Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares

Benjamin Franklin was a kid once. Apparently, he amused himself by constructing "magic squares"; these special grids house one numeral per square, and total the same sum whether you're adding vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. This Step Into Reading + Math text creatively integrates mathematics with reading and social studies.

Sunshine Makes the Seasons

The sun is the only star in our solar system. I never think about it that way, even though shapes my daily existence. This is # 2 of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science.

Garage Sale 2.0 #1 Draw 50 Baby Animals

Drawing isn't for everyone. If you know a student who struggles to produce basic sketches, this book may be for him or her. Step-by-step illustrations are always helpful for visual learners. I'm attempting to expand the variety of texts in my library. The new additions include books about art, sports, and music. Speaking of which, I'm off to the Decatur Arts Festival this afternoon. Who knows what treasure awaits!

Motivational Units for Spring: A Good Apple Seasonal Idea/Activity Book for Grades 2-6

Wise teachers anticipate spring fever and plan accordingly.

Puzzles, plays, personality tests, projects, puppet patterns -- you name it. If it starts with a p, this book has it. The other letters make an appearance too.  

Garage Sale Purchase # 11: My Favorite Foodles

"Don't just doodle,

use your noodle."

"Think of all your

favorite foodles!"  

- back Cover

I actually really like this anthology. It looks kind of like a basal reader, but the literature is quality. Various genres such as non-fiction instructional text and poetry offer a rich literary experience. A few of the stories included are: 

One Gorilla - Atsuko Morozumi

The foot Book - Dr. Seuss

No Puppies Today - Joanna Cole

The Desert - Carol Carrick

And that concludes my garage sale spree. 

Garage Sale Purchase # 10: Ever Clever Elisa

I'm new to the Riverside Kids series, but I trust Scholastic.

 From the back cover:


"Elisa is finally in a grade with a number -- just like her big brother, Russell. Elisa is old enough to take piano lessons, lose a tooth, or make a special Mother's Day breakfast. Sometimes Russell treats her like a baby, but Elisa is making big plans!"

Go ahead, girl.

Garage Sale Purchase # 9:101 and 1 Dalmations

More Disney...you can never have too much.

Garage Sale Purchase # 8: Dumbo

Disney books are the best! I grew up on these too. Literally. I wonder if the people down the street raided my basement and made a profit off of my zeal for all things familiar. Hmm, it can't hurt to have a couple of copies on hand...

Journal Writing: Primary

- Journal Cover Templates
- Cross-content area writing Prompts
- Penmanship

It's Ok to Be Different

I'll admit that I wasn't exactly thrilled about this colorful picture book on first read. However, I did find it exceedingly entertaining, engaging, and thought provoking. My kindergarteners reactions where the clincher though.
"It's ok to be large"
      "He's fat!"

"It's ok to be missing a tooth (or two or three)"
     "I haven't lost any teeth. I'm so mad."

"It's ok to have different nose."
     "Ewww!!!"

Now, doesn't this sound like a good time for a discussion on appreciating differences?

About Insects: A Guide for Children

Wonderful instructional text for children! No gross photos either. My kindergarteners appreciated that.Cathryn and John Sill form an excellent team to communicate basic life science through text and detailed illustrations. It's amazing how much information you can gather from a realistic illustration.

Just Jump

Mabel E. Singletary is a seasoned elementary school teacher who writes authentic children's fiction. The premiere book in the Double Dutch series introduces six friends: Tanya, Ming, Rachel, Carla, Lindsey, and Nancy. The girls enter pursue their favorite passtime by entering the statewide Double Dutch competition. Forming a winning team challenges the girls to unite. These elementary students learn to appreciate their strength in diversity, working towards a common goal.

The Sining Man

Banzar is an oral historian and traditional Nigerian Musician. Angela Shelf Medearis deftly address the tension between following one's heart verses societal norms. Banzar chooses to become a musician, a choice which results in rejection from his Village near Lagos, Nigeria. This West African folktale comes to life through the realistic oil and pencil illustrations by Terea Shaffer. Like the Biblical Joseph, Medearis writes about rejection, grief, courage, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Lake and the Big Snake: An African Rain Forest Adventure

Isaac Olaleye recalls his childhood memories of Nigeria in this exciting friendship story. Two young boys brave a deadly snake, quick sand, and their own shortcomings in a quest that teaches them the value of good friends.

