Powerful

In every classroom there is a student that really changes the dynamic of the classroom. A few months ago, our classroom got that student and so many thing have changed since then. This little boy causes for a lot of distractions and can sometimes startle the students, but we love him none the less. I have pray for this student every night and often stay up at night thinking of ways to help him. 

Today will I was on Facebook, I saw this article and it really struck me. I encourage you to read it and just do some self reflection of your own classroom. I think you will find it to be a powerful experience.  

       Here is the article. Enjoy this Dear Parent: About THAT Kid !

Have Courage and be Kind, 

Ms. Cara 

Graphic Novels, Learning to love them

     Recently I read an adorable book in the Babymouse series. I had never read any of these nor had I ever read any graphic novels. I personally not a fan, but I am starting to like them more and more. I found that I love Babymouse. Many of my third grade students are reading these books and they find them so funny. I found that I love the sassy sarcasm that Babymouse brings to the book world. I plan on buying many more. 

I really have never given graphic novels much of a chance. I am now reading the book El Deafo by Cece Bell which is a book about little girl and how she deals with being deaf. I also plan on reading the book Sister soon.

How do you feel about graphic novels? I am hoping that I can grow to like them more. Kids love them! 

Read On, 

Ms. Cara

BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS

In the past couple weeks have have read two books that I dare say deserve to be shared. Last week I read the book Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper. I was drawn to this book because the author of the book wrote Out of my Mind. I loved Out of my Mind. That was a book that will always be part of my reading life. I am always looking for a book that will be as meaningful to me as that one! 

Stella by Starlight is really nothing like Out of my Mind, but is a story that has so deeply touched my heart. This is the story of Stella and her family. She is an african american girl growing up in the time of the KKK. This is such a great work of historic fiction comparable to Chains. There are scenes from this book that will stick with me forever. There is a scene where Stella goes with her father so he can register to vote. I have never felt so much pride and admiration for a fictional character.

I also read Listen, Slowly. I have been looking forward to this book for months. It is by the author of Inside Out and Back Again. This is a book that I have mentioned several times on the blog and I am kind of in love with. To say I was some what disappointed when I read this would be true. I had wanted it to be so much like Inside Out and Back Again. I was longing for a character to fall in love with and a story that would sweep me away. While I did enjoy the book I did not love it. It is the story of Mia who travels to Viet Nam with her grandmother in order to uncover missing truth about her grandfather who disappeared during the war.  There were parts that I really was drawn to, but there were also times when I was just ready to abandon the book which I do not love doing. All and all I think for 6th grade students and Jr. High kids this would be a great book. It does show how much family matters and the importance of always keeping that in mind.

I have read 15 books so far this year and I feel like I have really read some books that will always stick with me! Have you read any good books lately? What have you been reading with your class!

Happy Reading 

Ms. Cara

Maple: The perfect sister book!

I have a little sister and she is my best friend in the whole world. I truly believe that there is nothing better than having a sister. We have had our ups and downs, but now I don't think I know how to live with out her. 

My sister Kate and I a couple weeks ago when we had a huge snow storm in our area. I love this picture!

Last Wednesday I bought two perfect sister books! The story is the story of Maple. Maple is a book by Lori Nichols. Maple is a little girl and her best friend is a maple tree. She loves her tree, but she hopes that she will one day have a friend to share her wonderful tree with. Then one day she finds a small new tree growing next to hers and gets a big surprise that she is going to be a big sister.

In Maple and Willow Together, Maple and Willow are the best of friends and love each other so much! The story talks about their first fight and also how they make up!

This is such a great book for making connections. I recently read that a great way to get kids to love reading is to encourage them to have connections to the text. I have been working hard to find perfect books for these connections. I know that these books were very easy for me to make connections to and the same goes for many of my students.

What books do you use for making connections in your classroom? I would love to hear your connections :)

Happy Reading 

Ms. Cara