The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe...

Please excuse me from being absent for a few weeks, I've been lost in Narnia, and oh how it has been simply splendid!

I decided that I would teach Fantasy this month using C.S. Lewis' beautiful book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I was apprehensive to use this book for a few reasons. First of all, I was afraid that some of my students had already read the book. Although it is a level DRA 50 I could see many of my students trying to read this in the earlier years of school. I was also nervous to use this book because I knew I would be bombarded with cries of,  "I've seen the movie!!!" Regardless of my worries, I decided to teach the book anyways.I am delighted with my decision.

Did I have fifth graders that read the book before or some that have seen the movie? Absolutely! Has it made a difference in the pure enjoyment that they've gotten out of this book? Absolutely not. My fifth graders have enjoyed every chapter, every page, every word that C.S. Lewis wrote. They have been enthusiastic about reading, and at times try to sneak to read a chapter ahead. How can I be upset when a child wants to "get lost in a book?" Isn't that what we want our students to do?

On Monday we will be on Chapter 12. We are nearing the "climax" of our plot map. How exciting! The book discussions and lessons before each chapter have been magical. I have been so impressed with the discussion this book evokes in my students. My "mini" lessons have turned into more like...jumbo book discussions...because the students could go on and on talking about this book.

Some of the skills I've taught while using this book are:
*Symbolism.  (This can be tricky with this book, because the symbolism is highly connected with Jesus Christ, God, Resurrection, etc. Of course I'm not teaching any of this in the classroom...one can simply let the symbolism stay at "Good vs. Evil")
*Vocabulary
*Identifying Unknown Vocabulary (using context clues)
*Character Traits
*How character traits can effect one's decisions and actions
*Theme
*Reading strategies (Predicting, Questioning...etc.)
*Descriptive Writing

I will be posting pictures of my anchor charts that we've created this week! Has anyone else used this book before? I'm curious how your experience was using it? Hope everyone has enjoyed their wonderful weekend!

It has felt like Narnia here in Maine...lucky that it's in the teens today. Oh how I wish Aslan would come and make it Spring. :)

xo

UPDATE: I decided to add my entire novel study to my TPT store. Be sure to check it out here!


 

New TPT Products!

Hello Everyone!

  I wanted to let all of you know that I've been working on two new products today for my TPT store. Two great packets! These packets are Reader's Journal Writing Prompts! All of the journal questions align with the Common Core Reading Standards. I have Grade 4 and Grade 5! Each packet is 27 pages long. I've also included a nice matrix of all of the Reading Standards.

 Click on whichever one you'd like to check out! Thank you! :)

January Currently! Happy 2013!

I'm so excited, this is my first "currently" from Farley over at Oh Boy 4th Grade! I've been having a blast this vacation getting back into the swing of blogging, photo editing, and learning the tips and tricks of the trade again! I've also enjoyed making more bloggy friends! I appreciate my new followers and I will be sure to check out your blog and follow you as well!

So here is my January Currently...

 I'm not sure what is is about having the time to watch the Today Show in the morning but it's such a treat! I normally never get to see it because of work. Fun fact about me, 2 years ago my fiance and I went to visit NYC. We went to stand outside of the Today Show and wave to the cameras. After the show airs Matt, Ann, Al, etc walk around and shake your hands. Ann is super pro military and was talking with my fiance (who is a Marine and a State Trooper). She invited us into the Today show and we spent the whole morning watching it air! Here are a few pics to prove I'm not fibbing...seriously...

We even got to eat the yummy food they cook during the segment! It was so much fun! :)

I'm also enjoying my yummy Donut Shop Keurig made coffee! So scrumptious. I also really want a cupcake for breakfast that my mom made for Jason and I. However, I will resist the urge and probably make some eggs. Farm Fresh Eggs that is! 

(My parents and my aspiring farmer sister have chickens and we have farm fresh eggs!) 

Check out their chicken coop..It's pretty fancy.

At some point today I need to get my butt moving and use that elliptical of mine! It's a tad dusty. Oh well, the holiday season is over and time to be thinking about getting back into shape. I feel so much better when I am, just need to force myself to do it. :)

Today is the last day of vacation. I am feeling SUPERB right now. 2013 I believe will be superb, fabulous, fantastic, and magical. I'm looking forward to teaching my fifth graders for 5 1/2 more months, planning for our wedding (we are getting married in summer 2014), and going to DISNEY WORLD with my mother and sister in July! Life is grand. 

