We Heart Your Blog

Here are the rules:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!

Lauren and I heart the following blogs:
A Year of Reading
Creative Literacy
Two Writing Teachers
Bud the Teacher
My Breakfast Platter
My World-Mi Mundo
Literate Lives

Better Late Than Never

Remember those Summer Goals I had.....well....I was pretty successful in accomplishing most of the personal ones during the summer. The professional goals, as always, are a work in progress. Well- I am happy to announce that thanks to a wonderful colleague and friend, Katie (see Creative Literacy), the revamping of my word study goal is coming along nicely (though it will always be changing and evolving- see how much I learned). And today- we (the kids and I) have officially reorganized the chapter book section of our classroom library. It was so rewarding to see the kids eyes light up at the sight of new-old books (you know- the ones that had always been in the library but got lost in the chaos), as well as, seriously new books that I purchased this weekend. We had a room full of book worms today....I think we could have spend the whole day reading. Oh what a day! Tomorrow we shall begin to tackle the picture books. I have to say this has generated some wonderful thinking on both the student and my behalf.

I will write more about my word study revelations in another post.

Ellie McDoodle

I found this little treasure in the library yesterday. I am sure it has been around for a while but I figured I would blog about it anyway. This series is "part journal, part graphic novel and all fun". Ellie McDoodle is a strong character with great voice. She is confident, funny and relatable. I have so many students that are torn between picture books and chapter books- this is a perfect combination of both. The pictures help tell the funny and engaging story. I can hardly wait to introduce it my students.

Pretty Inspiring

http://www.dallasisd.org/keynote.htm

Lauren's First Post

It is hard to believe that Abby and I have only known each other for just a little over a year. We met last year because I had the privilege of joining her second grade team about a week before school started. Having just graduated from college a few months prior, I was relatively naive regarding the adventure I was about to embark on last year. I can now say with not a doubt in my mind that I was blessed and fortunate to have the best first year I could have ever imagined. I learned so very much as an educator and as a person. I thoroughly enjoyed my children (truth be told, I fell in love with them), and while I may be biased, I believe I worked on one of the best grade level teams ever. Well, forwarding ahead to this year, Abby and I continue to talk, dine, and enjoy each other quite regularly even though regrettably, we are not working together any longer. Abby is persistent to say the least, and after many requests, here I am joining her on her blog. As you all know , Abby is great-she inspires me to be a better teacher and challenges me to think a little differently, a little deeper, and always with children as the focus of perfecting our art and science as teachers. While I must admit blogging sounds a little nerve racking to me, (I really am not the biggest fan of writing), I know it will be a great learning experience for me. Truly, I am looking forward to reflecting on my experience as a first grade teacher through this new medium with all of you.

Lauren

Co-Blogger and Inspiration

My colleague and friend, Lauren Scott, is going to start blogging on Authentic Learner as a co-blogger. I look forward to writing with her as I know she will inspire those that read and will hopefully motivate me to write more myself. Welcome Lauren!

My Caldecott Nomination (so far)

Friday My Radio Flyer Flew by Zachary Pullen is full of AMAZING illustrations, fun alliterations and interesting words. A boy and is father find an old radio flyer wagon in the attic and thats when all the adventures start. This little boy has some big dreams, including wanting to fly, and maybe.. just maybe that old radio flyer will be just the thing he needs to get his feet off the ground! I had to read it several times within minutes of having it. The first time I read it I could not get pass the beautiful oil painted illustrations that are not only eye catching, full page spreads but, also, are an instrumental part in telling the story. The second time I noticed the inspirational and dream like story (gotta love the dad). A child's imagination really is an amazing thing. The third time- I realized the story takes the reader through the days of the week while playing with alliteration and some really neat words (hmmm....authentic word study??). Thank you to Cathy (our amazing librarian) for putting this beautiful book that reminds us to dream big into my hands!