I know I just blogged about this book in May, but I just finished reading it aloud to my class, and I have to say something about it again because it has been such a marvelous experience! This book is even better the second time, and amazing when read aloud. Reading it a second time, I noticed so many amazing connections, delightful descriptions, and loved the amazing suspense. I had my Gr. 3's eating out of the palm of my hand. They seemed to really love the story and got totally caught up in it. Today we had about six chapters left. I had our reading schedule mapped out so that we would finish it by the end of the year, and barely have enough time to watch the movie. Today we totally wrecked our schedule. Again and again, the kids begged me to keep reading. How could I not indulge them?! We finished the whole book...spent the entire afternoon reading, laughing, discussing, and reading some more. It was amazing!
It was interesting to me to notice the kids who didn't always follow along in the book. I read it all aloud to them and tried to use the best expression I could. My poorer readers would often sit and just watch me. They were firmly fixed and listened carefully. It's funny because I would always prefer to follow along in the book (I have sometimes even been known to follow along in a book when listening to an audio book...just another one of my weird quirks), but they really leaned towards putting the book down and soaking it all in just by listening. Kids are amazing listeners sometimes.
Just a few funny stories:
Like I said, I tried really hard to read it well and use a lot of expression. I sometimes would mix up the voice though. I was reading along this afternoon when one of the kids stopped me and said, "Mrs. Ackroyd could you read that again the way you had the guy talking before?" It took me a bit to get back into that voice....but I think I finally did. They loved it. It was the voice for the constable who goes with the man in the yellow suit to rescue Winnie from the Tuck family. He kind of sounds like a bumbling idiot who talks to much and doesn't think enough.
While we were talking about the constable it was mentioned that he talked a lot and wasn't very smart. One of the girls put up her hand and said, "But I talk a lot. Talking a lot doesn't always mean you're not very smart, does it?" LOL
I found out that three (well, the there who admitted it!) snuck the book home and read the whole thing on their own. No wonder they were making such accurate predictions! How can I get after them for that?! It's kind of like when I have to give my kids heck because they're reading at the dinner table. It is a lovely problem to have.
In one scene, the main characters are in their home, when suddenly a knock comes on the door. It's a tense scene and my kids were feeling it. One boy suddenly jumped out his chair and blurted out: "Mrs. Ackroyd, it's like they were all just sitting around having a lovely discussion - then the knock, and they're like, "Who the hell is that??! No one has knocked on our door in 86 years?!"
I just about fell off my chair, hearing this kid blurt out his "who the hell is that?" The school's tech guy was in my classroom at the time and he just giggled and giggled.
The funny thing was the other kids hardly batted an eye. And frankly, the kid was right on the money with his description of what the characters must have been thinking. However, later in the chapter, when one of the characters called another stupid, they were totally up in arms over such offensive words in our story!
It was a delight to read this book with my class. It made me wish we could do more novel studies. I wonder if I could find a way to squish more of that into our school lives, next year?! Hmmmm.....I think I can! :)
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
The End of Another Year of Book Club
Today was our last book club meeting for this school year. It has been so fun. We first discussed the book we read this month: Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a big hit. We had a great discussion. None of them knew anything about Nazis and their hatred of Jews prior to reading the book. They were horrified to hear that this could happen. It is so marvelous to rub shoulders with kids. They are so unaware of the heartache and sadness in the world. That is a good thing! The discussion remained really positive and focused on how good people need to take a stand when bad things are happening. They got the message of the book perfectly.
We also looked at all the book we read this year and gave awards to them. They were amazed to see the list and to realize how many great books they read this year. This was our list:
November: Bridge to Terabithia
December: Ghost Tales for Christmas (Magic Tree House)
January: James and the Giant Peach
February: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
March: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
April: Skellig
May: The Magician's Elephant
June: Number the Stars
We voted on Best Character of the Year (Kirsten, the younger sister in Number the Stars, and Edward in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane), Best Cliff Hanger of the Year (Chapter 14 of Number the Stars when Kirsten comes running around the corner and runs right into the soldiers), the Best (although we had to change it to worst) Villian of the Year (Hitler from Number the Stars), and then, Best Book of the Year (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe).
Our numbers really died off at the end of the year. Looking back, perhaps we should have indulged them by picking some of the books they were begging for (Geronimo Stilton, a Magic Treehouse book, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid) We decided, at the time, not to do one of those book because we wanted to introduce them to books they might not normally pick up. We kept the real die hard readers, but the ones who needed more encouragement chose to go outside once the weather was good, rather than stay for book club. We probably could have kept more if we had picked those books - and that wouldn't have been such a bad thing. Live and learn!!
