Hello to all on this snowy morning in Ohio.  It must have snowed bunches last night, because the snow seems really deep this morning.  We were up and out in it, early.  My son had basketball practice.  Last night was late, because my older son was flying home from his Navy duty.  They kept finding things wrong with the plane that he was suppose to be on.  They finally cancelled the flight and he took a later one.  Originally, he was to arrive at 5:07.  It was after 11:00 when he landed.  Of course we needed to catch up, so it was 1:30 or so before we all went to bed.

The weekend is here and I am thankful.  I always find I have huge expectations to get multiple items checked off of my to do list.  There are the household chores, laundry, cooking, school work, errands, children needs, etc.  Well the three biggies for me this weekend are:

                                             ***finish my WIP for the 12 X 12 challenge
                                             ***finish my entry for the Highlights Fiction Contest
                                             ***finish the historical fiction book The Widow of the South

I already have a lot of the work completed on these projects and I am looking forward to working.  I don't know that working is the right word.  It doesn't feel like working, because I really enjoy reading and writing.  A snowy day is the perfect time to curl up with a good book and write some words down on paper.  All of these projects are due on January 31st.  I have a few days next week too, but I know once the work week begins, I will not have time to work on MY writing and reading.  So, it is this weekend or bust!

Enjoy your weekend!

Kathy

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2013

                              It is Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy!

                         





Title:  Sit-In
           How Four Friends Stood Up By Sitting Down
Author:  Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrator:  Brian Pinkney
Reading Level:  Grade 1 and up

GoodReads Description:

It was February 1, 1960.
They didn't need menus. Their order was simple.
A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side.

This picture book is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the momentous Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in, when four college students staged a peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality and the growing civil rights movement. 

Andrea Davis Pinkney uses poetic, powerful prose to tell the story of these four young men, who followed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words of peaceful protest and dared to sit at the "whites only" Woolworth's lunch counter. Brian Pinkney embraces a new artistic style, creating expressive paintings filled with emotion that mirror the hope, strength, and determination that fueled the dreams of not only these four young men, but also countless others.(less)

My Thoughts - This award winning husband and wife team have written and illustrated a wonderful book informing us about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message about peaceful protest.  This true event is written in poetic style and the illustrations are unique and beautiful.  The author includes a Civil Rights Timeline, a picture and write up about the event, and a reference page.  Teachers can use this in their classroom during the study of Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Movement, and Black History Month.

                                         

Title: Child of the Civil Rights Movement 

Author:  Paula Young Shelton

Illustrator:  Raul Colon'

Reading Level: Grade Pre-K through 4

GoodReads Description:

In this Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year, Paula Young Shelton, daughter of Civil Rights activist Andrew Young, brings a child’s unique perspective to an important chapter in America’s history. Paula grew up in the deep south, in a world where whites had and blacks did not. With an activist father and a community of leaders surrounding her, including Uncle Martin (Martin Luther King), Paula watched and listened to the struggles, eventually joining with her family—and thousands of others—in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery.

Poignant, moving, and hopeful, this is an intimate look at the birth of the Civil Rights Movement

My Thoughts - This book informs the reader about the Civil Rights Movement  through short poetic stories.  Large descriptive illustrations highlight the message of the stories.  The author includes information about the people in the book and a bibliography.  Teachers can use this in their classroom while studying Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, and Black History Month.

I loved both of these nonfiction books and will use both of them in my classroom next week.

Enjoy,

Kathy

www.kidlitfrenzy.com

New Follower, Common Core and Differentiating Out the Door!

Oh my goodness, I am soooooo excited!  I have a follower.  Thank you Jennifer.  I have been checking day after day and finally, I opened up my blog and literally, caught my breath, as I saw a smiling face.  I really need to be more diligent in trying to gain followers.  Now that I have a follower, I will need to be more diligent in posting too.  Followers are motivators.

