tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84224620394469367912024-02-20T10:26:14.874-06:00Lincoln Readers and LeadersDedicated to encourage and inform teachers, parents, and readers of all ages.Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-53567264458749431392020-01-28T20:29:00.000-06:002020-01-28T20:31:24.790-06:00Speed Dating with Picture Books...An Adventure with Oasis Tutors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Picture books are the perfect avenue to connect, share, and learn with readers of all ages. Oasis Intergenerational Tutors use picture books each week while they work with students. So many picture books are published each year, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the new picture books out there. "Speed Dating" was an activity used with a group of over 60 tutors at their monthly enrichment meeting. The goals of this activity were:<br />
<ul>
<li>Help tutors identify the characteristics of picture books they enjoy.</li>
<li>Provide an opportunity for tutors to read several picture books.</li>
<li>Discover titles of books tutors can use in their tutoring sessions.</li>
</ul>
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The first thing I asked participants to do was to think about the characteristics of picture books that they find appealing. I gave the tutors a few minutes of think time. Then I asked them to jot down the characteristics that drew them to certain picture books. Finally, the tutors shared their thoughts with other tutors at the table.<br />
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It was time to dig in and start meeting new books. In speed dating we judge the potential matches, get to know the matches better, and then finally have a date or two with a match. This book speed dating experience will be similar.<br />
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Let's get started and meet some books. The steps for each round included:<br />
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<ol>
<li><b>Judge</b>- Quickly judge the books by their covers. Find a few books that you are attracted to based on the covers.</li>
<li><b>Date</b>- Choose one of the books you are attracted to and read it. (Feel free to stop reading it if you aren't interested.)</li>
<li><b>Give it your number-</b> Record your thoughts about the book on the<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QBPqxt1lKWvipYZIvxb_fClWkK2Srkr6l-9v4Uls_Cg/copy" target="_blank"> recording sheet</a>. That way you will remember it later.</li>
</ol>
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The tutors were eager dive into the stack of books on the tables. Tutors read quietly, judged what they read, and switched books. After 10-15 minutes I gave tutors the opportunity to share their opinions of the books they read. The room was buzzing with conversations and books being shared back and forth. </blockquote>
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Then I asked the tutors to move to a different table in order to meet new books. They all scattered, found seats quickly, and started judging the new books they found. Tutors continued to read, write, and share. After about 15 minutes everyone chose a new table in order to repeat the process.</div>
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At the end of three rounds of "speed dating" I asked the tutors to reflect on all the books they read during our time together. The tutors chose the top 3 books they had read. They shared those titles with the others at the table. Here are a few comments from the tutors about this experience:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3bl8KUNTEP5A4ElpuZPEEYVqZwZZoZyjpXosKyJcfSHy0KpW4BGodT7mApw-hb4BU0Tzy9Ok2-vtOZJNcc0hbG-1YHxjs1uQq3VwnToCrwHX7PsnOhLG8N9fqpQBJvDlyqAnteSEKc8Y/s1600/20200128_133159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3bl8KUNTEP5A4ElpuZPEEYVqZwZZoZyjpXosKyJcfSHy0KpW4BGodT7mApw-hb4BU0Tzy9Ok2-vtOZJNcc0hbG-1YHxjs1uQq3VwnToCrwHX7PsnOhLG8N9fqpQBJvDlyqAnteSEKc8Y/s320/20200128_133159.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>"Loved exposure to new books and comments from other tutors."</li>
<li>"Found several to use as a springboard for writing and discussing feelings."</li>
<li>"Loved reading lots of children's books. Nice to move around and meet other tutors."</li>
<li>"I can gather several books and do the same thing with my student."</li>
<li>"As a new tutor, it allowed me to ask questions of those at the table."</li>
<li>"I have already ordered (reserved them at the public library) several of the books which I will read with my children."</li>
</ul>
</div>
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Are you ready to try an activity similar to this with readers you know? Here are a couple of tips.<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxHY1ZtdX-LUl98DqkV0Vle1oUm8I0bpwtgP4WZZqfM92TBgNZ993Bl0lDg7oGbBTO56UDOv2GyqQGTnNjXwOdgWu2Aurw-RNODKaDz4IxraGvqZ7ET5EU3ylUMWG-oOFcHAm-rtiEegI/s1600/20200128_140039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxHY1ZtdX-LUl98DqkV0Vle1oUm8I0bpwtgP4WZZqfM92TBgNZ993Bl0lDg7oGbBTO56UDOv2GyqQGTnNjXwOdgWu2Aurw-RNODKaDz4IxraGvqZ7ET5EU3ylUMWG-oOFcHAm-rtiEegI/s320/20200128_140039.jpg" width="291" /></a>
<li><b>Choose good books</b>- This is the most important thing. Be thoughtful about the books you are choosing to share with your readers. I wanted to include biographies and newly published books. Don't know where to start? Check out Courtney Hinshaw on Instagram at Ramona Recommends or her blog at <a href="http://ramonarecommends.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://ramonarecommends.blogspot.com/</a> for tons of picture book recommendations. Also check out Colby Sharp's YouTube page to find videos of his engaging book recommendations. Read ALL the books you are going to use. </li>
<li><b>Get LOTS of books- </b>I would have 2 books for each person you think will be reading. I thought there would be 50 tutors, but around 60 tutors showed up. I brought about 100 books, and I could have used about 20 more. </li>
<li><b>Decorate</b>- Make the room look special or different. A couple tablecloths from the local dollar store can make the room look inviting and exciting. (Also, you can save them and use them again.) I also bought some Valentine doilies at the dollar store to help decorate the tables. Little touches can go a long way.</li>
<li><b>Provide a recording sheet</b>- Provide some type of organizer for your readers to use. Give them titles and authors if you can. Have pens or pencils ready to use as well as note pads.</li>
<li><b>Keep things moving</b>- Listen to the buzz in the room. You don't want to rush the readers, but you want to move them to the next task or table before they get finished or bored. This will leave them wanting more.</li>
<li><b>Allow time to share</b>- Include a share time at each table. Readers will want to discuss their new discoveries with others. This will help them engage with the reading.</li>
<li><b>Wrap things up with reflection</b>- Allow your readers to have a quiet minute or two where they can identify which books were their favorites. </li>
</ul>
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Keep reading! Keep sharing!</div>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-23812205935525181042020-01-16T08:08:00.001-06:002020-01-16T08:08:52.717-06:00How the Brain Learns to Ready by David A. Sousa- Chapter 5This blog post will discuss chapter 5 in <u>How the Brain Learns to Read</u> by David A. Sousa. Chapter five deals with recognizing reading problems. This chapter was very interesting to me since I work with striving readers every day. We easily see the struggles of students with reading problems. This chapter sheds light on some of the reasons readers struggle.<br />
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One thing to keep in mind is the fact that "decoding written text is a wholly artificial creation that calls upon neural regions designed for other tasks." (p. 122) Reading occurs when many different parts of the brain work together complete the task of reading.<br />
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<ul>
<li>"In some children, the problems occur during early brain development and affect their ability to process the sounds of language and, eventually, to decode written text. This development deficit appears to be the most common cause of reading difficulties, and usually results in a lifelong struggle with reading." (p. 123)</li>
</ul>
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Dyslexia is reading problem that has gained attention in Missouri schools recently.</div>
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<ul>
<li>"In developmental dyslexia, the child experiences unexpected difficulty in learning to read despite adequate intelligence, environment, and normal senses. It is a spectrum disorder, varying from mild to severe, that has a genetic component." (p. 123)</li>
<li>..."there are significant differences in the way normal and dyslexic brains respond to specific spoken and written language tasks." (p. 123)</li>
</ul>
<div>
There are several potential linguistic causes of reading problems and developmental dyslexia.</div>
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<div>
<i>Phonological Deficits- </i> "Phonological information is used by the working memory to integrate and comprehend words in phrases and sentences. Numerous studies continue to show that phonological operations are impaired in many dyslexics, but not all." (p. 124)</div>
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<i>Differences in Auditory and Visual Processing Speeds</i>- Some studies have noted "abnormal auditory activation but normal visual activation during reading". (p. 124) "To read successfully the visual and auditory process systems have to work together."</div>
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<i>Structural Differences in the Brain</i>- "Most children with developmental dyslexia have visual analysis and phonological decoding areas of the brain that are insufficiently active and dysfunctional". (p 126)</div>
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<i>Phonological Memory Deficits</i>- Some studies have shown that weak phonological memory among dyslexic readers.</div>
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Developmental dyslexia is complex and may be caused by many factors. One important thing to keep in mind is that "dyslexia is a lifelong condition and not just a phase." (p. 127)</div>
Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-41260282808218637582019-10-14T08:39:00.001-05:002019-10-14T08:39:04.064-05:00How the Brain Learns to Read- Chapter 2Here are some of my notes and thoughts after reading chapter two from <i>How the Brain Learns to Read</i>.<br />
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Chapter 2- Learning to Read<br />
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<ul>
<li>Learning to read connects the spoken language networks to visual recognition circuits</li>
<li>"Speaking is a normal, genetically hardwired capability; reading is not." p. 35</li>
<li>Phonological awareness- "recognition that oral language can be divided into smaller components, such as sentences into words, words into syllables, and ultimately, syllables into individual phonemes." -p.37</li>
