Fiction Friday

Today I am linking up with Amanda over at The Teaching Thief for a review of favorite fiction books. My second and third grade students and I absolutely love the Chester books by Melanie Watt! I purchased this one to keep in my classroom because it proved to be a popular school libary choice for my students, and I could use it for a writing mini-lesson on revising:

In these books Chester is constantly battling with Melanie (the author) on taking over the content of the book. Because he crosses out and modifies Melanie's writing (in his favor), the book can be used as a mentor text for students revising their own writing. The kids love Chester's humor. I promise this book will be read over and over in your classroom!

iPad Bonus for Teachers

I am now the proud keeper of an iPad!  In an earlier post I wrote about obtaining a grant for an iPad to use in my classroom, and today I finally received word from our district's IT department that I could pick it up.  So of course I zipped right down to their office and snagged it.  I am so excited to get started on it, and even signed up for a 1 credit course on iPad apps that starts on July 9th.

Apple is offering a "back to school" special and is giving a $50 credit to teachers (and college students) who purchase an iPad, and $100 credit for those who buy a Mac.  Unfortunately mine was purchased through our district so I didn't get the $50 credit for apps and music.


It's time to bid a fond farewell to this guy -  I have an Interwrite Board and an ELMO but hung onto the overhead for old times' sake (well mostly just for setting stuff on).  Now I can also connect the iPad to the projector so his time in Room 219 must come to an end. 

RIP (on its way to collect dust in the back of our library/media room)

Summer Shopping Linky Party

Hi All - It's my first linky party! Ladybug's Teacher Files is having a linky party about school shopping in June. Although I haven't thought much about school since ending about 2 weeks ago, I did purchase some items while on vacation in Branson last week. You can link to the party at Ladybug's Teacher Files! Last April I had my second and third graders do historical fiction book studies of Titanic books in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the ship going down. They absolutely got into the topic! There was a Titanic museum in Branson, and while I didn't have time to go through it, I did hit the gift shop and got some great items. I found a replica of a newspaper from that time period, as well as a package of replicas of a telegram, dinner menu, sheet music, passenger booklet, and advertising flyers. I also purchased the book The Titanic Sinks by Thomas Conklin to add to my collection. And - I had a 10% off coupon for all of this from a Travelhost magazine I found in our hotel's lobby! Score!

You can find a free reading response trifold for the book Tonight on the Titanic at my TPT store by clicking on this link: Titanic trifold. The template for the trifold was made by Jessica Winston and I added the questions and graphic.

J. Crew Teacher Discount

Hello Friends,

I have returned from my road trip adventure to Branson, MO.  Two girlfriends, their 89-year-old mom, and I endured a 10+ hour drive to this midwest entertainment mecca.  We saw the Legends tribute show which included impersonations of Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, The Blues Brothers, Michael Jackson, and Elvis.  The Michael Jackson and Elvis impersonators were spot on!  We also took in an awesome production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that included live animals - no kidding - a camel walked down the aisle right next to us. And, we squeezed in a couple rounds of golf at a hilly but manageable course.

Now - about the J. Crew discount - we stopped at an outlet mall in Osage Beach, MO, that was really cute.  My friend purchased a pair of capris that were already 40% off, and then asked about the 15% teacher discount and they gave it to her.  She did not have her teacher ID with her, but showed some other item that had proof of "teacherhood" on it (can't remember what it was at this point), and they gave her the additional discount.  Well played J.Crew!

On the Showboat Dinner Cruise

Science

I found out today that we could pilot the update to our third grade FOSS unit.  It had previously been called Measurement, but now it is Measuring Matter. We are not sure how the new unit relates to the ongoing revision of the Common Core Science Standards.  I am looking forward to piloting the program, though, as I love the FOSS lessons.

I will be the proud owner of a new furnace in about 2 weeks.  It will set me back about $3000 - sigh.  I will be watching the pennies this summer.

Sweating in the Little Apple

Ugh - my air conditioning is out and we've been having unseasonably warm weather.  Actually it went out about two weeks ago, and I had a guy here to check it out.  He advised a replacement part that would be $500, or going with a new unit at almost $3000.  The weather got much cooler the next day so my decision was put on the back burner - well that back burner lit up this weekend.  So I guess I'll have to bite the bullet, pull out the purse, and make a decision very soon. 

Did you know that teachers get a 15% discount on every purchase at The Limited?  Just show your school ID and the savings are yours.  It is not good with their other  coupons, so if you have something better than 15% use that. 

New iPad!!

I wrote a grant through a local organization for the new iPad and I found out today that I received the grant.  I am pumped!!  The funny thing was - the letter was addressed to a colleague who had also written a grant, and she came to me and said there was a mix-up.  She said she was supposed to get the iPad and I was supposed to get a document camera (that was what it said on her letter).  I was sure the iPad was for me, and told her I could show her my grant application.  I heard through the secretary later that there was a mix-up on her application, and the iPad was mine!  Hurray!  My principal went to Best Buy at lunch and bought a case.  I won't get the iPad until the end of the June, though, because our IT dept. has to do something with it. 

Get out there and write those grants people!!