Whew! Just In Time!

I've been working on this....however, I forgot to get it uploaded!!! I wanted to have it uploaded for Halloween...and I barely made it!  But this sweet story is good for anytime! 

You can have it here...Hope you enjoy! Chatterbox  Blessings, Rebecca

Anticipation...It's Making Me Wait...

If I close my eyes, I can go back in time and think about how I felt as a child on Christmas Eve...Oh the Anticipation!  Sometimes if my family was going on a trip that required several hours of driving, my parents would pack the car the night before, and we'd get in bed early.  Around 3 or 4 a.m. we would be carried to the car to lay down in the back-seat-turned-makeshift-bed on the road...Oh the Anticipation...  And then there's that yummy ketchup.....  

Ok....so now I'm really showing my age!  LOL
My point is....that anticipation really gets you excited for the things you love!  So, why not get kids really excited about a story?!?!?!
I love to use Anticipation Guides before reading (even though you can use them during and after reading too).  

• Anticipation guides stimulate students' interest in a topic and set a purpose for reading.
• They teach students to make predictions, anticipate the text, and verify their predictions.
• They connect new information to prior knowledge and build curiosity about a new topic.

1. When preparing an anticipation guide, think simple for younger students. Write four to six statements about key ideas in the text.  When I make mine, I have a place for them to choose if they agree or disagree with the statement before reading...and then the same for after reading.
2. Begin by Modeling!  Introduce the text or reading material and share the guide with the students. Model the process of responding to the statements and marking the columns.
3. Read each of the statements and ask the students if they agree or disagree with it. Provide the opportunity for discussion. The emphasis is not on right answers but to share what they know and to make predictions.
4. Read the text aloud or have students read the selection individually. If reading aloud, teachers should read slowly and stop at places in the text that correspond to each of the statements.
5. Revisit each statement during Closure.

Here's a good video of a teacher with her whole group during an Anticipation Guide.  You could also use a guide in a small group setting, as well.

Anticipation...Is it making you wait???
Chatterbox Blessings, Rebecca

ABC's Aren't Just for Littles!

I love alphabet books!  Actually, I collect them!  If you think that these wonderful ABC books are just for babies, toddlers, or littles, I'd love to share with you how I use them....in my 4th grade class! FOR VOCABULARY

I adore Graeme Base...and Animalia is an amazing ABC book!  The illustrations alone will keep you busy for hours!  

They are just STUNNING!  

AND....the rich vocabulary in this book  is a must for older students!

FOR ALLITERATION

Alliteration is so much fun...think tongue twisters!  We loved trying those out as a kid...ok, so some of us still do...tee hee

Alphabet Soup is a book with gorgeous illustrations.  When Otter moves, he throws a housewarming potluck party.  26 friends (animals...one for each letter of the alphabet) are asked to bring something for that letter to put into the soup.  Sweet book with sweet pictures!

THEME STUDY

When doing a theme study, bring in alphabet books....there are a ton out there!  

Work your way through the alphabet as you learn about your theme!

Michael Shoulders is another author and illustrator of alphabet books.  I have had the pleasure of meeting him, when he visited our school!

FOR CREATING and IMAGINATION

OMG!  I love this book!  Liza loves her crayons so much....

but when she draws all over her wonderful blank canvas (unfortunately it was her wall) she gets her beloved crayons taken away for the day....so, she is left with using her imagination and creativity to fullfill that need for color. 

 LOVE this book!  

FOR STUDENT AUTHORS

Create a class alphabet book!  Choose a theme, assign (or have students pick) letters.  and create!  You can do the same thing with a class alliteration book!

ABC CENTER

Really?  An ABC center in upper grades?  YES! Of course! Get a three ring binder.  Add a page for letters A-Z.  Whenever students come across things that start with a certain letter, they add it to that page of the book.  

Then when you have the ABC center out for use, they will choose a certain subject (i.e. on the "W" page they might choose George Washington) and research the subject.  My kids love this!

So...if you teach older students, and you haven't thought about it before....

Take out those Alphabet Books...and put them to good use!!

And if you use them already, I'd LOVE to hear how YOU use them!

Chatterbox Blessings,

Rebecca

Who Is In Times Square?

So, the first nine weeks has come and gone.  I have the sweetest bunch of kids in my homeroom and in my Block 1 and 2 classes!  With starting in July however, I was ready to see Fall Break arrive!  The first week of break, I traveled to New York City for the first time with my bestie.  It was an awesome trip!  Before the nine weeks had ended, I started preparing lesson plans for the first week after break.  Every year, we read The Cricket In Times Square.  The kids always love it, as do I!  So with going to New York on the break, I decided that this novel was what I would be teaching when returning from break.  

I worked days and nights on a new Novel Packet for this book.  

During my second week of break, I put together the things that I had acquired while in New York City to share during this novel study.  I am so pleased with how it turned out!  Today, was our first day back, and we began this novel.  The kids are already loving it.  I knew they would!  So, if you teach reading, then you will want to pick up this novel packet.  It is geared toward 3rd-5th grade and you can find it here.  If you do purchase it, please let me know what you think, because I put my heart and soul into creating it! Chatterbox Blessings,

Rebecca

Must Have Picture Books Linky Party

Oh how I adore picture books.  I can't even begin to tell you how many hours I have spent in bookstores such as Books-A-Million, Hastings, Barnes&Noble, etc. in the picture book section!  So, when I saw Lindsey's Linky Party, I had to join in!I am suppose to list my Top 5...OMG...just 5...I'll try!

