Hi! I've been thinking about how easy it might be to check out at this time of year. Try staying engaged and motivated by reminding your students of where they started and how far they've come. Show them some work samples from the beginning of the year, if you can. It is powerful! It definitely makes all your hard work worth it. 

It's definitely been a while. So here are some new things I've been thinking of trying: 

• PowToons: templates to make videos; pretty cool and engaging for students www.powtoon.com
• Prezi: a platform for presentations that are bit more dynamic than PowerPoint  https://prezi.com/
• Kahoot!: a platform to make games to help you teach any subject https://getkahoot.com/

They all have free options available! 

Super fun! Enjoy!

      

It is officially the last day of the first month of the new year! I hope you are all staying happy and healthy. It is also kindness week at our school. Here are some books that make for great read alouds! Go forth and be kind to each other!

from:www.myvc.org

Because Amelia Smiled by David Stein

A Chair for my Mother by Vera B. Williams

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Have You Filled A Bucket Today? By Carol McCloud

Hey Little Ant by Phillip Hoose

Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Pena

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

A Sick Day By Amos McGee by Phillip Stead

Chapter Book Read Alouds:

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Charlotte’s Web by  E. B. White

Happy New Year!! May this be your best year yet!!

www.teamunite.org

A Book On Every Bed

artwork from romance bandits

Start a lifelong holiday tradition! Here's what to do:

·       Select a book: it can be new, donated, or handed down from previous generations

·       Wrap it: a gift carefully wrapped holds the mystery of what story or adventure is waiting to be discovered

·       Place the book near your child's bed: It will be the first thing he or she sees on the morning of your holiday

       Here are some benefits of creating this tradition:

·       Children will look forward to this each year and they will grow their own library!

·       It can help foster a life-long love of reading.

·       You can help create strong positive memories for your child by reading the book with him or her.

·       By reading with your child, you help build language and literacy skills.

Adapted from The Cambridge Public Schools and The Family Reading Partnership www.familyreading.org

Looking for fun winter reading activities? Check this out!

Winter is a great time to read about snow, winter sports, and holidays. Share our collection of articles, stories, poems, and lessons related to winter with your students. 

K-8th Grade Winter Articles & Lessons

Remember, now there are two great places to find ReadWorks. Check out the new ReadWorks Digital—where you and your students can interact with ReadWorks content and curriculum digitally. It's free!

Happy Winter!

art from: financialtribune.com

Want a cute Thanksgiving book? Check this out: Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. It is a nonfiction text about how the Macy's Day Parade came into being as we know it today. It focuses on the creator of the balloons. Happy Thanksgiving!