Monday April 16th 2018

Posted on April 15, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week.

What better than a room full of readers? Everyday it looks like this during Reading Workshop. Pure reading joy.

#classroombookaday titles allowed us to meet some extraordinary friends.

This week we explored stories from around the globe and had some big discussions about the importance of education and not taking basic resources for granted.

Classroom Highlights

We have been building our understanding of fractions in math.

In the Art and Discovery studio we have been designing our imaginary child friendly homes. We will begin building next week.

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 loved:

Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl

How I wish this book had existed when my daughter was younger. She was convinced fairies lived in our back garden. This book would have helped her to believe even more fiercely. Gorgeous illustrations.

Come Home Already! by Jory John and Benji Davies

We all need alone time. But do we need it in large, large doses? And isn’t having our friends around kind of the best? Duck tries to cope when Bear heads out alone on a fishing expedition.

Forever or a Day by Susan Jacoby

A beautiful wandering through a conversation about time.

Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar by Emily Mackenzie

I completely empathize with this little book burglar. Books are addictive!

I Got It! by David Wiesner

Nearly wordless. Mere moments in a baseball game.

I Am the Boss of this Chair by Carolyn Crimi and illustrated by Marisa Morea

Hmm, a new kitten on the scene? Looks like Oswald Minklehoff Honey Bunny III is going to have to establish some very clear boundaries about his favourite chair! Perfect for little ones who may be preparing for a new sibling.

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes

Beatrice does her best work upside down. There are lots of reasons for some important thinking in this book – friendship woes, new teacher expectations, fashion decisions to stay true to your ninja nature, etc. Loved this one and it is being devoured by the readers in my room.

The Wild Robot Escapes (The Wild Robot, #2) by Peter Brown

I loved this adventure as much as the first. Roz is such a memorable character. She is determined to return to Brightbill on her wild island. Is it possible?

Up next? I am reading The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor

Reading Progress updates:

2018 Chapter Book Challenge: 17/60 complete

2018 Transitional Chapter books: 8/40 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 85/300 books read

Progress on challenge: 1 book behind schedule

#MustReadin2018: 9/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 8/40 titles

Diverse Books in 2018: 13/40 books read

Spring Update #MustReadin2018

Posted on April 4, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s time for our first #MustReadin2018 update!

Are you making progress with your list? Distracted by other titles? Have grand reading plans? Please share!

This year, my list is again 30 titles strong. I always have the goal of trying to read at least 20 of the books on the list. Often, new books lure me away from these reading plans but I love having a list like this to ground me.

I am doing okay with my reading – so far I have read 9/30 titles which is close to one third of my list – 4 months into a reading year and that seems pretty good to me.

Here are the titles I have read so far. Listed in the order that I read them.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (MG)

A family to fall in love with. You will be rooting for the Vanderbeekers from the first pages.

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

I learned a lot with this book. Absolutely compelling.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (MG)

Aven Green is some kind of amazing. Born without arms and adopted by encouraging, loving parents as a toddler, Aven seems fearless. But life is a constant challenge as you face your own fears and help your friends confront their own.

The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh (MG)

This title is all about navigation and coming out the other side. Friendships. Identity. Individuality. Facing fears. Following your heart and your instincts. Taking risks. LOVED all of the characters!

Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess (YA)

This truly is a story of rock and roll, fathers and sons, addictions and recoveries, loves and loss. A beautifully executed novel in verse.

Knock Out by K.A. Holt (MG)

This is the story of little Levi – just a baby in House Arrest – now growing up and ready to have his own story. But when you have always been the one to protect, how do you find your way and engage with the world in big and brave ways?

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (MG)

Yes! This title was every bit as compelling as The War That Saved my Life. Ada is an unforgettable character.

Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart (MG)

Not at all what I was expecting and quite like nothing I have ever read. High energy, fast paced and wonderfully endearing.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate (MG)

I just think about this book and smile. It’s amazing.

I also read and loved Still Life with Tornado by A.S. King (YA) which was on my #MustReadin2017 list and I never got to it. So glad I finally picked it up. It was the first novel I read in 2018 and I really found it engaging.

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2018 and written an update post, please share using the #MustReadin2018 hashtag!

Leave your link in the comments if you have written a post. Please try to visit a few of the other #MustReadin2018 bloggers/readers and get inspired! And of course, everyone loves comments to know that you have visited!

Want to know more about #MustReadin2018? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists. This is a community of inspiring readers!

Next update will be on September 6th 2018!

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

Monday April 2nd, 2018

Posted on April 2, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. As I have been on Spring Break, I have no student photos to share. Instead, here is my gorgeous morning view as I read and had coffee at the place we rented in San Francisco.

And a little more bleak – an empty shelf in the library on Alcatraz.

#classroombookaday titles allowed us to explore endangered animals and human actions both positive and alarming.

Classroom Highlights

I do have to share some amazing photos of our school wide day of play on the last day of school before the break. The theme in my room was building. But often I found that the books called to little builders and the theme became reading. 🙂

Books I loved:

Dear Girl, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal illustrated by Holly Hatam

If you have read this book, then you know. It is a must own, must gift, must share title. If you haven’t read it yet . . . go! Find a copy!

I Am Enough by Grace Byers with pictures by Keturah A. Bobo

Beautiful message. Full of joy. Just loved the illustrations. Another title that would make a wonderful gift book.

The Digger and the Flower by Joseph Keufler

A testament to the power and beauty of nature. A sweet little book about an unexpected friendship.

Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee with illustrations by Man One

Such an interesting story of how Roy Choi and a friend opened a food truck serving Korean tacos and their rise to popularity. The illustrations are so unique.

Harriet Gets Carried Away by Jessie Sima

Oh little Harriet, what a girl you are! Everyday costume wearing Harriet has quite the adventure when she heads to the shops with her dads in search of party hats.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I so rarely read adult novels but I kept seeing this title everywhere. I was quickly pulled into the many layered story lines.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Yes! This title was every bit as compelling as The War That Saved my Life. Sometimes sequels are immensely satisfying. This is absolutely the case here. Ada is a character I will never forget.

The Key to Everything by Pat Schmatz

I got my hands on an ARC of this book and was excited as I had really loved Schmatz’s Bluefish. This one was not so memorable. I enjoyed parts of it but it just didn’t come together.

Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart

I am just going to say it – this is one strange book. Which is not a bad thing. In fact, it is quite a good thing. Not at all what I was expecting and quite like nothing I have ever read. High energy, fast paced and wonderfully endearing.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Wow. Just, wow.

Daisy Dreamer and the Totally True Imaginary Friend by Holly Anna

There are so many titles about imaginary friends and magical elements to real life events in the transitional chapter book market. I think this is a book my students will enjoy and will likely get the next few in the series.