tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9873699912511629162024-02-19T20:22:29.225-05:00Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up LateMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.comBlogger391125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-43013091787012757642020-08-21T23:27:00.002-04:002020-08-21T23:32:30.329-04:00Choosing the Perfect Read-AloudIf there's a favorite time of the day for me, it's when I get to do my read-aloud with the class. Just getting to share a book for pure enjoyment takes away the academic pressure and also builds community in our class. I could write a whole separate post on why you should still be reading aloud to your older students, but instead I'm linking one that I found and liked <a href="https://www.readbrightly.com/importance-of-reading-aloud-to-big-kids/">here</a>. I want to share more about how to pick a great book today because I have a feeling I'm mostly preaching to the choir anyway! 😉<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lkXQ-mupvdBc-TMaXsQ_Cxa3mq0d4irp9doLil95YNDtisfKqOPaw2sugN9P8QSGV78_x_B6g_rMjsmxwLsL_wkBtRL4R6u7nTB5TrbPHUZlTpMnaS7icGLFPn5pN0rdl5vaAAVwO9B9/s901/diversereadalouds.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="901" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lkXQ-mupvdBc-TMaXsQ_Cxa3mq0d4irp9doLil95YNDtisfKqOPaw2sugN9P8QSGV78_x_B6g_rMjsmxwLsL_wkBtRL4R6u7nTB5TrbPHUZlTpMnaS7icGLFPn5pN0rdl5vaAAVwO9B9/s640/diversereadalouds.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For a long time, I read almost exactly the same books every year, and that was kind of okay. The kids enjoyed the books, and they were quality novels that created community and even provided good conversation. However, there were three issues with this system: </div><div>1. After some time, I started to tire of some of the books.</div><div>2. Even more importantly, I wasn't considering or even really noticing is that most of my books featured the same types of characters. And they were almost always white boys.</div><div>3. I also tended to select books from my favorite few genres (for me, realistic and historical fiction). I may get one fantasy book in the year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I try to be much more intentional about what I select. Thanks to Facebook pages such as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diversebooks">We Need Diverse Books</a> and also some amazing Instagram friends, I am constantly adding new books to my library and pulling many of them into read alouds. That doesn't mean I completely abandon old favorites. I just mix them in with other new, great books.</div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Things to Consider When Choosing Your Next Book</h3><div style="text-align: left;">1. <b>What have I already read? </b>To this day, I STILL begin each year reading Louis Sachar's <i>There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom</i>. It is one of my all-time favorite books, and I think it has some fantastic lessons about friendship. However, for a while I went from that to <i>Wonder</i> (also a fantastic book). Two books in a row about friendship, but they're both realistic fiction with white male leads. It's time to change things up a little after that, or maybe even earlier. It might not be a bad idea to make a list of the books somewhere and include the genre and main character.</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. <b>What is the makeup of my classroom?</b> It's SO important that students see themselves in books, so you should work especially hard to find books to match your school's population. For me, I keep a very close eye out for books with Indian and other Asian main characters (there are a few in the graphic above that I personally love, but I can point you toward more if you're interested). Do your research. Ask around. Find teachers from those backgrounds, whether they're at your school or on social media. </div><div style="text-align: left;">**This does NOT mean that you shouldn't find books to represent students who are not in your classroom. It's almost as important that our students learn more about people they don't already know also. It helps them work through biases they might have without even realizing it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. <b>Who wrote the book? </b>Not all books with diverse characters are good representations. For instance, <a href="https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2018/08/not-recommended-stone-fox-by-john.html"><i>Stone Fox</i> would not be a good choice for representing Native Americans</a>. A good place to start is looking at who wrote the book. Ideally, you want people of color writing about their own culture. They would be the experts, after all. <a href="https://rickriordan.com/rick-riordan-presents/">Rick Riordan Presents</a> is a branch of Disney-Hyperion Publishing that works to publish and promote fantasy books with underrepresented cultures. I've read a little over half of these books already, and they are FANTASTIC. <i>The Serpent's Secret</i> actually is not part of that series, but I read it with my class a few years ago, and it was so cool to hear from my Indian students as they explained more background with some of the mythological elements.</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. <b>Is it good for my class right now?</b> There are some years that I know my class is not going to be able to handle certain books as a read aloud for whatever reasons (that doesn't mean I can't use it for book clubs). As much as I love <i>The Crossover</i>, if I have a student who recently lost a parent, I'm not going to pull that one. Or the style just might not appeal to that specific group. It's best to pre-read your books so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly. </div><div style="text-align: left;">5. <b>Can I commit to this book and show excitement about it?</b> If you aren't invested and excited, your students won't be either. It's not good for anybody.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What are your favorite read-alouds? What are some great new titles you've discovered that I maybe didn't add above?</div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a></div></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-59518477101677843012020-08-19T11:03:00.005-04:002020-08-19T11:07:52.443-04:00Effectively Using Bitmoji ClassroomsHey guys! I'm sure many of you have seen the craze of Bitmoji classrooms and felt a variety of things: anxiety over creating one, FOMO because they're so cute, excitement to make yours the best, etc. I wanted to share my two cents and also (at the end) share an easy to use template for what I think will get the biggest bang for your buck.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0j29E8h6Q4__zsuwq3FQJafG59JqkQKT8IuYy-CwCqeRJ6r0SJ-0b-_dtoB2ImN-pQNxx18JF4WjY4A5y4myxUmKDbN0_CUmErndKdd7-NKy1dl3lqGZGGcLQvnCV9-5l5RIqLs8Dk3p/s710/bitmoji+classroom.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="710" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0j29E8h6Q4__zsuwq3FQJafG59JqkQKT8IuYy-CwCqeRJ6r0SJ-0b-_dtoB2ImN-pQNxx18JF4WjY4A5y4myxUmKDbN0_CUmErndKdd7-NKy1dl3lqGZGGcLQvnCV9-5l5RIqLs8Dk3p/s640/bitmoji+classroom.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Confession: I am a minimalist. I hate clutter, maybe because I'm slightly ADD, and I can't function well with it. This is also true for your students. I also have been working hard to make sure that the things I do and create are actually useful and beneficial to my students. As cute as some of these classrooms are, if you send something out with a million hidden treasures, it may not actually support your students with their learning.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you notice, I only have 3 links (email, Clever, and Epic). That's okay. I don't need this to be a jumping point for everything. For that I have Schoology and my Google Site, which includes easy to use buttons with the titles to follow. More on that another time, although I will say I made it all last night and don't know why I didn't take the plunge earlier. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're wanting to learn how to make these, Hello Teacher Lady has a great tutorial <a href="https://www.helloteacherlady.com/blog/2020/4/how-to-create-a-virtual-bitmoji-scene-in-google-slides-or-powerpoint">here</a>. Or you can google "bitmoji classroom templates" and find a million resources. I literally copied and pasted from a few I liked.</div><div><br /></div><div>HOWEVER, this type of Bitmoji classroom is not going to be where most students find what they need, and I think it's perfectly fine to completely skip this step. Especially if it's causing you anxiety. What I'm more excited about are the <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rvmPbmft690n7KSQ3JxwYQuZ6QZ3FTPH/edit#slide=id.p6">information slides</a> that I've created for students to find what they need.This set includes:</div><div><br /></div><div>- virtual meeting expectations</div><div>- learning objectives</div><div>- weekly schedule</div><div>- assignments due</div><div>- "What Mrs. Dalton is reading"</div><div><br /></div><div>I made this an editable template so that you can make a copy and then personalize to fit your needs.To make it more fun, I left my bitmojis along with what to search to find the same kind for you. You just need to create your own bitmoji and download the Chrome extension, then you're all set! </div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="299" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vT4A47Lw47l5TLfEQdo1iolcP25-AbikG3kR_HCwVnIk7_owVTgO3Rk_CsQYj8-fg/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="480"></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Is there anything else you would like to see? I'm open to adding new slides if you realize something else that could be useful to students!</div><div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-49404189356029322222020-07-30T16:19:00.000-04:002020-07-30T16:19:38.036-04:00Running Book Clubs in a Virtual Learning ScenarioHi! Of course it's been quite a while (story of my life), but I wanted to get on here and provide a little support for those of you who will be doing virtual learning this fall (like me). I know that it's a totally new way of approaching teaching, and I am FAR from an expert with it, but one thing that I found successful in the spring was the way I ran my book clubs.<br />