<li>Phonemic awareness- "understanding that words are made up of individual sounds and that these sounds can be manipulated to create new words." p. 38</li>
<li>Phonics- "instructional approach for teachng reading and spelling that emphasizes sound-symbol relationships." p.39</li>
</ul>
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Phonemic awareness in kindergarten is a strong predictor of reading success. Early instruction in letter-sound association is important. <i>This statement reassures me to keep working on the letter-sound association work I am doing with my kindergarten students. </i></div>
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"By grade 3, morphological awareness begins to surpass phonemic awareness in the development of decoding skills." p. 45 <i>This makes sense when I noticed that phonemic awareness activities have dropped from the Challenge SIPPS lessons. Morphological awareness is an important component of the SIPPS Challenge system. This reminds me that I need to be more explicit when I am teaching the morphology component. </i></div>
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<i>Where are my students in their reading development?</i></div>
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<i>Kindergarten- letter sound</i></div>
<div>
<i>1st grade- full alphabetic</i></div>
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<i>2nd grade- chunking</i></div>
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<i>3rd and 4th- morphology</i></div>
Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-19738205924207729312019-09-26T07:57:00.000-05:002019-09-26T07:57:21.092-05:00Using concrete images when presenting abstract conceptsMy September goal has been to use concrete images when presenting abstract facts.<br />
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How have I been able to use this recently?<br />
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<ul>
<li>Heggerty Phonemic Awareness practice- using hand gestures to show the position of the target sounds has been very helpful for students. Positional words can be tricky and confusing for young learners, so having the hand gestures is very helpful.</li>
<li>SIPPS- When practicing oral blending and segmenting it is really helpful for the students to use the graphic organizers of sound placeholders in the program.</li>
</ul>
Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-59827945276094546332019-09-04T08:41:00.002-05:002019-09-04T08:41:54.157-05:00How the Brain Learns to Read- Chapter 1 <u>How the Brain Learns to Read</u> by David A. Sousa, chapter 1 Learning Spoken Language<br />
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David Sousa lays the foundation of learning to read in chapter 1 with how children learn spoken language. Here are a few take-aways from this chapter.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Most language is activated in the left hemisphere, but the emotional content of language is held in the right hemisphere. p 13 What can we do to connect the two hemispheres to anchor student learning.</li>
<li>Infants' brains are wired for all the language sounds, but at about age 1 they start pruning out/off the sounds not found in the language they hear. p. 15 Another reason why it is important for dual languages to be spoken in the home if that is available. Also, this is another reason why it is so important for young children to have lots of experiences with conversations in the home.</li>
<li>Image-loaded words and verbal (abstract) words are activated in different parts of the brain. Teachers should use concrete images when presenting an abstract concept. p. 16-17</li>
<li>Building vocabulary in young children (ages birth-3) is very important. Have conversations with young children. The impact continues past age 3. p. 18</li>
</ul>
Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-81564827988740950872019-04-08T09:15:00.004-05:002019-04-08T09:16:36.194-05:00Picture Books You Should Read Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ce2ZeOoZ02bpJ4SyYGUpCbWEHahshx_4vZQ5_v2TPiQzImJXtW6FoNstpStjj8xVsljRLyoMhvahG4OjjNd9cOJZYBu4dKiLR2KZx8VdBR5QLfdHFlm4q4sy9-PmNxnYpXU2BosAzWU5/s1600/picture+books+I+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ce2ZeOoZ02bpJ4SyYGUpCbWEHahshx_4vZQ5_v2TPiQzImJXtW6FoNstpStjj8xVsljRLyoMhvahG4OjjNd9cOJZYBu4dKiLR2KZx8VdBR5QLfdHFlm4q4sy9-PmNxnYpXU2BosAzWU5/s640/picture+books+I+love.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAtG-SjfiArUiNkexqjTEhzOHZznmrx4pEufvH4ZkNOSK989cm5_CX2Z42MY4ToQruOwwWzLRQbSsZY3bA4ZQRaP-273eU595e18QcCd8tSY6FqpmXe7xLvTvGTAhy2J_fXwZy0WVI4Av/s1600/x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAtG-SjfiArUiNkexqjTEhzOHZznmrx4pEufvH4ZkNOSK989cm5_CX2Z42MY4ToQruOwwWzLRQbSsZY3bA4ZQRaP-273eU595e18QcCd8tSY6FqpmXe7xLvTvGTAhy2J_fXwZy0WVI4Av/s200/x400.jpg" width="163" /></a><i>The Bad Seed</i> by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald is a picture book that all readers can enjoy. It takes us on a journey through the eyes of a sunflower seed who identifies himself as a baaaad seed.</div>
(Yes, you must read it aloud with a lot of expression.) We all get a little giggle out of mischievous characters who do those naughty things we wish we could do, but we don't want to label ourselves. Does the seed continue to be the bad seed? Will he ever be a good seed?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUETCW6aHvhTBLA5pXTarH0QxU_wIEF1KdC88bH-EgyXGJ2C45Z36PxruZ5WpkU0BHLUZW39fRawllWRTrQVSAEvqQf3obiDJOx9-SklJaBgGaWXli2_bdsno116voCOktI9Mc7-okocj/s1600/x145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="145" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUETCW6aHvhTBLA5pXTarH0QxU_wIEF1KdC88bH-EgyXGJ2C45Z36PxruZ5WpkU0BHLUZW39fRawllWRTrQVSAEvqQf3obiDJOx9-SklJaBgGaWXli2_bdsno116voCOktI9Mc7-okocj/s200/x145.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="163" /></a><i>The Good Egg</i> by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald is a fabulous follow up to <i>The Bad Seed</i>. </div>
Readers get to see the viewpoint of the good egg. He has always been the good egg. He tries to get all his other egg friends to be good eggs. When his friends can't be good he starts cracking up. The egg decides do a little self-care. At this time of year, teachers can be a little weary of trying to be the "good egg". We need to remember that we need to take care of ourselves.<br />
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<br />Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-51368134932810553892019-04-08T08:12:00.002-05:002019-04-08T08:12:27.031-05:00Choice Words by Peter H. Johnston<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq9o0mEoVL7Qujfupq0VlSgDbEwEEEXQtXAGE-RSA1omgiK6rJ0JLhcfe2bYxWi-QABpLYM6kPZN0tnw_DuuWsdxnnsG7FMdpcJQlLrxiRTZGt8dqwh0dd0Yse_E_k8iNsNN5PkZ73q5e/s1600/Untitled+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq9o0mEoVL7Qujfupq0VlSgDbEwEEEXQtXAGE-RSA1omgiK6rJ0JLhcfe2bYxWi-QABpLYM6kPZN0tnw_DuuWsdxnnsG7FMdpcJQlLrxiRTZGt8dqwh0dd0Yse_E_k8iNsNN5PkZ73q5e/s320/Untitled+%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Peter H. Johnston published <i>Choice Words, How Our Language Affects Children's Learning</i> in 2004. Johnston's text examines the language between teachers and students and how it impacts learning. He states, "In other words, the language that teachers (and their students) use in classrooms is a big deal." p. 10<br />
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In chapter one, Johnston gives an overview of the importance language holds on students and learning. Explicitness is one aspect that teachers must determine. "We don't explicitly detail how we do things because one of the rules of conversation is that you don't tell people what they already know. (Grice 1975) Minority students often pay a high price for this assumption." p. 7. Since the assumptions by teachers can have an impact on students, it is important to consider the explicitness we use in our language, "deciding what to be explicit about requires some knowledge of our audience." p. 8.<br />
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Thoughts to consider-<br />
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<ul>
<li>What do I assume my students already know? How might those assumptions be detrimental to student learning?</li>
<li>How might my explicit language help my students?</li>
<li>Where do I need to be more explicit?</li>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-41423992946549652612019-03-16T14:38:00.000-05:002019-03-16T16:22:43.093-05:00Picture Books You Should Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuQ3wvUSoFh9-seSPn_p4jElX7txYjR2qkBFVmydE1IKUboJBohlDB3QQ0-SQXOKJe5BCPaJ8UHY2w0lSiQzFnVnfj4WxNXcVDM8rr2Z5d0s0U_BlR-rJBvr9eGBqYrFAxnQK_TretcRE/s1600/picture+books+I+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuQ3wvUSoFh9-seSPn_p4jElX7txYjR2qkBFVmydE1IKUboJBohlDB3QQ0-SQXOKJe5BCPaJ8UHY2w0lSiQzFnVnfj4WxNXcVDM8rr2Z5d0s0U_BlR-rJBvr9eGBqYrFAxnQK_TretcRE/s640/picture+books+I+love.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Picture books can be used with students of all ages. Students can experience complex storytelling, character change, and beautiful artwork while reading picture books. Here are just a few of the amazing picture books out there.<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIEMgq5eo8Xoj6S2ec30ZANq97okcqMLUs47q_-cU_2sqIAULQaKOFMA636FWXVwRucEIP0cnv4BbhYaDbGJSJorfdJBfhzFirHXY-YWKRWloJJ6XE-YkUrX_e_mTPSeX14soFQvKluJl/s1600/another-9781534421677_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="287" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIEMgq5eo8Xoj6S2ec30ZANq97okcqMLUs47q_-cU_2sqIAULQaKOFMA636FWXVwRucEIP0cnv4BbhYaDbGJSJorfdJBfhzFirHXY-YWKRWloJJ6XE-YkUrX_e_mTPSeX14soFQvKluJl/s200/another-9781534421677_lg.jpg" width="163" /></a></ul>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Another-Christian-Robinson/dp/153442167X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=another&qid=1552762173&s=gateway&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><u>Another</u> </a>by Christian Robinson- This wordless picture book takes readers to another dimension. A young girl and her cat wake in the middle of the night to find a portal opened to another dimension. Readers will have to look closely at the illustrations and infer the plot since this is a wordless book. This author also illustrated the award winning, <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Stop-Market-Street-Matt/dp/0399257748/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TU9U99OR9YXZ&keywords=last+stop+on+market+street&qid=1552762230&s=gateway&sprefix=last+stop+on+%2Caps%2C316&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Last Stop on Market Street</a></u>.<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G_gBgWud4yfRU0X6wFzBgrTiaHQLxgHpTkN_FU3fmLxc96J130yN3NW7eYJos6-W74yaZFm_ChI-M5-OOVHMkF2XPj1yA9sxK-vQGNJ-Nyy8b6NP-x5toK1uk2pUASG3y9Z8GfEODUik/s1600/x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="400" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G_gBgWud4yfRU0X6wFzBgrTiaHQLxgHpTkN_FU3fmLxc96J130yN3NW7eYJos6-W74yaZFm_ChI-M5-OOVHMkF2XPj1yA9sxK-vQGNJ-Nyy8b6NP-x5toK1uk2pUASG3y9Z8GfEODUik/s320/x400.