Monday, November 11, 2013


 

I have enjoyed some books this week:

Einstein the Class Hamster by Janet Tashjian

Einstein the Class Hamster

The Sasquatch Escape by Suzanne Selfors

The Sasquatch Escape: Imaginary Veterinary Series, Book 1

Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller

Bowling Alley Bandit (Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut Series #1)


Goose and Duck by Jean Craighead George

Goose and Duck

Unlikely Friendships:  Book 2 by Jennifer Holland

Unlikely Friendships for Kids: The Dog & The Piglet: And Four Other Stories of Animal Friendships

I am currently reading:

Falling in Love with Close Reading by Christopher Leyman and Kate Roberts



Falling in Love with Close Reading: Lessons for Analyzing Texts--and Life

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Crash

Next up:

The 13 Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths

 The 13-Story Treehouse

Monday, October 28, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


 

I have enjoyed some amazing books recently:

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Rump by Leisl Shurtliff

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

Jake and Lily by Jerry Spinelli

Jake and Lily

Tending to Grace by Kimberly Newton Fusco

Tending to Grace

Blueberry Queen by Marci Peschke

Blueberry Queen

Heidi Heckelbeck and the Cookie Contest by Wanda Coven

Heidi Heckelbeck and the Cookie Contest (Heidi Heckelbeck Series #3)

Diary of a Worm:  Teacher's Pet by Doreen Cronin

Diary of a Worm: Teacher's Pet

I Believe in You by Marianne Richmond

I Believe in You

Mr. Flux by Kyo Maclear

Mr. Flux

I am currently reading...

Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller

Bowling Alley Bandit (Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut Series #1)

Next up...

Crash by Jerry Spinelli

Crash

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Return to Substitute Teaching

After ten years at home with my daughters, I have returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher.  I have truly enjoyed being in the classroom again.  I have been learning a lot from the classrooms that I have had the pleasure to visit and have really enjoyed working with the students.  Although I feel a little rusty, I have returned to the profession that I love with a growth mindset.  Although it has been eighteen years since I was a substitute, I quickly remembered the challenges of substitute teaching...no time to build relationships, lesson plans created by someone else, students struggling with change in the classroom and not being familiar with the daily routines for each individual classroom.  I feel like I am starting all over again in this profession.  Yet, I know this time things are different.  I have a wealth of background knowledge at my fingertips from my years as a classroom teacher and mom of three daughters. I am approaching each day as a learning experience.  I am ready to tackle these challenges.  I am quickly learning that there are less discipline problems when students are actively engaged in learning.  As I continue on my journey as a substitute teacher, I have set the following goals:
*  be flexible
*  embrace an open mind
*  reflect after each day
*  research strong instructional practices
*  smile as often as possible
*  believe in each student
*  focus on the positives!


Monday, August 12, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


 
After a nice, relaxing summer vacation, I am returning to my blog.  I have enjoyed the following books over the past few weeks:

Every Day After by Laura Golden


Every Day After

Swindle by Gordon Korman

Swindle (Swindle Series #1)

True (...sort of) by Katherine Hannigan

True (...Sort Of)

Joe and Sparky Go to School by Jamie Michalak

Joe and Sparky Go to School

Katie loves the Kittens by John Himmelman

Katie Loves the Kittens

Miss Bindergarten has a Wild Day in Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

Miss Bindergarten Has a Wild Day in Kindergarten

Frog and Fly by Jeff Mack

Frog and Fly

Substitute Teacher Plans by Doug Johnson

Substitute Teacher Plans

Positivity by Barabara L. Fredrickson

Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio That Will Change Your Life

I am currently reading...

Heidi Heckelbeck has a Secret by Wanda Coven

Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret (Heidi Heckelbeck Series #1)


Lost at School by Ross Greene

Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them



Monday, July 8, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


 
Wow!  I have read some wonderful books recently.  During the past two weeks, I read and really enjoyed...

The Critter Club:  Amy and the Missing Puppy by Callie Barkley

Amy and the Missing Puppy

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen

Chomp (B&N Exclusive Edition)

Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels by Jamie Michalak

Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels: Candlewick Sparks

Have I Got a Book For You by Melanie Watt

Have I Got a Book for You!

Just Ducks!  by Nicola Davies

Just Ducks!

That Is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems

That Is Not a Good Idea!

Only One You  by Linda Kranz

Only One You

Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon

Penguin on Vacation

Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess

Teach Like a PIRATE: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator

Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson

Hattie Ever After

Red, White and Blue and Katie Woo by Fran Manushkin

 Red, White, and Blue and Katie Woo!

I am currently reading...

Number Sense Routines byJessica F. Shumway

Number Sense Routines: Building Numerical Literacy Every Day in Grades K-3

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Dead End in Norvelt

Next up...

Swindle by Gordon Korman

Swindle (Swindle Series #1)

Monday, June 24, 2013

Teachers Write!





Writers Notebooks

I started a writer's notebook when I was teaching fourth grade.  I firmly believe that teachers are better teachers of writing when they are writers themselves.  I've continued to write in my writer's notebook while being a stay at home mom.  I start my day writing in my notebook while everyone else is still sleeping.  I love the warm weather when I start my day writing on my front porch with my morning coffee.  Some days I write a few words while other days a few pages.  I fill it with observations, thoughts, lists, poems, sketches, and quotes.  My second notebook is almost filled up and I am looking forward to purchasing a third notebook.  I love decorating the covers.  My current notebook is decorated with positive quotes that inspire me.