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I've been doing book clubs with my students for a long time, and it's one of my favorite things! I have collected many sets so that students have a lot of choice, and I just wasn't ready to let that go when we had to shut down the buildings in March. Here are my suggestions:<br />
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Preparing for Virtual Book Clubs</h4>
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<li><b>If you have access to your classroom, select the books and get them to students</b>. I know this varies from school to school, but some of you may have the ability for students to either pick up materials OR deliver them to homes. I'm hoping this will be an option for me in the fall, and, since we only rotate through books every few weeks, I wouldn't need to worry about driving around to all of those houses ALL the time.</li>
<li><b>If you can't get them physical books, make good use of online library resources.</b> For the spring, I didn't have the option to use my books, so I went to <a href="https://www.getepic.com/" target="_blank">Epic!</a> (Teachers can get free access, AND they have expanded free access to students). First, I spent a LONG time browsing their website and jotting down any titles that I thought would be engaging for the students and would also provide good discussion. Another resource that could be helpful here is <a href="https://www.hoopladigital.com/" target="_blank">Hoopla</a>, but it does require the family to have a library card. Talk to your librarians as well because you may have access to ebooks through the school library or your district may have other resources as well (Tumblebooks, etc).</li>
<li><b>Select a few titles and either assign or have students pick.</b> I always give my students a google form to select their top choices and then work from there. Since I could let as many kids as I wanted read each of these books at a time, I just created a google sheet and listed each title. Then students added their name under whatever book they wanted without worrying about the number. Of course, in the spring book clubs were optional for my county, so I didn't have quite as many students doing them. You may have to set a cap on the numbers or split a group in two. You decide what works best for you.</li>
<li><b>Make a schedule for assigned readings AND virtual meeting times.</b> I did 30 minute increments just to see how things went in the spring, and we never spent that long talking about the book (although sometimes we spent that long just talking and catching up)! With my fall schedule, it will be much more structured, and I'm going with 15-20 minute clubs.</li>
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If you're looking for an easy resource for students to be held accountable for their reading and also keep them on track, I have been using an SPQC format for a few years. It takes practice and training for students to know what to do, but I find it very effective! Instead of each student having a different job (and some students not doing their job or whatever other problems I've run into), everyone write a short Summary, Prediction, Question, and Connection. These 4 square sheets stay in their notebooks (when we're at school), and students can refer back to them throughout the book to remember what happened. You can access this sheet to print (or just have students recreate in their notebooks (it's super easy) OR find the digital version to share with students for these virtual book clubs! <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Club-Reflection-Sheet-5841019" target="_blank">Click here</a> or on the picture below to access.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Club-Reflection-Sheet-5841019" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE6UW1QX4LcIGp-oHyXPlVzO6KSSdew5Q-U5M3obF1ULz17sAG_qaI7DtIlVGs3ueFoIIE861seE4nplIlCQZr-wFzaBeg-ii37AHSwoIDkBNTZJH6IDZtrAJ_41tiClN5J-upRFyiWXT/s320/spqc+freebie+small.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also allow students to use these sheets and their book when we take our final assessments on the book at the end of the unit. For those interested, stay tuned for more about that assessment because it has made my life SO much easier and it's more meaningful to the students!<br />
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What great books have you found that your students can access virtually? I'd love to collect some amazing titles for the different grade levels and share them out in another post! Comment below with some ideas!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-50986029040138732862017-11-21T21:50:00.000-05:002017-11-21T21:50:04.559-05:00Labor Day to ThanksgivingPhew!! We finally made it to Thanksgiving break, and I am exhausted. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my class this year and am really having some fun with them. But, I'm sure like many of you, we have not had a break since we began the Tuesday after Labor Day. I just want to crash.<br />
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So, instead of sharing about everything, I wanted to share our most recent fun! Our school has a fun tradition of having a Thanksgiving parade. Y'all, when I say "Thanksgiving parade", I'm talking we go all out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCU97fcRx_uaPsjTeay4zwZAwt4BEk0YqzS2J2t3hljXXmQgcfB5wY1YXxCvIV7ajwwjB34D5l3W_ARfTVFVmxMlP29KAJWeiRKLSPPAJEOD5qobeUPIaWRVvtMyB_10_hJloAYPrH4YI/s1600/santayonan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="746" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCU97fcRx_uaPsjTeay4zwZAwt4BEk0YqzS2J2t3hljXXmQgcfB5wY1YXxCvIV7ajwwjB34D5l3W_ARfTVFVmxMlP29KAJWeiRKLSPPAJEOD5qobeUPIaWRVvtMyB_10_hJloAYPrH4YI/s400/santayonan.png" width="293" /></a></div>
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Yes, that's Santa riding the floor cleaner! I don't even have pictures of the mini-marching band from the high school that marches through. No kidding. We have a few of the high school band members come out for this (and they're paid in donuts). Anyway, they wanted to represent more cultures this year, so we were presented with a last minute request to maybe come up with a "float" or two.<br />
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We actually started this project Friday, and my kids jumped on it with vigor! I have a diverse enough class that we actually had at least two people who actually celebrated each holiday (with the exception of Kwanzaa), and the rest of my students jumped on board to help research and decorate as needed. These are the results of maybe 3 hours work (two of which were with a substitute yesterday), and they had a blast then surprising the rest of the school today in the parade!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S-FIReJ5tlQ7uaZfm61ZQ3T6h1TsJscnogIFKnosW2xZBew4S9g8EHicYmmGvdwJcWsEKfWUDGlC2ip-z3QL0E7MTLnsHaNHMEAjnpQOJyWojKZ3Nen4PFvnkm6AcSUvSVY5biZyGtIj/s1600/floats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1317" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S-FIReJ5tlQ7uaZfm61ZQ3T6h1TsJscnogIFKnosW2xZBew4S9g8EHicYmmGvdwJcWsEKfWUDGlC2ip-z3QL0E7MTLnsHaNHMEAjnpQOJyWojKZ3Nen4PFvnkm6AcSUvSVY5biZyGtIj/s640/floats.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Of course, we did end up right in front of Santa, so a few of my kids commented that everyone was more excited about him. Well, really...how do you compete with a dearly loved janitor riding a floor cleaner? #cantwinemall<br />
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Along with that excitement, we had our grade level "party" today. They had three rooms with different activities that they rotated through. My room had minute to win it games, and the kids had a blast!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0375869026/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1511318817&sr=8-1&keywords=wonder+book&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=6a0da6fb14ee1c0483d138d4819782a0" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375869026&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0375869026" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click the image above for my Amazon affiliate link</span></div>
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We have also been reading <i>Wonder</i> along with the rest of the world, and I'm maybe 30 pages from the end. I actually read for almost an hour total today, but we're planning on going to see the movie next Monday after school. I wanted to be close enough that I could feasibly finish before we went, and, let's be honest, we weren't going to get much accomplished today, especially not after a parade AND fall festival games. Some days are just good reading days, plus we had to make it through the who nature trip section. I love how engrossed in this book they are!<br />
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Anyone else seen the movie yet? I've been watching the previews and can't wait! Also, does anyone have suggestions on what I should read next? I want to read something with a minority character. Thinking about <i>A Long Walk to Water</i>, and I started reading it myself last night. I should be able to finish it tomorrow and will decide from there, but I'm open to suggestions!<br />
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Happy Thanksgiving, friends!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-38834672713730834742017-09-14T23:16:00.001-04:002017-09-14T23:16:08.547-04:00Week 2 is Almost Through!Hey guys!! I am rounding out the end of week two, and can I just say that I am LOVING everything about this school year? My kids are amazing, parents are super-supportive, and it certainly helps that I'm back in the same school and actually know what I'm doing a little better this year.<br />
