I abandoned this little young blog of mine and today I missed it. Life got in the way and I let this go big time but I am ready to give it the time and love it deserves. Giving my blog time and love means I am giving my passion the time and respect it deserves and the older I get the more I realize how very vital that is.
So bear with me as I get this relaunch together. I want this blog to be different and exciting. I want it to be something you enjoy reading. I want you to hear my excitement and passion for children's books and teaching. I want you to hear me and who I am. And I hope you can even learn something on here.
Stay tuned!
Lena
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Where have I been?
Greetings!
It has indeed been a loooong while since my last post and I have no real excuse for it. We all lead busy lives and I should and I must make time for blog posts. Why? Cause I love my blog and I love talking about children's books.
So I finally sat down at this computer and said to myself...girl lets get it together and publish a post. In the weeks since school has begun I have been working extensively with my kiddies on vocabulary. I have a pocket chart at my morning meeting area and I put vocabulary of the day cards in them...usually simple themes such as colors, weather words, fall, etc. I laminate a picture of a character from a book they love like Pete the cat, Junie B. Jones, Moose (from Moose a Muffin) and I hide the character behind one of the picture cards. The class has to find the character. The only rule is that they must speak in complete sentences. So something like...."I think Pete the cat is behind the cornstalk". I play the tune from jeopardy and we look under the cards until he is found. Simple I know but the kiddies love it. I love that they are speaking in complete sentences and learning vocabulary at the same time. I have quite a few ELL's in my room so it has helped them tremendously.
We have started ReadyGen in NYC and I will leave my opinion (or at least try to) out of it. It is a very scripted program but I still think its important to instill a love of reading great literature into our little learners, so I make sure to read a great book each day. They lovelovelove anything Pete the cat. We must have read The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything 642 times. We read most of the Numeroff circular stories and they loved those as well. So as I look through my books, I can't help but think of all the great Halloween books I must read to them. There are so many of them. One of my absolute favorite ones and its not Halloween but more monster is ............(drumroll)...........
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All these books are CLASSIC Halloween stories so if you don't have them....get them!!! They are fun read alouds with great illustrations.
Well I did it. I wrote a post after being away for so long! I will be sure to never let that happen again.
Hurray for 3 day weekends!
Until the next time people.
It has indeed been a loooong while since my last post and I have no real excuse for it. We all lead busy lives and I should and I must make time for blog posts. Why? Cause I love my blog and I love talking about children's books.
So I finally sat down at this computer and said to myself...girl lets get it together and publish a post. In the weeks since school has begun I have been working extensively with my kiddies on vocabulary. I have a pocket chart at my morning meeting area and I put vocabulary of the day cards in them...usually simple themes such as colors, weather words, fall, etc. I laminate a picture of a character from a book they love like Pete the cat, Junie B. Jones, Moose (from Moose a Muffin) and I hide the character behind one of the picture cards. The class has to find the character. The only rule is that they must speak in complete sentences. So something like...."I think Pete the cat is behind the cornstalk". I play the tune from jeopardy and we look under the cards until he is found. Simple I know but the kiddies love it. I love that they are speaking in complete sentences and learning vocabulary at the same time. I have quite a few ELL's in my room so it has helped them tremendously.
We have started ReadyGen in NYC and I will leave my opinion (or at least try to) out of it. It is a very scripted program but I still think its important to instill a love of reading great literature into our little learners, so I make sure to read a great book each day. They lovelovelove anything Pete the cat. We must have read The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything 642 times. We read most of the Numeroff circular stories and they loved those as well. So as I look through my books, I can't help but think of all the great Halloween books I must read to them. There are so many of them. One of my absolute favorite ones and its not Halloween but more monster is ............(drumroll)...........
I love this book....so cute and clever! We usually make a class book on how to take care of our class monster. I know the kids will love this book and here are few others I must put in my school bag for this week.
Well I did it. I wrote a post after being away for so long! I will be sure to never let that happen again.
Hurray for 3 day weekends!
Until the next time people.
Friday, September 13, 2013
I made it through the first week!!!
The first week of kindergarten is tough! Its exhausting to get them used to the routines, to lining up in a straight line, to not calling out, to sharing, to understanding what an indoor voice is, to taking out their supplies and hanging book bags in the cubby with their name on it.....wait...can you recognize your name? Please, please don't cry cause trust me, believe me, I promise you that lady you call mom is coming back.
So I am tired..exhausted really. So happy to be at home in my pjs with my coffee and the sweet thought of slumber past my alarm time. Such happiness really!!
