Happy Thanksgiving!

During this time of year I always try to remember to say thank you to students that I work with, colleagues that I collaborate with, my sons: Xavier and Xander, my husband,  Matt, and all of my friends and family.  I think it is important in my opinion that we count our blessings.  I am continuing to read many books and want to showcase a couple of favorites from the last couple of weeks.


The Boy in the Drawer by Robert Munsch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shelley finds a small boy in her drawer who causes a lot of trouble. I read this today to Xander and he really liked it.  He then said to me that it was sad about Shelley having to be an only child.  As I was reading this story aloud to Xander I noticed vocabulary that we had to talk about.  The word trouble-maker really tripped him up. As you are reading this story there are other spots where you can go in talking with children.  Some of the things I did with Xander were to stop and ask him to predict, and ask him to tell me about the characters

Guided Reading: J
Themes: Manners and Conduct
DRA 18/20 range
Lexile 420
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.1



The Canada Geese Quilt by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A student I work with brought in this book and said you I had to read it. I am glad that I did because it was a very good story.  I would recommend this primarily for girls. Other details about the story include Ariel's family getting ready for a new baby.  Ariel is very close to her grandmother and they come up with a surprise for her mother.


Guided Reading Level: P
DRA: 38
Lexile 680
Themes: Culture and Diversity, Character and Values



Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book in my opinion makes fun of standarized testing that all schools have to do.  Not sure if I would recommend this book other than to read aloud maybe to older students who do not like taking tests at school.

August 10, 2012 Reflecting on my Reading Week

The Lucky Lizard by Ellen A. Kelley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story is told from the lizard's point of view and talks about his relationship with Todd an eight year old boy who is very afraid to learn about riding his bike.



Guided Reading Level: P
Lexile 550
DRA: 38

Themes: Culture/Diversity, Animals and Character Values


Who Ran My Underwear Up The Flagpole by Jerry Spinelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Guided Reading level U: Very witty story about four students in grade 5 and the how the friendship these characters have make them better. Lots of humor in text. I'd use this text to work on vocabulary and character relationships.

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I really enjoyed these particular texts and put labels below for both of them.  Great stories that I highly recommend and plan on using with my guided reading groups this Fall.  I am excited that I still have two more weeks to read and reflect on the texts my children and I are reading.

My book of the week 8.5.12

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Guided Reading Level Q
Themes: Animals, Character Values, Homelessness

I could see reading this text with a group of older students because it talks about a family that is struggling finding a place to live. Georgina the main character has an idea on how to help her family. Will it help?

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