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We have hit the ground running, and I wanted to share some of the fun things we have been working on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w6R-CEfbXR0RI3L0sGlDL-udHv_FUvvanLJcL5RIA8xCoCGvID7McifW4kOYm7IyXap6IL0Qjt_yxynn_XEymchZJaUJBp4QRS3jCOknPFRIOPZf3o8PAZAGcv1JF_buZf6K5YyYHQ95/s1600/biopoem.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1023" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w6R-CEfbXR0RI3L0sGlDL-udHv_FUvvanLJcL5RIA8xCoCGvID7McifW4kOYm7IyXap6IL0Qjt_yxynn_XEymchZJaUJBp4QRS3jCOknPFRIOPZf3o8PAZAGcv1JF_buZf6K5YyYHQ95/s400/biopoem.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our first project has been creating Biopoems complete with a design challenge. Students had to make a realistic version of their face complete with a 3D nose and hair, a moving mouth, and a quote that expresses them in some way. These always turn out so cute, and it's a great way to learn a little about each child right off the bat!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqUEKCroOkxVkJr-TPEkw_nxyVqXafEYsqfo72Wb1cYkbVN_fhZJzvNqJ6fZGGlaIV-jlGyhGWWsg2gIF_7rlZ9Q2zQz5Srq8PxwUHvF-T9g6JR5cvhotMF31cf0X3TvbEYvnYgLAReha/s1600/genresearch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1276" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqUEKCroOkxVkJr-TPEkw_nxyVqXafEYsqfo72Wb1cYkbVN_fhZJzvNqJ6fZGGlaIV-jlGyhGWWsg2gIF_7rlZ9Q2zQz5Srq8PxwUHvF-T9g6JR5cvhotMF31cf0X3TvbEYvnYgLAReha/s400/genresearch.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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We also have been busy reviewing genres and dabbling in some Scholastic News. The kids have proved that they are going to be hard-workers.<br />
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<a href="http://100wc.net/"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOUuOwhE9MmaJBjNf-0TLveCC-5G_T5GNuEPTRG-yfZ2cBQnw8kRCqeltmsPCVDNWBKF6upLafMeQ7NmzKceQsQRVZU5kA4YHdBT-dIp62KA_TQn9ZjvxjZwaai4dgZ9BPVBsV3EvJoby/s1600/100wc.jpg" /></a></div>
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And possibly the most exciting thing we have begun is blogging with the <a href="http://100wc.net/">100 Word Challenge</a>! If you haven't heard of it (I hadn't until the end of last year), please go check out their website. The jist of it is that students read the weekly prompt and then respond in EXACTLY 100 words. This seemed like a great opportunity for my kids to practice their writing, have a different audience (the program reaches a wide range of schools from countries all over the world), AND learn how to blog. We did our first one today (no pictures yet), and I can't wait to read them all!<br />
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Anyway, I'm tired and will probably look back at this later and realize I sound like a bumbling idiot, but I wanted to share a little about what was happening. I'm excited about the year and also hoping to share more about what we're doing here. We did a lot of cool things last year, but honestly I was just too overwhelmed with all the newness of everything to even try to keep up.<br />
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Goodnight, and remember that tomorrow is FRIYAY!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvNHEwcc9pq14jSxRltVtvPHx8GH8fc60XHty9h-qPslOhIktUIYWhyphenhyphenqU4C5NvqwK04fsFtwpkUX1Vzo53MfPo39RAVncoePI-JnBsbZsU41QrnN0tJjkuTaUBWOMgk7yUkQVfraGY2MU/s1600/friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="774" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvNHEwcc9pq14jSxRltVtvPHx8GH8fc60XHty9h-qPslOhIktUIYWhyphenhyphenqU4C5NvqwK04fsFtwpkUX1Vzo53MfPo39RAVncoePI-JnBsbZsU41QrnN0tJjkuTaUBWOMgk7yUkQVfraGY2MU/s320/friday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-67731900666930117142017-08-24T09:00:00.000-04:002017-08-24T09:00:03.641-04:00Summer Reads #10: Space Case<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs4PAtlfdY3BsqqQxyaUYmcj2e1IOxov7pHqoCTIJnzVTP6b2zB10anQXJkJjaHveufOw-JuJqX_28ppzQjj6M07dSPWzlKFa95HUZxq7MY41pcHGv8eFRLzAHSbDmbop9nD640JzRL_N/s1600/space+case.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1219" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLs4PAtlfdY3BsqqQxyaUYmcj2e1IOxov7pHqoCTIJnzVTP6b2zB10anQXJkJjaHveufOw-JuJqX_28ppzQjj6M07dSPWzlKFa95HUZxq7MY41pcHGv8eFRLzAHSbDmbop9nD640JzRL_N/s400/space+case.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I promised a fun one this week, so here it is! When I started teaching 5th grade last year, I noticed my boys were passing around Stuart Gibbs books as fast as they could read them. It started with Spy School (which is still on my list) and then moved on to the Moon Base Alpha series (which is what <i>Space Case </i>belongs to), and then there is also the FunJungle series that I haven't read yet.<br />
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Then this book appeared on the <a href="https://www.vsra.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Middle-2017-18.pdf">middle school Virginia Reader's Choice list</a>, so I decided to get it in this summer. It isn't what I would typically pick up, but I can see why my boys liked it so much!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Space-Case-Moon-Base-Alpha-ebook/dp/B00BSAJMIC/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1501443485&sr=1-1&keywords=space+case&linkCode=li2&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=c2c522f6066ae39d270606c049d66d2b" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00BSAJMIC&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li2&o=1&a=B00BSAJMIC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book to purchase from my Amazon affiliate link.</span></div>
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Dash is a 12-year-old living on the moon, which sounds cool, but really it's super boring. He used to live in Hawaii and could go surfing and hang out with his friends. On the moon, there are very few kids and almost nowhere to go inside the base. He hasn't stepped foot outside since he arrived on the moon, and he's going stir crazy.<br />
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Until one of the scientists dies when his helmet isn't properly secured on the moon's surface. Everyone says it was a terrible accident, but Dash isn't convinced. He overheard Dr. Holtz excitedly talking about a new secret that he was going to reveal the next morning, and it doesn't seem like a coincidence to him. Dash is determined to solve this murder-mystery even if it means danger for himself!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-62825197646480639002017-08-17T09:00:00.000-04:002017-08-17T09:00:06.141-04:00Summer Reads #9: The Thing About Jellyfish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox2Eypf6ykka74CItZyRWLexRZoj-1bFTOkg8o1BtBAP0IaNY9Ij8vALHGtiR0TV2EPfClPNL-yURVRURdHzvSGiS1HraH-CSGq2orDeWynkohYrG1yNXxCtLgnt1MH0al3K8qDnkIxUi/s1600/jellyfish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1219" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox2Eypf6ykka74CItZyRWLexRZoj-1bFTOkg8o1BtBAP0IaNY9Ij8vALHGtiR0TV2EPfClPNL-yURVRURdHzvSGiS1HraH-CSGq2orDeWynkohYrG1yNXxCtLgnt1MH0al3K8qDnkIxUi/s400/jellyfish.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Alright, guys, I'm going all in again this week with a hard-hitting book. Why is it that so many middle/high school books are so sad? I will tell you now that next week's book is a more upbeat, fun book, though!</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thing-About-Jellyfish-Ali-Benjamin-ebook/dp/B00RTY0EPQ/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1501442586&sr=1-1&keywords=the+thing+about+jellyfish&linkCode=li2&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=1010df7fbd903e9c90b325c5f51e1dd4" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00RTY0EPQ&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li2&o=1&a=B00RTY0EPQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book to purchase from my Amazon affiliate link.</span></div>
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<i>The Thing About Jellyfish</i> is another <a href="https://www.vsra.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Middle-2017-18.pdf">middle school Virginia Reader's Choice</a> book for this year, and I loved it! It's a book following a girl, Suzy, who is dealing with the loss of her recently estranged friend. Franny was one of the best swimmers that Suzy knew, so surely she didn't just drown. Suzy is convinced that she was stung by a jellyfish and will not stop until she has proven it to be true.<br />
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Oh, and Suzy is a bit of a social outcast.<br />
And she feels like it is her fault that Franny died.<br />
And she is refusing to talk.<br />
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This is a very deep book, but it's great for students who feel alone and misunderstood. Suzy is very scientifically minded and misses many social cues, so it does have some lighthearted, funny moments, but your heart really does bleed for Suzy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-30096502983610429712017-08-10T09:00:00.000-04:002017-08-10T09:00:19.488-04:00Summer Reads #8: The Crossover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow! Summer is flying by WAY too fast! I have two more weeks before I report back, so we are nearing the end of the "Summer Reads" series. I do, however, have plans to continue sharing books, just maybe on a biweekly schedule instead. It all depends on how crazy the beginning of school is. I'll start biweekly and then go from there.</div>
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Also be on the lookout because I want to actually start posting about other things. Like what activities I'm doing in the classroom and actual teachery things. ::GASP:: Don't count on it yet, though. This is year two at my new school, so I should have a better grasp at life and be able to manage more. Plus my boys are getting old enough that they can play on their own and let me <strike>lay on the couch and be a lazy bum</strike> work mostly in peace!</div>
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Anyway, that's not why you're here. Just giving you a heads up that hopefully I'm legitimately getting back on track as far as blogging goes. And who knows, maybe I'll even start making new products again one day!</div>
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Oh, PS. I kind of got carried away on the Kwame train, so this is a little more than a single book review. You might call it more of an author review. Enjoy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJRXEXZjzq1pq6fpBULXCUc1s_h1fFy9ZQrzE5kNz_2OBqn3dBhaYZeAYCtaIZi2BrdS857FiocSBR0-Nk-3l_GGQPt43-42eOJD2ol3PDE8N0RdOw45tTEpBBaNacpSXD9rnPxFKFUnf/s1600/crossover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1219" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJRXEXZjzq1pq6fpBULXCUc1s_h1fFy9ZQrzE5kNz_2OBqn3dBhaYZeAYCtaIZi2BrdS857FiocSBR0-Nk-3l_GGQPt43-42eOJD2ol3PDE8N0RdOw45tTEpBBaNacpSXD9rnPxFKFUnf/s400/crossover.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am SO excited to share today's book today because <a href="http://kwamealexander.com/">Kwame Alexander</a> has quickly become one of my favorite authors! Like, for real. I stalk him on Instagram and Facebook (and he follows me back on Instagram, so basically I'm amazing!), and I was even given a chance to read his latest book that came out last week (more on that in a minute). He's a Virginia author, which is part of why I love him, but his poetic structures are POWER. If you have kids that claim they hate poetry, get his books in their hands. I swear most of them will change their mind at least a little!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crossover-Kwame-Alexander/dp/0544107713/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li2&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=88cce28a5aee9a4f1353a1ff189623e7" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0544107713&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li2&o=1&a=0544107713" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book to purchase from my Amazon affiliate link!</span></div>
