioning and wonderings.  Kids love his books, and there are many to share!

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Travis Jonker wrote the perfect review, so I'm not even going to try to describe why you need to share this book with kids - he nails it: 100 Scope Notes

I will also say that the Jon Klassen Hat Trilogy also belongs in this post.  The dark humor absolutely delights kids.  It always ends up as one of their most memorable and favorite read aloud experiences.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

This is another one I've shared before.  Last time I shared it, it was for FAVORITE PICTURE BOOKS TO START OFF THE YEAR.  It really is a beloved book.  I love all the things kids can discover - the black/white illustrations turning to color, the personification of the books, the symbolism of season, the circular ending.  Oh, I love it!  It's also great to set the stage for the power of story in the ELA classroom.

The Only Child by Guojing

A gorgeous and important book.  Wordless books give kids so much opportunity to create, construct, and think.  This book is part fantasy/part  memoir, and we learn from the Author's Note that Guojing grew up in China during the 1980s during the one-child policy.  Themes of loneliness, family, home, and love are explored through the illustrations. 

Journey by Aaron Becker

Even Aaron Becker knows I can't create any favorite book list without this title.  I'm pretty sure I was one of his original teacher fans (it was more like a stalker - ha).  I absolutely love this book.  It was originally on an August 10 for 10 Picture Books list around the theme CREATIVITY.  Again, since it's wordless, it creates so much thinking space.  Kids are captivated right away.  Every time I share it, kids point out new things about the story lines that I hadn't noticed before.  I have prints from each book in the trilogy, and they are a treasure.  See the video Mr. Becker made for my class one year:

Aaron Becker answers a fifth grade teachers' classes questions about "Journey" from Aaron Becker on Vimeo.

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach

This is the PERFECT book to introduce the concept of the unreliable narrator, which is a discussion that can last all year.  I love the humor and the hilarious illustrations.  Good humor requires a high level of sophistication and thinking, and kids would love to try out their own unreliable narrators!

Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust by Eve Bunting, Stephen Gammell

I came across this book when I was reading PAX to my fifth graders (GREAT read aloud) during Global Read Aloud.  One amazing bonus of joining GRA is the incredible resources you get from teachers around the world.  One of the resources suggested this picture books as part of a text set with PAX around the theme of war.  Wow - impactful!  Reminds me of the Martin Neimoller poem.  Perfect for an introduction to a social injustice/responsibility unit.

This year, I'm thrilled that A Long Walk to Water is part of the GRA, and I hope MANY teachers take the opportunity to read this life-changing novel to their students.  Look what it can inspire:

An Amazing Day

And that's a wrap!  I can't wait to read all the other lists that will post tomorrow!  I decided to post today since it's #NationalBookLoversDay!

Slice of Life - Golden Shovel Poem

        Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for giving us a writing community to join each week.

One Last Word by Nikki Grimes

     I finished this fabulous book of book of poetry by Nikki Grimes, who gathered her favorite Harlem Renaissance poems and composed original poems from them using the "Golden Shovel" technique.  Grimes defines it like this: The idea of a Golden Shovel poem is to take a short poem in its entirety, or a line from that poem (called a striking line), and create a new poem, using the words from the original. I was fascinated by this poetic form and was inspired to try it out.  I want to challenge my students to try it, also.  Here is my attempt:

The Summer Day

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

—Mary Oliver

QUESTIONS

What direction will my life take? Only time will tell.
I can try to choose the paths, but ultimately, who controls me?
Do I make my own plans, no matter what?
My future - do I determine what it is?
Or fate? Or does some higher power make it?
Is that higher power created by me and you?
Or is It/He/She part of a grand, cosmic plan?
Do I believe like the teachers at Sunday School told me to?
An Alpha and Omega showing me what to do
if I commune with, meditate with, and pray with...
Is that higher power my Father, my Friend,  your
Savior, the only One?
Oh, these thoughts, so rebellious, hopeful, and wild!
After all these questions and the pondering and
the doubts, ultimately faith comes in, and it's precious.
This path or that, left or right, chosen by me AND You... life.

