It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Sharing reading and learning from the past 2 weeks.
Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. This one was taken when we went to visit the Grade 3 & 4 class down the hall while they were having Camp Read. Tents, shoes and books everywhere! Every student in my classroom brought along a favourite picture book to share. Nobody Likes a Goblin is being devoured by these two readers.
Our #classroombookaday titles from last week allowed us to have some serious conversations about the world.
Writing was rich. Some students shared some very personal writing connected to their own experiences with leaving their countries because of war. We have started to talk about books as mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors (from Rudine Sims Bishop) and students instantly began to use this language to describe their connections to the books.
We watched a short video of the actual Kunkush, the cat who inspired Lost and Found Cat and students reread the book many times looking at the photographs in the back and having serious discussions.
This week with #classroombookaday, we laughed a lot!
Some of these titles inspired students to create their own retellings!
Which made one author very happy (and flattered)!
“OR ELSE!” 😂😂😂! I ❤️ this SO MUCH, Carrie! Please tell your little author THANK YOU for the #YouDontWantaUnicorn ❤️, & PLEASE keep writing–she’s FUNNY! ⭐️😄🦄⭐️! @elclimo @lbschool
— Ame Dyckman (@AmeDyckman) November 25, 2017
Classroom Highlights
My Monday posts now also contain some sharing from our week in the classroom.
One student is working on a How to Draw book! How great is this?
More #classroombookaday thoughts
In the Art and Discovery Studio, students are working on paintings about significant places. I love the stories these pictures hold.
Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. It’s the best way to discover what to read next.
Books I enjoyed:
Windows by Julia Denos and illustrated E.B. Goodale
This will be one of our Mock Caldecott titles. I could read this book endlessly. It is so calm and quiet and the little details . . . Just divine.
All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Mike Curato
Warmth of family traditions. Rich descriptions. Stunning illustrations. This one is fabulous!
What If You Had Animal Eyes? by Sandra Markle and illustrated by Howard McWilliam
This series is such a favourite in my classroom. I loved this one in particular. Would be great to pair with Steve Jenkins’ Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World
Lulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain by Hilary McKay
I can’t get enough of these Lulu titles. I have now ordered the entire series for my classroom. This one was particularly endearing. I could just imagine children planning hedgehog runs. A wonderful transitional chapter book.
The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade by Jordan Sonnenblick
A younger middle grade title than Sonnenblick typically writes but some pretty serious threads – bullying, domestic abuse, addictions, poverty. For readers who like books with lots of issues and rooting for the underdog, Maverick is a character they will want to meet.
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
I had a hard time putting this one down – the mystery makes it addictive. But this book is beyond a mere mystery. Matthew is the last one to see the toddler who goes missing on his block. But he sees everything from his upstairs window. Matthew’s OCD makes it difficult for him to venture out of his home. Matthew wants to help find the child but this means he needs to face numerous fears and delve into grief and worries from his past.
Up Next? Greetings from Witness Protection! by Jake Burt
Reading Progress updates:
2017 Chapter Book Challenge: 57/75 complete
Goodreads Challenge: 280/365 books read
Progress on challenge: 49 books behind schedule.
#MustReadin2017: 24/30 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 35/50 titles
Diverse Books in 2017: 40/50 books read
There's a Book for That 
Windows is beautiful. I have to get a copy of All the Way to Havana . It sounds fantastic. I started the Goldfish Boy, but didn’t get very far into it. I should probably give it another try.
Windows is an absolute delight! I can’t wait to share it with students for Mock Caldecott.
All the Way to Havana is a great book for rich descriptions of the gorgeous seaside scenery, the other old cars on the highway, and all of the noises they hear. I’ll definitely need to check out the other books on your list. Have a great week!
It is such a well done book on so many levels!
I love hearing from your students, Carrie, and your metaphor of “books as mirrors”. I do love Windows and All The Way to Havana, too. The painting is fabulous! Much to love in the post today!
Thanks so much Linda. Always appreciate your visits!
Windows by Julia Denos Is not available in our library system yet :(. All the Way to Havana reminded me of the time Randy and I spent exploratory the country. It is so wonderful to make connections to a book like this. I adored both of these novels.
Windows is one of those that might make a good addition to the grandchildren’s library! It is that wonderful.
After reading your post this morning I walked in to our school library and The Goldfish Boy was on display! I decided to grab it and am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing!
So great! Enjoy.
We just love reading your students’ writing – They have so much to say!
They certainly do! Thank you
Such a treat to see your students’ writing, Carrie. I loved Goldfish Boy, and cannot wait to get the Sonnenblick book. He is a classroom favorite.
I am a huge fan of Sonnenblick too.
Wonderful student reflections, as always!
Windows and Havana are both on our Mock Caldecott.
I can see why! I haven’t finalized my list yet but definitely putting Windows on it.
What wonderfully creative young writers and artists you have! I’m so glad that kids have these kinds of opportunities to express themselves, and to explore their creativity.
They are absolutely talented and expressive. I feel lucky to work with these children!