The Book Whisperer--Chapter 1

WOW! I am in L-O-V-E with this book. It's so empowering and really makes you reflect on your own teaching. This book has been so inspiring and life-changing and I'm only on the third chapter! I find myself reading it whenever and wherever I can (even while in workshops). Any good teacher that is passionate about what she does will do everything she can to ensure that the students learn AND enjoy learning. It IS all about the kids. Donalyn's classroom is a prime example of how our classrooms should run. I just feel so inspired and can't wait to implement whatever strategies I can.

My grade level is departmentalized and I am responsible for the math, so I actually do not teach reading, BUT after reading Readicide and now this book I plan on (somehow) squeezing in some sort of reading time into the schedule for my kids. We all know, especially after hearing Donalyn's testimony, just how significant that reading time is for our students. I cannot wait to finish this book to find out every piece of advice she has to offer! I am so glad we are doing this read-along! :D

Be sure to visit Mrs. Lyon's blog to read everyone else's Chapter 1 reflections.

Read-Along Questions

Mrs. Lyons is hosting a linky party to kick-start the The Book Whisperer Read-Along! It starts TOMORROW! She asked the author of the book a few questions; here are my responses to the same questions:

1) What is your favourite book (or series) from childhood? I was SUCH an avid reader when I was a child. Some of my favorites were The Wayside School series, Number the Stars, Goosebumps and anything else written by R.L. Stine.


2) What is your favourite book (or series) now? I actually don't read as much now...the most recent series I've read was the Shopaholic series. I was talked into reading them and turned out really enjoying it! I was surprised because the books are the complete opposite of me as a person (not a girly-girl and not into chick flicks or chick lit).

3) What is your opinion of e-readers? An AWESOME idea and giant step forward for us but I will never get tired of the feeling of turning pages and being able to highlight and write as I please.


4) Finish this sentence: "On Sundays I like to..." Go to church with my family, relax, and prepare for the week.

5) Describe yourself in 5 words! Organized, colorful, spontaneous, easy-going, go-getter.


6) Hardcover or paperback? Why? Either! I kind of like bending a book's cover while reading, but I really have no preference either way.

7) Coffee or Tea? Neither! Not a fan!

Math Taboo Now Available!

My new game Math Taboo is now available in my TPT store! Check it out here!

Giveaway Winners!

I appologize for the delay--husband's birthday today + garage sale tomorrow = one busy day!!

I used random.org to pick the winners. I was too EXHAUSTED to take pictures of the results and place them in this entry, but don't worry, you can trust me ;). So without further ado...

The gift card goes to #69, Lauren LaRae @ http://adventureasafirstgradeteacher.blogspot.com/!

I am excited to give my Math Taboo game to #64, my fellow 4th grade blogger Katie @ http://onceuponateachingblog.blogspot.com/.

Finally, the Anti-Coloring Book goes to #27, Cheree' @ http://life-givinglove.blogspot.com/!

Congratulations ladies! Email me for details at froggycupcakes@gmail.com.

Thanks everyone for your interest! I hope you stay tuned in to my blog! :D

What??!! A SECOND Giveaway?!?

I am in such a giving mood, I've decided to give something else away! I have posted another item to my TPT store! (I'm on a roll!) My newest items are "Transformations Posters/Vocabulary Cards" and "Melts in Your Mouth! An M&M Activity." The first 5 people to leave me feedback about any of my items will receive a FREE copy of an item of choice! Use my button to visit my store!

Don't forget to enter my 100 Follower Giveaway!!!! Contest ends @ midnight (CST). 3 winners will be announced tomorrow!

Free to my Followers!

I offer this to you if you want it! These cards are to be used in a group problem solving setting (i.e. math circle or small group). Give one card to each student in the group. The cards describe a role for the student to take on. Enjoy! :D Thanks for following!

Don't Forget About My Giveaway!

The deadline to get in on the action is Thursday! Click on the picture to enter!