Did I catch your attention with my title?  Today, I went to a workshop to work on writing our curriculum maps with the Common Core Standards. Prior to our work time, our instructor showed us a video and gave us handouts on using Close Text for our lessons.  These texts can be articles, reading textbooks, novels, etc.    The text will be read by the students several times and a purpose is set for each read through.  The students will make notations in the margins and highlight words.These texts should be at grade level and used during whole group instruction.  All students, -  gifted, at grade level, and special education students will participate in these grade level lessons.  What?  Where is the differentiated instruction that we have had many workshops on and have been told to do?  What about the research showing that reading improves when students read texts that are not too easy or too hard?  For me, differentiated instruction will come during Daily Five and small group time.  They should still self-select books within their reading range and those students that need extended, or a variety of lessons on content, will receive that in small group.  Special education students will work on their IEP goals with the Intervention Specialist during small group time.  I will be trying this Close Text lesson next week using Martin Luther King materials.  I'll give you more details about the procedure and how it works late next week.  Grades are due tomorrow.  It's going to be a late night!

Kind Regards,

Kathy

Hello 2013!

                                     

Happy New Year!  It is hard to believe another year has passed.  I feel good about the accomplishments I have made in my reading, writing, and teaching.  I haven't made any New Year's resolutions for several years now.  They seem to always get broken or not even started.  But this year I do want to acknowledge the work that I hope to do.  So, I am making goals in reading, writing, and teaching.  I know that I will not be perfect in reaching these goals, but I will do my best.  I read Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird a few months ago.  I love the story she tells about her brother procrastinating in completing his report on birds.  The night before it was due he was very upset with the daunting task at hand.  Their father said, "Bird by bird, buddy.  Just take it bird by bird."  I have used this line in my head many times as I try to teach, write, read, be mom and the head of the household.  Bird by Bird is a great book for writers.  If you haven't discovered Anne's books yet, run to your nearest library, bookstore, or Amazon.com.

I tried to think of a one word goal for each area.  Here it goes.....

TEACHING - REFRESH

The school year has been very stressful so far.  As I have been reading blogs, it seems that many teachers are feeling overwhelmed.   We are trying to learn as much as possible about the Common Core Standards and re-writing our curriculum maps.  We are planning, teaching and implementing these new standards  We are testing our students and gathering data.  Here in Ohio we are preparing for the Third Grade Guarantee by writing RIMP plans for our students who are not at grade level.  We have been having many meetings and we are preparing for the new teacher evaluation.    The list goes on.  I have been weary.  So my goal is to REFRESH.  We have been on winter break and I am hoping with this break, I can give new strength and energy to my students.  I will be posting activities tied to the Common Core Standards.

READING - VORACIOUS

I talk to my students all the time about being voracious readers.  I certainly want to set a good example and I love to read.  I have two challenges that I am participating in.  The first one is the Historical Fiction Challenge.  I will be reading as many books in that genre as possible.  This is just for me.  Most of the books will be for adults.  I plan to post a synopsis about each book I read.  I have also linked up with Kid Lit Frenzy and am participating in the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.  My goal is to read at least one nonfiction picture book each week and post a blog about the book.  I also want to suggest some activities that can go with the text so that it can be used as a Mentor Text.

WRITING - VOICE

I am really excited to be writing.  I will be writing everyday in one form or another.  The following are writing activities that I will be working on.

Blogging
Currently enrolled in the on-line class - Writing Wonderful Character Driven Picture Books
27 days Life Changing Journaling Challenge
Writing a kindness book project
12x12 by Julie Hedlund
Teacher's Write Camp by Kate Messner
Enter a couple of writing contests
Go on a writer's retreat and/or a writer's conference
 I also want to join my local SCBWI and find an in-person critique group.  

What are your goals for 2013?

"Bird by Bird"

Kathy                            

I'm Back!

Hi Everyone,

I haven't blogged since -gasp- July, but I knew I wanted this blog to be more than a teacher blog.  So, I have changed my title to reflect my current passions which include reading, writing, and teaching.  I am looking forward to blogging again on a regular basis.  I hope you will join me!