--Holly Mueller

Slice of Life - The Goose Patrol

Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for giving us a writing community to join each week.

     I started out this week in a funk.  This is unusual as I'm ordinarily cheerful and positive.  I couldn't put my finger on exactly why I was feeling a little depressed, but alas, there it was.  Maybe because there are three more days of testing this week, and I miss my regular schedule with the kids?  Or that the weekend was so fun, and I wasn't ready for Monday? I don't know. Shortly after I arrived at school, I got this text from my husband: "Sorry, but I am going to make your funk worse.  Goose patrol just walked by nest..."  There's more, but I'm going to spare you the details.  However, I'll give you some background on the Goose Patrol.

     As many of you know, we moved into our lakeside condo a year ago this April.  It's a wonderful place.  We love the shade trees that bloom in the spring, the blue herons and bald eagle that soar over the lake, the skidding landings of the ducks in the water, the incredible colors of the sunrises and sunsets, and yes, even the constant honking of the geese.  One of the first experiences in our new condo was spotting a nesting goose right at the edge of our back yard, on the edge of the lake, her fiercely protective gander floating by her side.  I snapped the photo above, and eagerly watched her faithful nesting, waiting for her goslings to one day appear.

     Much to my dismay, however, a group of men came by one day while I was at school (Ed was at home, showing some friends our newly moved-into place) bearing rakes and screwdrivers and wearing brightly colored vests.  Their mission?  To destroy goose eggs around the lake.  This is not an easy task - if you know geese, they are vicious when protecting their eggs and young.  "My" goose was discovered, and her eggs were smashed.  Our friends witnessed the deed, not entirely realizing what was going on until afterward, and were horrified.  Ed didn't tell me for a while because he knew I'd be sad.  He finally caved after a couple days because I was posting updates on the nesting on Facebook and he couldn't take it anymore.  One of the saddest things is that the geese keep on nesting for a while because they don't realize the eggs won't ever hatch.

     Now understand this.  I grew up a country girl.  I'm pragmatic when it comes to animals (although, I do admit I become very attached to most animals).  I was even a bird hunter.  We investigated and learned that this is a sanctioned practice - the Goose Patrol has permission to do this, so no need to protest too much.  I know that some people hate geese.  I know they are messy and problematic.  I know they are pests. I know their poop is disgusting and can cause diseases.  I know they are loud and obnoxious. I know all that, and I understand the need to keep the goose population down. Animal overpopulation is bad - they end up competing for resources and interfere with humans.  But dang it, I wanted to see those goslings hatch!

     Fast forward to yesterday.  Our front landscaping has a tiered wall that leads down to the grass below since we're on a hill.  I discovered a goose nesting just down from our main landscaping and on the mulched area on the wall below.  It's several feet up from the grass beside the lake.  A perfect spot!  She was hidden from above AND below.  Her only give-away was the gander floating on the edge of the lake below.  Well, that and her loud hissing whenever you came near.  That's how I discovered her as I was checking out the emerging perennials.  I smiled, thinking that we were co-conspirators - she may just "stick it to the man" nesting there!  I silently willed her to keep quiet and wished her good luck.  Meanwhile, I saw a couple other goose families that got by the Goose Patrol.  Yay!  I hoping for this one.

    It wasn't to be.  When Ed started his text that way, I knew they found her.  He felt really bad about it because he knew I was rooting for her (he's actually not a fan of geese, but knows I am, so sympathizes). Apparently, they almost walked by her, and even the gander had stepped away for a few, which helped in not drawing attention to a potential nest, but one of the guys got too close, and she hissed and spread her wings, giving away her position.  They moved in for the kill. Unfortunately, she hasn't figured this out yet and is still sitting there.  My mood has barely improved...

DigiLit Sunday - Digital Poetry - Where I'm From

It's DigiLit Sunday!  Thank you, Margaret, for this week's topic, Digital Poetry.

