About carriegelson

Elementary teacher passionate about all things literacy.

Monday June 1st, 2015

Posted on May 31, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. I love this photo of my student reading to his little K buddy. They were sitting in amongst books behind a bookshelf reading together. Calm, content, engaged. I love this photo 🙂

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.

Yard Sale written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

When I first heard about this book, I was so very excited. So many of my all time favourite picture books have been written by Eve Bunting. So many of the books I have loved lately have been illustrated by Lauren Castillo. A book with their combined talents? What could be better? Well, that is a loaded question. Certainly, not much could be better. But, I should have anticipated that this amazing talent combined would also mean a whole lot of emotion captured in a picture book experience. Eve Bunting tells such important and raw stories. Lauren Castillo‘s illustrations have a charming, nostalgic, open feel. This book slowly, gently, beautifully delivers. It managed to knock me over by the time I reached the back cover. Full of love, connection and a child’s need for security, this is a beautiful, important book.

Wish by Matthew Cordell

Becoming a parent was not an easy feat for my husband and me. Infertility. Pain. Longing. All of these things were my world for four years. Finally, our second in vitro attempt was successful and now I have 12 year old twins! Honestly, reading this book made that turmoil feel like yesterday and I am teary each time I read this title. However, despite the sad emotions there is so much hope and celebration here. What a special book.

I so appreciate Matthew Cordell for capturing, so tenderly, the feeling of wishing for that very wanted child.

@CarrieGelson Thank you for saying so! Emotional and isolating were most definitely the driving forces in my wanting to make WISH

— Matthew Cordell (@cordellmatthew) May 31, 2015

Water is Water written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin

Lyrical, informative, and beautiful. This nonfiction picture book is the perfect book to launch a study of water. I think it will be one of the first books I share with my new class in the fall along with many hands on water experiments.

Hippos are Huge! written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Matthew Trueman

I will be sharing this title along with student reviews later this week. A fantastic nonfiction picture book read aloud.

Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea

I could rave and rave about this little gem. Suffice it to say as soon as I finished reading this title aloud, my class felt compelled to write notes to the author begging for more from Sparkles and Ballet Cat!

No 1 Car Spotter by Atinuke

This illustrated chapter book is ideal for younger readers but better still I think, a perfect read aloud for a Grade 1-3 class early in the year. Much to love in this title: the unique characters, the entertaining dynamics and the beautiful setting of Africa. So very, very good.

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly

Early on I wasn’t so sure about this novel. There was nasty middle grade interactions that made me absolutely cringe. Cruelty, insensitivity, racism. Miserable stuff. But midway through, I began to love the friendship developing between Apple and Evan. Evan is a kid I wish existed in every school – so many young people need him to help navigate the social world that can be so cruel. He approaches it with wise perspective and personal strength. He’s just plain smart and really right on so many levels. Lots to think about and talk about in this debut novel.

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 27/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 205/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 11/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 44/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 20/50 books read

Up next? I am delighted to be once again reading Deborah Wiles: Love, Ruby Lavender

Celebration: Wandering through my week

Posted on May 30, 2015 by carriegelson

This week I am celebrating all of the things that have kept me smiling. My goal all week has been to find lots of happy. I never have to dig deep to do this. But sometimes, I have to ensure that I am noticing.

Wandering through the week, I noticed a lot.

The beautiful mess of making art.

The love notes from my class to our hip hop instructor posted in her studio. So wonderful that our love is loved 🙂

Writers writing and sharing and editing.

The energy of buddy reading.

Quiet engagement in math.

Enjoying a new book with such intensity that we needed to instantly write notes to the author. Oh please, Bob Shea, more Ballet Cat stories!

A big carpet, a fun game and all of the excitement and cooperation that resulted.

This beautiful honour. Thank you to the C.H.I.L.D. Foundation for this award.

That my family and friends were there to celebrate with me. Here is my daughter with the adorable baby of a very special friend who attended the event on Friday.

Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community! Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Bright Sky Starry City

Posted on May 27, 2015 by carriegelson

When I am away with my family in a quieter place – an island, the interior, anywhere NOT city, I always marvel at the stars at night. My first thought is usually that “regular” life is too busy to take notice of the mysterious and vast night sky. Time seems to lend itself to noticing – from the details of a tide pool lush with life to the open skies dotted with stars. But of course, there is another reason, I can’t star gaze as I look to these city skies: the city ay night is full of artificial light and our clear view of urban skies is impacted. This phenomenon is called light pollution.

Bright Sky Starry City written by Uma Krishnaswami and illustrated by Aimée Sicuro tells the story of little Phoebe who helps her father set up telescopes outside of his shop to observe a special event in the night sky. Saturn and Mars are going to appear together in the sky. She fills the sidewalk with chalk drawings of the solar system and her mind fills with wonders and worries.

Will she be able to see the planets? Will they remain hidden in the sky made gray and dull from the city lights? When a storm happens, rain and clouds make the chance to see anything in the sky even more unlikely. But when a rain storm becomes a thunder storm that shuts off the power in the city, Phoebe gets her chance to see stars and planets in a dark dark sky unaffected by the usual lights of the city.

A beautiful story of father and daughter, of a curious girl wondering about space and astronomy, of a glorious sky full of stars and constellations.

This book is a blend of fiction and nonfiction – a fictional story linked to facts about the night sky, the planets and their moons and the problems of light pollution. A nonfiction section in the back provides extensive details about the topics referenced in the book and includes a glossary and diagrams.

I am particularly excited to share this book with a classroom full of children who live in the city and look at a sky impacted by light pollution. I want them to think about a sky that is full of stars so beautiful and mysterious that it will spark wonder and awe. While this title is a blend of fiction and nonfiction, I would certainly use it to introduce a study of the night sky. The final pages explain that cities are often over lit and gives suggestions to make changes. We so often talk to students about turning off lights to save energy but how interesting and important to be able to suggest that turning off lights (or changing their orientation) can have other impact on plants and animals and their health and growth. A less lit night sky also means an increased opportunity to see all of the stars that are usually masked by light pollution. I know from my “vacation” star gazing, we are regularly missing an amazing nighttime scene.

Bright Sky Starry City is published by Groundwood Books (May 2015)

Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for the inspiration to read and share more nonfiction picture books in 2015. Follow the link to Alyson’s blog to read about more nonfiction books you need to read!

Monday May 25th, 2015

Posted on May 24, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This was taken during buddy reading with the Ks. I love how my students will track as they read to show the kindergarten child the words as they say them. Many little ones are beginning to read along.

I must also share photographic evidence of this little book thief in my room. Friday afternoon she snuck back into a bin of books I have yet to share and grabbed these.

“It’s not fair! You stash all of these books where we can’t get them until you read them.”

I pointed out that I generally bring out new books every week and book talk almost daily. “True,” she giggled as she attempted to get sneak peeks at these yet to be shared treasures before I snatched them back. Love her passion for books! I can relate 🙂

If you missed it, I shared 20 titles I highly recommend as gift books for new parents. These titles will make beautiful additions to a family’s read aloud collection.

This is Sadie written by Sara O’Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad

Sadie is enchanting. She embraces life – both the real and the imagined parts with gusto. Creative, inspired, endearing.

I featured our read aloud experience with this book here. It is well worth reading to see my students’ reactions.

The Skunk written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell

A skunk follows a man everywhere he goes. Why? What does he want? Why can’t the man escape? The ending continues in the strange unexplained vein. Love this book – all of its quirky and charming is delightful.

Cheetah Can’t Lose by Bob Shea

Cheetah’s ego is on competition over drive. His little feline friends realize this all too well and craftily devise a plan to make sure that cheetah won’t win the big race. Does it work? And what will it mean if it does . . . ? Very funny and engaging.