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li><u><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062671271/the-rough-patch/" target="_blank">The Rough Patch</a></u> by Brian Lies- This Caldecott Honor book takes readers through the journey of Farmer Evan and the loss of his beloved dog. Evan is so devastated by the loss that he destroys his prized garden and lets weeds grow everywhere. This book gives readers a glimpse of how deeply we can fall into grief, and how a glimmer of hope can shine through in the end. I read this book aloud to a class of third graders, and they were touched by the story. Great conversations will follow the reading of <u>The Rough Patch</u>.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rZlTwK9lCGC_vmxrqy3HQHQxpV1MPi9NDX7eou6Atcv-l3m4DON-cqMWqKkKa1cXJAQkUe3mXP64EEUxZxXP_RbJPEnrI2lVh2oIC4r_bNwiFDUcpmO3yPmID-lTmyy5Oz8_yJzmqnrf/s1600/9781250076366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1140" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rZlTwK9lCGC_vmxrqy3HQHQxpV1MPi9NDX7eou6Atcv-l3m4DON-cqMWqKkKa1cXJAQkUe3mXP64EEUxZxXP_RbJPEnrI2lVh2oIC4r_bNwiFDUcpmO3yPmID-lTmyy5Oz8_yJzmqnrf/s200/9781250076366.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<li><u><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250076366" target="_blank">Wolf in the Snow</a></u> by Matthew Cordell won the 2018 Caldecott Award. This wordless book tells the story of a girl who gets lost in a snowstorm, and a young wolf pup who also gets lost in the snow. The two find each other. Will they make it to safety with their families? The illustrations are beautiful and filled with details that even the youngest reader can find to drive the the plot along. I read this book with a group of kindergarten students, and they loved discovering this story.</li>
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<li><u><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Remember-Balloons/Jessie-Oliveros/9781481489157" target="_blank">The Remember Balloons</a></u> by Jessie Oliveros is a picture book that <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9K_OlktK3mZCAJim6OP5AC8-gbIfNUrawrKmaDlL7F-HiKAZm_IH5eOqtAZNtBFOaWTdZmPHXS_XHRQSXt2FGOVJdqV1BnvRCm2X4z-9P1YqPVw2DwV1GRZq8Dhvq74UbAgNc9g1cx17/s1600/the-remember-balloons-9781481489157_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="326" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9K_OlktK3mZCAJim6OP5AC8-gbIfNUrawrKmaDlL7F-HiKAZm_IH5eOqtAZNtBFOaWTdZmPHXS_XHRQSXt2FGOVJdqV1BnvRCm2X4z-9P1YqPVw2DwV1GRZq8Dhvq74UbAgNc9g1cx17/s200/the-remember-balloons-9781481489157_lg.jpg" width="162" /></a></div>
addresses memory loss in a beautiful and tender way. Each member of James's family holds balloons that represent memories of the past. Grandpa has the best balloons because he has lived the longest and experienced the most. Grandpa even has a balloon of a special memory of a fishing trip shared by James and Grandpa. James starts to become concerned when he notices that Grandpa starts losing some of his balloons. Grandpa even lets go of their special fishing trip balloon. This book maintains the dignity of the person suffering from memory loss while helping those left behind to keep and share the memories. I have shared this book with groups of adults and children alike. </li>
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Which picture books have you been reading? Share your thoughts in a comment below, and we can learn from each other.</div>
Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-53843822082200993602019-03-05T20:18:00.000-06:002019-03-05T20:18:48.702-06:00Sharing the Love of Picture Books through Book Tastings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWn6sIaiIiqnnxuAb_03I1uQ-jMYvuV-U-GQXtVpVNhSx9HL7boWXFimW86Lov4xA7tJ8L44HtZHhMY4_zWWKrj7XPRvxgwsEw1CdsEk6ICN_N5VlDM1F9bqF9xE0Z6dvMw3v8DyHjtrS/s1600/book+tasting+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWn6sIaiIiqnnxuAb_03I1uQ-jMYvuV-U-GQXtVpVNhSx9HL7boWXFimW86Lov4xA7tJ8L44HtZHhMY4_zWWKrj7XPRvxgwsEw1CdsEk6ICN_N5VlDM1F9bqF9xE0Z6dvMw3v8DyHjtrS/s640/book+tasting+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love books. I love reading. I want adults and kids to share my love of reading. I want kids and adults to experience the places you can travel to and the experiences you can have with a good book. Today I had the privilege of sharing 80+ amazing books with a room full of wonderful Oasis tutoring volunteers.<br />
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I decided to host a Book Tasting for the Oasis volunteers. After looking online, I found several blog posts by teachers who had held book tastings with their students. Just a couple of the helpful resources I used in my attempts to hold a great event include:<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM0YcV80ZVWfZaJ9TeB5fGjij_vpXa8bV8v3Xn_1fLSDcoY9PfkL6vPtSTrKWXDY4chvHw53y4TbwPhiUNwoJSKz2PB9V2SRVPP-Ohber4p_nH9XLALTw05YkmatOb9QikieMN1ts_6NR/s1600/20190305_125837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="498" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM0YcV80ZVWfZaJ9TeB5fGjij_vpXa8bV8v3Xn_1fLSDcoY9PfkL6vPtSTrKWXDY4chvHw53y4TbwPhiUNwoJSKz2PB9V2SRVPP-Ohber4p_nH9XLALTw05YkmatOb9QikieMN1ts_6NR/s200/20190305_125837.jpg" width="163" /></a>
<li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Tasting-Introduce-Your-Students-to-New-Books-2741616" target="_blank">Book Tasting TPT resources by Joanne Miller</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weareteachers.com/book-tasting/" target="_blank">We Are Teachers blog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sassysavvysimpleteaching.com/2017/01/host-a-book-tasting/" target="_blank">Sassy, Savvy, Simple Teaching blog</a></li>
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Once I had the resources and outline of my presentation, it was time to start looking for amazing titles. Picture books aren't my specialty, so I went to the experts. Here are several places you can go for book suggestions:</div>
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<li><a href="http://ramonarecommends.blogspot.com/2018/01/open-magic.html" target="_blank">Open the Magic-Ramona Recommends</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal" target="_blank">Association for Library Services to Children</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thebookwrangler.blog/" target="_blank">The Book Wrangler</a></li>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PM7je8thM2MPvhzat_6xN1MLTbEHnAkDhhuBkksKqDU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">List of books we used during the Book Tasting</a></li>
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My local public library became my lifesaver in this project. Their online catalog search feature allowed me to find books in the library circulation and reserve them online. The local libraries did all the hard work. They found the titles, pulled them from the shelves, and delivered them to my local branch. All I had to do was pull up to the drive-thru window and pick them up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAO0S4UJCkdnQXsmTR_0s9ckxWpImQ3Tj8ocQt9U3sKjmUPASnoxTHO7e8R-ZtBreCifW-g8f4IY0kI646nBf-FUaqIBSPDuI2ZoGxBfc_NDv7HDsLfUWbg7JV_KbW2uSTSPndOabKKgE/s1600/20190305_132848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="762" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAO0S4UJCkdnQXsmTR_0s9ckxWpImQ3Tj8ocQt9U3sKjmUPASnoxTHO7e8R-ZtBreCifW-g8f4IY0kI646nBf-FUaqIBSPDuI2ZoGxBfc_NDv7HDsLfUWbg7JV_KbW2uSTSPndOabKKgE/s320/20190305_132848.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyBLs5z_NpAQMxTsVorCqdD-FbHlQHg7hy_tMOaJwdlzQ8IOZbft7eQasC6sY5C57dn11ngZ6wY_jeJfrCb1UelzyoJc34Q3ypVeATz_x4KlZDARMfBPvC2Iz2QAI-0e-888U7lHmDlZF/s1600/20190305_134657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="502" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyBLs5z_NpAQMxTsVorCqdD-FbHlQHg7hy_tMOaJwdlzQ8IOZbft7eQasC6sY5C57dn11ngZ6wY_jeJfrCb1UelzyoJc34Q3ypVeATz_x4KlZDARMfBPvC2Iz2QAI-0e-888U7lHmDlZF/s200/20190305_134657.jpg" width="163" /></a>The day of the book tasting arrived, and many hands helped get the tables ready for the festivities to begin. Tutors read through the books at their tables for about ten minutes. Then they had a few moments to discuss their favorites with their table mates. Tutors took their notes and moved to a different table for more time to read. More reading, and more discussion followed. Readers worked through three rotations before returning back to their original tables.</div>
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They had a final time to share about the books they experienced during the book tasting. I asked the tutors to give me some feedback about our time together. Here are just a couple of the comments:</div>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGek5UXh91OUe4YuR8_57TytSOmq3k-pjPCIAJ-jCDS8pgk2rOkQJEhV2J6zVvxV4RKWLxGmRIRbtXmKWbKbpy_ZxKbEX7tDakJ-vY3_KCsF_M1YIPOz6RJYUCjPC5WR0p-ng7t75I2BD/s1600/20190305_132159+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="497" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGek5UXh91OUe4YuR8_57TytSOmq3k-pjPCIAJ-jCDS8pgk2rOkQJEhV2J6zVvxV4RKWLxGmRIRbtXmKWbKbpy_ZxKbEX7tDakJ-vY3_KCsF_M1YIPOz6RJYUCjPC5WR0p-ng7t75I2BD/s320/20190305_132159+%25281%2529.jpg" width="259" /></a>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-d4cd305b-7fff-73f5-a5e0-8ef96e73efa1"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I absolutely loved this idea. What a wonderful way to be introduced to books that I might otherwise not encounter! I found several that spur my creative spirit for fun companion activities to enhance the books. - K. Knouse"</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-d96b0f94-7fff-b0e2-7566-bea6625e5411"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It was fun to experience new books I had never read. You never know what you might like. Don’t judge a books by its cover. Very enjoyable. "</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-63a4728b-7fff-f98b-4e4d-f5c93eaf9964"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">"I enjoyed being introduced to new books. It gave me ideas on types of books I could use or have my students read. Each story has a way a child could learn to face & solve problems. It is important to be able to do that."</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-087368cf-7fff-0b6b-25a8-8d7575701648"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">"Great way to review lots of books in a short time and also to discuss with others. Huge variety of books. Love to find new books! This was fun. Thank you."</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">"</span></span></span></span></span></span>I liked this book tasting because it gave me books to read I wouldn’t have picked out."</li>