Okay, very random post but it was fun! Remember to link up with OH BOY 4th GRADE and create your own currently. Remember the rules though:

"where you need to go to the 2 links before yours and make a meaningful comment
and then come back and comment on the link after yours...
spread the love and joy"

I concur Farley, spread love and joy..everyday!

Happy 2013 Everyone! xox

Another New Year's Linky Party!

I've linked up with Jen at The Teacher's Cauldron for another fun "resolution" party! Her blog is one of the blogs that inspired me to create my own! It's wonderful, be sure to check it out if you haven't yet!

This party is pretty simple, which I like. One resolution for life in general and one for blogging!

Life: Well, I could think of many resolutions for life. I mean, don't we want to improve everything we do??? I'd love to make time to finish projects around the house and decorate. I often find that decorating and designing the house comes last on my long list of things to do. However, I've gotten some cute decorations for Christmas and I can't wait to continue working on several rooms in the home.

Blogging: I want to BLOG more in general. I need to at least blog once a week. On another note, I'd like to continue to create things for my TPT store. I only have a few things on TPT however I've gotten great reviews and sales. I'm excited to try to make a few more things for my store.

Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment, I'd love to add more blogs to follow!
xo

2012's Blog's Best and Brightest!

Hello Everyone! I'm linking up with Christina at Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge! for a superb linky party to celebrate 2012 and to discuss goals and aspirations to achieve in 2013! So here we go...

I began blogging this summer. I had always admired other "teacher" blogs and bloggers. I never thought I would be able to create a blog. Well, thanks to The Honey Bunch Blog Design I was able to achieve a beautiful blog that I am so proud of! They make beautiful blogs! 

It's amazing what a nice looking blog that your proud of can inspire you to write and keep up with the blogging community. I have to admit, I haven't blogged as much as I've wanted to. Especially when the school year began, I found it difficult to keep up with. However, I have enjoyed what I have posted and the feedback I've gotten. I believe the most popular post I've done was Made it Monday! Here I posted about my own lesson plan book I created for my new TPT Store!

YES I have a TPT store. Though it is small, I've had some fantastic reviews and sales for some of my products. I hope to continue to learn how to make things beautiful and create more fun projects! Some of my favorite things I've created are my lesson plan book and my writer's workshop binder sheets! Check them out! 

My goals for 2013? 

*Continue to BLOG at least once a week! I wake up early enough everyday and enjoy a nice cup of coffee? Why not blog about what's happening at school?

*Create new items for my TPT store. I'm really into the Common Core at the moment. (I know, I'm a nerd..) However, I want to create a few literacy products that are Common Core aligned. 

*Keep in touch with more bloggers, follow more bloggers, and hopefully have more followers! :) I want to share and create a larger community of fellow teachers. Let's talk!

Okay, now it's your turn. Be sure to link up! :) Happy Saturday my friends. I'm off to plan and get ready for next week. I'm beginning a Fantasy Unit (remember I only teach reading at the moment). Anyone have any good suggestions

2 Days..

Who's counting? I'm really only joking, because I've had two snow days this week...okay maybe I'm not. I'm super excited to have a little time off! I've been browsing the TPT store for some fun activities for these last few days. (My lesson plans are by the wayside and totally messed up because of a snow days Monday and Tuesday.) I wanted to share some GREAT packets I purchased. If you are a fellow fourth or fifth grade teacher you will LOVE these two literacy packets!

 Christmas Common Core Literacy Activities!

Christmas Common Core Literacy Pack! 4th and 5th!

I'm using these today with all of my 50 something students. I think they will love them! These cute activities inspired me to make a few things on Christmas Break. We shall see what I come up with! :) I can be pretty crafty...

Have a wonderful day! xo

Snow Day Number Two!

Snow day number two this week. Total snow days so far this school year: three. It is miserable outside! I am so thankful that I didn't have to go out and drive in this stuff. We have about 9-10 inches so far! I didn't want to go outside yet, therefore I have taken a quick snapshot of a piece of my backyard. Notice all the snow piled up onto our picnic tables!

Yesterday I made quite a few sugar cookies, read, watched several versions of a Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street. What was I to do on my second snow day?  So far this is what I've accomplished:

19 little goodie bags for my 19 very special 5th graders. 

I miss my students. I often wonder what they are up to during snow days and vacations. I hope they are having a wonderful snowy day. With the recent events that occurred in CT, I can't wait to give them all an extra hug and smile when I get to see them tomorrow (hopefully).

I'll leave everyone with this positive thought: