Outdoor Reading Day

Summer is right around the corner, and my students can feel it. They all want to be outside instead of in the classroom...so today my students enjoyed a day outdoors with their book. I invited students to bring a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat in order to spend some quality reading time outside as a special treat. They loved it!

We stayed outside after reading to have a book discussion in groups by passing around a beach ball covered in questions:

• What connection did you make to your reading today?
• What do you think will happen next in the story? Why?
• What was your favorite part of today's reading?
• What type of reader would enjoy this book and why?
• What character from your book would you like to be? Why?
• What is the conflict in your story?
• What is your story's theme?

We also spent time outside to do some spelling work with a paintbrush and water (no paint). My students painted their spelling words with water on the concrete sidewalks outside. No mess, free, and easy.

My students are begging me for another reading day outdoors. This was the perfect way to end the week.

Alphabet Soup Spelling

Looking for a fun spelling activity for your students?  A friend passed this activity along to me and my students love this!

All you need is a plastic spoon, a timer, the directions below, and alphabet noodles like these.

I modeled how to play this game with the freebie attached. I hope your students enjoy!

I'm Feeling Crafty

I have been on a craft kick lately. I just can't wait for the summer to get here so I'll have more time to devote to the many crafts I have on my to do list (thanks, Pinterest). This is what I've been working on...crafty clipboards! 

I know they're not perfect, but I expect to be an expert at these soon enough. I've only created the three so far, but more are to come. I was contemplating opening an Etsy shop to sell these and other crafts. How much would you pay for a craft clipboard?

Stick Pick: iPhone/iPad app

I have stumbled upon the most amazing iPhone / iPad app I have found for teachers: Stick Pick! It is an app that provides an easy way to promote equity, build higher order thinking skills, and support your English Language Learners in the classroom.

Check it out for yourself!

Classroom Library Linky Party

Amy, over at Literacy and Laughter, is hosting a linky party on classroom libraries.  Be sure to head over there to check out all of the other great photographs of how teachers organize their books in their libraries.

Here are a few pictures of my classroom library. 

Red baskets contain nonfiction books separated by genre.
(Biography, Autobiography, Informational sports, informational science, informational social studies, informational animals...)

Clear baskets contain fiction book separated by genre.
(Realistic fiction, fantasy, traditional literature,
historical fiction, mystery, poetry, picture books...)

Book recommendation bulletin board
inspired by Beth Newingham

I have to say, I am pretty addicted to buying books for my classroom, just like most of you. There is no more room for any new chapter books and no more space for even one more book basket. I guess I'll be buying a new bookshelf this summer because I know library will continue to grow.

STAAR Test Prep

I have been so preoccupied with all the craziness that goes with our state assessment preparations. Today was day one of testing, tomorrow will be another, and our last day of testing will take place at the end of April. I feel pretty confident that my students will do well. I think the kids are finally starting to believe that they will be successful as well. Check out their goal banners that they created for their STAAR tests. These will be hanging up in our room until we finish all three tests.

Pretty cute for construction paper and string, right?

Look how confident she is!

Blog Award

Thanks 3 teacher chicks for the One Lovely Blog Award! 

If you haven't visited their blog, then you must. It's such a neat blog! Go check it out...they have an awesome reading response rubric for free.

Here are the rules for the Lovely Blog Award:

1. Link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Pass the award onto 15 followers.

3. Follow the person who sent it to you.

So here are a few of the lovely blogs that inspire me! Check them out!

1. A Teacher's Treasure

2. Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher

3. Clutter Free Classroom

4. Jasztalville

5. Keep Calm and Teach On

6. Ladybug's Teacher Files

7. Lesson Plans SOS

8. Mandy's Tips for Teachers

9. My Life as a Fifth Grade Teacher

10. Reading is Thinking

11. Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes

12. Teaching My Friends

13. The 3AM Teacher

14. The Lemonade Stand

15. The Schroeder Page