September 15, 2013: Books and Getting Ready for Leveled Literacy Intervention

Dear Readers,

I apologize that I have not had a blog post in a couple of weeks.  I just started my new position as Reading Specialist at Idlehurst Elementary School in Somersworth, NH.  I have been extremely busy getting to know everyone at my new school and getting ready to start "Leveled Literacy Intervention Model" by Fountas and Pinnell.  As I have been learning more about this model, I feel it will have such a positive impact on the students that we will be working with.  I am especially impressed by the quality of the texts that students will be reading.  If anyone has used Level Literacy Interventions, I would love to hear about your experiences and any tips that you may have for me.

On a personal note, I have been still reading and am trying to make a goal I that I set for myself on goodreads.com.  I wanted to highlight some of favorites over the last couple of weeks.


Looking After Louis by Lesley Ely
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book because it explains to children that everyone is different and that they should be celebrated for what they can do well.  I would use this reading aloud to grade 3 and up because the main character in the story Louis has autism.



The Serpent's Teeth; The Story Of Cadmus by Penelope Farmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great story.  I highly recommend.






A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book aloud to my sons, Xavier and Xander, and they really enjoyed it.  The illustrations complement an excellent story about Camilla and the choice she has to make.  Highly recommend!

I would love to hear what you have been reading.  You can always find me on goodreads.com and on twitter, xavxandiana is my name.  I will be posting a special announcement tomorrow!!!

Warm Regards,

Diana 

Welcome to Summer 2013

I am excited for Summer in Maine! There has already been two wonderful sunny days and I got to spend sometime with my grandmother celebrating her 86th birthday.  I have also enjoyed getting into my summer reading and am working on reading My Life by Bill Clinton which I think is going to take me longer than I thought to finish.   Below are some of my most current reviews.  I plan on blogging at least once a week to share some of the books I am reading with all of you.  Also I am looking for suggestions to add to my reading pile.

Cora and the Elephant: 9 by Lissa Rovetch

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Xander is really into elephants so when I saw this story I knew he would love it.  I was right because this story follows Cora and her elephant parents to San Francisco.  While there Cora learns a lot about the true meaning of family.  You'll be surprised to see what happens to Cora and her elephant parents.  For my teacher friends, this would be a great read-aloud.


Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a new series that Xander is into.  It's very predictable story for a 7 year old to follow and talk about about.  I also like that it is short enough to keep him wanting to find out what Froggy will do next.  For my teacher friends, this book presents lots of opportunities to work on short and long vowel sounds in words.  I also noticed as I was reading this with Xander that there are nonsense words such as zup, zwit.  These confused Xander as the reading was happening and presented some great conversations about books.


Mrs. Spitzer's Garden by Edith Pattou
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Xander's teacher gave each student in the class this book.  I just read it to him tonight and he liked it.  Right away he said to me that each plant in the story is a child in the class.  That is the major point to this teacher's story which is taking care of the students is like taking care of a garden.  Wonderful story!  For teacher friends, this would be a great end of year read-aloud.

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Just listened to this story on storylineonline.net with Xavier and Xander.  This was a cute story about the relationship between a brother and sister.  This book can be found in hard copy as well.  Lots of humor in this story (my opinion) and I enjoyed it because children can relate to the two main characters in the story.


For others looking for older children books my son Xavier who is going into fifth grade in the fall is really into the Guardians series.  He has to do summer homework which entails reading two novels and then writing about them.  He told me today that he wants to just read this series.  For me as a parent it is nice when my child can pick books that are just the right fit for him.  This summer I would encourage all of you to let children read books that have high interest appeal and are in their reading level.  If you have any questions about reading level please send me a private message and I would be happy to help.

Enjoy reading and Summer fun!

Diana Pettis

Happy Memorial Day 2013

Today it is important to remember our veterans and those who fight for our freedoms.  I enjoyed being able to spend the weekend with family because it makes me realize what is important.  Another area I got to  enjoy was reading many books that I would like to share as well as preparing for the 2nd annual Title I Carl J. Lamb Literacy Night at McDonald's in Sanford.  For local friends, I would love for you to stop by and see how we are getting students ready for summer reading.  The event lasts from 4pm to 6pm and the mayor of Sanford is even going to stop by and read.  Here are some of my new favorites that I would like to share.  As always you can find me on goodreads.com.  As another note, I wanted to let my local friends know that the Sanford Writing Camp is not happening this summer due to lack of interest.  I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work at the writing camp in Kennebunk for a week in July after the holiday.

Now onto my favorite books...

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of most of the Mo Willems books.  This one is good for younger children that are familiar with the original story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Mo Willems always adds humor to keep the reader engaged in the text.  I am going to read this story next week at my title I event at the McDonalds in Sanford.