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Mary Mcleod Bethune

Mcleod Bethune is my hero. I want to be just like her when I grow up. Here are a few reasons why...

1. She loved books!
2. She graduated from the Moody Bible Institute.
3. She wanted to serve as a missionary in Africa...God had other plans though :)
4. She founded multiple schools.
5. She advocated for those in need, particularly Black children and women.
6. She adorned herself in bright hues and rich fabrics.
7. She was a devoted wife and mother.
8. She advised the president on his youth educational programs.
9. She cherished the Word of God.
10. She was one of our nation's greatest educators, and her legacy continues bless young and old today. 
    
    

    Mary McLeod Bethune: A Great American Educatorby Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick L. McKissack
    

    
    
    The structure of this 3rd. grade biographical texts flows extremely well. Most books about Mrs. Mcleod Bethune include the same photos and excerpts of original document. The Cornerstones series does these artifacts justice by formating them to precisely to the text. Upper middle grade students will find this a helpful resource for research projects, while lower grades will benefit from read alouds.

Are You My Mother?

Just finished watching "The Birds". Ew. I prefer this version of our feathery friends.

The First Four Years

It's official! Laura has agreed to marry Almonzo "Manly" Wilder. They wed in a simple ceremony to the displeasure of Almonzo's mother and sisters, who had something a little bit larger in mind. Some things change very little over the years : ) Besides saying "I do", Laura also agreed to be a farm wife for three years. Manly promised her that if he doesn't make a successful living for them by that time, he'll move anywhere Laura desires. Sounds reasonable...right? Now the question is whether or not these young newly-weds can make it through the first three years. Farm life on the South Dakota prairie is challenging, to say the least. Add a baby to that mix and your work is definitely cut out for you! The pioneer spirit of The Little House books have enthralled generations of American readers; you'll have to read this conclusion to the series *tear, sniff, sniff* to discover whether or not that pioneer spirit is enough to sustain Laura and Almonzo through the harsh reality of prairie life.

These Happy Golden Years

"Only yesterday she was a schoolgirl; now she was a school teacher. This had happened so suddenly... But tomorrow she would be teaching school.


She did not really know how to do it. She never had taught school, and she was not sixteen years old yet. Even for fifteen, she was small; and now she felt very small." -Chapter One

The cover of this book depicts a confident looking young woman joining hands with smitten young man. There is so much more to the story, although Laura and Almonzo's budding romance is a definite theme. Laura transitions from childhood to adulthood as she assumes classroom responsibilities far from home.  The distance tears at her heart, but she does it because of her love for the ones she holds close. Life is ironic like that. These Happy Golden Years poignantly illustrates time's bittersweet beauty, celebrating the wonder and of novelty of young adulthood in the midst of childhood lost.  

Little Town on the Prairie

Laura is a teacher! As a bright student and a dutiful sister, Laura acquires her teacher certification so that she can support older sister Mary's education at the college for the blind. Talk about a dedicated fifteen year old. Just thinking of her entering her classroom for the first time thrills me to the core! On a side note, tomorrow I begin my final student teaching assignment at a Decatur Elementary school. Laura Ingalls Wilder's relentless curiosity and thirst for learning have always inspired me.  In some small way, she deserves credit for my current career track. You're my hero, Laura! Apparently Almonzo Wilder thought she was too cool for school himself. He requests permission to walk her home from church *OOOHOOOH*, heralding a new season of friendship...and more to come! Ahh, there's nothing better than a coming of age- teacher tale with a side of heart-flutters and sweet nothings.

The Long Winter

Brrr! Dakoata Territory winter smothers the countryside in snow. The Ingall's little town is bombarded by blizzards, which cut-off supplies crucial to their survival. Waiting for the snow to melt while watching the food stock dwindle to nearly nothing makes for a desperate Christmas season! Is hope lost? Not if Almonzo Wilder has anything to do with it. Our childhood friend from the New York farming community reappears on the scene, this time as a courages young man. Together with a friend, Almonzo rides a daring journey across the Winter-streaked plains to secure food for the starving town's folk. The atypical Christmas story sends readers on a suspense-packed ride through the midst of the blizzard and into the enveloping warmth of loving hearts.