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So what are you waiting for? Gather up an armful of great books, and host a book tasting of your own.</div>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-58169550289762977742018-07-21T21:45:00.000-05:002018-07-21T21:45:34.374-05:00Road Trip with Max and His Mom**This review is based on an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) provided by the publisher.**<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk8PPSqPe4VtORR_4YFLY3-6dq7hK-tV7zLVBgL7bMJ-CvxGHazg_3zgi3WqVMOTiEaKuxaFO2JXZyB2-KMTtecj4ZUDEK4G52CjhppI5d1CqnpyZLWfpLm3JHhXjbWwNTaRWAEQ5gmrY/s1600/20180721_205316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXk8PPSqPe4VtORR_4YFLY3-6dq7hK-tV7zLVBgL7bMJ-CvxGHazg_3zgi3WqVMOTiEaKuxaFO2JXZyB2-KMTtecj4ZUDEK4G52CjhppI5d1CqnpyZLWfpLm3JHhXjbWwNTaRWAEQ5gmrY/s400/20180721_205316.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Road-Trip-Max-His-Mom/dp/0544809122/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532226220&sr=8-1&keywords=road+trip+with+max+and+his+mom" target="_blank">Road Trip with Max and His Mom</a> by Linda Urban is a charming tale about third-grader, Max LeRoy. This is a follow up to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weekends-Max-His-Linda-Urban/dp/1328900193/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1328900193&pd_rd_r=4324820d-8d56-11e8-9c69-252c111cdb03&pd_rd_w=PMORb&pd_rd_wg=AhOh9&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=1475879231140687736&pf_rd_r=TVQCQRQ94XHA0BN83Y1T&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=TVQCQRQ94XHA0BN83Y1T" target="_blank">Weekends with Max and His Dad</a> where we were introduced to Max and his changing family. In this newest book, Max prepares to take a weekend road trip with his mom to a reunion held at an amusement park.<br />
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Leading up to the trip, Max flubs up in front of his classmates while practicing a presentation. Urban describes a touching exchange between Max and his mom when Max's mom helps him get over his embarrassment and anxiety. Max gets to repay the favor later in the book by helping his mom during a storm.<br />
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Max and his mom finally arrive at the reunion, and they meet all sorts of relatives. Max get the opportunity to explore the amusement park with his cousins and overcome his fears and ride the Big Buckaroo.<br />
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I think this book will be enjoyed by 2nd and 3rd graders. The text is accessible to students through the dialogue and vocabulary. Students will be able to related to Max's struggles at school. Linda Urban does a great job addressing he questions that arise in Max's mind regarding his family structure.<br />
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-51996100814145701022018-06-25T17:25:00.000-05:002018-06-28T20:39:01.850-05:00Books Read in June 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl1c7UcGiPXCpcI0FSgy-BQyzaSLqfurFGpkkexKwzzDdq8yDrb_7WfYZOvDAIv6oMCrIE8mFrd_814_XJxg-02vdEhVgddWHnWLDD0UdBnz_MDuZmkRwJPkkO1cHRfrtdsqJuSHREf5U/s1600/My+Post+%252835%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl1c7UcGiPXCpcI0FSgy-BQyzaSLqfurFGpkkexKwzzDdq8yDrb_7WfYZOvDAIv6oMCrIE8mFrd_814_XJxg-02vdEhVgddWHnWLDD0UdBnz_MDuZmkRwJPkkO1cHRfrtdsqJuSHREf5U/s640/My+Post+%252835%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I love summer so much because I have more time to read and become immersed in the books. The list below contains the books I read in June of 2018.<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP40dFJL39Hpnk89_QkMvAptT7cZ4UEdw5D1cI4heZdk9WE9kUHdqEID-G04el28EggERVxwwFTSWGXyH2qTyRIHwj864Wx4Ver2XvawffQxG8jT6nhOVfc-X4yxPP9Px2Vfb2sSt8gdDB/s1600/20180602_001628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP40dFJL39Hpnk89_QkMvAptT7cZ4UEdw5D1cI4heZdk9WE9kUHdqEID-G04el28EggERVxwwFTSWGXyH2qTyRIHwj864Wx4Ver2XvawffQxG8jT6nhOVfc-X4yxPP9Px2Vfb2sSt8gdDB/s200/20180602_001628.jpg" width="150" /></a>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wish-Barbara-OConnor/dp/1250144051/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1530232701&sr=8-2&keywords=wish+book" target="_blank">Wish</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Barbara O'Connor. This charming and heart warming story deals with family, friendship, and growth. Things seem strange and backward at first might just be the very thing you need. I was introduced to this book while conferring with one of my fourth graders during readers workshop. The main character has been placed in foster care with relatives who live very differently. </li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Framed-James-Ponti/dp/1481436317/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530232748&sr=1-1&keywords=framed+by+james+ponti" target="_blank">Framed! (T.O.A.S.T. Mystery #1</a>) </u>⭐⭐⭐⭐ by James Ponti. This book is one of the Mark Twain Award Nominees. This is a clever and fast paced adventure of seventh-grader, Florian, and his friends as they work along the FBI to solve a case of stolen art. I wanted to solve crime after reading this book.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Summerlost-Ally-Condie/dp/0399187219/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530232777&sr=1-1&keywords=summerlost" target="_blank"><u>Summerlost</u> </a>⭐⭐⭐⭐by Ally Condie. Cedar and her family deal continue to deal with the loss of her father and brother. She meets a friend at the local theater festival, and they work to solve the mysterious death of a local Hollywood actress.</li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bob-Wendy-Mass/dp/1250166624/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530233017&sr=1-6&keywords=bob+book" target="_blank">Bob</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxZnXb02IcdXbyreOcxIWDYVl4TLq_gml88jVmsykSlFKa-edm3sH2_DhN-X2B7tN2bkyK9KI3nVx3uXFGiP8tPVD6DL_0OFnKGvXwsYUJ0WgaKqd_8mWZ0umY-liF-fe4zvYnZJdGNDR/s1600/20180602_001645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxZnXb02IcdXbyreOcxIWDYVl4TLq_gml88jVmsykSlFKa-edm3sH2_DhN-X2B7tN2bkyK9KI3nVx3uXFGiP8tPVD6DL_0OFnKGvXwsYUJ0WgaKqd_8mWZ0umY-liF-fe4zvYnZJdGNDR/s200/20180602_001645.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
It's been five years since Livy has visited her grandmother in Australia. Livy is reunited with Bob, a creature she met five years ago. Is Bob real, or is he just a figment of Livy's imagination? </li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soar-Joan-Bauer/dp/0147513154/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530233091&sr=1-1&keywords=soar+by+joan+bauer" target="_blank">Soar</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Joan Bauer. I love baseball, and so do the characters in Soar. This book asks, "Is winning all that matters?" The main character, Jeremiah, knows everything about baseball. He is excited to move to a new town that has an amazing baseball team. When scandal hits the baseball scene, Jeremiah tries to revive baseball.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Poet-X-Elizabeth-Acevedo/dp/0062662805/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530233138&sr=1-1&keywords=the+poet+x+by+elizabeth+acevedo" target="_blank"><u>The Poet X</u> </a> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Elizabeth Acevedo. This YA novel in verse shares the story of a young girl, Xiomara. Xiomara is growing up in Harlem and struggling with the religions and cultural pressure from her family and community. This book is appropriate for middle school and up. (PG-13)</li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Inheritance-Varian-Johnson/dp/0545946174/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530233182&sr=1-1&keywords=parker+inheritance" target="_blank">The Parker Inheritance</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Varian Johnson. Candice, finds a letter addressed to her deceased grandmother giving clues to a hidden fortune. This book flashbacks to fill the reader in to racial injustices that occurred in the town's past. </li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bat-Waiting-Game-Elana-Arnold/dp/0062445855/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530233558&sr=1-1&keywords=bat+and+the+waiting+game" target="_blank">Bat and the Waiting Game</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Elana Arnold. This sequel continues as the main character, Bat, raises a baby skunk. Bat deals with his Aspergers and changes at home.</li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stars-Beneath-Our-Feet/dp/1524701246/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530233976&sr=1-1&keywords=stars+beneath+our+feet" target="_blank">The Stars Beneath Our Feet</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by David Barclay Moore. Lolly is an adolescent boy living in Harlem trying to steer clear of the gang activity in his neighborhood while dealing with the death of his brother. Lolly begins to heal emotionally when he begins building again with Legos and building relationships with others. This touching story is raw and real. (PG)</li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Boys-Jewell-Parker-Rhodes/dp/0316262285/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530234212&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=ghost+boys&psc=1" target="_blank">Ghost Boys</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real one. Jerome becomes a ghost, and he sees the devastation and grief that is left behind. This tale is haunting and powerful. (PG-13)</li>
<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Endling-1-Last-Katherine-Applegate/dp/0062335529/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530234570&sr=1-1&keywords=endling+the+last" target="_blank">The Last (Endling #1)</a></u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Katherine Applegate. Byx is the last of her dairne pack. She is thrown into an adventure to save her life, and she meets a pack of friends along the way. Is Byx really the last dairne alive? Will she be able to trust the friends? What does the future hold in store? If you like fantasy, you will love this book. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrr2qjAMOAnv0MhLqAL2A2Mk_eiVXFOiYb6viHn5U0lwnur9ngyy44CeN3pTjtCP34IxelA89eV7mhPbo6lt-gF4iDKbMjfju6-rRCgoZdbgBsAQL6cFNrlO9uTuz28rBKaSv5apdVfzST/s1600/20180626_113824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrr2qjAMOAnv0MhLqAL2A2Mk_eiVXFOiYb6viHn5U0lwnur9ngyy44CeN3pTjtCP34IxelA89eV7mhPbo6lt-gF4iDKbMjfju6-rRCgoZdbgBsAQL6cFNrlO9uTuz28rBKaSv5apdVfzST/s200/20180626_113824.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<li><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Every-Shiny-Thing-Cordelia-Jensen/dp/1419728644/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530234962&sr=1-1&keywords=every+shiny+thing" target="_blank">Every Shiny Thin</a>g</u> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Cordelia Jensen and Laurie Morrison. This YA novel shares point of view between Lauren and Sierra. Lauren is used to being the perfect sister and daughter, but she begins to feel differently when her brother is sent away to a boarding school that can help him with his special needs. Sierra is in foster care and moves next door to Lauren. The two girls become friends, but who is really going to be the real friend. (PG-13) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Payback-Poplar-Lane-Kids/dp/0425290905/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530235336&sr=1-1&keywords=payback+on+poplar+lane" target="_blank"><u>Payback on Poplar Lane</u> </a>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Margaret Mincks. This charming middle grade book introduces us to Peter Gronkowski, neighborhood entrepreneur and cut throat businessman. Peter chooses Rachel to be his intern, but he treats her terribly. This unleashes the beast in Rachel, and she gives Peter a run for his money. Rachel is conflicted by the businesswoman she has become. