Holy Mackerel!

The reason for the blog title?  As of yesterday, my blog has had over 11,000 views!  That's a lot!!  Also, always begin with good news, right?  Well, TUESDAY I can start working in my classroom!!!  Woot woot!!  Which means I can get all of my school stuff OUT OF MY APARTMENT!!  I'm beyond excited if you can't tell.

 

Since it is summer, I am having a hard time remembering my favorite picture books for the classroom, but I wanted to join the Picture Book Linky Party (a little late).  These are a few I can think of:

1. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

We used this book last year to do a lesson with tracking thinking.  The strategy was thrown out the window, and we ended up having a long, in-depth conversation about 9/11.  5th graders are so interested in the topic, and it's fun to hear what they know and what they think they know.  I have a mental picture that I don't think I'll ever forget of having all the kids' attention when I was telling them about my memories from the day.  You could have heard a pin drop!

2. America's White Table

 This is a great book for kids who have no idea about the impacts of war on individuals and families.  I read this during my student teaching experience, and honestly, I had to pass the book off to my cooperating teacher because I couldn't stop crying.  It is such a great book!

3. Sunsets of the West

This is a GREAT book to introduce Westward Expansion.  As you can see from the cover, the illustrations are gorgeous!  It is out of print (silly) but you can find it used online and if you're lucky, it might be in your school library.

4. Enigma: A Magical Mystery

I love this book!  If you're doing a lesson on rhyming or poetry, this one would be great!  The illustrations are amazing, too.  While you read, you're trying to solve a mystery.  It's great, but WARNING: There is a "key" at the end of the book.  I had to take it away last year, because they were playing with the key instead of reading!  But...Honestly, any book by Graeme Base is wonderful!

That's it for today.  I'm dog/house sitting this weekend.  This is the licking monster I'm watching...

P.S. I'm going to try to do a giveaway for "The Quietest Classroom Pencil Sharpener" but I have to have 100+ followers before they'll consider me.  So, follow and get your friends to follow as well! :)

(If you want...) :)

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August Currently!

No matter how many times I see episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, it never gets old.  I think it's one of the best TV shows to ever be produced.  Just a random thought for the day.

• Laminator - Like I said yesterday, it's been very handy getting ready for school.
• Children's Books - Can you ever have enough?  I definitely need more!
• Storage Containers - I need containers to put markers, colored pencils, crayons, etc in.  I know what I need, I'm just not sure I can afford it right now.

Click to link up!