Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Friday, March 27, 2015

Spring Break 2015 (Blog BREAK)...

Spring Break 2015 - A BREAK from the Blog

*As most educators I absolutely love my job of teaching, but I also enjoy the wonderful breaks we are given throughout the year.

*I'm finishing up conferences today and then have a week off for spring break 2015.


*This is always a time to spend with my family, sit back and relax a bit, and of course get caught up on all the books I want to read.

*I will be joining my wife and son (who is a senior) in Florida tonight for a long weekend.  I can't wait to find the perfect beach chair either right on the beach or by the pool, order a drink, and dig into a perfect novel.

*This blog has become a big part of my life, but I know I need to give myself a break from it from time to time.  I'm thinking this coming week is one of those times.

*The weekly features will not be updated until Monday, April 6th.

*I'm sure I will still post book reviews as I finish the many books on my TBR pile.

*Wishing all of you wonderful teachers, librarians, and educators a happy spring and the extra time to spend away from our "demanding" job with an excellent book or two or three.

*Happy Spring Break 2015!  Enjoy...

Friend Friday #85 (The Littles by John Peterson)...

Hi!  I am Vivian and I read the book called The Littles written by John Peterson.


I think this book was mysterious because Tom was dressed as a rat and didn't know if he was going to survive or not.  


My favorite part in the story was when the cat was nice and Tom could ride on its back because I thought it was nice that a cat would do that.  




The character that I liked best was Tom because he was really brave.  


I think the author wrote this book because 
he thought that the book would be interesting to many people.  


I would recommend this book to my friends because it is a mysterious book and I think kids my age like those types of stories.  


Reading to me is relaxing because I could cuddle up and read all the kinds of book I like.  


*Vivian is a fourth grader in one of my three reading classes.  She LOVES to read!  


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Skype Visit the Jory John - Author of The Terrible Two...

Skype Visit - Jory John and The Terrible Two

*I remember hearing about this book long before it was actually released.

*When I read it I absolutely loved it and knew it would be a hit with kids.

*I actually picked it for a "Breakfast with Books" book club selection.

*This is an optional book club that I offer my fourth grade readers.



*We meet before school, enjoy some breakfast treats, and talk about the book.

*I was fortunate enough that Jory John, one of the authors, agreed to meet with us via Skype.

*We are in Minneapolis and he is in California.  So when we gathered at 8:30 AM this morning, it was 6:30 AM his time.  He was quite a trooper to be up and ready at that hour.

*Jory talked to us about his life, his writing, and we took "The Terrible Two" prank oath.

*Here are some pictures from our Skype visit this morning...

















Trailer Thursday #85...

*Our picture books this week were all about Opossumondas.  This series of books captivated by fourth graders and we had many good laughs...




Epossumondas by Coleen Salley (Picture Book Series)

Life Lesson #26 (Be Different)...

"Be Different"

*Thursday is the day when I present a "life lesson" to my fourth graders.

*It is my hope that these mini-lessons inspire them to be the best possible person they can be.

*We watch the video as a class and discuss a bit.

*The writers then get busy in their writer's notebooks.  

*They can write their reactions, thoughts, feelings, connections, and/or reminders.

*At the end of our 5-10 minutes writing time, a few of the kids will share what they wrote.

*One of my major goals each year is to teach my students to be different, stand out, and be themselves.  Isn't that what we want for everyone!  

Life Lessons from this Year...
Life Lesson #1 - Be Brave
Life Lesson #2 - Be Kind
Life Lesson #3 - Be Courageous
Life Lesson #4 - Be Motivated
Life Lesson #5 - Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
Life Lesson #6 - Be Inspired: Never Give Up on Your Goals
Life Lesson #7 - Be SHOUTful (Shout Your Success)
Life Lesson #8 - Be Spooky (Halloween Week)
Life Lesson #9 - Be Kind (Part Two)
Life Lesson #10 - Be Happy
Life Lesson #11 - The Power of Literacy (Be a Reader)
Life Lesson #12 - Be POWERful
Life Lesson #13 - Be a Team
Life Lesson #14 - Be Merry
Life Lesson #15 - Be Giving
Life Lesson #16 - Be Brave (Part Two)
Life Lesson #17 - Be Positive
Life Lesson #18 - Be Dancelike
Life Lesson #19 - You Can Do It!
Life Lesson #20 - Be a Hero (Celebrating Day 100)
Life Lesson #21 - Be A Friend
Life Lesson #22 - Be Kind (Part Three)
Life Lesson #23 - Be Strong and Courageous
Life Lesson #24 - Be Fearless
Life Lesson #25 - Be a Sportsman/Sportwoman

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Wonder Wednesday #85 (Picture Book March Madness)...

Wonder Wednesday - Voting for Round Three

*This week we continued our voting for "Picture Book March Madness."

*We are taking the "Elite 8" and narrowing it down to the FINAL four.




Class Three...


What is Your Favorite Book?

Crankenstein1152.4%
Good Night iPad1047.6%

What is Your Favorite Book?

The Day the Crayons Quit1571.4%
Interrupting Chicken628.6%

What is Your Favorite Book?

Kel Gilligan1885.7%
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole314.3%

What is Your Favorite Book?

Good News, Bad News1361.9%
Nugget & Fang838.1%

Wonder Wednesday #85 (Picture Book March Madness)...

Wonder Wednesday - Voting for Round Three

*This week we continued our voting for "Picture Book March Madness."

*We are taking the "Elite 8" and narrowing it down to final four.



Class Two...

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Goodnight Ipad940.9%
Oh No!  (My Science Project Destroyed the World)1359.1%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

The Day the Crayons Quit1463.6%
My Want My Hat Back836.4%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

This Is Not a Good Idea1568.2%
Boy + Bot731.8%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Good News, Bad News1150%
Wumbers1150%

Wonder Wednesday #85 (Picture Book March Madness)...

Wonder Wednesday - Voting for Round Three

*This week we continued our voting for "Picture Book March Madness."

*We are taking the "Elite 8" and narrowing it down to final four.



Class One...

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Beekle1568.2%
Kitten's First Full Moon731.8%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

The Day the Crayons Quit2090.9%
I Want My Hat Back29.1%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole1254.5%
The Circus Ship1045.5%

Which is Your Favorite Book?

Nugget & Fang1254.5%
Good News, Bad News1045.5%