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<i>The Crossover</i> was the 2015 Newbery Medal winner. It's narrative poetry, without feeling forced, following twin brothers that have mad basketball skills as well as a respect for family and education. With a former basketball star for a father and an assistant principal for a mother, these boys are as well rounded as they come. This book has it all: humor, vocabulary (the word "pulchritudinous" shows up, for Pete's sake), love, family drama, and even some tears. Seriously, after talking about it, I want to read it again.<br />
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Then, as if it couldn't get better, he has another book, <i>Booked</i>, along the same lines but about soccer that is on the <a href="https://www.vsra.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Middle-2017-18.pdf">Virginia Reader's Choice list for middle school</a> this year (<i>Crossover </i>was on it last year).<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Booked-Kwame-Alexander/dp/0544570987/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5KXW6AQ9D876D247E0DF&linkCode=li2&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=cf975335b9f0e936c2053f56a0f78c2e" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0544570987&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li2&o=1&a=0544570987" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book to purchase from my Amazon affiliate link!</span></div>
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AND if you're a high school or higher middle school teacher, he just came out with a brand new book last week that I was able to score an advanced copy of. It's called <i>Solo</i>, and it's about a guy graduating from high school whose father is a rock star that is in and out of rehab, ruining his entire life. He even crashes Blade's graduation IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS SPEECH! Blade decides to take a trip to Ghana to find himself. It's an amazing book, although the content makes it more appropriate for older students. I'd say if you teach middle grades, preview it and just know your students.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Solo-Blink-Kwame-Alexander/dp/0310761832/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501441965&sr=1-1&keywords=solo&linkCode=li2&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=d22605285ec003dc8f0fa369fd16f55b" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0310761832&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li2&o=1&a=0310761832" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book to purchase from my Amazon affiliate link!</span><br />
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AND because, like I said, he has quickly become of my favorite authors, there is apparently going to be a PREQUEL to <i>The Crossover</i>, and of course I'm not stalking his pages to see when that's coming out. That would be too much...<br />
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So moral of this post is BUY ALL THE THINGS. Kwame is amazing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-38745348351033360952017-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:002017-08-03T09:00:29.178-04:00Summer Reads #7: Maniac Magee<div style="text-align: center;">
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Can anyone else believe it's August already? I know for some of you that means you are starting school already. Here in my part Virginia, we have most of this month before teacher work week begins, but I will be heading back to my classroom to get it set up soon. I will continue with these book talks at least through the month, and then I may go to every few weeks unless I can keep up with material. So time to stop gabbing and get on with this week's review!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcefTU3O3qGMKEMDM9UeO9v8QDHfHHpomcPLM-a_HSazwKL3GXaIsTgOHK1WF6StUY3BpJuNA39i1uPlHM1_1NvonN8vgGJum_gqVrL7PeI3qQTAbSaAOtC2aaBYl3WHQus7srH6227ib1/s1600/maniacmagee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1219" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcefTU3O3qGMKEMDM9UeO9v8QDHfHHpomcPLM-a_HSazwKL3GXaIsTgOHK1WF6StUY3BpJuNA39i1uPlHM1_1NvonN8vgGJum_gqVrL7PeI3qQTAbSaAOtC2aaBYl3WHQus7srH6227ib1/s400/maniacmagee.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Okay, I realize I am about 25 years behind on reading this book, but I added it to my small group collection after seeing a good deal on Scholastic in the fall, and I am SO glad I did!</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Maniac-Magee-Jerry-Spinelli/dp/0316809063/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494184913&sr=1-1&keywords=maniac+magee&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=e0764b21d59e4e41432a511e4bcfef4b" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0316809063&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0316809063" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book for my Amazon affiliate link</span></div>
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For anyone else who just never got around to reading this book, it's about a boy (Jeffrey) who lives with his aunt and uncle who hate each other until he can't stand it anymore and runs to Two Mills, a racially divided town. It doesn't even take a day for Jeffrey to become a legend and earn the name Maniac as he tears through town leaving everyone in his path confused and awe-struck. Maniac, a white boy, bounces from the East End to the West End, never completely fitting in on either side, but he ends up changing lives wherever he goes.<br />
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I just loved this book, and so did my students! At first, one of the kids complained that most of my book club books were old, but I think this book helped him realize that that was okay. A good story will NEVER go out of style.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-4411239527804196322017-07-27T09:00:00.000-04:002017-07-27T09:00:22.487-04:00Summer Reads #6: Among the Hidden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmofnBSuzkT4Zxfxs9OHtBq_S76-eonUQuaNZu8NU2jZFTKZbZ3VskMQwzJDxvfunopH8nqdxd4go0xKSzuo-rpLVU-hoyyu_6WE_8Fbp8FjbStxXiLc2E0b1_cPq-M1X9cGP2OeUqJxi/s1600/amongthehidden.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1219" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmofnBSuzkT4Zxfxs9OHtBq_S76-eonUQuaNZu8NU2jZFTKZbZ3VskMQwzJDxvfunopH8nqdxd4go0xKSzuo-rpLVU-hoyyu_6WE_8Fbp8FjbStxXiLc2E0b1_cPq-M1X9cGP2OeUqJxi/s400/amongthehidden.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today I am introducing the first of a series that was once again recommended by my students. I ended up buying the entire series with Scholastic points at the end of the year, and I will eventually read the rest. This one was captivating!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Among-Hidden-Shadow-Children-1/dp/0689824750/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=b9dd18af6c56c0f95ec6e87508a51040" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0689824750&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0689824750" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book for my Amazon affiliate link</span></div>
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<i>Among the Hidden</i> is the first book in the Shadow Children series. Luke is a shadow child, meaning he isn't supposed to exist. Out of fear that they would run out of food, the government established a law that families could only have two children. Luke is the third. No one other than his immediate family knows about him, and he has never been away from home. When a neighborhood is built nearby, Luke cannot go outside anymore and, worse, has to spend all of his time in the attic.<br />
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But then he discovers there is another shadow child nearby. And he takes a risk to meet her.<br />
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Guys, I did this one as a book club, and I had a hard time stopping each week for the discussions. My first interaction with this book was the hook, and it is one of my favorites ever. I was completely into this all the way through and can't wait to read the rest!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-18124716090957096062017-07-20T09:00:00.000-04:002017-07-20T09:00:26.045-04:00Summer Reads #5: Ungifted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF-Fnjp_xuNCwwh7rJJiMA5yCTftuqTQreNYgxqOTo25jdqf19pD9WBYkJBRZVIlDdCDPqvBAb_OwINVQrYa8rcg6bKq12XIZo_eX6QrG624oO0mWP3JJWDbgvfV3msYIsjjOydZPn7zS/s1600/ungifted.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1219" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF-Fnjp_xuNCwwh7rJJiMA5yCTftuqTQreNYgxqOTo25jdqf19pD9WBYkJBRZVIlDdCDPqvBAb_OwINVQrYa8rcg6bKq12XIZo_eX6QrG624oO0mWP3JJWDbgvfV3msYIsjjOydZPn7zS/s400/ungifted.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's week five already, and I am fulfilling my promise with a fun, lighthearted book! This is the perfect one for that, and I hope you enjoy it as much as my students and I did.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ungifted-Gordon-Korman/dp/0061742678/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1498705156&sr=8-1&keywords=ungifted&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=4d061de991d251480ffed614bffeceb4" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0061742678&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0061742678" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book for my Amazon affiliate link</span></div>
