I have been writing and planning numerous posts on the blog all about best and favourites of the year. Looking back through blog posts is such an interesting process – whether it is searching for books or searching for moments. I find the summarizing strangely comforting. So, I am going to do it again. This time? I am capturing a year of literacy thinking in the posts that highlight my passion: all things literacy connected to all things children. 🙂
Today, I celebrate what I feel are the ten “best of the year” posts on this blog related to reading, readers and #booklove.
In no particular order . . .
# 1 All author visits are all kinds of amazing. This one, from Calef Brown, was particularly out of this world. We were as excited to share the land we had created in his honour as Calef was eager to share his new book of poems with us. Read more here: Celebration: Calef Brown Land
#2 Camp Read – a day when everything is about reading and books. The absolute best! I highlighted this amazing day at my school here: Celebration: Camp Read Meeting author Dan Bar-el was an absolute highlight of the day!
#3 My first #MockCaldecott was in January of 2015. What a beautiful, literacy rich experience! I shared it here: Celebration: Mock Caldecott Results and Feedback
#4 I believe so strongly in the importance of sharing nonfiction titles in our classrooms. Part of that is exposing students to titles they want to read on their own and expanding their knowledge of the huge variety of nonfiction titles out there. I blogged about this here: Nonfiction conversations: Book sharing circles – What nonfiction titles are we drawn to and why?
#5 And while we are still talking nonfiction books? A nonfiction tour of my classroom: A room full of nonfiction
Talking about classroom libraries has been a bit of an obsession this year. I have it right for about twenty-two seconds before I change things again. All through the process, I share.
#6 My Classroom Library: Beyond the books, 10 important features I believe in a room full of books and time to read them. I also celebrate lots of book displays, incredible illustrations, an organization system that makes sense and a place for student voice. Reader statements from my students are an important part of our learning.
#7 I began this post, explaining that my classroom is a library: How to organize a classroom library: 20 points to consider Through various images and some brief thoughts, I tried to capture some essential parts of building, organizing, maintaining and using a classroom library. Labels are key!
#8 In this post Talking Classroom Libraries, I shared a list of questions we might begin with when thinking about how our classroom libraries work for our students.
#9 What are the goals for my readers? I started with some questions. Sunday Reflections: Goals for my Readers
#10 Literary Nest Building 101: in this post, I expressed my goals for growing passionate readers during this 2015/2016 year
Today, I celebrate all of my literacy learning and thinking in 2015. Sharing it here means I learn from my own reflections and the readers who join in the conversations.
Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community!
Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.
There's a Book for That 
Thanks for sharing throughout your year! I learn so much from your posts. I am definitely going to schedule some book sharing circles. They sound fantastic.
We do a fiction – picture book share every Wednesday a.m. – in 3 groups so just takes about 20 minutes. Well worth the time!
I’m pretty sure I read all these, and then in addition to the good advice for forming a good library, creating passionate readers, etc., you increased my book expenses by quite a lot. I’m so glad you’re my book friend, and lead me to new & wonderful books, Carrie. Thank you, and you know I’m looking forward to a new and exciting 2016. Happy New Year to you, too!
I too am so glad we are book friends! I learn a lot from you as well Linda.
Such a rich and colorful Literacy life. You inspire. Wishing you lots of book surprises for next year!
Book surprises sound divine!
Such a joy to read your post and be reminded that book love an literacy are treasures to be nurtured and celebrated.
Beautifully said. Thank you Tara.
Dear Carrie,
This is a goldmine of posts. Some I was familiar with, others not as much. You are my mentor text in so many ways. Thank you so much for your resourceful and passionate blog that reflects your classroom’s literacy.
Julieanne
This means so much – thank you Julieanne. I am pleased if anything is useful!
Oh, I would love to meet Dan Bar-el, I loved Audrey (cow) so very much. I also appreciate your love of nonfiction titles, I do wish that more teachers/librarians/parents would consider them when trying to connect young people with books.
Dan is really lovely. And such a great presentation he gives! Kids adored him. I am slightly nonfiction obsessed! So many great books.