1.  Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael GarlandZack is not excited about second grade at all.  That is until he meets his new teacher that can really bring a story to life!  You can find this book here.

2.  Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester LaminackNothing ever happens on the Tucker Farm...that is until a peacock shows up.  The hens and the peacock think they work the hardest.  After the old hound dog suggests them to swap jobs, they find out that others jobs aren't as easy as they seem.I adore Lester Laminack!  He is the best storyteller and author.  I have had the great pleasure of hearing him a couple of times at conferences, as well as, as a guest author at our school.  You can find it here.

3.  The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

This book holds a special meaning to me.  Every time my sweet little 2 year old granddaughter goes back home {in another town} she gets a little sad {and so does Gramma}.  I kiss the palm of her hand and gently close it for her.  I tell her that whenever she is feeling sad and wants me, just open up her hand and kiss it, and it will be like me giving her a kiss.That's what happens in this story when Chester Raccoon has to leave his Mommy to go to school.  You can find it here.

4.  The Giving Tree by Shel SilversteinThis story is a bit sad, but shows the unconditional love the tree has for the boy.You can find it here.

5.  Chrysanthemum by Kevin HenkesI know that everyone probably has this book, but I just love it.  I always use this book during the first week of school.  A sweet story to teach about how hurtful it is to make fun of others.  You can find it here.   Oh, I have SO MANY more but I narrowed it down to these five.  They are all great books that are a must have in the elementary classroom.Be sure to head over to Lindsey's to see what books other teachers are suggesting!Loving this linky party,

What's Your Inspiration? FREEBIE

My creations are usually geared for older elementary students {3rd-5th}, so this is a bit off course for me.  

Our sweet little 2 1/2 year old granddaughter has been visiting us this week.  She loves books, puzzles, songs, games, etc. and just soaks it all up.  She already knows her colors, counts to 10, recites many nursery rhymes, etc.  She is SO SMART...you knew I'd say that, right???  ;)  Well, she really is!!! 
One of my favorite times is at night when she is ready to cuddle up with Gramma!  We have our little ritual, and dare I stray from it!  lol  We start by saying our prayers, followed by two stories, and several songs.  One of her favorite songs is the Color Song {poem}!!  So today when she was napping, I found myself in my iDraw making the little images that go with this sweet little song.  My sweet grandgirl was my inspiration for this little book.Hope someone can use it!
What inspires you?
DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY GIVEAWAY!!!CHECK IT OUT HERE!
Blessings,

Pysanky Eggs and Thunder Cake!

Meteors...Pysanky Eggs...and Thunder Cake...interesting mix, huh?  lol

This past week, we had such fun with our Patricia Polacco books/author study!

{I'll be uploading my activities for my members at TEACHER'S CHATTERBOX}

My kiddos LOVED learning about pysanky eggs...the history...the colors and patterns...the process of making them.  Then, they designed their own paper pysanky egg.  

They turned out really cute!  Each student had a turn to share his/her egg with the class and tell why colors and patterns were chosen.

Yesterday was THUNDER CAKE day.  A character study, sequencing, and using a recipe were skills that we focused on for this book.  I always watch the weather closely each year when I am doing Patricia Polacco books.  I try to hit it just right for sharing Thunder Cake.  This week, the only day it was suppose to rain was Thursday {our last day this week due to Good Friday}.  I thought it would be a PERFECT way to end this author study...well, the weather didn't cooperate this year.  A storm did actually start...at dismissal!  Ugghh!  We enjoyed Thunder Cake anyway!  

Actually this year, I opted for individual cakes so they could have their own little cake.

THEY LOVED THEM!!!

Remember, I'll have activities for Rechenka's Eggs and Thunder Cake in the member's area of Teacher's Chatterbox!  If you aren't a member, I'd LOVE for you to consider being one!

Happy Good Friday, everyone!

And many happy Easter Blessings,

  

CAST YOUR VOTE!

Don't you just ADORE Lester Laminack and his fabulous picture books??!??  

I have been so fortunate to meet this wonderful author several times!  If you ever get the chance to hear him...then take it!!!  You won't regret it...and get ready to laugh your butt off!  LOL

Lester's picture book, THREE HENS AND A PEACOCK, is a finalist for the 2012 Children's Choice Book Award.  I headed right over and casted my vote, and YOU CAN TOO!  Here's the link! {You'll find it under the K-2 link!}

Chatterbox Blessings,

What Are You Reading???

...Or rereading in my case!  I love anything by Isabel Beck, Debbie Diller or Debbie Miller!  I was looking through our teacher resource room the other day.  There were a few books that I personally own, so I pulled them back out.  I also picked up a couple from the teacher resource room to bring home.

What are you reading right now?

What are your favorites to revisit and read again?

Right now I'm rereading Debbie Diller's Practice With Purpose...and then Reading With Meaning by Debbie Miller.  Love these authors!!!

Happy Reading!