PIcture Book 10 for 10: An Adventure in Fourth Grade

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  Reflect and Refine and Enjoy and Embrace Learning

I have to admit I have stalked the Picture Book 10 for 10 series since the beginning. I always look forward to August 10th and have used the event to find some of the best picture books I use today! I finally decided to take the plunge this year (even though I’m a day late) and pick my favorite 10 books I use in my classroom. Plus, maybe this will get me back to updating this blog!

Fourth grade is a year about diving deep into character, language, and starting to create yourself into who you want to be (and accepting others for who they are). Some of these books are wonderfully lighthearted, while others require extensive background knowledge and profound discussions. 

Books for character study:

I always start my unit on character study with The Three Questions by Jon Muth. We use the three questions as a starting off point to look deeply into characters and their motivations. Plus, it helps us think about our interactions with others! 

Tsunami by Kimiko Kajikawa is a great book about sacrifice. It pairs beautifully with The Three Questions as students predict the actions and motivations of Ojiisan, the main character. In addition to an amazing story, the illustrations are brilliant.

Pete & Pickles by Berkeley Breathed is a brilliant example of a dynamic character. It all starts with an unexpected (and at first unwelcome) friendship between two very different characters and comes to an end in a dramatic and selfless fashion. It is one of my favorite and I can barely get through the ending without crying!

Star of Fear, Star of Hope Jo Hoestlandt is a powerful story about friendship, the power of words, regret, and hope. The story, set in northern France in 1942, recounts the events of a young girl as she fails to understand the persecution her best friend is facing as the Nazis occupy their city. I use this book to take extensively about the events leading up the the Holocaust. 

Rose Blanche by Christophe Gallaz is another favorite, but for entirely different reasons. It is a story of a young girl in Germany during Wold War II that embodies courage, sacrifice and doing what is right. The book requires a lot of discussion and careful examination of the pictures. The ending lends itself to a amazing conversation as the students struggle to figure out what happened. This is a powerful book indeed!

Books for language exploration:

Mystery at the Club Sandwich by Doug Cushman is the gem I use to introduce the elements of mystery, the genre of film noir and of course figurative language. The book is full of idioms and puns. While some of the sayings require explanation, there usually a student in the room can explain the reference. 

The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater falls into this category for its use of idioms and similes, however it also belongs in the next category of creativity and individuality. The main character holds steadfast in who he is and helps others find their passions too! This is one of my first read alouds of the school year as we begin to create our classroom culture. 

Books for embracing Individuality:

The Numberlys by William Joyce is a new book I just stumbled upon. At first it seems like a simple number and alphabet book (I actually bought it for my nephew for his birthday), however on a more careful read through I think I may try it this year in my class. I will touch on the idea of orderly societies (and the laws that are put in place to oppress others), employing your power of choice to do something that is against the grain, persistence, and the power of language and words. I see ties to The Big Orange Splot with this one. 

Honestly, this list wouldn’t be complete without at least one Patricia Polacco book!  The Junkyard Wonders is one of my favorites for embracing differences and celebrating what makes each of us unique. 

My final selection is a short story that keeps my class laughing for days - I mean like pain in our sides, tears running down our cheeks laughter! "In the Shower with Andy" from Just Annoying! by Andy Griffiths is the story of a young boy in Australia that decides to seal up his standup shower and fill it with water. The kids relate to the relationship between the siblings and recognize that maybe not ALL of our dreams are worth pursuing (or at least we need to put some thought into the risks). This is one of the stories that the kids ask me to reread on the last day of school!

There you have it, my favorite 10. I already have a list of 6 or 7 books on my Amazon cart ready for ordering after sifting through everyone else’s lists. Thanks goodness for Prime! Until next August...

Currently September - The Official End of Summer

For the first time ever I'm linking up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade for September's Currently. I must confess, I've stalked this blog for way longer than I'd like to admit, but after a failed attempt at blogging over a year ago, I'm finally taking the plunge into the blogging world again! My blog may not be very full or pretty yet, but I'm full of a ton of good ideas I promise!

I start school tomorrow, so much of my "Currently" is focused on making it through the first week. I loved Farley's post about the Rachel Delevoryas poem/song and desperately want to work it into my plans. Well, I'm off to go grocery shopping, try on some outfits, get in some exercise, and solidify those first day back plans!

