Do Not Open This Book!

What is Your Prediction?

If you can find this book, it is a great one to teach 'making a prediction'....and a great cover.  Who wouldn't want to open the book?  

The author is Joy Cowley. It's titled, Do Not Open This Book!  Now that's a different message.  But you can predict what will happen, can't you?  Yes, the kids will want you to open the book, but I wouldn't open it right away until they really want you to... happy reading!

And the poor rat keeps trying to keep you from turning each page, warning you that something dreadful will happen if you do. Each page has further clues. So, the children keep making more predictions based on the visual clues. Perfect for first graders!

Children read it over and over again. 

I say it's especially loved. And just look at that mouse character. You know, children's literature is magical.  Find good books and read to your children and class often. It is simply joyful seeing children so excited about reading!

I predict that you will start searching for this book; especially if you love to read to children. Remember, Meg Ryan in the movie, "You've Got Mail" and she has that adorable Children's Book Shop...Around the Corner...she knew the magic!

What literature is on your shelves? What books make your kids come closer and closer?  Comment below and let's make a list of favorite read-alouds...

For the Love of Autumn: Reading Response Journals

This book is a tender and sweet story.  When Miss Parks' cat disappears on a stormy night, your students' eyes will be wide with anticipation. There has been talk about a mountain lion and Miss Parks' and her students fear the worst.   This book captures their attention and it is an excellent springboard for predictions.  Read it aloud to your class.  They will love it!

Miss Parks just loves her new home, her new teaching job, and all her new students. But most of all, she loves Autumn, her perfect little kitten. Then one night, during a terrible storm, Autumn runs away. Miss Parks' students band together to search for Autumn with no luck. Hope is lost until Autumn turns up.  Autumn jumps off the trellis into Mrs. Parks' arms!  Yet,  with a brand new collar and a bandage on her tail. Someone has been taking care of Autumn!

With the help of her students, Miss Parks unravels the mystery of Autumn's disappearance and finds true love along the way, Polacco style. 

READING RESPONSE JOURNALS

Reading Response journals are a place where students can record 

their thoughts, reactions, feelings, and questions about a book. 

Use the following prompts to encourage your students to think 

critically about the  book, For the Love of Autumn by Patricia Polacco. 

• What does the story make you think about?

• What feelings do you experience?

• Does this book remind you of anything else?

• What did you really like about this book?

• How do you feel about the characters in this book?

• In what ways can you identify with the main character?

• Were there any real life issues that made you think?

You can find a reading response page HERE to use with this book or any other book. 

Back to School

To visit my TPT store, click HERE

Life Lessons My Students Taught Me : CRASH COURSE

Crash Course
The Life Lessons My Students Taught Me

by Kim Bearden

  I learned about this book by Kim Bearden during my last blog hop; just clicked it to my ipad...and it's a great story.  I haven't finished reading it but I can already recommend this book...a good read.  We all have students like the ones Kim describes.   I love true stories that can help my teaching.  We learn so much from each other. and sometimes it's so helpful to realize that our classrooms and students are similar no matter what part of the country we teach in.  This book unfolds the real reasons why we chose to teach and what matters most in your everyday routines in the classroom.  a great read!

What book are you reading this summer?  Leave a comment with your recommendation.

The inspiring true story of a teacher’s experiences with her students and the life lessons she learned that can help others find joy and success.

Crash Course chronicles the life lessons that Kim Bearden has learned during an award-winning career in education that has spanned three decades. Kim has taught more than 2,000 students, and each has shown her something about the world and the abundant capacity for love, resilience, and appreciation that we all possess. By sharing her students’ stories, she teaches their inspiring lessons to us all.

Throughout the ups and downs of her professional and personal life, Kim found that her students were the light that illuminated her path; they were her sanctuary in the storm. From her challenges as a first year teacher, to her triumphs as the cofounder of the highly acclaimed Ron Clark Academy, Kim shares how children can teach each of us the importance of building relationships, abandoning fear, embracing one’s unique gifts, and living with passion.

Full of honesty, humor, heartbreak, and humanity, Kim’s experiences show how children can help any one of us, despite life’s obstacles, find the joy and significance in both our personal and professional lives.

You may grab a copy right HERE.

My Garden by Kevin Henkes

My Garden

by Kevin Henkes

The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden.

How does your garden grow?

This book is another wonderful book by Kevin Henkes and it is a great book to read aloud at this time of year.  Use it as a springboard for all those wonderful flower displays and activities in your classroom.

Also, a great book to illustrate imagination…think about what might pop up in your garden.

Click below to find some writing response pages to go with this book.  If you like Kevin Henkes, look for my post on Birds also written by him.

Click HERE to find a reader's response page for writing for

MY GARDEN by Kevin Henkes.

Click HERE to find another reader's response page for following directions for MY GARDEN by Kevin Henkes.

You can find more pages to respond to this fabulous book HERE.

Happy Reading!

To Make for Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Here is an adorable and easy activity for Mother's Day.  Just color and fold.  This would be so easy and fun to do.

You can download your template here.  Copy, print and the kids will love coloring the fun bouquet for their Moms.
Happy Mother's Day!

and always, Happy Happy Books!

Snowflake Bentley Read Aloud

Find Reader Response Pages
for Snowflake Bentley HERE

Favorite Books for January Weather

Happy January!

It's time for snow!  and here are 5 of my favorite books for read aloud.  Enjoy the reading! and I know those teachable moments will appear as you turn the pages.

It is time to read!

The Snowy Day        by Ezra Jack Keats

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats captures the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall.  This is a favorite as it unfolds a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of keeping that wonder forever.  I made a winter bulletin board of the cover of this book.  I'll snap a pix tomorrow and post.

Snowballs       by Lois Ehlert

Pull on your mittens and head outside for a snowball day. Grab some snow and start rolling. With a few found objects--like buttons and fabric and seeds--and a little imagination, you can create a whole family out of snow.   Lois Ehlert is a master at getting the reader's attention.  Children will love poring over Lois Ehlert’s bold, funny illustrations and identifying the common (and not so common) objects she uses to decorate her snowy family.

Snow    by Uri Shulevitz

No one thinks one or two snowflakes will amount to anything. Not the man with the hat or the lady with the umbrella. Not even the television or the radio forecasters. But one boy and his dog have faith that the snow will amount to something spectacular, and when flakes start to swirl down on the city, they are also the only ones who know how to truly enjoy it. This playful depiction of a snowy day and the transformation of a city is perfectly captured in simple, poetic text and lively watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations.

All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle

One small snowflake fluttering down--

That's all you need for a snowman.

How can you and your class build on that line?   Try it.  You will be surprised about what happens.

     Read some books about snow and watch your students' faces glow!  Ideal for preschool - 2nd grade.

Grab some writing response pages below or engage in a book talk, explore snowflakes in science, bring the magic into your classrooms!  click below for FREEBIES to use with your snow read alouds.  

Reading Response Pages for The Snowy Day   (from abcteach)

Make Creative Snowmen using Lois Ehlert's Book, Snowballs as a springboard

Build a 'SNOW' village - Art, Math Activity

and one more,  Snowflake Bentley

Listen to the story of Snowflake Bentley,  

a great read aloud!   You can watch and listen...just up one post.

Just enjoy the story....no response necessary....

click on the youtube below

and all the pretty snowflakes fall gently to the ground!

Happy Reading!