Summer Reading

Ask your students about summer reading and the sighs start. This year I'm trying something different and I've already inspired some hogs and aha from my class. About a 2 weeks before school let out we had a book swap in my class. I sent home a note telling students/parents to clean out their book shelves at home. They could bring in old books and swap them for other books. Students could bring in as many books as they wanted and got a swap ticket for each book up to (5). We then sorted out all the books. I used scholastic bonus points to buy some of the newest popular books and put those out as well. On swap day, I had students pick a number and they rotated to turn their tickets in and pick a book. Any books left over we're donated to our classroom library. The kids LOVED it and they asked to do it again next fall. 

The next thing we are doing is a summer blog. I did some research for a few good books at my students level and came up with 3 after a vote. On my classroom website mrswintersclassroom.com there is a blog section. We will have a blog conversation about the books. Each week I will post a question and students will respond. We do interactive read aloud in my classroom everyday and this will help continue the practice. I know that it may not be as successful as I hope but it is worth a try. I'll keep you posted.

Summer Time

3 days until Summer break so that means blogging is back. Woooohoooo! My first year in Oklahoma has been a success. I need to thank so many people for supporting me and guiding me through. My class was amazing at trying new things. I set the bar high and they never once complained but instead challenged themselves and grew tremendously both academically and personally as a result. Can't wait to see how they use and apply their new strategies in years to come.