I feel so blessed to be able to have this book club this year. I think it really has been a positive thing. If only every day could be a book club kind of day!
We also looked at all the book we read this year and gave awards to them. They were amazed to see the list and to realize how many great books they read this year. This was our list:
November: Bridge to Terabithia
December: Ghost Tales for Christmas (Magic Tree House)
January: James and the Giant Peach
February: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
March: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
April: Skellig
May: The Magician's Elephant
June: Number the Stars
We voted on Best Character of the Year (Kirsten, the younger sister in Number the Stars, and Edward in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane), Best Cliff Hanger of the Year (Chapter 14 of Number the Stars when Kirsten comes running around the corner and runs right into the soldiers), the Best (although we had to change it to worst) Villian of the Year (Hitler from Number the Stars), and then, Best Book of the Year (The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe).
Our numbers really died off at the end of the year. Looking back, perhaps we should have indulged them by picking some of the books they were begging for (Geronimo Stilton, a Magic Treehouse book, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid) We decided, at the time, not to do one of those book because we wanted to introduce them to books they might not normally pick up. We kept the real die hard readers, but the ones who needed more encouragement chose to go outside once the weather was good, rather than stay for book club. We probably could have kept more if we had picked those books - and that wouldn't have been such a bad thing. Live and learn!!
I feel so blessed to be able to have this book club this year. I think it really has been a positive thing. If only every day could be a book club kind of day!
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Writing and and Reading and the 2012-2013 School Year
I am still waiting to hear if I will have a position again next year. I am keeping my fingers crossed!! I sure have loved teaching, this school, the kids, and the people I work with. I love the grade I've been working in too. I've felt more confident this year, but I sure am not counting my chicks until they're hatched.
That being said, I have made plans to do things based on the idea that I will be teaching. For example, my principal asked if I wanted to attend a workshop next fall. I was so thrilled when I looked into what it was all about!!
Doesn't it just sound heavenly??! And you should see the list of authors!! Yowza!! It's full days of authors talking about getting kids excited about reading. I decided I am going to read as many books as possible by those authors prior to the conference. Can't wait!! I have a long long list of books to dive into. I have just taken the first one out of the library and it is next on my TBR pile. This summer I plan to do LOTS of reading. Sounds so delightful!!
Also, I found an author who is doing a virtual writing workshop this summer for teachers. It is going to be amazing! It actually started yesterday and I won't be able to participate too much until school is over - but I'm keeping an eye on it. You might say, slowly warming up to the idea. :) She has stuff going on every day and it looks very inspiring. I think it will be good to experience a little of what my student's go through as they learn to write - besides the fact, I just like the idea of trying to immerse myself in more writing. You can read about the workshop here.
That being said, I have made plans to do things based on the idea that I will be teaching. For example, my principal asked if I wanted to attend a workshop next fall. I was so thrilled when I looked into what it was all about!!
The Kaleidoscope Conference celebrates literature created for children and young adults and the interpretation of this literature through media, performance and illustration. This celebration aims to heighten the awareness and appreciation of the creative processes through interaction with authors, illustrators, publishers, producers and performers. The inspiration received by participants enhances their experience of this literature and in turn that of colleagues and the children with whom they have contact.
Doesn't it just sound heavenly??! And you should see the list of authors!! Yowza!! It's full days of authors talking about getting kids excited about reading. I decided I am going to read as many books as possible by those authors prior to the conference. Can't wait!! I have a long long list of books to dive into. I have just taken the first one out of the library and it is next on my TBR pile. This summer I plan to do LOTS of reading. Sounds so delightful!!
Also, I found an author who is doing a virtual writing workshop this summer for teachers. It is going to be amazing! It actually started yesterday and I won't be able to participate too much until school is over - but I'm keeping an eye on it. You might say, slowly warming up to the idea. :) She has stuff going on every day and it looks very inspiring. I think it will be good to experience a little of what my student's go through as they learn to write - besides the fact, I just like the idea of trying to immerse myself in more writing. You can read about the workshop here.
If I don't get a position next year and don't get to attend Kaleidoscope.....oh the pain!! It will hurt. Alas though, I know what is best is what will work out. I trust that God has a good plan for me. I just hope it coincides with what I want right now! :)_
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)