It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach MentorTexts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week...

Archie the Daredevil Penguin by Andy Rash

Archie is considered to be quite brave by the other penguins, but he's keeping a big secret: he is afraid of swimming. Archie invents many contraptions so he can fly instead of swim to the fish fry to which the penguins have invited him. His inventions don't work and one inadvertently causes him to face his fear of the "briny deep" waters. This picture book is written in a comic book style as the entire story is told through the illustrations and speech bubbles. The book is humorous and has an important message about overcoming fears.

Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale by Josh Funk

This book is written as a series of letters between two pen pals, George Slair and Blaise Dragomir. As they read their letters, they imagine each other, not realizing that one of them is a human and the other a dragon. The misunderstandings between George and Blaise are humorous and the rhyming letters are fun. The author, Josh Funk will be skyping with the first graders at my school next month. I'm looking forward to sharing this book, and his others, with first grade teachers and students. 

Ned the Knitting Pirate by Diana Murray

The crew of the pirate ship, the Rusty Heap, are all fearsome and tough. They don't appreciate Ned, who likes to knit. Ned's knitting comes in handy when an ocean beast threatens the pirates' ship, giving the message that being different is not such a bad thing. This rhyming tale is sure to be entertaining for young readers, especially those who love to read about pirates. This picture book reminds me of Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi because of the similar plot. In Crimi's book, Henry is a pirate who is different because he enjoys reading and although the other pirates disapprove his reading saves them in the end. 

The Dino Files: A Mysterious Egg by Stacy McAnulty

This is the first book in The Dino Files series, which is a series new to me. I am always looking for great books that will interest my second and third grade readers who want to read chapter books, but aren't quite ready for longer books that require sophisticated understanding. I think this series will be enjoyable and accessible for many readers at this age level. In this book, Franks' grandmother has found a fossil of a dinosaur egg. When the egg hatches, Frank and his cousin, Sam must work together to keep him safe. I will definitely add this and the others in the series to my library.

Rabbit and Robot and Ribbit by Cece Bell

Rabbit is excited to surprise his friend, Robot, with a visit, but is surprised to find that Robot already has a visitor. Rabbit quickly becomes jealous of Robot's friend, Ribbit. The characters are humorous and the plot is interesting in this transitional chapter book. I think both the story and illustrations will amuse my early elementary readers. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach MentorTexts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…

Best Frints in the Whole Universe by Antoinette Portis

This picture book begins, "Yelfred and Omek have been best frints since they were little blobbies." The story, of two best friends who get into an argument, is a familiar one, but the use of inventive language gives it an amusing and playful twist. The cartoon illustrations are fun, as well. I plan on reading this to students soon and I think they will enjoy trying to figure out the meaning of the invented words.

How Kate Warne Saved President Lincoln: A Story About the Nation’s First Woman Detective by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk

Abraham Lincoln may never have been inaugurated as the 16^th president if not for Kate Warne. This biography tells the story of the first woman detective who discovered the details about a plot to attack Lincoln and played a key role in ensuring he arrived safely in Washington, D.C. The book provides insight into an historical event and also shows how a woman was able to accomplish something so hugely important at a time when women had limited opportunities.

The Inventor’s Secret: What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford by Suzanne Slade

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were both curious and had dreams to become inventors. Edison’s inventions were a success, but Henry’s seemed to flop. Throughout the story Henry asks himself, “What’s his secret?” The secret, finally shared between the two over dinner one night, helps Henry learn the power of perseverance. The end pages provide additional facts about Thomas and Henry and their inventions.

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas

I have been anticipating the release of this picture book because I loved, both the story and the writing in the author's chapter book, The Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier. This picture book was just as imaginative and beautifully written. It's a story about the Uncorker, a lonely man living above the ocean whose job it is to deliver bottles found at sea. The Uncorker is unable to deliver a message, and although he feels quite sorry about this, the outcome ends up bringing him much more happiness than he expected. This is just a lovely story about togetherness and celebrations.

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton

As a young child Lonnie Johnson loved to build and create. He later achieved his dream of becoming an engineer even in the face of challenges. When he invented the super-soaker water gun, he again did not let challenges get in his way as he tried to make it a success. This true story of an inventor shows the benefits of effort, problem solving and persistence.