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<i>Ungifted</i> is about a boy named Donovan who is a bit of a prankster and is always causing problems. Well, it's all fun and games until he accidentally rolls the globe right off an Atlas statue, through a full parking lot, and into the gym where his middle school team is playing a game. And then, to add to his luck, he is spotted by none other than the school's superintendent. Donovan is certain that his life is officially over, but through a crazy turn of events, his name is accidentally passed on for a school for gifted students.<br />
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Gifted he is not, but he figures it will be the perfect place to hide out until the whole mess blows over. Plus, his parents are proud of him for once. While there, he learns to accept and befriend the eclectic bunch of students in his class, and he's even able to help them out. Maybe he is gifted after all? You'll have to read and find out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-46358461513975423022017-07-13T09:00:00.000-04:002017-07-13T09:00:08.529-04:00Summer Reads #4: The War That Saved My Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey guys! I hope you're having as much fun with these as I am! The book I'm sharing with you today is the first one that I read after school let out, and I could have easily read it in one sitting (and almost did) if my family hadn't complained that they wanted to spend time with me. Oops!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/War-That-Saved-My-Life/dp/0147510481/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&qid=1498179484&sr=8-1&keywords=the+war+that+saved+my+life&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=9b0306875b0b19c27ab1e447af16c0ab" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0147510481&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0147510481" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book for my Amazon affiliate link</span></div>
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This book was on the <a href="https://www.vsra.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Middle-2017-18.pdf">Virginia Reader's Choice list for middle school</a>, which I am slowly working my way through. I'm also reading from the <a href="https://www.vsra.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Elementary-2017-18.pdf">elementary list</a>, but not necessarily every book. Once again, I had a few students read this first and tell me it was amazing. I trust their judgement now and hope that my next set of kids have equally amazing taste. But I will stop bragging now...<br />
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You will want a tissue and/or to throw things when you read this book because Ada, the main character, really has a crappy life. She was born with a clubfoot that was never treated. Instead, her mother is ashamed of her and will not allow her to leave the house at all. She teaches herself to walk in secret and ends up running away with her younger brother when children are being evacuated from London at the beginning of World War II. They arrive in the countryside and are taken in by a single woman who doesn't really want them. However, she takes care of them well and gives them opportunities that they did not have.<br />
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The book is an emotional roller coaster, but I can't say much more without giving it away. Ada's hurt reaches far deeper than her foot, and it takes a lot for her to overcome it.<br />
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Next week, I'm going to choose a more upbeat book!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-65961742606935576192017-07-06T09:00:00.000-04:002017-07-06T12:46:06.809-04:00Summer Reads #3: Out of My Mind<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7udV2OY1CrxaikZHmt4IWyuTgP9CSZ3UpbCxtAr1yRSAKpo-2PLiItFPgMywELvuREZRrac0XvaDHPQ_hpClwvXKHqDuqMj58Vul0sTUvTvX_CDJAXWuNNU0S27BXwk6CMDVgzOwPWmhz/s1600/outofmymind.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1219" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7udV2OY1CrxaikZHmt4IWyuTgP9CSZ3UpbCxtAr1yRSAKpo-2PLiItFPgMywELvuREZRrac0XvaDHPQ_hpClwvXKHqDuqMj58Vul0sTUvTvX_CDJAXWuNNU0S27BXwk6CMDVgzOwPWmhz/s400/outofmymind.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Week three is here! Woohoo! I want to just show you what I mean when I say I have a lot to read this summer.</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVYW2XSBgas/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">So these are the books I brought home to read this summer before I return them to my classroom library. I have a few more to bring home tomorrow #iteachtoo #iteachfifth #iteachela #teacherswhoread #ilovebooks @scholasticreadingclub</a></div>
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A post shared by Melissa (@dontlettheteacher) on <time datetime="2017-06-16T00:36:57+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jun 15, 2017 at 5:36pm PDT</time></div>
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It's a little crazy. And that actually doesn't account for all the books because I didn't have some and am checking them out on my kindle. Let me know if there's one you especially want to hear about, and I'll move it up further on my list. Or, of course, if you have any suggestions of books to add to my list. I currently finished <i>The War that Saved My Life,</i> <i>Wolf Hollow, Space Case, Solo, </i>and<i> Fuzzy Mud. </i>Reading<i> The Thing About Jellyfish</i> and have<i> </i>and <i>A Night Divided </i>on deck. So many books!</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Out-My-Mind-Sharon-Draper/dp/1416971718/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494184824&sr=1-1&keywords=out+of+my+mind&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=18cc83388b9c45324c3459c327a09108" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1416971718&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=1416971718" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book for my Amazon affiliate link</span></div>
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This book was another recommendation from a student. She told me it was on of the best books ever and then bought it for me. I quickly added it to my ever-growing list and worked to move it up quickly so I could read it. Once again, it did not disappoint. My kids really do have impeccable taste in books! </div>
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<i>Out of my Mind</i> is about a girl named Melody who is wheelchair bound and cannot speak or write. But she is brilliant! She just doesn't have any way of showing it (think Stephen Hawking). Her babysitter believes that she is smart, so she works tirelessly with Melody to add pictures and letters to her wheelchair so that Melody can "communicate" by pointing. By fifth grade, she finally has a teacher who decides Melody should spend some time working in the regular education rooms with a one-on-one aide. Like her babysitter, this aide knows what Melody is capable of and works to help her show it. The problem is that it's very difficult for her new classmates and teachers to accept it as well, and Melody struggles to find her place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-66233653826021413542017-06-29T09:00:00.000-04:002017-06-29T09:00:26.785-04:00Summer Reads #2: Because of Mr. Terupt<div style="text-align: center;">
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So welcome to week two of my Summer Reads series! For those who don't know, I'm kind of piggy-backing off an idea one of my amazing friends, Andrea at <a href="http://thisliteracylife.com/">This Literacy Life</a>, does with her Book Talk Thursdays. I have SO many books that I have read this year and many many more that I brought home to read this summer, so I shouldn't run out of material for a while. The question will be can I keep up with blogging about them! My boys are getting a little older and more independent, so I should be able to manage as long as I remember. Let's see if I can revive this old blog!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Because-Mr-Terupt-Rob-Buyea/dp/0375858245/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494184768&sr=1-1&keywords=because+of+mr.+terupt&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=084292ea7ee33f3477108f62cd6f3309" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0375858245&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0375858245" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book for my Amazon affiliate link</span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li2&o=1&a=0375858245" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Today's book is the first in a trio, but the first is definitely the best. I had to check this book out for myself after quite a few of my students recommended it. Mr. Terupt is a brand new 5th grade teacher, and his students love him. His methods may be a little unconventional, but there is no doubt that the kids are learning and growing. Then something happens that changes everything mid-year, and the class has to learn how to lean on one another to get through it.<br />
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I really like how these books are told from multiple students' perspectives. The second book, in my opinion, is a little more on the cheesy side, and then the third book follows the students to middle school, which is fun to see them grow. You should at least read this book! It has some great humor thrown in along with the tension and uncertainty through the last half of the book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-28733511252455726762017-06-22T20:35:00.002-04:002017-06-28T23:02:57.155-04:00Summer Reads: The Girl Who Drank the Moon<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hello, blogging world! It's been quite some time. Since I last wrote, I have moved schools (and school districts) and just completed my first year teaching 5th grade Gifted Language Arts. It's been busy, and I've felt like a brand new teacher since almost all of my previous experience has been with struggling readers, but I'm loving it! </div>
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Anyway, I have been busily reading some of the latest YA novels to catch up with my avid readers this year, and I decided that the perfect way to get back into the groove of writing is to talk about a different book each week! I'm going to call this my "Summer Reads" series, and then I hope to also continue it into the school year, just maybe less frequent.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Who-Drank-Moon/dp/1616205679/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1494184221&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girl+who+drank+the+moon&linkCode=li3&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=0cf8b38f0a278e2b5f96720ebd007e19" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1616205679&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=dotlethtestup-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=li3&o=1&a=1616205679" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click on the book for my Amazon affiliate link</span><br />