Bright Sky Starry City written by Uma Krishnaswami and illustrated by Aimée Sicuro

I was thrilled to discover this title at a local book store. It is a lovely little story about a young girl who longs to see the stars and planets in her busy city. Light pollution makes this a challenge until a storm happens and the power goes out. A detailed nonfiction afterward is shared in the back of the book all about our solar system and light pollution. Also includes a glossary. I will be sharing this with my new class in the fall.

Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy

All the details of bubble gum’s invention. So much fun!

I Didn’t Do my Homework Because . . . written by Davide Cali and illustrated by Benjamin Chaud

A book of outlandish excuses and superbly creative illustrations.

Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin

Beautifully written. Loftin manages to leave her readers always a little on edge yet completely attached to the emotional story line she shares. It’s almost as if the magic suggested in the story floats off the page and whispers quietly, “Come in. Immerse yourself. Feel.” I loved this title even though I found parts of it worrisome and painful. An important book.

Up next? I am reading Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 26/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 198/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 10/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 42/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 18/50 books read

Picture Books for New Parents: Building a beautiful collection

Posted on May 24, 2015 by carriegelson

There are so many beautiful picture books out there in the world.

Books make lovely gifts that become part of a family’s story world.

So how to choose?

Board books always make wonderful gifts but so do picture books that will be part of a child’s collection of read again and again stories. Not every book gift needs to be given thinking only about babyhood and the first few years. Give a book that can be grown into. A book that tells a story families will want to share repeatedly. Stories to be savoured and talked about and wondered about.

These suggestions have a definite theme of being in the moment and noticing the world – the big moments, the small things, the important feelings. Because childhood soars by. These titles remind us to experience it as fully as we can.

Here are 20 titles I would gift new parents and why they need to be on the family book shelf:

Listed in alphabetical order by author.

Yard Sale written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Lauren Castillo

No matter what the journey, no matter what is possessed along the way, family matters most of all.

Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo

Facing fears is a lot easier with a Nana by your side. I love what this book says about home, family and the wisdom of grandparents.

A Good Night Walk by Elisha Cooper

Simple and reassuring. The power of walking in the neighbourhood: being, noticing, connecting.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

A wise nana. A regular bus ride. The importance of neighbourhood and noticing.

The Snatchabook written by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty

This book reminds us that everyone needs to be read to. A life with bedtime stories is rich indeed.

Hank Finds an Egg by Rebecca Dudley

A book about a problem that needs solving and having wonderfully, persistently, kind intentions.

If You Want to See a Whale written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin E. Stead

The ins and outs of waiting. And wondering. And hoping. Patience is underrated in life but celebrated in this beautiful little book.

A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries. Four Families. One Delicious Treat. written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

An opportunity to talk about cooking together over time. Tradition. Changes. Savouring of sweet treats.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

Read this book early and often and send the message – our life is going to be a life where we are surrounded by books and reading and all of the magic that will guarantee.

Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith

What is at eye level for our little ones? Flowers and many other interesting things. Children notice many things and give so freely.

Wave by Suzy Lee

There is nothing like the joy of a big expanse of beach and the waves that roll in and out. This wordless book captures all of the all the excitement, fear and wonder of a child’s beachside experience.

Sleep Like a Tiger written by Mary Logue and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Such a beautiful book for those who appreciate the soothing power of bedtime books. Sleep is a wonderful thing!

This is Sadie written by Sara O’Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad

Sadie is enchanting. She embraces life – both the real and the imagined parts with gusto. Wonderful connections to favourite book characters.

The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett

There is kindness and then there is putting others’ happiness before your own. Kindness between siblings is very special.

I Wish You More written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

This book captures hope and love in a sweet, endearing way.

Blackout by John Rocco

Time. Time together. Time together as a first priority. This book reminds us of how very important this is. Because everything can get in the way. But only if you let it . . .