But in all seriousness....getting to know the little people in your class is a serious task. You want to know what they like and don't like. You want to know how they retain, solve, comprehend, learn...I mean you want to learn as much as you possibly can about each of them so that you can be an effective teacher. But there is a part of this that is bigger than all of that. You want your kids to have a relationship with you. Students do not learn from non-care and any teacher can tell you that it is very difficult to teach a broken child. I want my kids to trust me and my intentions. I want each and everyone of them to build a process of thinking that will carry them into adulthood. I want them all to love great literature...to use a great book to escape from the difficulties of life. I want each of them to feel the freedom of knowledge and education. I want a lot I know, but I do believe that if I make that energy present in my class, my kids will be better for it. Today I came across this video that puts into words all that I was trying to say here. Being a teacher is not easy and it seems to be getting progressively harder, but the rewards of doing it with great positive intention is indescribable.
So I am tired..exhausted really. So happy to be at home in my pjs with my coffee and the sweet thought of slumber past my alarm time. Such happiness really!!
But in all seriousness....getting to know the little people in your class is a serious task. You want to know what they like and don't like. You want to know how they retain, solve, comprehend, learn...I mean you want to learn as much as you possibly can about each of them so that you can be an effective teacher. But there is a part of this that is bigger than all of that. You want your kids to have a relationship with you. Students do not learn from non-care and any teacher can tell you that it is very difficult to teach a broken child. I want my kids to trust me and my intentions. I want each and everyone of them to build a process of thinking that will carry them into adulthood. I want them all to love great literature...to use a great book to escape from the difficulties of life. I want each of them to feel the freedom of knowledge and education. I want a lot I know, but I do believe that if I make that energy present in my class, my kids will be better for it. Today I came across this video that puts into words all that I was trying to say here. Being a teacher is not easy and it seems to be getting progressively harder, but the rewards of doing it with great positive intention is indescribable.
Until next time!
Friday, August 30, 2013
Can no longer ignore the truth....Happy Labor Day!
Teachers in New York City know that Labor Day is the final toll bell to our vacation. We can no longer ignore it. The end is here. Come the Tuesday after Labor Day, teachers from NYC will officially be back at work.
As I sit here and contemplate my summer, I have to admit that I had a great vacation. I got to spend great time with my family, I created some great resources (if I say so myself) and most importantly I started my blog. It is quite gratifying to see that I still like my profession. I reread my posts and it makes me happy that after 10 years and all the changes education has and is going through, my enthusiasm for teaching and children's literature is apparent. I look through my library and I see a book I haven't seen in a while and I get excited like its a present I forgot to open. Sounds silly I know but I do believe that at the core of any quality education is great quality literature. So here is a book I did stumble upon today:
As I sit here and contemplate my summer, I have to admit that I had a great vacation. I got to spend great time with my family, I created some great resources (if I say so myself) and most importantly I started my blog. It is quite gratifying to see that I still like my profession. I reread my posts and it makes me happy that after 10 years and all the changes education has and is going through, my enthusiasm for teaching and children's literature is apparent. I look through my library and I see a book I haven't seen in a while and I get excited like its a present I forgot to open. Sounds silly I know but I do believe that at the core of any quality education is great quality literature. So here is a book I did stumble upon today:
There are not many words in the pages of this book. Wow! Tunnel! Wow people! Wow! Well you get the idea. It is the illustrations. I love them because they are huge! Its what you imagine you would feel looking at say NYC when you were say 3.
Mr. Neubecker has written a few Wow books - Wow! America! Wow! Ocean! and Wow! School! The illustrations are phenomenal and just as wonderful as the ones above. A must for your library.
Ok here's to enjoying these last free days of summer. I got my coffee and I am going to sit on my front steps with my triplets. Happy Labor Day!
Until next time!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Just a quick addendum
OMG people! I just did a quick search of the book The Donut Chef by Bob Staake and look what I got!!!!
Donuts from donutchef.com. Bob Staake's website. Oh the things you find when you search. The littlest things really do bring joy! LOL!!!
Until next time for real!
Summer is officially O V A!
People,
I have been so busy just getting it all ready for the new school year. I think all educators would agree that September should be the start of the new year. We should wear hats, party blowers in hand, and scream HAPPY NEW YEAR!! on the first day of school. There is a feeling that is hard to explain but it is shared by parents, kids and teachers alike. Its a mix of excitement, sadness (summer is gone), anxiety, and hope. Its a new start to teach differently, to try something new or improve upon what worked the year before. There is also a bit of teacher anxiety, how many of those"trying" ones will be in your class?(you know at least one). How long before they learn the rules and routines? Will I like the new curriculum being implemented this year across NYC? Monday I go in for some lovely professional development (hope you got a taste of the sarcasm), so my summer is officially ova not over but O V A! I went in on Thursday to move furniture and get an idea of where I want things to go (I am in a new room this year).
