Book Updates

I am reading "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry which is one of the books on my annotated bibliography and one of the books that revolves around my author study. The book has been very engaging and I have a summary posted below to give you an idea of what I am reading. "Gathering Blue is a 2000 children's, social science fiction, dystopian novel by children's author Lois Lowry. The book is a companion novel to The Giver (1993) and Son (2012), and is followed by Messenger (2004) in The Giver Series. It is set in the same future time period, and it treats some of the same themes. The central character, Kira, who has a twisted leg, is orphaned and must learn to survive in a society which normally leaves the weak or disabled exposed to die in the fields. In Gathering Blue, Kira needs a reason for the Council of Edifice to keep her in the village and not take her to the Field (which is certain death at the hands of The Beasts). Kira has a gift for embroidery, and the Council keeps her around to mend and update a beautiful robe that shows the history of their society. In the course of the book, she begins to learn the art of dyeing thread different colors, except for blue, which nobody in her community knows how to make. She also learns more about the truth of her village and the terrible secrets they hold."

Reading/Writing Connections

My school has put a major emphasis on Writing this year so we are reading and writing all day long. Whether we are reading our story from the reading series and writing about it in literacy centers or reading the steps to the scientific method and writing the results in our science notebooks, we are always writing! I find that my students enjoy reading but when I ask them to write about it in their journals or for homework, I always hear complaints from them. They need to write as much as they can especially in second grade because they are off to third grade next year. I try to incorporate engaging ways for them to write. They are usually excited after a science experiment so this is a great opportunity to jump on the fact that they can write in their journals and put it in letter form to their parents or friends about the results of our experiment. I also have a writing literacy center set up that the students can use stickers to create a sticker story about any topic they choose. They also write letters to other teachers or students in second grade and send them the letter only to receive a response back. This is a great way to keep them writing. I hope that I offered some great ideas for you to use in your classroom and I would love to hear any ideas that you have to offer. Please post them under the "Let's Blog About It" tab.

? Question of the Day ?

Do you have time for read alouds in your classroom? I have discussed with my teammates over our lunchtime and said how we do not have time for read alouds. We read the "story of the week" that comes with our reading series but when during the instructional day do we have time to just read a plain old book. Maybe a holiday is coming up, do you have time to read a related book to that holiday. I find that the students at my school are in need of an adult just reading to them because they do not receive this attention at home. On some days during the week, I make time to read to my students because when I do, they are so engaged and quiet, it amazes me. So my question of the day is, Do you make time during the school day to read aloud to your students and if so when during the day do you do that?

I Want to Hear from YOU!

Please post any teaching strategies that were a success in your classroom! I am always open to new ideas and techniques that can only improve my instruction. Post it under the link on the sidebar that says, "Let's Blog About It." I can't wait to hear from you.

Success Story

I have a student in my class this year that is the most determined student I have ever had in class. He moved here from Haiti last year and did not speak any English. He was very determined to overcome this language barrier. He worked so hard throughout the school year and slowly became more fluent in English. He began second grade in my class and is completely fluent and more determined and competitive as ever. He wants to have the highest grade in every subject and always puts forth 110%. His determination and passion is amazing to witness and will always remain with me throughout my career.

? Question of the Day ?

How would I give my students choices for books? I have several times throughout the day that students have choices on books. Of course, they can choose any type of book when they have library time. Also, during 100 book challenge time in the mornings and literacy centers. At the reading center, students can choose any book from my classroom library and practice the skill of the week on that book. The reading skills can range from main idea and details, to summarizing, and compare and contrast. These strategies are probably similar to many other teachers but I hope I could have given some good ideas.

This is a creative trailer that students created for the book, Gathering Blue.