Fenway and Hattie and the Evil Bunny Gang by Victoria Coe

I have been looking forward to reading this sequel to Fenway and Hattie. Thanks to the author, Victoria Coe, I received an Advanced Reader Copy last week. In this story, Hattie has a new pet, a bunny who Fenway thinks is evil. Fenway's confusion about the bunny soon grows into jealousy that leads to trouble for both Fenway and Hattie. As in the first book, the story is told from the perspective of Fenway giving the reader insight into the mind of a dog. The emotions that Fenway expresses give this book heart and the imaginative look at how he tries to figure out the human world makes it an interesting read. 

The Firefly Code by Megan Frazer Blakemore

The science fiction, dystopia genre is not usually one that I choose to read, but I received this book at the International Literacy Association when I attended a meet-up with a group of middle grade authors. I probably would not have read this book if I had not met the author and been given the book, but once I began reading it I could not stop. There is so much imagination in the pages of the book and there is a bit of a mystery, as well. When I got to the end of the book, I still wanted to know more about the characters so I was glad to hear from the author on Twitter that there will be a sequel.

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

This graphic novel is a blend of realistic fiction and fantasy that tells a meaningful story of two sisters, one who is unhappy about moving to a new town and another with a life-threatening disease. It's about ghosts, but also family, friendship, and courage. The graphics are wonderful, pulling me into the foggy, ghost-filled atmosphere and the Day of the Dead celebration to enhance my experience of reading the story. This story is both engaging and touching.

Wish by Barbara O'Connor

Charlie, whose own parents are not able to give her adequate care, has just moved to a new town to live with an aunt and uncle she hardly knows. She desperately wants to go back to her old life and her temper often gets the best of her. A stray dog and an unlikely friend help her learn about family and kindness. There was not a character in this book I did not like and the plot was interesting. Although Charlie's situation will pull at your heart strings, this is a sweet and heart-warming story.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach MentorTexts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…

How This Book Was Made by Mac Barnett

This book explains the process that an author goes through when creating a book. The book weaves factual information about the process along with a lot of humor and exaggeration. The reader will learn about the process of book creation and the persistence and effort necessary to be a writer. The story is amusing and fanciful, as well, as there is a tiger, pirates, and an eagle all involved in the creation of the book. This is an informative and fun look at how a book is made.

Quinny and Hopper by Adriana Brad Schanen

Quinny is unhappy that her family has just moved, but soon learns there is a boy her age living next door. Although they are very different from each other they soon become friends and begin working together to solve a problem. When the school year begins, they must work through difficulties in their friendship. There are amusing parts to this story of friendship and characters to which many students will be able to relate. There is a sequel, as well. 

The Rat Prince by Bridget Hodder

This is a twist on the Cinderella tale bringing to life the story of the rats, from the original version, who were turned into coachmen. The story alternates between the perspective of Prince Char, rat prince of the Northern Kingdom, and Cinderella. The rats, in this version of the fairytale, have much more than a minor role in Cinderella's adventure as she attends the ball and finds her prince charming. This is fun, magical, and enchanting retelling.

  

Slice of Life: Sharing My Summer Reading Life

Imagine learning to knit from someone who has never picked up knitting needles. Or imagine learning to ski from an instructor who has never put on skis. Or learning to drive a car from an instructor who has never been behind the wheel. I imagine these are not the instructors any of us would choose if we wanted to knit, ski, or drive. When learning a skill, I’m sure we would all prefer someone we consider an expert because they themselves know the skill. They’ve learned it, practiced it, and spent hours engaged in it. A few years ago, I took tennis lessons. I considered my instructor, someone who played tennis, watched others play, and studied the sport, to be an expert. Because my instructor had experience with the game of tennis he could teach me the skill, but in addition, he also had an enthusiasm for the sport that made me eager to learn and get better.  

I was once talking with a second grade teacher and the subject of reading came up. I expected the conversation to take a turn in which we shared what we were currently reading and exchanged must-read titles. I always love a conversation about books, but this one was cut short when the teacher expressed the fact that she doesn’t read. I managed to stifle a gasp, but I don’t think I could hide the expression of disbelief on my face. I have always been passionate about books and reading and up until this moment assumed that all those who teach students to read have this same love. I believe that students who are learning to read also need experts, those who engage in reading themselves and have passion for books, much like my instructor who taught me to be a better tennis player. This to me, is a necessity for developing readers.