With anticipation,

Kathy

Some Like It Hot!

   http://www.stockfreeimages.com/    I am trying to post a pic, but having no luck!!!!

Not me!  It is suppose to reach 100 degrees, actual temperature today!  I do not like it this hot.  The definition of my air conditioning consists of open windows and fans.  My perfect temperature is 75 degrees, no humidity.  The only time I like it warmer is when I go swimming or to the beach, which is rare these days. Oh well, what to do.  The good thing is that it gives me a good excuse to just sit and read, read blogs, write a blog post, work on my writing, and work on school plans.  Do I really need an excuse?  They are all valid and important activities.  I can do all of these activities sitting with a fan in front of me.

I have been itching to get into school.  Today is the day.  I have a bunch of stuff in a pile that I want to take to school and get it out of my house (de-clutter).  I want to open up my library and begin searching for mentor texts that I know I own.  I also want to make copies of some lesson ideas from some scholastic teacher books.  I'm not planning to work very long, but you all know how that goes.  It will also depend on the heat.  We do have air conditioning, but it will probably be turned way down.

The good news is that we are going to have a cold front coming through tonight!  Awesome!  We will have about 4-5 pleasant days.  I plan to tackle the de-clutter and summer cleaning that I had listed on my bucket list.  My younger son is going to help me.  I have listed 70 items that need to be done.  Everything from the basic dust and vacuum to washing windows and hanging new curtains.  I am going to pay my son for his help.  I wanted to pay him minimum wage per hour, but he wanted a dollar amount for each room or space.  So, I had him go through the list and he assigned the dollar amount.  Some areas I felt he was overcharging, but other areas were undercharged, so all in all I think his price was fair.  It is also well worth it. We plan to work 4-6 hours each day.  I think we can get it done and it goes so much faster with two people.

Tomorrow is suppose to be cooler and we could start cleaning, but I am going to get some basics done like grocery shopping and meal prep.  I also want to go to Target.  I read that their school items will be in the dollar spot beginning tomorrow.  If I find some goodies, I will take pictures and attempt to upload them onto my blog.  I also have some Kohls cash and coupon.  I have been eyeing their summer dresses.  Oh, and I need a new mouse for my computer.  It is not working well at all!

Only 23 days until Summer School begins.  I want to do a theme and can't decide.  More on that dilemma later!

Kind Thoughts,

Kathy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

  This is a picture of Kate Messner.  I discovered her through the Teacher's Write Summer Camp.  Not only is she helping hundreds of teachers to write this summer, she is also a wonderful author for children.  I sidetracked from my reading list last week and read The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.  I loved it.  I think it will make a perfect read aloud for my students this fall.  I really like the quiz you can take at the end to determine "What Kind of Tree Are You?"  I was already planning on having a tree bulletin board so...  Her website is http://www.katemessner.com.

Anyway, back to last weeks list.  I read many of the books on my list last week, but not all.  So, I am not going to add any new ones to my list.  If I finish last weeks list early, I will read from the stacks, yes stacks, of books I have here in my home and the hundreds of books on my Kindle!  There's always the library, too.  I wanted to run to the library on Saturday, when I got the notice that Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe was ready to be picked up.  But, I knew I still had many books to read so, I held my self back, but I will go and get it - yes, today!  Anyway,  I want to recommend The Fluent Reader by Timothy V. Rasinski.  




  He talks about the value of reading aloud to students and practicing oral reading in the classroom.  He shares many great ideas to accomplish this.  He discusses assisted reading and shows a model for effective learning.  There is a CD that shows video clips, podcasts, and ready-to-print pages.  My book is well bookmarked and I am ready to use many of his ideas in my classroom.

I decided to not read Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs.  I've read several of her books and honestly it felt like the same old, same old.

Books still on my list:

• The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
• Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
• Essential Strategies for Word Study by Timothy Rasinski & Jerry Zutell

Happy Reading Everyone!