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The very first book I want to discuss is this year's Newbery medal winner, <i>The Girl Who Drank the Moon</i>. When I saw this one, I immediately purchased it, especially since it is fantasy, which I have realized my classroom library is lacking.<br />
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I would actually classify this book as a mix between Dystopian and fantasy. The premise is that there is a village who "sacrifices" a baby every year to a witch so that they may remain safe. This baby is put outside the gates of the village and left for dead, and then the witch supposedly comes along to eat it. However, the truth is that the witch knows nothing of their "sacrifice" and actually rescues the baby every year from what she believes is a village of cruel and heartless people. These babies are fed starlight on the journey to different villages (earning them the name Star Children) where one lucky family is selected to care for them.<br />
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One year, Xan (the witch) accidentally feeds the baby moonlight, which enmagics the young child. She ends up caring for the girl herself, and there comes a time when she will come to know the village she came from once again.<br />
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I loved this story! It paints a beautiful picture of love and hope, and it also shows how things aren't always what they seem. I actually went back and ordered a small group set to do with a group of students, and this was one of their favorites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-3347340836534014632016-02-19T08:36:00.002-05:002016-02-19T08:39:50.291-05:00Book Talk Thursday-ish: Creature FeaturesHi everyone! I'm going to just stop apologizing for not posting as frequently and accept that this is just going to be the new norm for me. At least until Caffrey is a little older and I can get a better grasp on time and life and all that stuff. <strike>And in my defense, I started this post yesterday, but I didn't have a chance to finish it until this morning.</strike><br />
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I did, however, want to share a new book that I discovered. Every year, a committee selects books for the Virginia Readers' Choice list, and they publish the next year's list in February. I happened to get my hands on the latest list last week and IMMEDIATELY started hunting down all of the books. I have 7 of them in my possession now and two others on hold at the library.<br />
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Andrea is featuring one of the books on her blog today, and I wanted to link up with one of my favorites here: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544233514/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0544233514&linkCode=as2&tag=dotlethtestup-20&linkId=YV3I3265EFBFVKQK" rel="nofollow">Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=dotlethtestup-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0544233514" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.<br />
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Click on this image to see other great books!</div>
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This book is perfect for questioning, AND it ties right in with science for an animal adaptations lesson. I used it as a model to ask "why" questions, which I feel like my students always struggle with. In my class, we use the Fountas & Pinnell LLI system, which is a kit that includes leveled books to quickly get students reading on grade level. The fourth grade pack has a series called <i>Intriguing Animals</i>. I pulled a few of those books and split my students into groups. Then they looked through the books and found unique characteristics about each animal to come up with two questions and answers. Then they selected their favorite and shared it with the class.<br />
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To extend this activity, I would love to give the students a picture of a strange animal and have them generate a list of questions to then research online or in a book later. There are so many possibilities, and I love the fact that the lesson is cross-curricular!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-22783001066996500862016-01-01T14:49:00.000-05:002016-01-01T14:51:32.176-05:00Currently a new year?I cannot believe it's already 2016! The year ended in a bit of a whirlwird around here, but I'm looking forward to fresh starts and more time watching my sweet little boys grow into handsome young men.<br />
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<b>Listening: </b>Keagan and Caffrey did NOT sync their naps today, so I didn't get my usual quiet time. Although fortunately Keagan has become pretty independent, and I managed to sneak in a short nap while Caffrey slept. That is, until Keagan decided to play "Polar Express" with his train whistle. Thankfully he only woke me up!<br />
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<b>Loving:</b> I struggled a little with this one to be honest. It's been a bit crazy here lately. My husband and I had to travel back to MS (after just getting back from a trip at the beginning of break) after my grandmother passed away. I know it's better for her and I'm glad that she is no longer suffering, but it's made for a busy and stressful break. Despite all of that, I have an amazing family and have the pleasure of being mommy to the cutest little boys. Ever. See?<br />
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<b>Thinking: </b>Since this has been the first day we've been able to be home and have nothing that HAS to be done immediately, I have taken advantage of it. Of course, we do need to get some groceries, so it's probably time I at least brush my teeth and become somewhat presentable.<br />
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<b>Wanting: </b>Like I said, this "break" was way too busy, and I need another break to recooperate. At least Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is just around the corner. And I heard whispers of snow?<br />
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<b>Needing: </b>My boots literally have a hole in the bottom that I've temporarily covered with duct tape to keep water out (since it's been monsoon season everywhere). Did you know duct tape doesn't stay in one place on the bottom of shoes? I just haven't had time to find ones that are worth spending my money. Maybe I'll do that before going back to school,..<br />
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<b>One Little Word: </b>This was an easy one for me. Ever since Caffrey was born and we moved, I just haven't been able to find my "new normal". Everything has been hectic, and I want to find a routine. I need to get some kind of schedule going and just go with it. My hope is that it will become easier as Caffrey gets a little older and doesn't need to be held all the time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-75077636921990242542015-12-02T19:11:00.001-05:002015-12-03T07:04:40.276-05:00Currently DecemberIt's already December 2?! When did that happen? Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, so I'm thrilled that we're to this point. I mean, our house has been decorated for almost three weeks now, so it's about time!<br>
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<b>Listening:</b> Keagan and Steven are wrestling, and Caffrey is sitting with me giggling about it. I love how my husband gets on the floor after a long day and still plays with the kids! They adore their daddy.<br>
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<b>Loving: </b>Everything Christmas! I've already got about half of my shopping done (almost all for my immediate family), and I can't wait to start all of the festivities!<br>
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<b>Thinking: </b>I've been meaning to schedule a hair appointment for a few weeks. I just haven't gotten around to it. I haven't gotten it cut since before school started, and it needs a little TLC.<br>
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<b>Wanting: </b>I went to bed this morning with a bit of a sore throat and woke up in way more pain. I ended up staying home today because it was so bad. Feeling a little better, but I'm hoping it's okay for tomorrow. Maybe I'll eat some ice cream to help! ;-)<br>
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<b>Needing: </b>We don't have any light fixtures in our family room. When we moved in, the days were longer, and the huge windows provided plenty of light. Now that it's dark by 5, our one tall lamp isn't quite cutting it. It's a big room. Maybe Santa will install a light for Christmas? (Signs that your officially an adult?)<br>
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<b>Real or Faux:</b> We have four trees in our house. Three of them are fake (a really small one in Caffrey's room, 4 ft in Keagan's, and a 6 ft in the living room that is my "fancy" tree). Then we always go get a real tree for our family tree with all of the special ornaments. We just got ours Sunday, and it's SO fat!<br>
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What's your favorite thing about December?<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160"></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-39373719799794366812015-11-13T16:00:00.000-05:002015-11-13T16:00:01.213-05:00Five for Friday the 13th<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/11/five-for-friday-linky-party-november-6th.html"><img alt="fiveforfriday2_thumb3_thumb2" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kJobBEeV4fE/VjwDDHHjyjI/AAAAAAAAf1M/7TyXAiDpHmo/fiveforfriday2_thumb3_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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Week two of being back into the groove of things, and I even had a few posts in between (though not all here)! Am I actually beginning to fall into a sort of routine? Could it really be happening?<br />
