Printing, Laminating and Cutting....oh my!

Summer is winding down and its time for this teacher to get it together so I have printed my new center stuff and after 10 years of teaching I did something incredible, fantastic, stupendous, phenomenal.  I ORDERED MY VERY OWN LAMINATOR!!!  Did you get that?  Do you understand?  Do you comprehend the depth of what this means?   This means that I laminate while I am in front of the TV.  I laminate as soon as I create and print.  I am an official laminator!  Exciting stuff people....exciting stuff.

A midst my printing and ordering a laminator I also ordered a book I needed to add to my library which reminded me about the other wonderful books written by the same author.  I think Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan is a wonderful author.  Her books are infused with community and responsibility and the core belief that one person can ignite change.  I absolutely love all the books I have read by her.  My favorite is Grandpa's Corner Store.

Lucy is worried that the mega stores are going to put her grandpa out of business.  This story is a wonderful depiction of the importance of community. It takes a village to build a life. Lucy is able to pull the neighborhood together to save her Grandpa's corner store.  There is a great map at the end that will also lend to so many great lessons in your classroom.

Another great read aloud by this author is City Green.

The city condemns and demolishes a building in Marcy's neighborhood.  Marcy is so upset but sets to clean and plant seeds in the vacant lot.  As she works, Ms. Rose, her neighbor is right along side her cleaning and planting.  Their energy is infectious and before long we see the other neighbors volunteer their time, supplies and resources to turn that ugly lot into a beautiful community garden.  Again is Ms. Disalvo-Ryan's theme of community and volunteerism.  It takes a village to build a life.

One other great book, that again depicts the importance of volunteerism is Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen.

Uncle Willie brings Andy to the soup kitchen he comes to serve everyday.  He considers the folks he helps as guests and works to make it a warm inviting place for all who come to get a meal.  You feel Uncle Willie's compassion and it shows kids that there are many ways to help in your community.  It is heartwarming.

Lastly, I just ordered this book yesterday.  I have never read the book in its entirety but from what I see it infuses important themes of community as well.  It is Castle on Viola Street.  

Andy and his family live in a cramped apartment.  They are given the opportunity to help build a home for a family (think habitat for humanity) and eventually build a house for their own family.  I can't wait to get it in the mail!

If you do not have any of her books, they are a must for your library.

Until the next time.