This school year just began and I am excited about sharing the titles I have read throughout summer vacation with my students at my school. I have read a handful of books every week so I can talk about books with my students and make recommendations. Just a few days into the school year and I have already started to put books into the hands of students. I was talking with a student who has read and enjoyed Dork Diaries so I gave her a book in the author’s newest series, The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero. When I asked a student who is new to our school about her reading interests and she stated she likes comics and books with action, I went right to the basket labeled “graphic novels” and pulled out Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth. As she walked away with the book tucked under her arm I said, “I think you are really going to like it.” I have every confidence that she will because I myself have read the book and know it matches with her reading interests.

Every student learning to read should have a teacher who reads. As a reader, I have insight into the reading process that helps me better teach students skills and strategies. As a reader, I am a model for my students. Through the experiences I share about my reading, my students can see what it means to have a reading life and begin to understand the joy in having such a life. Because I read I also have expertise that enables me to match books with readers. I can talk up books that I have read, leaving students wondering about the plot, to hook them into wanting to read them. There are quite a few books that I want to share with my students this year because they are books that I loved and books that I think my students will love (Here is a padlet with some of the books from my summer reading list.) As the beginning of this school year rolls on, I will continue to have conversations with students about their summer reading. In these conversations, I will share with students what I have read during the summer in hopes that they will become excited about books, add titles to their reading lists, and see possibilities for growing their own reading lives.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach MentorTexts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…

Excellent Ed by Stacy McNulty

All of the Ellis children are excellent at something except for Ed, the family dog. Ed tries to be excellent in various ways, but it's not until someone drops half a peanut butter sandwich on the floor that he learns what he is excellent at doing. The alliteration and the humor at the end contribute to the charm of this story. This is a great picture book that shows how we all have our own unique, excellent qualities.

The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaRue

Louie and Ralphie Ratso are trying to prove they are tough, just like their father Big Lou. They come up with many ways to show they are tough, but everything they do turns out to be an act of kindness. Although the Ratsos are trying to be tough, there is a lesson about goodness. The story has a positive message that's presented in a humorous way. This is a short chapter book appropriate for transitional readers.

Race to the South Pole (Ranger in Time) by Kate Messner

This is the fourth book in the Ranger in Time series, but the first that I've read. The book presents an interesting snapshot into an historical event, an expedition to Antarctica at the beginning of the twentieth-century. Ranger, a golden retriever, has traveled back in time where he befriends Jack Nin, a stowaway on a ship carrying a crew trying to reach the South Pole. Ranger uses his search-and-rescue training to help Jack and other crew members survive. There is action and suspense in this book and it will both entertain and inform young readers. There is information at the end of the book about real-life characters and events that inspired the story. I don't yet have any of the books in this series in my collection, but will definitely add them. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach MentorTexts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…

The Alligator's Smile and Other Poems by Jane Yolen

Another great collection of poetry by Jane Yolen! Each of these poems about alligators presents an interesting aspect of these fearsome creatures. Along with the each poem is an amazing photograph and a sidebar with factual information. This book of poetry is engaging and interesting for so many reasons. There is variety in the style and format of the poems, one with just seven words. The titles, such as "Kindergarten for Alligators" and "Obituary", are clever and spark curiosity about alligators. The facts include information that would be new to many young readers, such as how the alligator got its name. This book of poetry will make a great addition to a poetry collection because the poems are captivating, but also because it can be used to illustrate how poems can provide information.

The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller

If you've wondered how doughnuts were invented, this is the book to read, with its fun and interesting explanation of how the pastry came to be. The book tells the true story of Hanson Gregory, a sailor from Maine, who invented what was first known as the holey cake, to solve a problem sailors had with eating fried cakes that were not fully cooked in the center. The illustrations help to make this an amusing story. I'm sure young readers will enjoy learning how one of their favorite treats was invented. 

Plants Can't Sit Still by Rebecca E. Hirsch

This is an informational book that explains the ways that plants move even though they appear to sit still. There are descriptions of the actions of various plants along with illustrations of them. Some plants wiggle, some reach, some tumble and some even explode. The text has few words on a page, as sentences often stretch across pages, creating a poetic, rhythmic feel. The layout of the text is interesting, as well, with the action words highlighted in different colors from the other words on the page. The last few pages of the book tell the names of the plants that are pictured throughout the book along with some additional facts. This book presents information in an engaging and interesting way. Readers will learn information about plants, but also think about them in different ways as they consider their movements.

Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe by Tricia Springstubb

This is an enjoyable sequel to Cody and the Fountain of Happiness. Cody is excited that her friend Spencer has moved into the neighborhood. They soon discover that there are two new girls living next to Spencer who aren't quite so friendly. The story shows the challenges of trying to get along with others. It also shows the diversity that exist among families. I think fans of the first Cody book will enjoy this one as well.

The Bicycle Spy by Yona Zeldis McDonough

Marcel lives in small town in France during World War II. Even though his town is part of the Free Zone, German soldiers have started to appear. Marcel delivers bread for his parents, who own a bakery, and when he discovers a note in a loaf of bread he realizes they are part of the French Resistance. Marcel befriends a new classmate, with who he shares a love of bicycling, and he soon learns her family is in danger. In spite of the danger, Marcel wants to help. Friendship and courage are at the heart of this novel. Marcel's story is exciting and the novel would interest those wishing to gain insight into a major historical event.

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly 1: Locker Hero by Rachel Renée Russell

This is a new series by the author of Dork Diaries, which many of my students love. This is the adventure of Max, who's stuffed inside a locker, told in his voice. There is lots of action, much of it rather silly, that fans of books, such as Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy kid will probably find humorous and entertaining. The cliffhanger at the end left me disappointed because I really wanted to Max's problem to be resolved, but I'll have to wait until the second book. I'm sure readers will be eagerly awaiting the second book, as well, after reading this one.

Learning to Screencast

I participated in a virtual book club this summer, #cyberpd, in which a group of educators discussed a professional text. Many of those participating created screencasts as a way of reflecting on their learning. The screencasts were amazing. They were reflective, but also engaging. As I watched each screencast, my desire to create my own grew. But, how, I thought to myself. I couldn’t possibly possess the technology skills necessary to create a screencast worthy of sharing with others.

A few weeks later, I attended the Summer Institute inDigital Literacy at the University of Rhode Island. I had signed up for this institute in hopes of learning more about digital literacy and how to integrate digital tools into my instruction. During the institute, I was introduced to many digital tools that I was not previously familiar with. One of the tools that I had the opportunity to explore was Screencast-O-Matic. I worked with a small group to create a screencast using this tool. This was the perfect opportunity to begin figuring out the whole business of screencasting.

Screencast-o-Matic is basically a tool for recording what is on the screen of one’s digital device. This tool can be used to create videos for use as tutorials or for presentations. There is a lot of potential for the use of this tool in my professional work. I can imagine ways that I can use it to expand my own learning and to enhance others’ learning. Here are a few of my ideas for using this tool:

• Personal Reflection: Like educators in the virtual book club I participated in this summer, I can create screencasts to reflect on my learning of professional text. When learners explain a topic they actually learn more about it. These screencasts can also be posted on my blog so I can share my learning with others.

• Flipped Instruction: I can also use screencasting tools to create videos related to the content or strategies that students are learning. Students can watch these videos when not engaged in direct instruction so they can continue their learning. Videos can even be shared with parents so they have an understanding of the instructional strategies students are learning.

• Student Presentations: Students can create their own screencasts related to content they are learning to share with their peers. This will involve students in the process of creating through digital tools and by teaching others through a screencast they will also enhance their own learning of content.

After the institute, I decided to experiment more with screencasting so I created one all on my own. This screencast tells about my reading history. In order to teach students to read, I think it’s first important to know something about them as readers. One way to get to know students as readers is to ask them to reflect and share the role that reading has played in their lives. I created a screencast of my reflection, my reading history, to share with students and to serve as a model for the type of reflection I would like them to do regarding their reading. Check out my screencast at the link below:

My Reading History Screencast

This is my first ever screencast so I anticipate that they will get better. Screencast-O-Matic will be a useful tool in creating screencasts that I am looking forward to using as both, a learner and a teacher. The tool is pretty user friendly and it didn’t take me much time to create a video. The tool is free although there is version with more options available for a cost. There are also other screencasting tools available that I may check out in the future for additional screencasting capabilities. I'll just have to see how far my technology skills can take me.