Kathy

Happy Teacher, Happy Class

                      

	Shelfari

 

                               The Happiness Project by:  Gretchen Rubin

Are you happy today?  What about yesterday, last week, last year?  I read a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and wanted to share it with you.  Gretchen decided that she wanted to dedicate a year to researching happiness and being happy.  During that process she wrote a memoir.  I was interested in this book, not only for my personal happiness and family happiness, but for the happiness of my classroom.  Most of my days as a teacher have been happy days.  But, there are days that I wake up and I am grumpy, cranky, bad-tempered, sulky, peevish - what ever adjective you want to pick.  There usually is no particular reason.  It seems that if I woke up with that grumpy feeling, it stayed with me the entire day.  Poor me, poor children!  According to Gretchen's book it is not enough to want to be happy.  We have to work at it and take steps to change our grumpy mood.  Some of the steps that I am going to do are:
  

• Go to bed earlier.  I get up at 6:00 on school days, so that means I should go to bed at 10:00 to get 8 hours. 
• Exercise - I have started exercising three times a week - 2 days of Zumba and 1 day of walking.  I want to add a Saturday class for a total of 4 days a week.
• DeClutter - I am working on this as we speak (I mean write).  I want to be totally decluttered and organized before school starts.  When school begins, I will do a minute or 15 minutes here and there.
• Make To Do Lists for everything
• Lighten up and sing in the morning.
• If I wake up grumpy, check my attitude and think about having a light heart, and a loving and kind spirit.  
• Act the way I WANT to feel.  I don't want to feel bad, so change my actions if necessary.

When I am happy in the classroom I am more patient and kind with the children.  I have more energy and am willing to give 100%+ to my teaching.  Creating a happy atmosphere in my classroom next year is at the top of my list! 

You can check out Gretchen's blog at www.happiness-project.com

Warm Regards,

Kathy

                                                                                         

Writing Everyday!

 

Good Morning!

One of the items on my bucket list was to write everyday.  The Teachers Write Summer Camp is making that very easy.  It is a free online workshop for anyone interested in writing.  I feel that if I am going to teach writing, I need to be writing too.  Just like reading.  I am a reader and I teach reading.  Teaching writing is more than giving the children a topic to write on and say go!  There is a process and we all have to go through it.  It's time consuming, difficult, and sometimes painful  If completed right, there will be an awesome sense of accomplishment.  As an added bonus, I am gathering many new ideas to inspire my students.  You can find this camp at http://www.katemessner.com.  We are on week four, but you can just jump in or you can back track too.  Have fun!

With Anticipation,

Kathy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

First, I must say I have been reading blogs all morning and discovering new blogs devoted to reading books. These aren't children's books, just books for grown-ups to read for fun - Ha Ha!  I also found out some ideas for my book club that I can't wait to share with my group.  You can find these idea at: http://bookjourney.wordpress.com.

Before I tell you what I am reading today and the rest of the week, I want to share last weeks reads.

One of my goals for next year is to get rid of the basal and use mentor texts for lessons and reading.  I found several resources for this purpose.  They are:

1.  Better Than Book Reports by Christine Boardman Moen
2.  Using Picture Books to Teach 8 Essential Literary Elements by Susan Van Zile, Mary Napoli & Emily Ritholz  - This one is for Grades 4-8, but I will use some of these idea for my higher level students.
3.  Reading Response for Fiction by Jennifer Jacobson
4.  Reading Response for Nonfiction by Jennifer Jacobson
5.  Cinderella Outgrows the Glass Slipper and Other Zany Fractured Fairy Tale Plays by J.M.Wolf

We are starting with a dragon theme next year so I read The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch.

For myself, I read The Book Club by Mary Alice Monroe.  I just discovered this author and look forward to reading more of her books.  I ordered The Beach House and Beach House Memories from the library.  Can't wait!  I also read Restore, Recycle, Repurpose by Randy Florke.  This was a fun book to look at and to get some ideas for my home.