     I've written about this before, but each year, I start with 6th graders writing "Where I'm From" poems, modeled on George Ella Lyon's beautiful mentor text.  We then make them into Animoto videos.  I haven't had a chance to share this year's creations, so during this National Poetry Month and Margaret's perfect topic, now's the time!  Here are a few!

Mine

Aaron

Lauren

Kayley

Christopher

Viktoria

Sophia

#MustReadin2017 Update!

It's time for an update on my #MustReadin2017 list! Thank you, Carrie Gelson, for encouraging us to make reading plans!

1.

1. 

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

This was one of my Junior High Girls' Book Club picks.  I'm embarrassed to say I didn't finish it in time for our meeting. :-(  I'm still struggling through it.  I know everyone loves it, but I'm finding it a slow read.  Ugh!

2.

READ 1/10/17

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

I'm listening to the audio of this book and am captivated by the endearing main characters

3.

READ 1/14/17

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

We read this for a staff book club pick, and I'm so excited it won the 2017 Newbery Award!

4. 

READ 1/19/2017

The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz

Our staff book club also read this one, and so we were thrilled when we learned that it won a 2017 Newbery Honor!!

5.

Still haven't gotten to it.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge

6.  

READ 1/24/17

Snow White by Matt Phelan

An interesting historical retelling of Snow White.  In order for kids to fully grasp it, they would need background knowledge of the 1920s/30s and would need to do a lot of inferring - it's not an easy graphic novel!

7.

Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet

Not yet - still want to read it!

8.

READ 2/15/17

Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

This was such a unique historical fiction novel for middle graders since it was set in Key West during the Depression Era.  I loved being immersed in that setting.

9.

Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand

Not yet.

I saw Claire on a panel at NCTE and loved what she had to say.  I look forward to this book!

10.

It's sitting on my night stand!

Falling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick

I got this title from the 2016 Young Adult Fiction Nerdies.  I've loved every Sonnenblick novel I've read, so I'm sure this will be no exception.

11.

Not yet.

Still A Work in Progress by Jo Knowles

I bought this a while ago and haven't gotten to it yet.  The subject matter in this book hits close to home, so I want to be sure to get to this soon!

12.

Still waiting to read...

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

I've been wanting to get to the series for a while now.  We picked as one of our books for my Junior High Girls Book Club in the spring.  My daughter, Libby, loved it and has gone on to read the rest of the series.

13.

READ 2/15/17

Moo by Sharon Creech

Aw, this brought me back to my 4-H and Warren County Fair days.  Loved this simple story of a city girl moving to Maine and discovering the magic of taking care of farm animals and showing them at the local fair.  Charming.

14.

READ 1/29/17

The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner

My book club picked this one for January. It was kind of icky, I have to say.

15.

Got 15 hours in on our way back from Florida after Christmas break - LOVED it so far (and so did my husband - he finished it), but haven't I finished it. :-(

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen

16.

Not yet.

Presenting Buffalo Bill, The Man Who Invented the Wild West by Candace Fleming

I love Candace Fleming books!  I got to see her at NCTE in a round table session, and she talked about this book.  

17.

Not yet. 

The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan

I read a Colby Sharp post and a Donalyn Miller post about this book - how can you resist after those two rave about a book?

18.

Nope, not yet, but several of my students have read it, and they loved it!

Finding Perfect by Elly Swartz

This is a 2016 Middle Grade Nerdy winner.  It looks great!

19.

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Some Kind of Courage, and Dan Gemeinhart Skyped with us after I finished Some Kind of Courage as a 5th grade read aloud.  I've yet to get to Scar Island, but many of my students have read it and liked it!

Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart

20.

Not yet.

What Elephants Know by Eric Dinerstein

I accidentally bought TWO copies of this book - I must have loved the cover!  It's about time I read it!

21.

Still need to get it back from Libby!  Ha.

Upstream by Mary Oliver

I love Oliver's poetry, and I know I'll love these essays.  I lent it out to my daughter, Libby, though, so I need to get it back!

22.

I've read the first two stories and love it so far!

Flying Lessons & Other Stories edited by Ellen Oh

I'm excited about a book of short stories for middle graders!