New to my TPT Store

Check out the new addition to my TPT Store! I created 3 posters and 3 vocabulary cards for transformations (translation, rotation, reflection). Here is a preview:

Click here to take a peek :D.

I have been B-U-S-Y

My school district does some pretty awesome things from time to time. We have an AMAZING Technology department that works so hard to ensure that teachers have the technology we need and want. They also want to provide as many opportunities as they can for students to learn how to use technology and create things with it. For the past 3 years my district has put on a "Summer Technology Camp" for our students. The camps are 4 hours a day for 1 week . Camp is 2 weeks long so, essentially, the students can enroll in up to 4 camps for the summer--that's a lot of learning! BONUS: The camps are held at a local college campus so the students get to experience being in college!! (They really enjoy that aspect.) There are several different topics including Rainforests, Lego Robotics, Oceans, and Rockets. The students gain experience in several programs including Microsoft Office, Movie Maker, Kidspiration, Tagxedo, etc.

Anywho, THAT being said...I've been teaching camp for the past 2 weeks, which is what has kept be soooo busy! The camp I taught was Creating Public Service Announcements. My students picked a cause they cared about, established a fake organization, made business cards, a poster, a bookmark, and information book to pass out, AND a commercial. Check out my pictures and compilation of their commercials! I can't show you the whole videos because of privacy reasons, but I was able to chop them and put them all together into one video for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Just a note....the main goal is understanding, not spelling and grammar. I did my best to catch it all BUT it is what it is! :D

Here are the posters and circle books they made.

Also, don't forget to enter my giveaway! It ends Thursday!

Ok, Here it is...100 Follower Giveaway!

So, I have surpassed 100 followers--WHOA! In fact, I'm getting close to 150! Thanks SOOO much to all of you for your encouragement, support and wonderful ideas! Without further ado...

I will pick 3 winners to win 3 different prizes! SOOO here are the prizes:

(Check out this FAB site if you're unfamiliar with it.)

-OR-

-OR-

You can read more about the contents of this book here.

To enter, leave a comment stating that you have completed each of the following:

1. Follow my blog.

2. Follow my TPT Store (a work in progress!).

3. Add my blog button to your blog (don't worry, it's cute!).

4. Finally, post about my giveaway and leave a link so I can check it out. 

The contest will end THURSDAY, June 23 at 6:00 p.m. (CST); the winners will be announced FRIDAY, June 24.

That's it! Thanks so much for your interest and GOOD LUCK!

My Favorite Things

Link up to Miss  Kindergarten's "My Favorite Things" linky party! Here are some of my favorite things:

100 Follower Giveaway on the horizon...

I am so honored to be a part of your blog list. I can't believe I am approaching 100 followers! I've got a wonderful giveaway up my sleeve. Only 10 more people and I'm there! Stay tuned for details :D

Google--never ceases to amaze me!

You have GOT to check out www.google.com today! This is by far, the coolest thing they've done!

Place Value Charts

I had to make place value charts as part of a math resource kit in college--maybe you have made similar ones. I use them mostly in tutoring or small group with my students. My kids really enjoyed using them (they thought they were the coolest)! They are really easy to make! All you need is a long-arm stapler, scissors, a file folder and a piece of cardstock or a laminated piece of paper (you will want the digit cards to be durable!).

Here are the small ones. (You may not be able to tell from the pictures but each section has a staple separating it from its neighbors; that way, the digit cards have a snug little place to fit in.)

My charts go up to the millions since I teach 4th grade.

This type includes decimals...

...though I fold it to cover up the sections we do not go over.

I keep spare digit cards in a baggie in the tubs that I store the charts in. As you can see in the picture, each card has a digit 1-9 and a zero written on the opposite end.

This is where I keep them!

MIA

So I have been MIA lately. I haven't posted in over a week AND I'm having a hard time being able to read all of your fabulous posts. I'll be back real soon--school just ended on the 26th and it's been a busy, busy, BUSY week since! :D

I hope you are either enjoying your summer so far or enjoying those last few days with your kiddos!