On the Lam

Every year, just before the start of school, I send a postcard home to each student in my class. I make them in June and then slowly write them as the summer fades away. I've had several different versions, but this year I stuck to the same format from last year. Last year I looped with my kids from 3rd to 4th grade and needed a fresh start to the year and a welcoming spirit to the 12 or so new students. I came across the first two chapters of The Worst Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson and instantly knew how I wanted to start the year - everyone was going to be WANTED!

I set off in search of a mustache stamp, but couldn't find it any any of the usual places (Michaels). When you can't find something, where do you turn? Etsy! I ordered some hand carved rubber stamps from Posh Binky! They came beautifully wrapped and were exactly what I needed for my bowler hat and mustache design.


With a little black ink, some embossing powder and my handy heating tool (is there a proper name for this tool?) I got to work. About  an hour and a half and 40 postcards later I was done (I make extras because I inevitably mess up when I write them out).  Once the card designs were complete, I put them in a plastic bag and they traveled everywhere with me over the summer. I wrote a few out at the beach or on my layover at the airport.

Waiting for my flight at BWI. 

When August comes to a close, I have 34 (or this year - 37 - yikes) postcards ready to send home. I stick them in the mail a few days before schools starts and cross my fingers (and my toes) that they don't make any changes to my roster! On the first day of school the kids have already done a little homework, know an example of an idiom, and are ready for an awesome adventure in 4th grade!


What do I write you ask?

WANTED

Word has it you've been on the lam since June! Now that you've relaxed and rejuvenated over the summer, it is time to give up your disguise as a 3rd grader and present yourself as a 4th grader. You're WANTED in (enter classroom number) on (enter starting date). I look forward to an awesome year. 

Love, 

Your Teacher

P.S. "On the lam" is an idiom. Look it up and bring me the meaning for a "cool" treat!

I then have to remember to bring them popsicles on the first day! I already added this to the list I have to  buy/get done before Tuesday!

I'm trying this linking up thing and attempting to link up with 4th Grade Frolics for her Made It Monday even though I made them a while ago!

Open House and Our Boutique

Indian in the Cupboard inspired writing 

Open House. To teachers it is a time to celebrate our year. To parents it is a time to see which classroom is the best for next year. Nearly every year it leaves a sour feeling in my mouth. This year I decided to be proactive - I would make it ultra engaging for both parents and children. After about 15 minutes of our traditional open house (watch a slide show and then show your writings, art, projects and sculptures) our classroom boutique was open for business.

Projects, sculptures and business
shops in the background

I suppose I should back up for a second. Since about January we have had a classroom economy. It is your average everyday economy - you get paid for work/jobs, pay weekly rent, and get fined for infractions. Early on, I was approached by some very creative and entrepreneurial minded students about business and services that they would like to provide and be paid for. I filed their ideas in the back of my mind and finally one day caved. They could develop businesses.

Duct Tape bow

I swear kids should be a bigger part of company think tanks. They developed e-comic books, Duct Tape products, water pets, flower pens, and a game similar to Angry Birds. They were required to write a business proposal, make a "store front", advertise, make products, and keep track of inventory/sales. It was an awesome lesson in business and diversification.

On the evening of Open House, each family was given $50 in classroom money to spend at our boutique. I was amazed by how dynamic my children were - even the most painfully shy ones! They hawked their products like pros. The evening captured the best of both our academic accomplishments and our creative thinking. It also kept everyone engaged and focused. I don't think I'll ever host a traditional Open House again!

Good Old Harold

We've all had "Harold" in our classroom. They are the student that does everything physically in their power to pay attention, but through no fault of their own can't. They check their invisible Lightsaber at the door, are lifeless "toys" until someone approaches and tugs their pull string bringing them to life, and they are transformers (with noises and all) switching from a human to a robot. I'm convinced that in twenty years time I'll be watching my "Harlod" as he hosts the new "Late show with Harold". He is that funny! 

Technically speaking, this blog should be entitled "Why Shoud She Lisin to Harold". It hails from the answer to a math problem (clearly no mathematical thinking involved) of my "Harold" that was very suspicious of the real Harold! This blog is dedicated to my best (and sometimes worst) practices as well as the amusing things I encounter on a weekly basis.'