Goodnight iPad

When my children were young, I repeatedly read Goodnight Moon to my children until I could quote it. Wes would search for the mouse on every page. A classic for every child’s enjoyment.

Ruth Ayres with Kristen Ziemke Connecting Comprehension and Technology

I spent a day of learning with Kristen Ziemke, and technology is on my brain. We have many tools at our fingertips to use, but purpose needs to drive the tool. I thought Goonight iPad by Ann Droyd seems appropriate. Sometimes, we get caught up in the moment and need time to reflect. Balance is key.

Have fun reading this book with your kids. I love the last page.

Savorings for reading and writing for Goodnight iPad:

• Cause and Effect
• Rhyming
• a Parody
• Reflection

View the book on YouTube read by Ann Droyd (2 min.)

Fortunately, Unfortunately

Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the day you have planned out and obstacles happen along the way. Welcome to this post. Literally. I have typed this post twice only to have the page come up blank. Frustrating. Fortunately, I write out my reviews and am able to revise my thoughts. 🙂

Michael Foreman must have had a day like this. He created an adventurous, fun book in Fortunately, Unfortunately. Your students will have fun following the adventure, especially the boys.

The day begin ordinarily for Milos, the monkey. He’s returning the umbrella to his grandmother. Along the way, several detours create problems for him.

Michael Foreman teaches children to see a positive in each negative happening. The cause and effect text shares a domino of events, creating anticipation from the reader.

Savorings for reading and in writing for Fortunately, Unfortunately:

• Perspective
• Cause and effect
• Sequence of events
• Fantasy sprinkled in to an ordinary event – teaches children how to fabricate the everyday events of their lives
• Prediction – what’s new?

Warsaw Community Public Library – new (c2011)

Vocabulary Fun

The layout of the book is unique. On the dedication page, the extra credit assignment is explained. The students are to write sentences using three words from each letter section. The words are to explain something about the student. You will find Page’s sentences on the side-borders of each page.

In Miss Alaineus A Vocabulary Disaster by Debra Frasier, Page misses school the day the vocabulary list has been given out. When a friend shares her list over the phone, Page misunderstands the word miscellaneous to be Miss Alaineus. Her mistake, although embarrassing and humorous, creates a fun character for the Vocabulary Parade.

The illustrations were created with markers, lined paper, and general school supplies Debra found in her fifth grade daughter’s desk. Cute. Kids will connect with this attribute.  Intermingled in the text are numberous vocabulary words, emphasized in italics.

“And I knew: to apprehend with certainty, that my mistake was still alive and well, and nothing like gold.”

Savorings for reading and in writing for Miss Alaineus: a Vocabulary Disaster:

• Every day happening – school assignment
• Cause and Effect
• Vocabulary and word choice
• Character Thinking
• Colon – used in several ways
• Learning from Mistakes

Sloppy JOE

My friend, Tammy Shultz, and I present our top book picks at the AllWrite!!! Summer Institute. This year, we had a fantastic audience and shared our hearts out. I will be featuring some of the books for those who weren’t able to attend, as well as new books too for everyone. I was thrilled to find the book at our local Walgreens store today in the “two books for $10” table. Great new find!

Tammy shared a new book to me called Sloppy Joe by Dave Keane. The cover illustration makes me chuckle each time I see the sweet-faced boy with dirt everywhere. Tammy said that every teacher has a child like this; you know, the kind of kid that has his crayons on the floor, papers sticking out of every folder, or drags mud in from the playground. Denise Brunkus’s illustrations will grab your children’s attention as you hear laughter sprouting through the air. What a fun read!

Joe is sloppy. He tries to be neat, but he doesn’t seem to see the necessity… until one day. He’s had enough (or at least his mother has) and he cleans up his room. He wears something nice and too his surprise, nobody notices. Nobody notices because everyone has the flu. Joe comes to the rescue and the fun begins.

Savorings for reading and in writing for Sloppy Joe:

• Exclamatory sentences – comb your hair!
• Kid voice
• Alliteration – slurp, spill, slouch
• Cause/Effect – his sloppiness leads to issues
• Character Description