Wow, this is getting long but, here is my list of books for today and the rest of the week.

1.  Essential Strategies for Word Study by Timothy Rasinski & Jerry Zutell
2.  The Fluent Reader by Timothy Rasinski
3.  I am re-reading, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George.  I consider this book to be a classic.  I can remember my teacher reading it aloud and I read it by myself, I don't know how many times.  I love this book.  
4.  I am also re-reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.  I think there are a lot of similarities to My Side of the Mountain.  I read this to my fifth graders every year and we would follow up with a class novel - Brian's Winter.  Gary Paulsen has several books with the character of Brian.  Again, a book I love.
5.  Lulu and the Brontosaurus  by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lane Smith.  I ordered this book from Scholastic at the end of the year.  It looks interesting and has alternate endings.
6.The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White is another classic, but I may use it at the beginning of the year to discuss friendship.
7.  Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is a story using prose.  Hesse is an award winning author.
8.  For me, Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs.  This is a scrapbooking mystery.  I scrapbook, so this is interesting to me.  I have read a few of her books and enjoy them.

I better start reading NOW!

Ta ta for now,

Kathy

Giveaway

mrslambsclass.blogspot.com

Hi Everyone!

Rachel Lamb at The Tattooed Teacher is having a great giveaway to celebrate her 500 followers.  There are many ways to enter.  Check it out!

More to Come,

Kathy

Header Trouble

Well, my son was able to get the header onto my blog, but it didn't look right.  We weren't able to center it or make the title fit into the space for the title - if that makes sense.  So, I think I am going to bite the bullet and pay for a template and have them install it for me.  Look for it soon.

My boys were making fun of my closing "later".  They think I am trying to be cool - LOL.  I am going to experiment with as many closings as I can think of.

Cheerio,

Kathy

This and That

I have been following the directions and am  trying, trying, trying to get a background for my blog, but am having zero success.  I think I am going to ask my children to help me.  I have a feeling they will be able to do it very quickly.  I have been going to some garage sales lately.  I know a lot of you are doing the same.  I found two bingo games for homonyms and parts of speech.  Homonyms seem to be a big part of the Common Core for third grade.  I also found a book that ties in Children's literature with social studies themes.  I am planning to use many, many, many mentor texts with my lessons.  I am currently gathering information and sources.  I hope to post these mentor texts with my lesson ideas in a future post(s).

It is amazing how fast this summer is going by.  I am almost panicking, because there is so much I want to accomplish for school in the fall, for my family, and for my home!

Later -

Kathy

                                                                             

Whatcha Reading?

                                 

I joined the Summer Reading Linky Party at bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com and snagged this great button.

I am reading:

From the library and for fun - The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain.

On my Kindle - Porch Light by Dorothea Benton Frank, one of my favorite southern authors.  It was so fun to pre-order the book and it show up on my Kindle the day of release.

Professionally - In Pictures and in Words by Katie Wood Ray (blog study begins June 22, 2012) and No More "I'm Done" by Jennifer Jacobson.

Children's Literature - The Time Bike by Jane Langton.  This will be a possible read-aloud - genre, fantasy.

Until next time,

Kathy

Bucket List

                                                                       
                                  


I know I'm late with my bucket list.  I enjoyed reading every one's list in May.  I just started blogging, so I thought, better late than never.  I tried to get some pics, but.....  here it goes.