All the World written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee

Simple rhyming text pays tribute to the small simple things our world has to offer like a tomato blossom or a fire to take away a chill.

Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman

A wonderful story about siblings, mistakes, owning up and doing what’s right.

The Man with the Violin written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Dušan Petričić

This is an important story of what we miss by not being in the moment. How many beautiful experiences are lost on us as we rush through our days?

Happy by Mies van Hout

What could be better than a bright and bold celebration of our emotions?

Give books.

Read books.

Share books.

Often.

Celebration: A Big Piece of Sadie

Posted on May 22, 2015 by carriegelson

This week I celebrate the magic of a last minute read aloud shared on Friday afternoon. Sometimes the mix is so very right: the perfect book, the right time, the ideal energy and a room full of eager listeners who notice everything.

Our afternoon started with finishing a picture book about residential schools and serious journal style reader responses. We had a little time to read more of our novel and then at 2 p.m. we headed out to skip with the whole school. There was music, dancing, skipping ropes everywhere and many moments of joy.

We came back to class with 15 minutes before the final bell. Everyone was hot, happily tired and still full of positive energy from our time outside playing together as an entire school.

I decided this was the perfect amount of time to share This is Sadie written by Sara O’Leary and illustrated by Julie Morstad. This book arrived in the mail yesterday and as soon as I read it, I popped it into my school bag because I knew it must be shared.

Sadie is enchanting. She embraces life – both the real and the imagined parts with gusto. Creative, inspired, endearing. Her story is a delight to read aloud. Morstad’s images are “ooh” and “ahh” and “wow” inducing. The combination is pure read aloud perfection.

Every page was pored over – especially the picture of the pool where Sadie swims with her friends – both neighbours from up the street and characters who inhabit her world of books. Here is my class character spotting.

“Oh! I see Red Riding Hood!”

There is a beautiful image of Sadie howling with wolves at the edge of a lush green forest. The text reads: “She has been a boy raised by wolves.”

“That would be the best life,” commented one child. And a conversation about howling and wild creatures and lots of freedom erupted. Many pages required us to stop and discuss the ideas and the images.

When I finished reading, there was a request to be the first person to read the book independently.

“Would anyone else like to read this by themselves next week?”

“Yes!” “Me!” “Not next week, now!”

It was a minute before 3 p.m. when we finished. I asked if anyone would share a reason they liked the book or a favourite part. Most of the class stayed on the carpet waiting their turn to tell me their feelings.

“One word: Imagination!”

“It’s a book loving book.”

“Adventurous!”

“It takes me away to my imagination.”

“It has such beautiful art.”

“I like how it had the fairytales in it.”

“Like something from heaven.”

“It takes you on a fairy journey.”

“On a beautiful path of imagination!”

“I love it because I am Sadie.”

“I have a little piece of Sadie in me.”

“I have a BIG piece of Sadie in me.”

I had some Sadie fans that didn’t want to leave at all! This little reader stayed behind to hold the book in her hands and tell me about how she MUST have her own copy!

I celebrate Friday afternoon read alouds that spill into after school time – how I love that this weekend, Sadie is following my students home.

Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community! Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.

Monday May 18th, 2015

Posted on May 17, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This photo perfectly captures what happens when a new, impatiently waited for title arrives in our classroom library! An instant list posted to the cover and a happy little smirk for the first reader!

I wasn’t able to post a #IMWAYR post last week so this post captures two weeks of reading.

Favourite picture books (fiction and nonfiction)

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach

One of those read alouds that must begin again as soon as it ends – this isn’t the story it first appears to be. Adorable, hilarious and full of delight.

Have You Seen my Monster? by Steve Light

There are monsters everywhere – look very closely. You might also find a triangle, a circle and a quatrefoil. Yes, really.

Henny by Elizabeth Rose Stanton

A chicken. With arms. Wings? Nope, none of those. Henny learns to embrace her unique possibilities. Quirky but sweet.

