I know, I know...totally breaking the rules

I always tell my students to follow the rules, but here I am breaking the infamous blogging rules. My students would have a field day if they knew I was a rule breaker. This is my 3rd post. I'm sorry. I promise no more after this!
I just HAD to spotlight a new and upcoming blog.


SPOTLIGHT PLEASE...


Erika over at the honey bunch has started a new blog. Please go and check it out. It's called The Best Endings and its dedicated to books. I'm sold. I'm looking forward to helping Erika out with this new adventure. Literature both inside and outside of the classroom ranks high in my beliefs.

Rock it Erika! Way to go.

A Great Wal-Mart Find

Speaking of Record A Story books, Wal-Mart has them on sale in their Christmas clearance for $8.99. Its from Hallmark and they were originally $28! A good find...

I picked this one up today.

Can't beat after Christmas sales...

Record A Story Books

I was at Books-A-Million the other day and they had their "Record A Story" Christmas books on clearance. I picked one up with an idea for next holiday season to use in my classroom.

Starting after Thanksgiving break, I will send the book home with a different child each night. They will record themselves and family reading the story. They will then pass the book onto another family who will listen to the previous version and then record their own.

It's a great way to promote literacy at home and enhance parent involvement. I'm sure you have heard about this before but I had to share anyway. I'm always looking for new ways to encourage parents to stay active in their child's educational journey.

Best Read Alouds in Room 38 for 2011

I feel very strongly about reading to my students every day. It’s not always easy fitting it into our busy schedule, and there are days where it seems close to impossible, but I fight through the challenges and read to my kiddos on a daily basis.  

I thought I would share a list of my favorite read alouds for 2011. There were new additions, some old classics, and a few student requests that made this list.

1. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (chapter book) – I read this book when I was a kid. It makes me giggle every year, and my students’ infectious laughter makes me giggle even more. There are 3 books in this series and I do a read aloud for all 3 books. This series is a must have for any 2^nd or 3^rd grade teacher. Currently, Scholastic book club is offering the 1^st and 2^nd books of this series for only a $1.00 a book. I ordered class sets at that fabulous price.

2. Miss Smith Reads Again! by Michael Garland (picture book) – This was realllly hard to pick my favorite Michael Garland book considering I love them all! I have ALL his books and I make sure to conduct read alouds for each one. This book is about a teacher that reads a story to her class and the students get transported into the book. Full of adventure and delightful in every way… also Garland’s illustrations are FAB!

3. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (chapter book) – Roald Dahl…need I say more? Dahl’s enchanting words and intriguing characters provide delight for each child.  

Stay tuned for the next 3 books...I’ll have to piece meal this list...too many holiday festivities going on. J