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First, as an update from last week - the lice is still going WAY too strong in our school. We've had so many outbreaks that I could literally count on my hand how many 5th grade girls didn't have their hair up yesterday, and I wanted to give them a rubber band to do so immediately. I actually bought some lice repellent on eBay yesterday after a coworker brought it in. The Ulta store closest to us is sold out of it. AND they made an instant alert call to remind parents to check their kids' hair. I really wish we could just close and get rid of it once and for all. So gross!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tales-Repel-Conditioning-Rosemary/dp/B000O7JK0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447430627&sr=8-1&keywords=fairy+tales+lice+repel"><img alt="Fairy Tales Repel Conditioning Spray, Rosemary, 8 Fluid Ounce" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71AMMO9YXnL._SY606_.jpg" width="68" /></a></div>
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I shared about how to find the readability of any text over the weekend. It's actually very simple, and I was so excited to find it! Click on the picture (or just check out my last post) to read more about it.<br />
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<a href="http://dontlettheteacher.blogspot.com/2015/11/how-to-determine-readability-of-any-text.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFbue9jZI_NMHszhl2Au3O85OjOw8_A7kVfoSeEBDjLxSlltjYlVgRxu19cmG-Kh_1sKqLq-63Kp9zi8Nr0lto-myM7vtR6HYcYNTDfLcefgU281-hVRX0ZhnNEM7i6CpWRhn4XpVe29w/s640/readabletext.png" /></a></div>
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I also had a little fun over at <a href="http://virginiaisforteachers.blogspot.com/2015/11/top-ten-signs-you-may-be-teacher-tired.html">Virginia is for Teachers</a> with a top ten list. I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm CONSTANTLY running on fumes these days!<br />
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<a href="http://virginiaisforteachers.blogspot.com/2015/11/top-ten-signs-you-may-be-teacher-tired.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c6BIISdaSmf1JrkZ3nb4LyLPai3MuShRtsP5DYA-1OGGZrCxL2JGRw972RhGEDrsvC7bEnbILU43UNac1Wcb6-OJugK76C1bPoZvhxXqheKfg0lP2iO4RYFBxYsSFCpw_ZnNLi_PnbI/s640/teachertired.png" /></a></div>
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We tried to go apple picking over the weekend, but it was rainy AGAIN. On top of that, almost all of the apples had already been picked. They were taking people up the mountain in a little bus to pick what few apples were left, so I didn't even go since Caffrey was in his stroller. My friend, Taylor, was able to snap a few pictures for me, though. We ended up leaving empty handed, but I did get my apple doughnut. That was all I really wanted.<br />
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I'm looking forward to hopefully decorating for Christmas a little this weekend (we pulled stuff down the day after Halloween, but that's as far as we've gotten). Tonight I'm hosting a LulaRoe pop-up boutique, and then we're going to a local Christmasy thing (Lakeside's Holly Jolly) highlighting businesses in our new neighborhood tomorrow. It should be fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-57915609552090542922015-11-08T12:00:00.000-05:002015-11-08T12:00:02.611-05:00How to Determine the Readability of Any TextI'm sure you've seen it before. A child just laboring away trying to work through a passage. Maybe they just circle answers and move on. Or maybe they completely shut down and quit. It may mean the text is just too hard. Now I know that students reading below level will have to work through text on grade level, especially for tests. But that text needs to be within reason (no more than 2 grade levels above their current grade).<br />
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So, maybe I'm way behind on this, but I just learned that you can actually check the readability of any document on Microsoft Word! That was so awesome to me because now I feel like I can look at a passage online and decide if it's appropriate for my students or not. Or if I ever decided down the road to create my own passages (not any time soon with a baby in the house), I can make sure it's appropriate. I figured surely some of you were also in the dark on this, so I decided to share a quick tutorial.<br />
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First, you have to make sure your program is already set up to find the readability of a passage. Mine was not. It's very easy, and you should only have to do it once.<br />
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Once you've done that, you can just put in any passage and test it out! It only takes a few seconds to do. I will say that I tried a list of sentences, but it didn't really work for that. This is geared toward paragraphs of information.<br />
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If you don't have Word or just want something easier, I also found a free website that runs text through FIVE different readability formulas and gives an average score: <a href="http://readability-score.com/">Readability-Score.com</a><br />
You can either copy and paste text OR you can check a website's readability. I circled that data it gives.<br />
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I'm so excited to have these tools available and can't wait to be able to use them when choosing text to use with my students! It also will be helpful when sending home letters to parents so I will avoid being too wordy. Apparently I don't have much trouble with that since my blog came out as a fourth grade reading level. I guess I'm used to talking to fourth graders! ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-10379998896124989942015-11-06T14:36:00.000-05:002015-11-06T20:44:19.588-05:00Five for Friday<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/11/five-for-friday-linky-party-november-6th.html"><img alt="fiveforfriday2_thumb3_thumb2" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kJobBEeV4fE/VjwDDHHjyjI/AAAAAAAAf1M/7TyXAiDpHmo/fiveforfriday2_thumb3_thumb2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800"></a></div>
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I'm slowly getting back into the groove of teaching, blogging, and being a mom to TWO adorable little boys. My goal for this month is to blog at least once a week, but hopefully a little more frequently than that. I figure striving to do Five for Friday each week is a nice place to start!<br>
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The weather here has been awesome (well, for me at least)! It's not too hot, but it's cool enough that I can wear a lightweight sweater and jeans. We couldn't have done better for Halloween night and had a blast taking the kids around our new neighborhood. Keagan has gotten so much braver and didn't back down from any houses...<br>
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...although he did want mommy AND daddy to walk up with him on this one. He told me later that the witches on the porch were "super scary". They talked.<br>
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Caffrey has become a little chatterbox and is all smiles (well, most of the time at least). I miss being able to be home with him, but I love my evening snuggles. He's almost big enough to sit up on his own, and we're going to start giving him baby food once we go to the grocery store again.<br>
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Of course, I have been working as well and even had some time to finish a few products this week! I made two more mysteries and a new set of literacy centers for grades 3-5. You can read more about them and find them in my store by clicking on the picture below!<br>
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Most of my groups are finishing up their first level of the year and getting ready to do a novel study before Thanksgiving break, so I spent today unwrapping them all and getting ready to begin. I'm so proud of the progress they've made!<br>
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When I'm not teaching at school, I've been keeping my distance from kids. We've had a BAD lice outbreak here, and I feel like my head is constantly itching. I even had to have the school nurse check my head yesterday because I was so paranoid. I'm just praying they can deep clean the school over the weekend and get rid of ALL of it. It's so gross...<br>
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<img height="239" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4TknM3fLUS88PSYitepTzRaFdjjh2R4Iydki_r48kJFyCqaGL" width="320"></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160"></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-43288517350530687232015-11-04T17:00:00.000-05:002015-11-04T17:00:03.283-05:00Pirates Ahoy! (and some Thanksgiving, too)I feel like it's been forever since I made my last product, but I finally had some time to do a little creating! I bought some awesome pirate clip art last year and had yet to use it, so that is where I began:<br />