Just a few more - these are books that aren't published yet that I can't wait to read!

23.

READ 2/21/17 I like it a lot!

Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

24.

Requested from the library!

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

25.

Waiting...

The Inexplicable Logic of my Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Oh boy - only 8 out of 25 so far.  That's okay!  There's still lots of reading to be done in 2017!!  The year is young...

Slice of Life - Why Are We Doing This? (The March SOLSC and the SOLCC)

     Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for providing space for us to write Slices of Life each week.  This week, I couldn't post in time for DigiLit Sunday, hosted by Margaret Simon because I was traveling, but I'm glad I waited because I read my students' final March Classroom Challenge Slices of Life on the way home, which perfectly answered Margaret's question of the week: Why Are We Doing This?

     This was my fourth year participating in the March SOLSC myself, and the fourth year for my students to participate in the Classroom Challenge.  Each year poses its own challenges and rewards, and this year was no exception, and I think it was the best yet for my students. Part of that is my experience in presenting the challenge - after 3 years, I've done a lot of trouble-shooting! I also think I got better about providing ideas, using mentor texts to encourage good writing, and reading as many of their posts and commenting on them (I have 53 students this year - most of whom participated to some extent) as I could while trying to keep up with my own participation (I didn't make it to all 31 Slices - I wrote 26).  It was A LOT of reading, writing, and commenting!  I was so impressed, though, with my students' comments to each other and their quality of writing this year.  I did a couple mini-lessons just on commenting, and I think it paid off.  They built quite a writing community among themselves.

     I create levels and prizes so that those who write all 31 days and comment on three other Slices daily are aptly rewarded (although several wrote that even though the treats enticed them, the sheer act of writing and responding/getting responses is what drove them).  Even if they don't make it to Level 5, which is every day, there are treats for other levels as well.  I want to give them the freedom to miss a few, especially since our spring break falls during March, but still particpate.  Tomorrow I'll get their charts to see how many achieved each level.  They're also writing reflections on the experience, also due tomorrow.  I always look forward to reading those!

     When Margaret asked the question this past week, Why Are We Doing This? (I ask myself this every year - ha), I had a feeling my students would answer it, and indeed, they did.  Check out this post from one of my 5th graders, Leo.  Another 5th grader, Grace, wrote about her "Why" in this post.  Katelyn wrote about the struggle and the journey here.   Braden, a 6th grader, also wrote about the journey and his accomplishments.  I couldn't express the "Why We Do This" any better than they.  I'm always amazed by how the March Challenge transforms us all into a close community, provides a forum where we can express ideas and tell stories, and develops us into better writers.  THAT'S why we do this!

Slice of Life Story Challenge - The March SOLSC in Six Word Memoirs

It's the March Slice of Life Story Challenge at Two Writing Teachers!

 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

     Spring break is coming to an end.  We're finishing up at my mom and dad's in the Tampa area after a week at the Disney parks and Universal.  Ed and I had such fun being big kids in such magical places, but after 77, 308 steps (37.57 miles) and very sore feet, we were definitely done.  

     It's also the end of the March SOLSC. I didn't write all 31 days, but I loved participating in the extent that I could, and I am amazed by the Slices of Life my students wrote and the community they built during the SOL Classroom Challenge. I enjoyed being connected to all of you and to my students throughout the month and during break through writing.  The Challenge is so hard, and yet so rewarding.  I'm going to borrow Angela Faulhaber's idea to write in six word memoirs.  She summed up her spring break that way; I'm going to sum up the March Challenge.

Beginning of March, making writing goals.

Kids excited, ready to blog daily.

Ideas flowing, waking me up nightly.

Paying attention to details, conversations, moments.

Using metaphors, personification, similes, sensory details.

Teaching leads, mentor texts, catchy titles.

Two hundred fifty words, writing stamina.

Missed Slices, disappointment, but starting again.

Positive, encouraging, specific comments equals community.

Seeing each other through words, priceless.

Blogging keeps us connected while apart.

End of month, relieved but sad.

Until next year, there are Tuesdays.