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8XG9QLq95e44Ydt9goAMWpL3WSrm4E1tQlvEoN1F39a90SbXZk98YVzNZJAl5Vj4DSG8W9dhO8x3z7YFPlkLctiUSi-7-nSJm5hQjDHc5HWMv9YZZszi8aChK_hm67c2ssndT60sZIG0/s1600/20180626_113910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8XG9QLq95e44Ydt9goAMWpL3WSrm4E1tQlvEoN1F39a90SbXZk98YVzNZJAl5Vj4DSG8W9dhO8x3z7YFPlkLctiUSi-7-nSJm5hQjDHc5HWMv9YZZszi8aChK_hm67c2ssndT60sZIG0/s200/20180626_113910.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Written-Stars-Aisha-Saeed/dp/0147513936/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530235742&sr=1-1&keywords=written+in+the+stars" target="_blank"><u>Written in the Stars</u> </a>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Aisha Saeed. In this heartbreaking YA novel we meet Naila, the daughter of conservative immigrant parents. When Naila's parents find out about her secret relationship with her boyfriend, they quickly travel to Pakistan. Will Nalia's parents continue the cultural norm of forcing Naila into an arranged marriage? How will Nalia deal with the horrible circumstances she finds herself in? I will continue to think about Nalia and the girls currently in the same position around the world. (PG-13)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Front-Desk-Kelly-Yang/dp/1338157795/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1530235806&sr=1-1&keywords=front+desk" target="_blank"><u>Front Desk</u> </a>⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Kelly Yang. In this novel by Kelly Yang, we meet Mia. She is an immigrant from China struggling to find the American dream along with her parents. Mia and her parents think they have found the answer to their problems when they are given the opportunity to manage and operate a run down hotel in California. Mia finds her voice through writing, and she uses this power to help her new friends. The author's notes at the end of the book reveal which stories in the book were really part of Kelly Yang's past. I will continue thinking about Mia and the other characters in this book for a long time.</li>
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<br />Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-81391013637558225902018-06-20T13:53:00.002-05:002018-06-20T13:53:47.150-05:00Tripwires- When are you on autopilot?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRb6O9fUvrugigPIAGIt62LTumNMdfq3GRGRudmagN6t6NGNuY6JJ9B2wMr96tqHjSj22bUFXKkK3EC7_SJKPqavWOYtk1IX1OOEDNgQB3tH88DrNCdffE92C8CfGbjgz1HCH7PsQR3OZ/s1600/20180620_133156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRb6O9fUvrugigPIAGIt62LTumNMdfq3GRGRudmagN6t6NGNuY6JJ9B2wMr96tqHjSj22bUFXKkK3EC7_SJKPqavWOYtk1IX1OOEDNgQB3tH88DrNCdffE92C8CfGbjgz1HCH7PsQR3OZ/s320/20180620_133156.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Do you ever feel like you are on autopilot? I do. Mostly in the mornings when I am sleepily trying to get my day started. This caused the problem of having a growing pile of clothes sitting on the floor. So I made a little note to myself and stuck it on my bathroom mirror to remember not to leave my clothes on the floor. (You can check it out in the picture.) Surprisingly enough, this little note has helped change this bad habit. This note acts as a tripwire to help remind me about the behavior I want to change. This note hasn't helped me remember to drink more water. <div>
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You can read more about tripwires at <a href="https://www.burkinsandyaris.com/tripwires/" target="_blank">https://www.burkinsandyaris.com/tripwires/</a> and <a href="https://chrisguillebeau.com/how-to-be-decisive/" target="_blank">https://chrisguillebeau.com/how-to-be-decisive/</a> .</div>
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When am I on autopilot when I'm working with readers?</div>
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*While conferring with readers I can find myself getting engrossed in the story.</div>
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*I also am thinking about how assist the student in word solving.</div>
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What tripwires can I use to get off of autopilot?</div>
Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-34558821976926802332018-04-20T17:53:00.000-05:002018-04-20T17:53:16.938-05:00Meeting Katherine Applegate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINAx5ylCDL3yNZ2IRoCtDKTV3JltO5IYGgaHDnCZqZ4h1PehBdrCn4tOkL5v_rtc01UqMVE8Z-BFwq2p7AzLHI2LQIkDcGS5C1Ld3wAxAy_EO6lwf3whFGAsoPS9dvnrNIkXIexWl7DOM/s1600/My+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINAx5ylCDL3yNZ2IRoCtDKTV3JltO5IYGgaHDnCZqZ4h1PehBdrCn4tOkL5v_rtc01UqMVE8Z-BFwq2p7AzLHI2LQIkDcGS5C1Ld3wAxAy_EO6lwf3whFGAsoPS9dvnrNIkXIexWl7DOM/s640/My+Post.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
One of my favorite books this year has been <u>Wishtree</u> by Katherine Applegate. You can read my post about <u>Wishtree</u> <a href="https://lincolnreaders.blogspot.com/2017/10/wishtree-by-katherine-applegate.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Katherine Applegate has also written the Newbery winning, <u>The One and Only Ivan</u> as well as <u>Crenshaw</u> (and many, many more). When I found out that Katherine Applegate would be in St. Louis I knew I HAD to be there. She gave a talk about her newest picture book, <u>Sometimes You Fly</u>, answered questions, and signed books.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHy-3i0wHJ5maN7nL55-h4lP9sjWW7o0caPzQr5MSVxyOxD4HCZ43hXd3T0iA1_E-Glhe1YWDr60ljVJyIQz0zm2HaqqzcZ6JooOpSxYkkF9tDbDb02u39zf7i6yB8wCN4MGjytu4K4H3/s1600/Snapchat-1900336506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHy-3i0wHJ5maN7nL55-h4lP9sjWW7o0caPzQr5MSVxyOxD4HCZ43hXd3T0iA1_E-Glhe1YWDr60ljVJyIQz0zm2HaqqzcZ6JooOpSxYkkF9tDbDb02u39zf7i6yB8wCN4MGjytu4K4H3/s320/Snapchat-1900336506.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="180" /></a>Here are some of my thoughts from her talk-<br />
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0Wos_0TJOvdmcAg6nxXOOHRK8fDwuFzAoGVrXyWfjLp00yU0UUNqU6KdQp1RboQkqyEVYESwZthwKx7bgw5pHtrfW-lQ61j6YJX8jF-5F2jzDxGh8jIzW7oHYaJtMXiShJ4hvThtgMHL/s1600/Screenshot_20180420-173345.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0Wos_0TJOvdmcAg6nxXOOHRK8fDwuFzAoGVrXyWfjLp00yU0UUNqU6KdQp1RboQkqyEVYESwZthwKx7bgw5pHtrfW-lQ61j6YJX8jF-5F2jzDxGh8jIzW7oHYaJtMXiShJ4hvThtgMHL/s400/Screenshot_20180420-173345.png" width="225" /></a>
<li><b>Even people who are really talented sometimes feel unsure about themselves.</b>- Ms. Applegate told the story about how she was very unsure of herself as an author. She started her career as a ghostwriter. When she tweeted back a response to my class she said, " I was a ghostwriter when I started out, but the first big thing I published under my own name was the ANIMORPHS series (with my husband, Michael). I'd already been out of college for about 10 years! Let's just say there were a lot of tries before I did anything close to flying."</li>
<li><b>Anything worth doing will probably be difficult</b>.- Katherine also told a story about how she almost stopped writing when she was half way through the manuscript of <u>The One and Only Ivan</u>. Can you imagine? She was ready to throw away the manuscript!!! This title went on to win the Newbery Medal. Kids and adults all over the world have loved reading the touching of Ivan, and when writing got difficult, Katherine kept going. </li>
<li><b>Katherine Applegate connects with readers.</b>- The day after the book signing I was talking to my students and showing them the books signed by Katherine Applegate. They were all so excited and wanted to hear more. I tried to remember all the stories she told during her discussion, but my students still had more questions. They suggested that I tweet out their questions. So I did, and Katherine Applegate tweeted us back. We were able to use social media to connect students to a favorite author. </li>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-15322578881454408132018-04-03T20:44:00.000-05:002018-04-03T20:44:16.749-05:00Proud as a Peacock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDZ31LGsgEWg0prtF4y2obpa-LQVefSqsPwr4oIPHASlLWNsehvlu-VSVMYVrNrho-SkQu9OZ3wgoqU0jNQYwr8TvAibHlxctb4b8lWpITZtM98W5beGdZupxC6EEZBDxXRmNABXx41NK/s1600/My+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDZ31LGsgEWg0prtF4y2obpa-LQVefSqsPwr4oIPHASlLWNsehvlu-VSVMYVrNrho-SkQu9OZ3wgoqU0jNQYwr8TvAibHlxctb4b8lWpITZtM98W5beGdZupxC6EEZBDxXRmNABXx41NK/s640/My+Post.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I had the privilege to share the Blogger platform with teachers from the St. Charles School District today. It was so amazing to share a little bit about my blogging journey, explain the Blogger platform a little bit, and watch as the teachers started working.<br />
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I was challenged in a keynote from <a href="https://georgecouros.ca/" target="_blank">George Couros</a> to stop spoon-feeding teachers (and students). He suggested to let students do the exploring and the learning. So I tried it. I gave the workshop participants a little bit of instruction, and then I let them explore. I let them struggle through the exploration and learning. I was a little shocked by what happened...everyone worked. Everyone explored. Everyone tried. Teachers helped each other. The room had an eerie quiet and a buzz of creative energy. The tap, tap, tapping of computer keys was music to my ears.<br />
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I'm proud to introduce you to the first of several blogs that came out of our session. They all have different stories to tell. Take a peak at the Aaron's blog...<br />
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<li><a href="http://stcharlessoftball.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stcharlessoftball.blogspot.com</a> is a blog created by Aaron Wright. Aaron's goal of the blog is to "retroactively post about event over the past two seasons to document our paradigm shift in program culture." Once he is caught up to the present, he wants to give game recaps and current events. Girls that graduate and leave the program will still have a presence through the living memory of the program's blog. What a wonderful gift he is giving through his blog.</li>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-15726283486775347812018-04-02T16:18:00.001-05:002018-04-02T16:19:08.238-05:00Using Flipgrid as a Sharing Tool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoXEWSM-WfFPt_oHNxlVngsutDtihWKIYmmV4aqsw99xrRdjzTTVdBj9fqGcPWpLrBKAN6YggJi-8Tr0ZwQm9lkSlWgo6llMYYuUIQEgPwpJ75COnpEHNF-fBWY7ELYuHemY0T7LtXle5/s1600/Adobe+Spark.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoXEWSM-WfFPt_oHNxlVngsutDtihWKIYmmV4aqsw99xrRdjzTTVdBj9fqGcPWpLrBKAN6YggJi-8Tr0ZwQm9lkSlWgo6llMYYuUIQEgPwpJ75COnpEHNF-fBWY7ELYuHemY0T7LtXle5/s640/Adobe+Spark.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_hnI1ANw96hTkjQHnTQhX8j7WsYCYjKKCyjjnH9hMo0Kec09OVLJjnBoXcppWmEWGqJnEMbkb_eaYvV9EMfIxwZsFpH7gGWoMUw6bJsuMzG1-T2wGquyRMIFbqa1QEWCopXbgVz1UGot/s1600/20180314_083026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_hnI1ANw96hTkjQHnTQhX8j7WsYCYjKKCyjjnH9hMo0Kec09OVLJjnBoXcppWmEWGqJnEMbkb_eaYvV9EMfIxwZsFpH7gGWoMUw6bJsuMzG1-T2wGquyRMIFbqa1QEWCopXbgVz1UGot/s320/20180314_083026.jpg" width="240" /></a> The Lincoln Staff Book Club is using <a href="http://flipgrid.com/" target="_blank">Flipgrid</a> as our tool for sharing with each other this time as we discuss the book, <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Orphan-Island-Laurel-Snyder/dp/0062443410/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522702674&sr=8-1&keywords=orphan+island" target="_blank">Orphan Island</a></u>. Book club members are not always available to meet together at the same time, and Flipgrid provides a platform to share our thoughts with each other. I created a free Flipgrid account and added a few discussion starter questions into the grid for our group. Flipgrid creates a special code just for our questions. Group members download the Flipgrid app or use the Flipgrid website. They enter our group code and then make a video response to the discussion questions. So far in our discussion we have 12 video responses that have been recorded and 41 minutes of engagement with the discussion grid.<br />
Try Flipgrid the next time you have a book club discussion group.Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-14194236193426175022018-03-27T18:08:00.001-05:002018-03-27T18:18:14.602-05:00The Wild Robot and Peter Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKH08mylhgqS1_H5oo2x6FtwxyqHbgQogEXf2ge_pmPHRKWlvseSGQYsUZdpdqIwrHUMkb5zFVzVp-FyOo2Ak-Fz-i4pTnp_mrQ_XJf17-EmIb7R48tw_zhWXyXXGijsJit3EtT9lT6so/s1600/My+Post+%252824%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKH08mylhgqS1_H5oo2x6FtwxyqHbgQogEXf2ge_pmPHRKWlvseSGQYsUZdpdqIwrHUMkb5zFVzVp-FyOo2Ak-Fz-i4pTnp_mrQ_XJf17-EmIb7R48tw_zhWXyXXGijsJit3EtT9lT6so/s640/My+Post+%252824%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yixmaki_Y3tMMK9ebwXVjx8PJMnVtiNOhsT1PmXqncNni6eUPE22EwipzD6sChZhZQyAADwdx_0FZJIDXLTBKEiMWT6qE22WLUQIgXCKV_7wiz0VeBma1pek9OFLakWQX1H2UAlM9IqJ/s1600/20180321_164533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yixmaki_Y3tMMK9ebwXVjx8PJMnVtiNOhsT1PmXqncNni6eUPE22EwipzD6sChZhZQyAADwdx_0FZJIDXLTBKEiMWT6qE22WLUQIgXCKV_7wiz0VeBma1pek9OFLakWQX1H2UAlM9IqJ/s320/20180321_164533.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Brown starts Roz.</td></tr>
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I recently had the opportunity to meet Peter Brown on his book release tour for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Robot-Escapes-Peter-Brown/dp/0316382043/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1522189246&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=wild+robot+escapes&psc=1" target="_blank">The Wild Robot Escapes </a>, the sequel to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Robot-Peter-Brown/dp/0316381993/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522189456&sr=1-2&keywords=wild+robot" target="_blank">The Wild Robot</a>. I fell in love with the main character, Roz, when I first read <u>The Wild Robot</u> last year. Roz is a robot who finds herself stranded on an island inhabited by all types of animals. At first, the animals are not accepting of Roz since she is so different. Roz learns to communicate with the animals through close observations, and they learn to help each other. Roz also unintentionally becomes the mother of a goose she adopts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXiQc7N54njOZF74p3oQJECKIfLzP5GnIa2ncGHC4QPB6blOU10lkIV7iZ__7uAKnP_JyTBeiVOu_K4PKTh3scpX3DUt9K7m-CRpG3Qocq7cY28nj5DsIsu6tIfyrNBQS5R6C0QVYmK_H/s1600/20180321_164747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXiQc7N54njOZF74p3oQJECKIfLzP5GnIa2ncGHC4QPB6blOU10lkIV7iZ__7uAKnP_JyTBeiVOu_K4PKTh3scpX3DUt9K7m-CRpG3Qocq7cY28nj5DsIsu6tIfyrNBQS5R6C0QVYmK_H/s200/20180321_164747.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Brown adding the finishing touches. </td></tr>
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The bond between Roz and her son, Brightbill, is the driving force of both books. Roz learns that being a parent takes everything she has. I just love how Roz learns how to parent through every situation. My mother's heart was breaking for Roz and her desire to protect and care for her son.<br />
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I think all kids grades 2 and up will enjoy both of these chapter books. The plots in both stories move along with enough action to keep children interested.<br />
Peter Brown told me that he intentionally made the chapters short so reader could feel the accomplishment of finishing chapters. As a self-described, "reluctant reader", Mr. Brown said that he designed the book to have short chapters and supporting illustrations for all types of readers. I told him that I love to book buzz about his books whenever I get the opportunity. If you want to learn more about the process Peter Brown used when researching, writing and illustrating his books you should visit his <a href="http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/uncategorized/the-wild-robot/" target="_blank">site</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgUydhGQtCP9QJQYjcJwTHg8cXXGwE9BnNGG-Oog0GiEEId9O_e2zIhM2S1sGZnzPSqhZ3PgeU-3jOrS-y3rP_s7u0AN50ypUSkEPyJ6i2GgBjbqA2-hf4hyphenhyphenuNJhax4Mci7qebpvmPTTv/s1600/20180321_171318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgUydhGQtCP9QJQYjcJwTHg8cXXGwE9BnNGG-Oog0GiEEId9O_e2zIhM2S1sGZnzPSqhZ3PgeU-3jOrS-y3rP_s7u0AN50ypUSkEPyJ6i2GgBjbqA2-hf4hyphenhyphenuNJhax4Mci7qebpvmPTTv/s400/20180321_171318.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-1501300320259584842018-03-02T21:26:00.002-06:002018-03-02T21:35:24.667-06:00How do I stop talking so much during guided reading?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpKJ9eRiUE_wViCyxcSyZ_yY1UyUMb8mdZpHbgrFivTAMJUiWjDqIX3W2VWkNxm3tbyz_Cs8Ly6vqPGuiqAl6DUrw48M-DNSMn1jKpVrVK0fR64rlEQHrUm3mIf6MH6PpSctB7bwqqz7/s1600/My+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EpKJ9eRiUE_wViCyxcSyZ_yY1UyUMb8mdZpHbgrFivTAMJUiWjDqIX3W2VWkNxm3tbyz_Cs8Ly6vqPGuiqAl6DUrw48M-DNSMn1jKpVrVK0fR64rlEQHrUm3mIf6MH6PpSctB7bwqqz7/s640/My+Post.jpg" width="640" /></a>I've read <u>Who's Doing the Work? How to Say Less So Readers Can Do More</u> by Jan Burkins and Kim Yaris a couple times, and I have questions regarding small group reading instruction. The majority of my day consists of small group reading instruction, and I honestly do too much talking. When looking at the gradual release model, small group reading instruction is the step right before independent reading. Small group reading should be the opportunity for students to show how well they can use reading strategies by themselves under the watchful eye of the teacher. On page 82, Burkins and Yaris describe the teacher's work during guided reading.</div>
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"The teacher facilitates rather than directs the lesson, observing students as they resolve challenges in the text and making notes about the reading process. There is is extensive student interaction with the text."</blockquote>
Today I had a couple minutes to talk directly with Jan, and I asked for her about my question...How do I stop talking so much during guided reading? Jan's response was helpful and doable. She said, "Take notes. Take running records. Start writing and keep writing." While the students are interacting with text I can take notes and running records based on what students are doing.<br />
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I think I can do that. Please comment below to share what you do during small group reading so that your students are doing most of the work.<br />
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Check back to see how it goes...<br />
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-18861731371489473732018-03-02T20:44:00.000-06:002018-03-02T21:29:21.230-06:00Who's Doing the Work? Question #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZycNYhf4DYDIAqwb_oX-Pxlwv9MpCF6q-PRidXcxyZktcM1okwxFu6-4xhWregmPntQTDHyQ3Uw42nTE-bk-KmwS1-jRBWs19DQ6g-O_j-IIAscuxq6tsUdYM-iUYNq2uKATUE3UUvnHI/s1600/My+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZycNYhf4DYDIAqwb_oX-Pxlwv9MpCF6q-PRidXcxyZktcM1okwxFu6-4xhWregmPntQTDHyQ3Uw42nTE-bk-KmwS1-jRBWs19DQ6g-O_j-IIAscuxq6tsUdYM-iUYNq2uKATUE3UUvnHI/s640/My+Post.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I had the privilege to attend a workshop led by Jan Burkins, co-author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whos-Doing-Work-Less-Readers/dp/1625310757/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520042062&sr=8-1&keywords=whose+doing+the+work" target="_blank"><u>Who's Doing the Work? How to Say Less So Readers Can Do More</u>.</a> Here are just a few thoughts from the presentation. (More of my takeaways will follow in later blog posts. Stay tuned.)<br />
The first question is, "Are you paying enough attention to how your students read?" Listening to students read and having conversations with them afterward can give a snapshot into their reading processes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUagiBKuSiPMPEY9iOuF9jHc_bdIccKWAuaP-L1SO0gilxY7l0A3RxUBGTQdXWQKwwPi0Wr78G1ZaqWssPJkadm1uvjALdXl3LTsr_h6Epd5Cgza5yEpGA1-cuDSXAiQde9lUIVvlrcO1/s1600/Efficient+Reading+Process.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUagiBKuSiPMPEY9iOuF9jHc_bdIccKWAuaP-L1SO0gilxY7l0A3RxUBGTQdXWQKwwPi0Wr78G1ZaqWssPJkadm1uvjALdXl3LTsr_h6Epd5Cgza5yEpGA1-cuDSXAiQde9lUIVvlrcO1/s320/Efficient+Reading+Process.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The goal is to have students using print and meaning equally in order to have efficient reading processes. Students can rely too heavily on print and less on meaning, rely to heavily on meaning and less on print, or utilize print and meaning equally. We can use a Venn diagram like the one on the left to analyze student reading. This will tell us more than just looking at student reading levels. If you would like to dig deeper into this idea, read chapter 1 in <u>Who's Doing the Work.</u><br />
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Questions to consider.<br />
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<li>How do I currently look at the reading processes of students?</li>
<li>What would a reading process Venn diagram look like for each of my students?</li>
<li>How could I use the Venn diagrams to make decisions regarding reading instruction?</li>
<li>What information can I gleam from analyzing student's reading process instead of reading level?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2ULLiCcwGOZre-doJ89TygKH0yefNfJag5IrnUsLnBFfQNik67YDRFxhCO9oPIVgv56gDSi4GKXrVsepmAysEh9drBkCeINwIq0egKsdiXsgqVCut_ZEU5OfllWtZv7gP8y7dqvJBPWp/s1600/My+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2ULLiCcwGOZre-doJ89TygKH0yefNfJag5IrnUsLnBFfQNik67YDRFxhCO9oPIVgv56gDSi4GKXrVsepmAysEh9drBkCeINwIq0egKsdiXsgqVCut_ZEU5OfllWtZv7gP8y7dqvJBPWp/s400/My+Post.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-22727389229578776542018-01-23T18:14:00.002-06:002018-01-23T18:14:57.047-06:00Wishtree Staff Book Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During January several staff members have been reading <u>Wishtree</u> by Katherine Applegate. We have 17 members of book club this time, and I have been busy finding extra copies of the book as more people jumped into book club. This time of the year is tricky for book club because unseen obstacles like snow days or sick days can impact the amount of reading time available. Even though there may be obstacles it's important to pick a good book and keep reading.<br />
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I had already read <u>Wishtree</u>, and I couldn't wait to share this amazing story with my fellow readers. I missed our first discussion day because I was sick, and I was a little disappointed at some of the responses I heard. Some readers were having a difficult time getting into the book. Some were confused with the point of view. "Keep reading," I urged them. I knew that eventually they would discover the magic. They would be drawn to Red and the way Red held the community together.<br />
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Today was our final discussion, and those who finished reading the book loved it. Here are a couple comments:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRvqKCQQA1CR2sB2aLhSKDp-ME1MSWsn7FjKBVVeyccSlf1fLvp8QyUxYMV_UEULPa_tRZO9VbMBZz-NrCicHa6d7UThVjjf9lVrEHciN9BrX2EHG-3ukTCIhPt2NGEDvuZ0XkWmErtHv/s1600/Snapchat-170501374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRvqKCQQA1CR2sB2aLhSKDp-ME1MSWsn7FjKBVVeyccSlf1fLvp8QyUxYMV_UEULPa_tRZO9VbMBZz-NrCicHa6d7UThVjjf9lVrEHciN9BrX2EHG-3ukTCIhPt2NGEDvuZ0XkWmErtHv/s400/Snapchat-170501374.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li>I have really enjoyed it and I know others have also. It has also been great to have kids say...hey my teacher is reading that book too!</li>
<li>...I wonder if the parents will ever start being friends?! Great book!</li>
<li>I loved watching a friendship evolve...I think there is hope for the parents.</li>
<li>I enjoyed this book!! I enjoyed reading it with my kiddo too and seeing him get the big idea in the book. It was so interesting how the author chose to write from the tree's point of view.</li>
<li>...I feel that it ties together really well with the whole aspect of welcoming and interacting with others who aren't necessarily like you.</li>
</ul>
It was also exciting to have Katherine Applegate tweet a comment about our book club.<br />
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What can learn from staff book clubs? I have a couple ideas:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Reading in a book club helps provide accountability for readers. </li>
<li>Book clubs provide us with opportunities to share with our families.</li>
<li>Students are watching us. They are watching us as readers. </li>
<li>Book clubs may introduce us to books we may not read otherwise.</li>
<li>Book clubs are fun!</li>
</ol>
Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-90567379716653633502018-01-02T14:49:00.000-06:002018-01-02T14:49:44.613-06:00#OneWord2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAwf-pphFK9L-L0rYqqyfpt9AIJh1r5qX0dzeed0rBpNsP-QJWSK2uHZus7S5FEJwfLE7XrN60E9J1TZGzLavMsIXxSMSB9Pe79KR6HrGcaHUi7FfsZwPrc1-Z9_uVIDBRqTQD02ep7lZ/s1600/Adobe+Spark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAwf-pphFK9L-L0rYqqyfpt9AIJh1r5qX0dzeed0rBpNsP-QJWSK2uHZus7S5FEJwfLE7XrN60E9J1TZGzLavMsIXxSMSB9Pe79KR6HrGcaHUi7FfsZwPrc1-Z9_uVIDBRqTQD02ep7lZ/s640/Adobe+Spark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the new year approaching I began looking for my #OneWord2018. I didn't have a word that just jumped out and cried to be the word for the new year. So I sat down and listed all the words that came to mind. I wanted a word that led to action. Courage and balance kept coming up as two words that I really needed in my life. After looking at the <a href="http://getoneword.com/" target="_blank">getoneword.com</a> website I found three questions that helped me in my search.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LIrt7BY4rGHDcLhc7pkKHhgAWiCMR6f0UCaN8Lw7CAPKdUA3fY2ZHeuZDvFWYNt0vZOWGK0TJ2Q0HnW1AdzD_xTBt3YZuQ3Amx2JAforvj7042eMr37Lch-j7aQguh1Q1rl1FPE_inz9/s1600/20171229_132752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LIrt7BY4rGHDcLhc7pkKHhgAWiCMR6f0UCaN8Lw7CAPKdUA3fY2ZHeuZDvFWYNt0vZOWGK0TJ2Q0HnW1AdzD_xTBt3YZuQ3Amx2JAforvj7042eMr37Lch-j7aQguh1Q1rl1FPE_inz9/s320/20171229_132752.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://render.bitstrips.com/v2/cpanel/a1dcabb7-ac3e-4be0-9b00-c509e94d3a9d-76046c90-d8c1-4c9e-8a82-e4ca794bd00a-v1.png?transparent=1&palette=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="bitmoji-image" data-downloadurl="image/png:16839.png:https://render.bitstrips.com/v2/cpanel/a1dcabb7-ac3e-4be0-9b00-c509e94d3a9d-76046c90-d8c1-4c9e-8a82-e4ca794bd00a-v1.png?transparent=1&palette=1" data-src="https://render.bitstrips.com/v2/cpanel/a1dcabb7-ac3e-4be0-9b00-c509e94d3a9d-%s-v1.png?transparent=1&palette=1" height="200" src="https://render.bitstrips.com/v2/cpanel/a1dcabb7-ac3e-4be0-9b00-c509e94d3a9d-76046c90-d8c1-4c9e-8a82-e4ca794bd00a-v1.png?transparent=1&palette=1" width="199" /></a>2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."</div>
<ol>
<li><i>What do I need?</i></li>
<li><i>What's in my way?</i></li>
<li><i>What needs to go?</i></li>
</ol>
<div>
Balance (verb)- establish equal or appropriate proportions of elements in.</div>
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<div>
This year I am dedicated to working on finding balance. </div>
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<div>
Luke 2:52 "And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."</div>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-75312979261372243922017-12-29T13:03:00.000-06:002017-12-29T13:03:57.670-06:00Embrace the Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHV8Tqfg81QnAmFZgeHyOhFMx4AvQa-Xw1UZ9aC6cdL9y-ZgXGgFpDym3qlVLhhrZZoG20h0MJCGPiYPOTYP_As9fiWDO_-xj-pGS2p63NM32CceJAJOngyujA39fvsRaK46zfXB-_oQ2/s1600/Adobe+Spark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHV8Tqfg81QnAmFZgeHyOhFMx4AvQa-Xw1UZ9aC6cdL9y-ZgXGgFpDym3qlVLhhrZZoG20h0MJCGPiYPOTYP_As9fiWDO_-xj-pGS2p63NM32CceJAJOngyujA39fvsRaK46zfXB-_oQ2/s640/Adobe+Spark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Since I am a reading teacher, I have the pleasure of working with some of the same children for multiple years. Each September the students will start asking when our Elf on the Shelf, Bellzzy, will come back to our class. They will fondly start talking about our elf and his escapades from the previous year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6hxB6nRGGBdkhkP-EF9nQOej8LI34ZI3rAjMMVqdo3mW_sSRO-FmsqXUTs0tG2D5ODafyWaiUtGH9tVj4p7frV90BOrAUDlNSdVKlyu0Idee-QO-QhnOYGDdK7lwG7zxX_uuaYQVduUA/s1600/20171219_095308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6hxB6nRGGBdkhkP-EF9nQOej8LI34ZI3rAjMMVqdo3mW_sSRO-FmsqXUTs0tG2D5ODafyWaiUtGH9tVj4p7frV90BOrAUDlNSdVKlyu0Idee-QO-QhnOYGDdK7lwG7zxX_uuaYQVduUA/s200/20171219_095308.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Remember when he was digging in the Legos? One day we found him sleeping in the Kleenex box. He had tissues all over the floor. Remember when he sitting on top of the projector? Remember the day he had Post-It notes stuck all over him? One time he was swinging from a string across the room."</blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYwvy_3U3tBzc88qhvWf9yQZBPhFtFLBOZ9EJGMS42POIdV7QyIw27fQc4fJhM4vGequYVRQwA2wLmVrZOF4i1YEeQtpRNVA24pZmglCE1kdbF_qWz3yhYtz_doBHoIgk62ZP5CeESH_G/s1600/20171219_095333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYwvy_3U3tBzc88qhvWf9yQZBPhFtFLBOZ9EJGMS42POIdV7QyIw27fQc4fJhM4vGequYVRQwA2wLmVrZOF4i1YEeQtpRNVA24pZmglCE1kdbF_qWz3yhYtz_doBHoIgk62ZP5CeESH_G/s200/20171219_095333.jpg" width="150" /></a>I'm amazed how they remember everything about our little visitor who might be in our classroom for about 15 days. (But we can't seem to remember the differences between vowels and consonants.)<br />
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To be honest, each year I consider <b>not</b> having Bellzzy return to our classroom. He is a distraction. I feel compelled to use every second I have with students productively. We have to spend the first couple of minutes in each group looking for the Elf each day. I have to make sure the Elf has a new spot each day. In the middle of lessons someone will yell out, "Bellzzy just moved his head. I saw it." It's kind of a pain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHEWv902ZuwFsWfS1IuoX56jPsiIHklE_4ngs7rucZzRDYP3LYlDLx_5kuIYk0qhXlabYqW9qzun1SJ97D0zifZWRYslaVaiLN5eNQq2f2xW9jdzQM4u8f35oMLPRBGCkCtdIBuYpEeCF/s1600/20171219_095357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHEWv902ZuwFsWfS1IuoX56jPsiIHklE_4ngs7rucZzRDYP3LYlDLx_5kuIYk0qhXlabYqW9qzun1SJ97D0zifZWRYslaVaiLN5eNQq2f2xW9jdzQM4u8f35oMLPRBGCkCtdIBuYpEeCF/s200/20171219_095357.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
...and then the <i>magic</i> happens. Bellzzy arrives, and I have students who can't wait to get to reading class. They make predictions about where Bellzzy might be today. They'll run into class with excitement and anticipation. I'll see 4th graders tiptoe over to our class elf and whisper secrets. Kindergarteners are called to action to solve Bellzzy's problem when a classmate accidentally touches the elf. They write him notes. They walk over and proudly show Bellzzy the work they have completed.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilw4q5U2MNrD5Pspn7DCtfpv87S8SAsL3Wg_rfzWmqdi2FjPmgsRGrHjM0GpfAXy47IDnfj1Rf1NroY65-yf23L2U5PenJPASArNFDBmdNFKOhEsBLDBYrYPnxwVRrSa3G_gbQfpLef5_5/s1600/20171229_120828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilw4q5U2MNrD5Pspn7DCtfpv87S8SAsL3Wg_rfzWmqdi2FjPmgsRGrHjM0GpfAXy47IDnfj1Rf1NroY65-yf23L2U5PenJPASArNFDBmdNFKOhEsBLDBYrYPnxwVRrSa3G_gbQfpLef5_5/s200/20171229_120828.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bellzzy is hurt. Best friend Bellzzy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The love my students have for Bellzzy helps me remember the magic of childhood. The holidays can be stressful for adults and kids, but it is also a magical time. That silly little elf helps me remember to embrace the magic of the holidays. I'm reminded that my students are kids, not mini-adults. They see the world through the lens of magic as long as we allow them to. How can I continue to embrace the magic of childhood when the holidays are over? That's my goal as we return back to school in a couple of days.<br />
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January, February, March, April, and May need to be just as magical as December.<br />
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-80508203450045870902017-11-07T18:01:00.001-06:002017-11-07T18:13:13.639-06:00Staff Book Club Fever, 1793<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lincoln Staff Book Clubs are up and running again. We are reading <u>Fever 1793</u> by Laurie Halse Anderson for our November book discussions. Book club members read the first half of the book with the task of reading and thinking about what <i>they</i> were doing as readers. My goal was to have us think about the skills we are using as proficient readers when approaching a historical fiction text. When we think about what we do as readers we are able to share that thinking with students.<br />
<br />