I Don’t Like Koala written by Sean Ferrell and illustrated by Charles Santoso

Is your stuffed animal watching you? This little koala just might be. An odd little book about a stuffed creature that is not beloved but is everywhere.

I, Fly The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are written by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Jennifer Plecas

Wow, such learning happens when a fly arrives to plead his interest quotient to a bunch of children studying butterflies. Such voice! I can’t wait to share this with a class.

Outstanding in the Rain by Frank Viva

So very, very clever.

A Fine Dessert: Four Centuries. Four Families. One Delicious Treat. written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

This book does so much. As we travel through time with a recipe for a simple summer dessert, we are treated to a history lesson that is much more than how kitchen utensils and appliances have changed. I am in more than a little bit of awe.

Emu written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Graham Byrne. Papa Emu plays a starring role in this nonfiction title. Read my review here.

Drive: A Look at Roadside Opposites by Kellen Hatanaka

There is a commercial I have seen a few times that celebrates a driving experience that has the children in the back seat fully plugged into their devices while the parents sit peacefully in the front seat pleased as can be to be avoiding noise, arguments, etc. from their children. While I will admit to ordering my children at times to “Be quiet!” I don’t want them zoned out on a device while we are in the car. I would prefer that they are watching the passing scenery, drawing or listening to an audio book. Even, oh my goodness, using the time to think and be. So I love this book that honours the view out the window and connection to the world as we travel through it. Tuned out to be tuned in is not my idea of the way things should be. Look out the window and notice! This book gives one a great starting point for lots of examples.

In novels, I read . . .

A graphic title

Zita The Space Girl by Ben Hatke

I don’t always love graphic novels with lots of adventure and action. But this one? It’s a keeper! I now want all three titles for my classroom collection.

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Yes, it is really as good as you’ve heard. Beautifully written, beautifully imagined. An absolute must, must read!

Watch the Sky by Kirsten Hubbard

I read this in almost one sitting. One family, almost completely cut off from the rest of the world have their lives shaped and controlled by a step-father’s prophecies about the future. What happens when the one who protects might also put you at risk? How can one boy live a double life? Haunting. Upsetting. Utterly addictive.

Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

A story about family and connection, grief and moving on. Ari and her older brother Gage are basically homeless – couch surfing and staying in shelters while trying to turn their lives into something stable with a real future. The secrets, the instability, the worries are huge. Can they keep their little family together and still hope for the future? I couldn’t put this one down.

The Shadowhand Convenant by Brian Farrey

I read this title aloud to my children. We read the first in the trilogy about a year ago and were completely captured by these unique characters in such a fresh fantasy story. This story continued to keep us guessing right until the last pages.

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 25/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 188/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 10/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 40/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 18/50 books read

Up Next? Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin My children and I waited (and waited and waited some more) for the 3rd title in The Books of Beginning trilogy to be released. Finally, it is here and so we are happily reading The Black Reckoning by John Stephens. The Emerald Atlas was published in 2011 and The Fire Chronicle published in 2012 so as you can see, our wait was long!

Celebration: Little appreciations

Posted on May 16, 2015 by carriegelson

This week I am celebrating the little things. The little things that are noticed every day. Quietly appreciated. Simple and soothing. These are the things that just make everything right.

Five little appreciations currently on my mind:

Picking up holds at the public library. Each book contains more than a story, it holds nuances of experience. Even though I don’t know the other readers who have already or will still read each story I read, I feel like we are sharing something.
Garden spaces that I walk by everyday. Right now front yards, back lanes and boulevards are exploding in colour and various shades of green. I particularly love the lavender, huge allium heads bursting out and hosta leaves unfurling.
Coffee jostling in our school cafeteria every morning. Staff shift in and out to grab coffee. There is time for snippets of conversation. Morning smiles and hugs from students eating breakfast remind us all about the strength of our school community.
Writers in my room. So many students have so much more confidence. Voice is developing. The ideas that are communicated are full of wisdom and curiosity and new perspective.
Laundry on the line. I love watching clothing shift with the breeze, the smell of course evokes decades of memories and the slight screech of the clothesline as I reel in clothes reminds me to slow down and be in the moment. There is something about doing a task that I have been doing since I was a child that is so grounding.

