Book Club

We had a great book club meeting today about The Quirks. We got to skype with the author. She was fantastic! First she told us a little bit about the book and how she ended up writing it. I had given her a head's up about some of the questions and discussions I had had with students along the way - so she covered those things. We got to see pictures of her kids and art her kids have drawn. We got to see her dog. We got to see her office and the bookcase full of books she has written. We got to ask questions too. I think the kids could have continued talking to her for another hour. It was really great!


She asked us about the books we had read and we found out that she lives near Kate DiCamillo and they sometimes walk their dogs together. Amazing!!

Ski Days

We have just spent two days at Canada Olympic Park. It is quite an undertaking to take 250+ students skiing. Our gym teacher is amazing at organizing these things. Each year we have done it it seems to get smoother and smoother.

What I love best about those skiing days is seeing what kids say and write about it. For some of them these two days are the only days in the year that they ski. So many of them learn that they can do hard things. It is awesome.

Best Day Ever!

I have the begat day ever every month when I get to go pick up book club books. It is very exciting! I approach it just like Oprah does: You get a book! And you get a book! And you get a book!

Nothing is more fun than handing out books to everyone. There is a buzz in the air. This month we are very excited to connect through Twitter with the author of the book we are reading!

We tweeted this picture to her today:

We were just getting ready to go out for recess. A number of kids asked if they were allowed to take the books out and read at recess.

These are kids after my own heart!!

Celebrate This Week

Check out Ruthayreswrites.com for links to more great posts in what happened in the world of education this week.

It has been a wonderful week. My students are really getting into the swing of reading accountability. Most of them have a chapter book going every week. They no longer balk at writing about what they are reading. They are sharing books with one another. They are excited about book draws. It warms heart!!

We had a wonderful book club discussion this week. I wrote about it in the post should go on our schools new blog soon. We did a Skype type visit with another FFCA campus. It was a good learning experience. I can't wait to try it again!! I am really excited about our next book mostly because I was able to connect with the author on Twitter. I can't wait to have my students tweet her as they're reading all through the month.

One of my grade level teacher friends told me about a conversation she had with a parent. They said they've always battled with their son about reading at home. Since he has joined great three bookclub, he is excited about reading and they don't don't fight about him reading anymore! They are big fans of book club! Yea!! That warmed my heart! 

We had a really fun day with the high school. They came and did a 'commercial' for the musical they are performing. At the same time I was working in our classroom newsletter and included some information about the play. I googled articles about the value of theatre for children. It was quite inspiring. I am so glad that I work at a school that values the arts.

Friday was a PD day. I love PD days. This week we stayed at our own campus for PD. We were very busy all day discussing and reflecting on our new report card format, learning about iPads, planning for character lessons...and best of all, leaning from each other. We went from classroom to classroom and each teacher shared a best practice. What a brilliant bunch I work with. It was truly inspiring.

Prison Sentence

In our school kids get homework every day.

I know. I know. 

Lots of people could go on about why kids don't need homework.

Our philosophy is that it needs to be something they can do independently and should take 20-30 minutes. No big deal.

This past week we have had less homework because we have been having swimming lessons. It has caused us to change our schedule s bit and cut out some things. As a result, there has been a lighter load when it comes to homework.

Today I did to them, "I hope you have enjoyed this week because next week we are back to our routine."

One of my clever children blurted out, "Oh man! It feels like when you are finally out of jail and then someone sends you back again."

What??? Are you speaking from personal experience here, my dear??  LOL

Family Secrets

Recently, one of my students was telling me about a trip their family went on overseas.

"And my mom wanted to bring some seeds, but you're not allowed - so she HID them in our booster seats!"

Oh boy.

Bathroom Problems

While walking down the hall the other day, I heard a darling little voice from the boys washroom shout: You are NOT supposed to pee on the door!

.....do I have to stop and deal with this???