Mo Willems Author Study And So Much More...

Where Did April Go?

 We shared our Earth Day Story time and  enjoyed reading several books. We also had our friends from Holm Automotive come in to read some Earth Day books to us, as well. I hope the students came home with lots of knowledge about Earth Day and what they can do to help our Earth.

 

In the library we shared the books Just a Dream by Chris Van Alsburg and 10 Things I Can Do To Help My World by Melanie Walsh, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel.  

We also played a game where we got to mix and mingle, quietly, (it is a library after all) and ask different friends, questions about recycling and saving energy. It was a lot of fun and really helped to remind each one of us what we can do to help the world.

   Find A Friend Earth Day Mingle

 I am sharing the link above for a free copy of this mingle. It is a lot of fun. It's offered by the wonderful Second Grade Stories on TPT.  It goes hand in hand with the book 10 Things I Can Do To Help My World. 

 Author Study

In the library this week we are reading all of Mo Willems' pigeon stories. Our kindergarteners are learning how to draw the pigeon. Our 1st grade friends are actually creating their own pigeon stories. I'm super excited to see how these all turn out. Creating these books are quite a process: We are trying to include Mo Willems' writing style in our books.  Things like speaking and/or thinking bubbles, the begging and pleading grid, keeping the story interactive and many of the same characteristics in his illustrations as well.

 This is always a favorite writing activity for my students. It is one that I try to include each year because I love it as much as the kiddos do. I am including a link to Mo Willems directions for drawing the pigeon, my K-1 kids love it.

 How to draw the pigeon by Mo Willems

 

My List Of 10 Bookish Things

This time of year I am always compiling all the bookish things I love and over the years I have created quite a list. I will share a few of the newest additions to my bookish list of must haves. 

 

 This is just so cool and I wish I would see more of them. What a great way to promote reading and literacy.

 Love this shirt and I have it ordered!

 These beach chairs are amazing and I am sending Penguin Books an email to see if I can get 2. Kind of perfect for our summer reading.

 Love this scarf but I want the text to be from The Giving Tree By Shel Silverstein

 I love the concept of this headboard...It might just push my husband over the edge. HAHAHA

 

I have a lot of bookish bracelets...but not this one and I kind of love it.

 These next 2 kitchen items are so cute. I have been wanting to get the tablet holder for when I am cooking but came across the (above) cookbook utensil holder and thought how unique and creative.

 Oddly enough, I love the scent of new books so this candle is a must have.

 This phone case cover is so cute. It has the spines of children's books displayed on the back.

 

 I am currently working on the summer reading challenge and summer booklist. I hope to have it posted next week.

 

I am currently reading the YA book  The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige Mckenzie. This is a page turner, I just started last night and I can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait to pick it up again, this evening.

I don't know about all of you but this weekend my grandson and I are planting our flowers and getting the garden in. Wish us luck.  I will get some pics and share next week.

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Shamhart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cloudy With A Chance Of...

Spring is in the air...

We had a wonderful spring break and some much needed time off. I was still on the mend from my gallbladder surgery and the time off really helped.  It is always good to get back to the kids and the library. Now for the wind down to the end of the year. 

Visitors in the Library...

In the library we had visitors from Holm Automotive come to read to our Kennedy Students. They shared the story Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs by Judi Barrett. Our students had an amazing time with our visitors and look forward to their next visit. Here are some photos of their visit:

Our Books: 

We made books to share with our friends at Holm Automotive. We wanted them to know how special it was to have them visit and read to us.  They really turned out great and we even took the opportunity to practice our letter writing.

Please Share Photos Of  Your Readers:

This is my grandson, Carter, he is 4 and is just beginning to make letter/sound connections. I love watching him read and retell a story he has heard over and over again. He is reading A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein.

Swaps:

This is my most favorite swap that the ladies over at Chaotic Goddess Swaps has. Which is probably why they have this particular swap 3 times this year. I am all signed up and can't wait to find out who my swap partner is.

Your Swap Objective: 

Get to know your fellow book-loving partner and send them a fantastic bookish package.  

Your package must include: 

• A book from your partner's wishlist.
• A book you have read and loved.
• A book you haven't read, but think looks interesting. (Can also be on their wishlist.)
• *Optional* Other book-related goodies.

Book Review:

My latest book is Landline by Rainbow Rowell.  I loved, loved, loved it. It is truly reminiscent of A Wonderful Life. This book was a book club book choice. We won copies of this book and couldn't wait to read it as a group.

Once you allow yourself to accept this book's premise, that a woman somehow found a phone (landline) which allows her to talk to her husband 14 years earlier, it's a great story.

14 years, 2 kids, a mortgage, a high maintenance career have come between Georgie and Neal leaving them very little time to be "in-love". They part for the holidays under less than perfect circumstances. In trying to call him she finds herself talking to the 22 year old version of him, right before they got engaged. 

This was a quick and easy read. I finished in 2 days. I was absolutely drawn in. After all I have been married 27 years last week and oh what I would give to talk to my husband at 22 years old. To remember those things that helped us to fall in-love.

It made me "think a wonder and wonder and think"that is often my slogan from Dr. Seuss that I use in the library. So, as you can see I really did love it. I think I might have loved it even more had I read it during the holidays.

Happy Reading,Mrs. Shamhart