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First, I HAD to have a new mystery, and stolen treasure was just an obvious choice. This mystery is also great for talking about character traits because I used higher level vocabulary to describe each suspect. (Doesn't Jinxy Jack just have a nice ring to it?)<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Drawing-Conclusions-Pirates-The-Case-of-the-Pilfering-Pirate-2171896"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZwyRhpo2ZVZAlp3ZbPbEEOTDjFr-txnYSWuxM8Mfq7NAHY00aKDdVdJH5OG9QMckwSKrz9zE9D9P3mjn2yf8uDdXh7_wMpWc9R6oZWBksc6bqcj9g5nMwA3ll7bJwhq8uIE0Ieln78ez/s320/Slide1.GIF" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm also working hard to create more literacy centers for "Big Kids" that aren't holiday specific. As with all of my other sets, I did a lot of research to include fun pirate-related information to practice difficult language art skills.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pirate-Literacy-Centers-for-Big-Kids-2171403"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq18_Ni1T7l34dXCdpU8SVNJD0qQow3ODUPZbBVHn0REHX7JWqjtHtZpZjxkv9sfCrtYMwVah1s9gNQlyiMmfJ_POzpZoVoL7Qibn16PhT2vqNGvAcOotNKcnfeNZ63dMw0n1eOQDh_Bxi/s320/Slide1.GIF" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I wanted to finish a Thanksgiving mystery that I actually started last year and was too exhausted to ever finish. This one is more predictive. They have to decide who is most likely to win the "wishbone contest" (the person who ends up with the largest part of the wishbone). Bonus: I include strategies to win! :-)<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Drawing-Conclusions-Thanksgiving-The-Case-of-the-Broken-Wishbone-2177180"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJunTYp2pt_aS1lSgi2LexpgTXUNjP1lUMNEbwjTHZa5_WDabwB6hWipWTGA8IQesc_PEZFl7XR9myg2dBSoWngZxgnZ4m5RPdQKuP0uIUYXOCOPQNQ5Yuwo0OHDDoXRapEDPdinyzEsyx/s320/Slide1.GIF" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you have already purchased my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Drawing-Conclusions-Mega-Mystery-Bundle-1363792">Mega Mysteries bundle</a>, both mysteries are now already included, so make sure you download it again. And the Thanksgiving mystery has also been added to the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Drawing-Conclusions-Fall-Mystery-Bundle-1458567">Fall Mysteries Bundle</a>. You don't want to miss these new, fun mysteries!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-91803280804014204372015-11-03T11:08:00.000-05:002015-11-03T11:08:35.855-05:00Currently November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's November 3, which means I'm already two days late for <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/11/currently-november-2016.html">Farley's currently</a>. But still, that isn't so bad. Let's pretend I was working hard cleaning house and not binge watching Pretty Little Liars during the boys' naps. Yeah, sure. And I definitely wasn't stuffing my face full of candy...and in my defense, I did start this post yesterday and just didn't get around to posting it. So it's almost only one day late.</div>
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<b>Listening</b>: Like I said, I started this yesterday. Right now, I'm actually just getting ready to head in for work because we have conferences from 12-7. So I've been cleaning since I didn't on Sunday.<br />
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<b>Loving: </b>We're that crazy family that starts pulling out the Christmas stuff right after Halloween. That's just about as far as we've gotten, though, because we've been so exhausted. The only things that are out are Keagan's Christmas nightlight, a Rudolph dvd, and his Rudolph "snow monster" that sings. We may start with the village this week. Unfortunately our tree died (like literally fell over along with having a slew of lights out), so we need to buy another one before starting on it.</div>
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<b>Thinking:</b> I mentioned before that our Title 1 program is using Fountas and Pinnell's LLI system this year, and I really like it! My groups are just finishing their first round, and I'm so excited for them to move up another reading level so quickly!</div>
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<b>Wanting: </b>We usually have already been apple picking, but the rain prevented our first scheduled trip, then it gets too crazy during the actual festival weeks in October. So we are supposed to go this weekend. I know most of the apples will be gone, but it will still be fun. As long as it doesn't rain again...</div>
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<b>Needing: </b>I have a problem. It's sweets. We have way too much candy in the house for my good...</div>
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<b>Yummy: </b>I'm a sucker for some creamy mashed potatoes. I think I could eat a few bowls of it. Like right now...<br />
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***Update: I saw so many people sharing pictures of their cuties that I just HAD to add one of my little family from Halloween. We had so much fun trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood, and I can't wait to do it again next year!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyJ4xjFpcOoQpzrhgqC5n8mob8AHwZxLciz7Gdq2-U8WGzEoQtl_FReqme1CdhyphenhyphenqStKgnrRD6kERWXPTqCbiX1JuzQzESX56-XXcY8cpDi5Mb4EaD8nIIWPpbRRDGsl75GR4ZfLZ4poQD/s640/blogger-image--1654124071.jpg" /></div>
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And one more since Caffrey's face was covered (he was Keagan's dragon)...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a></div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-1015240240236656002015-10-26T00:00:00.000-04:002015-10-26T00:00:06.628-04:00The Best Pencil Sharpener, Now in...<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://classroomfriendlysupplies.refersion.com/c/957e5"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pErmH0F_jx_E6OltltJKwaNj445VM3jnZRXTVT3m9Jq8ZF2bujzpjLrs4JlyaJ-oW0H_HE8Pr_KGXLQwoyHzU1HYbW_REDi4-wnyOEDf_tZ2qg8l1Qb0TZ1NFgINQWiFOMcl4TYueOvz/s1600/purple+Logo_ad.jpg" /></a><br />
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I know I've blogged about these little pencil sharpeners before and have even given a few away, but today they are releasing their newest color - <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">PURPLE</span></b>!!!! You know you want one...<br />
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<a href="https://classroomfriendlysupplies.refersion.com/c/957e5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgch79MOfvzYGjh3P67jZKrlGt1aj-gNZKMtASid283pp3VipvQrxrMElYEoD19F5_bmU8OFB808exu4-UUXNlwWhQM3fnKQCZFKBX7TEDhA2g8tJNdPfp25T-YgwZrq__S5UKWKerVOFCO/s400/sharppencils.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not only are they the best at getting a quick, sharp point, they are also WAY quieter than most sharpeners. You know you hate it when kids have to sharpen a pencil and you aren't even able to talk over it. (Unfortunately I still have to deal with this in other classrooms in my building. Maybe I should encourage some of my students to buy them as teacher gifts?)<br />
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They're quiet, easy to use, effective, clean, AND they were actually created by a teacher! Plus they come in 6 bright colors. Classroom Friendly Supplies sent me one to test. This time I actually mounted it to my desk, which helped a lot because I don't have to hold it in place. It also came already assembled (even though assembling mine from a few years ago only took a minute or two).<br />
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I decided to take a short video to show how easy it is to use in case you don't want to take my word for it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyk0xkCApC0oPuu7B1-Ctm6Xuj1-hSD5-1qbHpam9BQDrJiRGkRsvfE2qYiDkH2r8pPT3QUe0ggj5mZO_j5lQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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One little tip that I've learned over the years: <b>avoid cheap pencils</b>. This sharpener is so effective that it will rip the led out of those pencils almost every time. I stocked up on Ticonderoga at the beginning of the year, and they work perfectly!<br />
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These really are the best, and prices aren't bad either. You can even make school bulk orders! Go get yours now before they sell out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-987369991251162916.post-6035544710234723892015-10-24T17:48:00.003-04:002015-10-24T17:48:45.989-04:00Room Reveal 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, my room has been finished for a few weeks now, so I realize this is REALLY late. Like maybe I should have just skipped it and waited until next year. I was waiting to get my bookshelves in to store our new Fountas & Pinnell LLI system, which meant that I was able to get rid of old, mismatched shelves and cubbies used as shelves. It just looks so much cleaner!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-MY2I_xfHHPiUDbYxipj-aKFw2-OmbdS69VhiuX02fIrQjdt4c4rMQJ3FETlOh0TvtN5PIgZS5M6uYeE_VZwHAqxiN4qbDF2xqW0HWLreteW8Rk62ScKj5C3KhFEKsDs2INNzOcataB1/s1600/class2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-MY2I_xfHHPiUDbYxipj-aKFw2-OmbdS69VhiuX02fIrQjdt4c4rMQJ3FETlOh0TvtN5PIgZS5M6uYeE_VZwHAqxiN4qbDF2xqW0HWLreteW8Rk62ScKj5C3KhFEKsDs2INNzOcataB1/s640/class2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted to add a little more decoration to the room, so I bought some lanterns and poofs from Amazon. They add a nice little touch.<br />
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And since I'm so late in posting pictures, I also have some fall details that have been added to the room.<br />
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Print is free from <a href="http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2014/09/well-hello-fall/">Nest of Posies</a> - super cute!</div>
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<a href="http://eighteen25.com/2014/09/two-shades-of-pink/"><img alt="Yarn Ghost Garland: " height="382" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4e/0b/9b/4e0b9b4cee4dc16a0e162a535d06d72c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This garland featured on <a href="http://eighteen25.com/2014/09/two-shades-of-pink/">Eighteen25</a> was just TOO adorable to pass up - plus I had all of the supplies in my room and could do it in a day. Of course mine isn't quite as cute.. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoY3Vh9cTx3RUnHgrmMVUsseBzrIk9LBbTes8-ccs5m88m0MDGuC0Sda0zUcrzL1ZTRux1iz3LvENqFPX0IQQV5dSKtzXm6k1_EKVsDrksNF62qhiemkbWC8JpIC9CGwExUKYjcN7ithq/s1600/ghosts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoY3Vh9cTx3RUnHgrmMVUsseBzrIk9LBbTes8-ccs5m88m0MDGuC0Sda0zUcrzL1ZTRux1iz3LvENqFPX0IQQV5dSKtzXm6k1_EKVsDrksNF62qhiemkbWC8JpIC9CGwExUKYjcN7ithq/s320/ghosts.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made some for my house, but then I realized both of our mantels (yes we have two now) are white, and it just wouldn't show up. Oh well...<br />
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Now if only I could get a new filing cabinet and black storage cabinets to match, it would be perfect!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEUHMWz4elM6hoVwVpINcVSJkVY32VWGZMQe2qPHZq5_KTNvX5PpUoCjeZdoMa543cQTGsqZf6hmPyxh4CKOtZbf8l_zApwKXmuGm-wRhTonc-DKNA7uuSpfWDYxHkPkYj17ukSs-i6QB/s1600/class1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEUHMWz4elM6hoVwVpINcVSJkVY32VWGZMQe2qPHZq5_KTNvX5PpUoCjeZdoMa543cQTGsqZf6hmPyxh4CKOtZbf8l_zApwKXmuGm-wRhTonc-DKNA7uuSpfWDYxHkPkYj17ukSs-i6QB/s1600/class1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbEXmxtb3Q-zIK67oYih1brAE8rTHvKKiwtHXYVOag4PgOzj5A_xmNEv2iv-4aEqlSARfJZpYJzN0dyCH3qtMSCagwhUlTJlFRO0YhWG7nHetVzIsVCXwtqaqflre4O58xN5-C4brc6UIQ/s200/Signature.png" width="160" /></a>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12762275993886922409noreply@blogger.com0