Saturday, March 16, 2024

Conferring With Readers (Jennifer Seravello)

 


I've heard lots of people talk about the importance of having reading conferences with students. This book lays out exactly what to say, how to do conferences, what to conference about, how to take notes. It's really helpful! It'll be on my list of books to read again and again.


Goodreads says:


A great reading conference only takes five minutes, but its impact can last a lifetime. That's because conferences are the critical, one-to-one teaching that forms the backbone of reading instruction. Conferring with Readers shows you how to confer well and demonstrates why a few moments with students every week can put them on the path to becoming better, more independent readers.

Conferring with Readers is a comprehensive guide that shows you how to determine what readers have learned and what they need to practice, then provides suggestions for targeting instruction to meet students' needs. It provides explicit teaching methods for use in effective conferences. You'll learn how to:

research a student's use of skills through questions and observations
compliment to support and build upon successes
follow up on prior instruction for accountability and depth of understanding
explain a reading strategy by providing an explicit purpose and context
model the strategy to make the invisible brainwork of reading more visible
guide a readerinpracticing the strategy
link the strategy to independent reading. Conferring with Readers presents repeatable frameworks for conferences that focus on six specific purposes of reading instruction:
matching students to just-right books reinforcing students' strengths supporting students during whole-class studies helping students move from one reading level to the next holding students accountable for previous learning deepening students' conversations about books in order to deepen their thinking. What's more, each purpose is bolstered by an appendix of conference transcripts that support your teaching. With all this plus ideas for planning instruction, keeping records of your conferences, and even conducting group sessions, Conferring with Readers will make a big difference in how you teach reading-helping you feel confident and well equipped to foster each student's growth and independence as a reader.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Tonight on the Titanic (Mary Pope Osborne)

 

I decided to change my approach for read-alouds for a while and try to read books that are really accessible for my students. I'm hoping it will inspire them to continue and read these books together. They really enjoyed this one. The countdown to 2:20 when the Titanic sank really had them on the edge of their seats.  I love that they love the facts this series teaches while still reading fiction. 

Goodreads says:

Jack and Annie are in for an exciting, scary, and sad adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the decks of the "Titanic." Is there anything they can do to help the ill-fated ship? Will they be able to save anyone? Will they be able to save themselves?

Monday, March 11, 2024

Dear Muslim Child (Rahma Radaah)

 

The grade I teach is often the age when children join in fasting during Ramadan. Since today is the start of Ramadan, I thought it would make a great discussion starter. The Muslim students in my class LOVED sharing about Ramadan. 

Goodreads says:


This inspirational picture book from the author of Dear Black Child encourages Muslim children to take joy and pride in their Islamic faith. Perfect for fans of In My Mosque and The Proudest Blue . Dear Muslim Child, your story matters. In this lyrical ode to Islam, Muslim children all over the world are encouraged to celebrate their faith and traditions. 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

The Magical Yet (Angela DiTerlizzi)

 



Great story for character, goal setting and more. Awesome message.


Goodreads says:

Award-winning author-illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler presents an inspiring picture book about overcoming challenges and frustrations with the Power of Yet .

“I can’t do it!”
“Can’t do it YET.”

This charming picture book tells the story of one small piglet who uses the Power of Yet to conquer frustration. While it may not be possible to perfectly flip pancakes or play the violin yet, with practice and patience and courage and grit, anything is possible!

Maybe (Kobi Yamada)

 

Beautiful! This would be perfect for the last day of school. The question is, could I read it on the last day of school without crying?

Probably not. 

Still worth it. 

Goodreads says:

You are the only you there ever has been or ever will be. You are unique in all the universe. Just the odds of you being here at this exact place and this exact time are so great and so rare that it will never happen again.

Written by the New York Times best-selling author of What Do You Do With an Idea?, this is a story for everything you will do and everything you can be—for who you are right now and all the magical, unbounded potential you hold inside. With rich, enchanting illustrations, it’s a reminder that you were meant for incredible things. And maybe, just maybe, you will exceed your wildest dreams.

Monday, March 4, 2024

The Iheards (Emily Kilgore)

 

We have a Mason in our class so we had to change the name of the main character. Ivan! 

This book struck a chord. We ran out of time so we will have a discussion about it tomorrow. The good news was right after we read it, some boys decided to spread positive iheards. It warmed my heart! 

Goodreads says:

Mason is struggling with his Iheards in this picture book about gossip from the author/illustrator team behind The Whatifs .


It didn't matter if the Iheards were true or made-up, harmless or hurtful.
As soon as Mason thought about them, the Iheards burst out.

Mason is constantly gossiping about everyone. Because of this, the Iheards love him. They sneak up to him and whisper all kinds of rumors in his real things or pretend, innocent or mean. As he prepares for an upcoming history presentation, the Iheards buzz all around, making him blurt out more rumors than usual. Will he be able to change from spreading gossip to sharing something more positive?

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Macca the Alpaca (Matt Cosgrove)

 


Super cute! Good for talking about the difference between alpacas and llamas (alpacas are smaller). The llama in the story is a bully but the alpaca is clever. He even tricks the llama by using a simple machine.

Goodreads says:

Macca the Alpaca is the alpaca-llama mashup of the year! Perfect for fans of Oi, Frog! and You Can't Take anElephant on the Bus. Macca is an alpaca. He loves splashing in puddles, and he gives the very best cuddles.
Harmer is a llama. He's tall, strong and woolly, but he's also a BIG BULLY. When a friendly alpaca comes face-to-face with a meanie llama,he soon realises that LLAMA DRAMA lies ahead.
But, who knows, perhaps the differences that separate the two will be exactly what brings them together in the end. A heartwarming story of friendship, acceptance and the value of being yourself.