I celebrate these lucky little things that are mine with much appreciation.

Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community! Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Emu

Posted on May 13, 2015 by carriegelson

Recently I shared details of my fascination for Australian animals when I wrote about Big Red Kangaroo written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Graham Byrne. I immediately preordered their next title – Emu which was just released in North America in April (Candlewick Press 2015) Little did I know that I am absolutely enchanted by the emu but after reading this nonfiction book, I am. Fully and completely! These tall, flightless birds are the second largest birds in the world and are found only in Australia.

Byrne’s illustrations are so appealing. The emu’s feathers look as if they have been dipped in gold dust under the Australian sun. Grassland is dry and rugged. Shadows of trees, black silhouettes in the burning sunlight or pale blue hints of branches and leafy canopies. Papa emu has a starring role in this story of emu hatchlings from birth to adulthood.

I learned so much! Some highlights:

The emu father is completely responsible for raising the emu fledglings. As soon as the eggs are laid, the female has nothing more to do with hatching or raising the young birds.
The male emu spends 8 weeks on the nest, seldom leaving. During this time, without food or drink, he can lose up to 22 pounds.
Emu chicks are born with brown and cream stripes perfect for blending in to the grasslands where they find food and shelter
Adult emus can outrun most predators and will fight only if cornered.
Adult emus are often solitary but are known as inquisitive birds.

I can see this book being used in a variety of ways in the classroom. Read it aloud and have students

compare ostriches and emus in a venn diagram
list fascinating facts and complete a new knowledge web or organize information into an informative paragraph
draw and label an emu habitat
draw and label (with important details) the emu’s body
chart various ways emu fathers protect their young from predators (strategies for evading eagles, coyotes and goannas are explained in the book)
complete an emu art piece in its habitat – I can see gorgeous pieces being done with watercolours and chalk pastel for accent
inspire an inquiry project to discover what other species have males that take on such an important role in nurturing and raising young

Rich topics of discussion this book will inspire: nesting habits of birds, survival in various habitats, Australian animals, Australian eco systems, predator/prey dynamics, raising young, etc.

I really hope that author and illustrator have plans to collaborate again and create another book about a different Australian animal.

Celebration: It all adds up

Posted on May 9, 2015 by carriegelson

We all know that finding reasons to celebrate becomes even more necessary when there are lots of reasons to despair. Words have associations for me. Despair is a drain in a rainstorm. Celebration is light but full of energy. Leaps. Twirls and whirls.

Moment by moment. Tiny and full. We can choose to walk through our weeks gathering the energy to remain in the place to celebrate.

There is some sadness in my room. Some weighty things that are hard. But I collected the light and there is much that is joyful. It all adds up to many reasons to smile.

Sharing some of them here 🙂

We had a week of hiphop dancing with the brilliant Kimberly Stevenson from The Happening Dance Studio here in Vancouver. One morning I arrived at school to see an impromptu early morning rehearsal going on. Students all helping each other with their steps.

How I love the artists in my room. We have started hanging up our whale art inspired by the book Wild Ideas: Let Nature Inspire Your Thinking written by Elin Kelsey and illustrated by Soyeon Kim. Placed next to each other, we have a beautiful under the sea collage happening.

Buddy reading is always a highlight of our week. I caught this little guy mid bellow – the best kind of carried away laughing there is!

Here are my dancers! Showing me their silly just before our big performance. Dance teacher Kim is right in there with us. How we adore her!

Some little notes of gratitude for Kim 🙂

Flowers for Mamas.

Community. Posing with black and white hearts and a little bit of playground play on Friday afternoon. These pictures are for a thank you to Kim, our hip hop teacher which will be on our class blog.

Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community! Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.