technically I've only been on summer vacation for a week. I taught summer school for the month of July and actually did not mind it one bit. Now it's all about family time, spending time at the lake, parks, and pool hopping. I will say I have already started the back to school nightmares and insomnia has made an appearance. As nervous as I am about only teaching science and social studies, I am getting excited about all the great mentor texts I am going to incorporate into my curriculum.
Several of us bloggers have come together to give you some awesome ideas for Back to School Books! These books can be used to set up your classroom community, begin a good lesson, or just as a fun read-aloud.
The book I'd like to share with you is Each Kindness. Have you heard of this amazing book?
Basically this book starts off when a new student arrives at school mid year, head down, with broken sandals, and she sits right next to Chloe. The teacher introduces the pigtailed new student as Maya, but hardly anyone says hello, nor does Chloe give a welcoming smile.
Talk about a perfect first day of school book! If you want to show your students the power of friendship this is the book to read.
What I LOVE to do is print out covers of the mentor texts that I read throughout the year on the school colored printer (like the picture above). Then I laminate the page and hang it on the wall. As the year progresses the wall gets FULL of covers of books. While I teach my strategy based mini lessons, the students can easily look up at the wall, look at the book covers and titles, and connect a strategy to a book. This books is AWESOME for inferring skills.
While working on inference skills in my classroom, I LOVE pulling small groups. I can quickly assess their knowledge by using my favorite Inference vs. Fact task cards.
I usually print these on colored paper, laminate, and let kids use an Expo marker to circle their answer.
This is an excellent assessment and even better way to practice inferring and looking back in the text to prove a fact. If a student struggles, I've even sent a sheet or two home for homework. It works well for parents to see what their child is expected to master in class. Check them out!
And have you heard? Teachers Pay Teachers is having a site-wide Back to School Sale August 3rd and 4th, so you will be able to get [this product] 28% off using the promo code BTS15!
We know what else really "lights a fire" in you, and that is fabulous technology! We are giving away a brand new Kindle Fire HD6 to one lucky winner!
Enter the rafflecopter below by hopping through each of our blogs and entering the secret word that can be found on the tablet in each of our posts. Also make sure to follow our TPT stores because the winner will be announced through a message in your TPT inbox!
We are also giving away a $25 gift certificate to Creative Teaching Press! My favorite place to get classroom decorations! :)
Check out my friend Michele's post for the next secret word by clicking on the image below.
Good luck! We hope you have a successful start to your school year!
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