                                                                      Home and Personal

1. Spring clean - whoops, I mean summer clean and de-clutter.
2. Yard work - I am going to try to recruit my boys to help!
3. Trim my grape vines and make grape jelly.
4. Start a raised garden.
5. Finish my son's bedroom that I started in March - paint, floors, curtains, new rug, ceiling fan, and decorations. I finished the curtains and the paint will be finished this week - yeah!
6. Make a downstairs bedroom into a scrapbook/craft room.
7. Make an office/writing nook in my dining room.
8. Read, read, and read some more!
9. Write everyday.
10. Continue my Zumba class and add another class on Saturday morning.  Walk.
11. Cook healthy recipes and stock the refrigerator and freezer before school starts.    
12. And, last but not least, spend time with my family!                                                                       

                                                                           School/Professional

1. Shop garage sales for items I can use at school.
2. Read Professional Books and Children's Literature.
3. Learn everything I can about blogging.
4. Blog and explore blogs as much as possible.
5. Learn everything I can about Teachers Pay Teachers.
6. Plan Unit for August and September - Theme Dragons.
7. Create games and activities for Summer School.
8. Create an activity and/or game for review of the first week of Fundations.
9. Create items for Tpt.

    Wow, that's a list!  Wish me luck.

     Kathy

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

One of the best days of summer break is Sunday.  During the school year, Sunday afternoon is a time when I am starting to think about all of the things I didn't finish at home and what  I still need to do at school, to be prepared,  for the new week.  Today was different.  I went to my son's softball game.  It was a beautiful day.  Hot, but cool in the shade with the birds singing.  I  accomplished all of things that had to be finished today.  There are still many items on my to-do list that did not get finished.  Oh well, there is Monday at home!  More time for R & R and unhurried time to work.  I hope everyone is enjoying their time.

Until next time,

Kathy

Reflections

It has been over a week since the students in my class left me for the summer.  I have already seen several of them at a local soccer camp, that my son, who will be a freshman next year, helped with. It was good to see their friendly, smiling faces.  It also was wonderful that they were participating in physical activity.  So, as the summer break moves along, I want to reflect about last year.  I teach two groups of students.  One group was very successful in learning everything they needed to learn in third grade.  They were well behaved and kind to each other.  I could count on them to do their job when working independently.  We had a very good year together.  When I think about the other group, I think, what could I have done, to better guide this group, to be more successful?  It was a challenging group of students.  There were several behavior issues and many of the children were at risk and part of the RTI process.  In talking with their homeroom teacher, we both feel that the higher level children did not give their best effort.  As a school, we use Daily Five as our reading management program.  The children make choices to work independently in, reading to self, read to someone, listen to reading, word work, and writing.  While they work, I can work with small groups of children or individual children.  With this second group of children, I wasn't confident that they were truly working independently.  Many times someone would blurt out and argue with another student.  How can I make them more accountable for their work?  How can I carve out more time, to conference with them, about what they did, during their independent work?  Another area that needs work is our writing program.  The children worked on writing during Daily Five.  They shared their writing on Friday's during Daily Five share.  We had several writing projects throughout the year that we published and made art work to go with the writing.  Unfortunately, when we were short of time, it seemed like it was writing that was cut from the lesson plan.  So, I look forward to working on these issues.  I want to build on the successes we had and improve on the issues.

I had an exciting work day with my reading colleague about a month ago.  We outlined our curriculum for next year.  Everything will be based on Common Core Standards.  We will put away the basal for most of the year and use authentic literature that goes with the themes that we have planned.  We will continue to use Daily Five and Cafe strategies.  We will work on accountability.  We will use the LLI program for our small group work.  Our principal is purchasing 5 e-readers that I can see all kinds of possibilities to use these with all levels of readers.  We will make time for writing. We will use the Six Traits Writing Program and model, model, model.  We will use mentor texts to teach the six traits and the Cafe Strategies. My plan is to start working on August and September curriculum during the summer break and I look forward to this work!  I look forward to finding solutions for difficult situations that find there way into the classroom!  Reflection is a good thing!

Introductions

Hi!  My name is Kathy Johnson.  I teach third grade and am very excited to be blogging!  I am at a class to teach me how to do this.  I have a wonderful teacher from my school district who has created an excellent blog that everyone should check out.  Her blog is www.secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com.  Please be patient as I work on this blog.  I have lots to learn and big plans to make my blog informative and pleasing to look at.  I have been searching for templates, but want to make sure I choose the right one.  Happy blogging to everyone!