My goal is always to be more organized. It is a struggle for me. I am organized in certain areas of my life but teaching can be quite messy! My plan book looks good. Updated my data binder for the year. Got my centers together. Classroom decor is pretty much done too so I decided to look at my files of teacher created materials and clip art and freebies and really try to put those little zip drive thingys in order. I didn't get far before I decided to Pinterest instead but I did come across a nice little freebie that I created for one of my many favorite read alouds. Here is the book:
Oh what a great story, its rhyme is sure to keep your kids attention and its just a fun book! There are two donut shops competing for customers. They will stop at nothing to beat out the competition. Here are my favorite words from the story:
I have been so busy just getting it all ready for the new school year. I think all educators would agree that September should be the start of the new year. We should wear hats, party blowers in hand, and scream HAPPY NEW YEAR!! on the first day of school. There is a feeling that is hard to explain but it is shared by parents, kids and teachers alike. Its a mix of excitement, sadness (summer is gone), anxiety, and hope. Its a new start to teach differently, to try something new or improve upon what worked the year before. There is also a bit of teacher anxiety, how many of those"trying" ones will be in your class?(you know at least one). How long before they learn the rules and routines? Will I like the new curriculum being implemented this year across NYC? Monday I go in for some lovely professional development (hope you got a taste of the sarcasm), so my summer is officially ova not over but O V A! I went in on Thursday to move furniture and get an idea of where I want things to go (I am in a new room this year).
My goal is always to be more organized. It is a struggle for me. I am organized in certain areas of my life but teaching can be quite messy! My plan book looks good. Updated my data binder for the year. Got my centers together. Classroom decor is pretty much done too so I decided to look at my files of teacher created materials and clip art and freebies and really try to put those little zip drive thingys in order. I didn't get far before I decided to Pinterest instead but I did come across a nice little freebie that I created for one of my many favorite read alouds. Here is the book:
Oh what a great story, its rhyme is sure to keep your kids attention and its just a fun book! There are two donut shops competing for customers. They will stop at nothing to beat out the competition. Here are my favorite words from the story:
"It wasn't long before the sweets
Looked not at all like donut treats.
They'd lost their taste. They'd lost their soul
They'd even lost their donut hole!"
It takes the cute Debbie Sue to teach the donut chef and the whole town really that less is really more and simple is best. I love this book so much so that I created a mini unit in my TPT store and its a freebie. This book needs to be in every elementary teacher's library. I read it every year. Click below to get my freebie.
Until next time!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
We are in Business! Children's Books about Economics and Business.
People!
I am a mother of a college age son! Lawd! I still cannot believe that he is in his dorm. I look over at the love seat where he usually sits and its empty. I miss him so! And even crazier is how profound the feeling is when I eat or feed the triplets. Did my first born eat? Did he eat a good meal? Did he drink his coffee? He's probably not snacking as much. It is a turn in the road for me as a mom and the transition is not easy. The part of life I gave him isn't mine and my boy is out there in the world living his life. I am no longer his major lifeline...he is but I am his biggest supporter and that will never change. Ok there I go again, enough already Lena lets move on to BOOKS.
So I just finished my unit on literacy and economics. Every year my class works on this unit. We become business owners of imaginary eateries. We learn about alliteration and menus, money, business plans, saving, spending, banks, checks, donations, accounts, storefronts, customers, advertising, bosses, employees/workers, customers, weekly specials, coupons, etc. We always have a great time and it teaches great life skills, business/economic concepts and vocabulary. We set up shop and student partners patronize each other's imaginary eateries using guest checks, menus and coupons. If you are interested, you can look at my unit in my TPT store. Here is the link:
I am a mother of a college age son! Lawd! I still cannot believe that he is in his dorm. I look over at the love seat where he usually sits and its empty. I miss him so! And even crazier is how profound the feeling is when I eat or feed the triplets. Did my first born eat? Did he eat a good meal? Did he drink his coffee? He's probably not snacking as much. It is a turn in the road for me as a mom and the transition is not easy. The part of life I gave him isn't mine and my boy is out there in the world living his life. I am no longer his major lifeline...he is but I am his biggest supporter and that will never change. Ok there I go again, enough already Lena lets move on to BOOKS.
So I just finished my unit on literacy and economics. Every year my class works on this unit. We become business owners of imaginary eateries. We learn about alliteration and menus, money, business plans, saving, spending, banks, checks, donations, accounts, storefronts, customers, advertising, bosses, employees/workers, customers, weekly specials, coupons, etc. We always have a great time and it teaches great life skills, business/economic concepts and vocabulary. We set up shop and student partners patronize each other's imaginary eateries using guest checks, menus and coupons. If you are interested, you can look at my unit in my TPT store. Here is the link:
There are so many wonderful children's books about business and economics. Books that are great read-alouds that kids love listening to over and over. Here is a list of the books that I use in conjunction with the unit above.
Ok I am off to watch TV, laminate and look over at my empty love seat missing my boy!
Until next time.
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