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Mentors for Opinion Writing
This week we started to look at some mentors for opinion writing. It helped my kids most to be reminded of what exactly it means to have an opinion and to have opportunities to write their opinion.On...
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Ten Things I Love About You by Daniel Kirk
Over break, I found a new book by Daniel Kirk. You may know him from the Library Mouse series or his Elf Realm series. I love his characters and illustrations. In his newest book, Ten Things I Love...
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Finishing Up Opinion Study
After spending time immersing kids in figuring just what opinions are and how kids can voice them, we have some pieces that have evolved over the past month here in first grade. To look back, I think...
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Primary Digital Creating and Reflecting
Last week after listening to a webinar presented by Franki on Tech Savvy Teaching, I set a goal to use some of the tools she shared in a new way. As she spoke about digital reading and how digital...
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Non-Fiction Top Ten
Thanks to Cathy and Mandy for hosting today's Top Ten Non-Fiction Picture Books! I will be honest and say that I was scrambling after school today trying to figure out which books kids have been...
View ArticleWord Learning: Dublin Literacy Conference 2013 #DubLit13
Word study dlc from katiedicesare
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Follow Follow: A Book of Reversible Poems by Marilyn Singer
If you are familiar with Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singer, you will be glad to know she has a companion book out this month called Follow Follow, again filled with her amazing reversible poems. Though...
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Digging Deeper with Noisy Bug Sing-Along
Just finding Noisy Bug Sing-Along was exciting because I LOVE John Himmelman! I love Katie Loves the Kittens and found out there is a DVD available (yay!) as well as a another in the series: Katie and...
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Michigan Visit
This Friday I spent a day in Michigan thinking with teachers about the possibilities for common core writing units K-2. I want to thank all the teachers who came and for the chance to talk and meet...
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Picture Books for Predicting, Problem Solving and Persevering
I don't know about you but when I start administering spring assessments I realize that my students need to dig deeper into the predicting we have practiced all year long during picture book read...
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Bella's Rules by Elissa Haden Guest
What are your family's rules? We have a few that I am adamant about...be kinder than necessary, keep your room picked up and please no food in the family room (I hate stains on the carpet). I think...
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The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck by Laura Murray
I was so happy when I saw The Gingerbread Man Loose in the Fire Truck at the bookstore!!! My kids loved the first book, The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School, and I know they will be anxious to know...
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Blastoff to the Secret Side of the Moon! by Scott Nickel and Jess Bradley
Graphic novels are always a hit for kids in first grade because of all the picture support. This series by Comics Land was new to me and I picked up Blastoff to the Secret Side of the Moon a few days...
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Authors like Mo Willems
I am always trying to find authors who write funny, supportive and clever texts for our youngest readers. Many times I find that what I am looking for are stories that mimic the work of Mo Willems....
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Princesses and Pirates: Alphabet Favorites
When I first started reading Twenty-Six Princesses by Dave Horowitz to first graders, I noticed it inevitably ended up in a student's book bin afterwards. It was one of those alphabet books that the...
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Fluff and Billy by Nicola Killen
The first days of school are around the corner. I have slowly started to head back into the classroom. The tables and bookshelves are put in place but the books haven't been completely sorted through....
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Be Present
I don't watch a bunch of television but there are days when it feels good to just surf. I tend to head to the networks that show movies. I am sucker for watching the Harry Potter marathons featured on...
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10 for 10 Picture Books
Thanks to Cathy and Mandy for organizing this great event: 10 for 10 Picture Books!!!! I know I will be filling up my amazon basket all day as I read lots of posts about so many great books. I am...
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Kids Engaging Kids
After 3 weeks of school, I feel like my students are beginning to get the hang of some of the routines evolving in our room. They are remembering (with less reminding) to put their folders away and...
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Frustrated Friday
It was Friday, I was frustrated and a little tired. I was frustrated because Little B was having trouble all day focusing when it came to working independently. Each time he would start to settle into...
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The Good Ship Crocodile by J Patrick Lewis and Monique Felix
If you're looking for a new friendship book, this one may have to be it. I picked it up last weekend and read it with my students on Friday. It was the perfect book to begin with "What do you think...
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If Not For Franki Celebration!!
What better way to celebrate this Easter Sunday than taking time to reflect on being thankful for such a good friend! Happy Birthday Franki! What would we do without you?! I feel like I could write...
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Equal Shmequal
I'm learning with third graders this year and beginning to get used to what makes them think, laugh and learn. It has been interesting experimenting with picture books and learning from my teammates...
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Holding On To Little Things
I've forgotten how rewarding yet hard the first few weeks of school can be. I forget every year. Maybe because the learning and growth of the previous class is still on my mind. Maybe we as teachers...
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Reflecting and Planning Tools for Math Workshop
Days after the 4th of July and I am starting to think school. I know, it seems early but I hate to be overwhelmed come August. So, I've been thinking about the tools that are most helpful for math...
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