<u>Fever 1793</u> is a great book, and it has given us a fabulous story to talk about. Here are a couple of comments book club members made about their thinking as readers.<br />
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<div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span id="docs-internal-guid-890ef2b3-98e3-567d-56b5-47236bf9be00"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I needed to do lots of visualizing in the beginning...</span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-890ef2b3-98e4-0172-8379-58b23b54f803"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I noticed myself reread tons in the beginning. Once I got into the story then I started predicting what would happen next and predicting how I think the book might end."</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "I noticed myself relating this story to parts of the Framework for Poverty book...I could really feel what Matilda was feeling during this time in the story! "</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span id="docs-internal-guid-890ef2b3-98e5-d974-97f9-acbaca634e86"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am also finding myself looking up some of the vocab words. "</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-890ef2b3-98e7-1606-6a2e-295dd1472f61"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also did lots of visualizing in this book. The author did a great job of providing details so you could really see/feel what was going on...</span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-890ef2b3-98e7-fbfb-0ff8-8860b873947e"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I loved the banter between Matilda and her mother. I could “see” them arguing. I know this is based on real events but I ”googled” a couple of things to see if they were real such as the Blanchard hot air balloon (real event in Philadelphia). I didn’t know they had them back in 1793."</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-890ef2b3-98ea-4f8e-5bf5-0017fd3de86d"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I noticed myself reading and rereading details about the setting and trying to get a strong visualization about the setting and the people (what the surroundings look like, what the people might be wearing, tasks they are doing). "</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Readers are thinkers. Teachers reading YA novels are thinking about the skills they are using as readers.</span></div>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-52669552392816498432017-10-21T16:44:00.002-05:002017-10-21T16:44:44.833-05:00Wishtree by Katherine Applegate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDHgAX3Ns2VJFtmL3jxKcds3CAphM_nWIAH3l9sET9jDHEHHukMc5UMvDnGris1U7k1XKKw4Yw3_taGjilk5-gFguS7POX7x0-Bsptpu4gATsyEr3cu3zPjkftUk6Dwp7MTVJc7b8Y9G5/s1600/Adobe+Spark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDHgAX3Ns2VJFtmL3jxKcds3CAphM_nWIAH3l9sET9jDHEHHukMc5UMvDnGris1U7k1XKKw4Yw3_taGjilk5-gFguS7POX7x0-Bsptpu4gATsyEr3cu3zPjkftUk6Dwp7MTVJc7b8Y9G5/s400/Adobe+Spark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wishtree-Katherine-Applegate/dp/1250043220/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508619728&sr=8-1&keywords=Wishtree" target="_blank">Wishtree</a></u> is the newest release from Katherine Appelgate, award-winning author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Only-Ivan-Katherine-Applegate/dp/0061992275/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508619951&sr=1-1&keywords=the+one+and+only+ivan+by+katherine+applegate" style="text-decoration-line: underline;" target="_blank">The One and Only Ivan</a>. This tale of friendship, community, and acceptance is told from the point of view of Red, neighborhood oak tree. Red is known to the neighborhood as the wishtree, because each spring adults and children tie ribbons, scraps of fabric, and even underwear that contain wishes onto Red. This tradition hasn't been a problem until recently. Red and his animal friends work together help the people in the neighborhood. (I don't want to tell too much about the plot, because I don't want to give away too much.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASamgUyQ8otc3JF4dCPoL_HqdhdEbzcLPWsj8yYn8vQ0Td6iFlxWbWfZ_ChgGeZpqH5IjfftkwrbXUnaKu5FCilZkIwo5gFLAdBFnGIbf95znG76XkFqRnZva5gwGCFrjM69xkYDH3uZF/s1600/Snapchat-1004245720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASamgUyQ8otc3JF4dCPoL_HqdhdEbzcLPWsj8yYn8vQ0Td6iFlxWbWfZ_ChgGeZpqH5IjfftkwrbXUnaKu5FCilZkIwo5gFLAdBFnGIbf95znG76XkFqRnZva5gwGCFrjM69xkYDH3uZF/s320/Snapchat-1004245720.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOK9ZEkY4fCN5JEGyEMgXoznq7XXO5MVPFoqu0WRBHKOf76gY1WC8pkAMN3txl_PrMdkE7HKvMsGVdb657TPfQ9rPol1enES4t9nmfzCEnByn_WYFffV3zF4WL37hlWN9tmmrdcnNukz0/s1600/Snapchat-1421081724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOK9ZEkY4fCN5JEGyEMgXoznq7XXO5MVPFoqu0WRBHKOf76gY1WC8pkAMN3txl_PrMdkE7HKvMsGVdb657TPfQ9rPol1enES4t9nmfzCEnByn_WYFffV3zF4WL37hlWN9tmmrdcnNukz0/s320/Snapchat-1421081724.jpg" width="180" /></a>I think this book make a perfect read aloud for grades 1-6. The chapters are relatively short and manageable length for readers. The characters are engaging and speak to issues we unfortunately address each day. I can just imagine the thoughtful discussions that would come from discussions about Red and the characters in <u>Wishtree</u>. Classroom teachers and librarians need to read <u>Wishtree</u> in order to be able to talk about it and recommend it to that special reader.</div>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-45602371431513597502017-10-06T13:28:00.000-05:002017-10-06T13:28:56.302-05:00The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Early this year I fell in love with <u>The War that Saved My Life</u> by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. In March I read the book and immediately felt I needed to tell all my other reading friends about it. I read it with other teachers in our staff book club. (You can read all about that <a href="https://lincolnreaders.blogspot.com/2017/03/lincoln-staff-book-club-war-that-saved.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) I purchased a copy for each of my fourth graders, and we read it together before they graduated from Lincoln Elementary. We didn't understand how a mother could be so cruel to her daughter, Ada. We were touched by the growth Ada made when she was able to escape her mother's cruelty while facing the problems of World War II England. We were so disappointed when the story ended. There were so many questions related to the characters that were left unanswered.<br />
We were elated to hear that Kimberly Brubaker Bradley was releasing a sequel to <u>The War that Saved My Life</u> in October. Hopefully our questions would be answered. Would Ada receive surgery to repair her clubfoot? Would Ada's mom allow her and Jamie to remain with Susan? What would happen to Butter? How would the town survive WWII?<br />
Yesterday I was able to get my hands on <u>The War I Finally Won</u>. I am on page 11 of the book, and I have really mixed feelings. I can't wait to keep reading, but I have such strong feelings about how I think Ada's story should turn out. Will I be disappointed with the sequel? I really hope not.<br />
As a reader I'm suggesting you do two things-<br />
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<li>First, read <u>The War that Saved My Life</u>. Tell me what you think. </li>
<li>Second, follow up by reading <u>The War I Finally Won</u>, </li>
</ul>
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Happy Reading!!!</div>
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<br />Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422462039446936791.post-55775035410947031522017-09-20T09:14:00.000-05:002017-09-20T10:06:19.983-05:00Burkins and Yaris, LIVE!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyX_tSAF8lK2CX6ttiM0310xIQYVBlto54BzO17IqNTPumsR7DJ7e-LwAureP8I_H9piiU4CHfK5ZQuWzwK2hmWrgOZUSxZyXcKQ2nHRK9leliSl84rCR87X8nPgZ2sGnvmN1RxREJyt6/s1600/Adobe+Spark+%252844%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyX_tSAF8lK2CX6ttiM0310xIQYVBlto54BzO17IqNTPumsR7DJ7e-LwAureP8I_H9piiU4CHfK5ZQuWzwK2hmWrgOZUSxZyXcKQ2nHRK9leliSl84rCR87X8nPgZ2sGnvmN1RxREJyt6/s640/Adobe+Spark+%252844%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I recently had the pleasure of hearing Jan Burkins and Kim Yaris speak about next generation reading instruction. They are powerful duo. It was evident that they work well as a team, and they truly believe in pushing our thinking and teaching in order to do our best work.<br />
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My mind if so full of great ideas I want to share, but let's just start with three.</div>
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<ol><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLHAkL6PKCkZkzS-_2EiNr-fZNVuSo9VkLvNHjH9BzjIznLhO-X6MQN6g8h6BB_ElIHPQ42TolN9OtyVhqpEoQZCi0nq_foe4muqOncFNaEJDPwvZ2HZ4xaK0lWk-JeaPphZam9MQ0w2s/s1600/Untitled+document+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLHAkL6PKCkZkzS-_2EiNr-fZNVuSo9VkLvNHjH9BzjIznLhO-X6MQN6g8h6BB_ElIHPQ42TolN9OtyVhqpEoQZCi0nq_foe4muqOncFNaEJDPwvZ2HZ4xaK0lWk-JeaPphZam9MQ0w2s/s200/Untitled+document+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><b>A balanced reading process is as important as level.</b> Students should have balance between using print and meaning in their reading processes. Students who rely on either print or meaning at the expense of the other will not be able to sustain comprehension and growth. My goal as a teacher should be to realize when students do not have print and meaning balance and intervene at that point.</li>
<li><b>Am I maximizing the gradual release of responsibility? </b>Read Aloud, Shared Reading, Guided Reading, and Independent Reading allow a gradual release of responsibility from teacher instruction to students independently using the skills they have been taught. Guided reading should be the opportunity to see if students can use the skills that have been taught in read aloud and shared reading. "Guided reading should look as much like independent reading as possible."</li>
<li><b>"The brain that does the work is the brain that does the learning" by David Sousa.</b> When I can release responsibility and problem solving over to the students, they will be the ones learning.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9JLYbT9RrKGs0TLtk-551MYgd533VbMIjCgN7q-HZyK3XKNIunJ4AJm5vD8KheOgFy2s3CFTP1wUuGBFcI22_g_CyM_7GKdAezhvV-DCRHlFIkzHo7tnGcFwQd9NqNvXgD4BPhinGmj3/s1600/20170919_210409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9JLYbT9RrKGs0TLtk-551MYgd533VbMIjCgN7q-HZyK3XKNIunJ4AJm5vD8KheOgFy2s3CFTP1wUuGBFcI22_g_CyM_7GKdAezhvV-DCRHlFIkzHo7tnGcFwQd9NqNvXgD4BPhinGmj3/s200/20170919_210409.jpg" width="200" /></a>What's my plan?</div>
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<ul>
<li>Video tape myself during small group today. (Yikes!) Am I leading students to the problem solving situations, or am I allowing them to problem solve through the difficulties that arise?</li>
<li>Continue to read <i>Who's Doing the Work.</i></li>
</ul>
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Lauren Mertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07169990537104448245noreply@blogger.com0