The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America by Deborah Hicks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I went to the bookstore yesterday and got this book.  When I got home I read the entire book in one night.  At times I wonder the difference that one teacher can make in the lives of students.  This book answers those questions and even more.  I feel as though it is a must read for teachers especially ones that work with children in extreme cases of poverty.


Let's Go for a Drive! by Mo Willems
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At the bookstore yesterday, I bought this book for Xander.  Today we read it in parts.  Xander was the elephant and I was the pig.  Great story to help emergent/initial readers with phrasing/fluency/expression.  It also speaks to the themes of kindness and friendship.  I have many of the books in the series because Xander is such a fan of elephants.

I am currently in process of reading this to Xavier and Xander because of their new interest in the military.  I would caution others to make sure that children have background knowledge before beginning to read aloud.


Semper Fido by C. Alexander London

I hope everyone has a great week and reads all the books they want.  As always, I welcome feedback from all of you on the books I have just posted reviews on. Please send me book ideas so I can add to my To Be Read pile.
Warm Regards,
Diana Pettis

Vacation Reading April 2013

I love to read and learn through books everyday and as a teacher find great joy when children enjoy the books that I recommend.  At this time of year, I find myself reflecting on my own reading and continuing to make my book piles for completion.  Recently, I joined a group where I can review books with an added plus of having the publishing companies actually send me the books for free.  On this listing it states if the author is available for book visits.  I am very excited to begin reading these books!!!  As I read them I will post my opinions for all of you.  To my teacher friends, I hope you enjoy our upcoming vacation week and read.  Below is one book I recently read aloud to my son, Xander.


Mammoths on the Move by Lisa Wheeler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Xander checked out this book from the school library because he loves mammoths.  The descriptive words and active verbs make the text so engaging for this particular age group.  I'd recommend it!

Books of the Week that I enjoyed 11.4.12

This week, I was busy reading some new texts so I could find books that engage the students I work with and my own two sons.  I am going to post some books that I would recommend for students in the elementary age range.  I also wanted to put a plug in for one of my colleagues blog with the following link www.ateacherswritinglife.wordpress.com.


Mudshark by Gary Paulsen


Guided Reading Level T

This is a great story about a middle school boy who makes a difference at his school. I am currently reading this with a group of my Title I Literacy students.





The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this today with Xavier and Xander.  Xavier and I traded off reading this and it took us a couple of hours.  If you have a child that loves Star Wars as much as my son's do it is a must-read.  It also carries on where the last book left off.


For children to read independently it is marked as reading grade level of a 4.6 but at this time I could not find a guided reading level for it from Fountas and Pinnell.  I was thinking that because it is relatively new.



Dog in Charge by K. L. Going
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A cute story about animals and how the dog takes the lead in protecting his family.  Great visual images in the story.  I would recommend this as a read-aloud only.

Book Thoughts for the week 10.21.12

Last week, I really wanted to read the chapter books of the Magic School Bus.  I could not get myself to sit and do it.  Instead I read some shorter stories.   I think this is an important lesson for parents/teachers to consider when talking about books with children.  If a child gives a book his/her best effort and still can not get into it, I believe it is the adult's responsibility to find appropriate reading material for children. It is important that the books that are put into children's hands to read are at their reading level.

Here are some of my favorite books from the week:


Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book by Alexander Stadler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A read-aloud book that Xander brought home from school this week. To me the lesson is that children need to understand the importance of picking books and talking about them.  I also feel that children need to have exposure to being in the library.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed



I am currently on page 275 in this book.  I studied women's history when I was an undergraduate at Plymouth State College (now University).  This story makes me think of that time in my life.  I would recommend for anyone who is interested in strong female characters.

My favorite books from the week 9.23.12

In this post I wanted to list some of the books I read this week to my sons and students.  Lots of them are read-aloud type stories.  Since it is beginning to get close to Halloween I found a couple of those stories as well.  I hope you enjoy some of my picks.


Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Xander loved reading this book to me today.  Great beginner reader!

Guided Reading Level: J



The Littlest Dinosaur by Michael Foreman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book to my son Xander today and he really enjoyed it. The book was about being a hero.  The littlest dinosaur needs to help his family in their time of need and finds an unlikely friend along the way.

Grade Level 3.7
No guided reading to be found
Themes:  Bravery, being a hero


Inside a House That is Haunted by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Here is the hand that knocked on the door and startled the spider that dropped to the floor.

Guided Reading Level: J
Word Count 472 words
Grade Level: 1-2

Theme:  Halloween



The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda D. Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another great read-aloud story.  This makes me think of Halloween.

One book that I read this summer 2012

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion by Mo Willems
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My son Xander loved this text. He really wanted to hear it because it was a continuation of the Knuffle Bunny series. Loved this story!!! Definately better as a read-aloud for students in grades K and 1 in my opinion.