Back to School Books!

My baby is starting Kindergarten this year! 😭😭😭 I plan on reading The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn the night before school starts.

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children’s classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

On the first day of school, I always read First Day Jitters by Julie Love to my 3rd graders.

Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn’t want to start over at a new school. She doesn’t know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.

Here are some other wonderful books to read before school starts back from summer break. Just click on the book. 🙂

I Love You All Day Long by Fancesca Rusackas is a favorite in our house. The main characters name is Owen!

Owen’s anxious question prompts this heartwarming, comforting tale of how a parent’s love stays with a child whether they are together or apart — all day long.

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wings.

It’s the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all–saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won’t be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! Colorful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Christmas poem.

Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School by Deborah Diesen.

Mr. Fish is nervously awaiting his first day of school, and he frets about not knowing how to write his name, how to draw shapes, and how to do math―until he’s reassured that school is the perfect place to learn how to master all of these new skills, in Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School from Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna.

Splat the CAt Back to School Splat! By Rob Scotton.

It’s the first day of school and there’s only time for Splat to share one of his summer adventures with the class. Will it be the time he went searching for pirate treasure? Or the time he went swimming with sharks in the ocean? But before the end of the day, Splat knows exactly what to talk about—and it’s the biggest surprise of all!

Back-to-School Rules by Laurie Friedman.

School’s in session! When it comes to surviving school, Percy’s at the head of the class. If you can follow his ten simple rules, making the grade will be a piece of cake (and school will be a lot of fun). But there’s more to school than showing up on time and staying awake in class. If you have any doubts, Percy also shows exactly what not to do.

What’s your favorite back to school books?

Summer Reading!

Being a 3rd grade public school teacher, I know the importance of early literacy. Every summer, I know I haven’t done a great job of keeping the kids reading.

I decided this year would be different. I challenged the Owen and Quinn to read 100 books this summer. The very first day of summer, made a special trip to the local public library. They each checked out 2 books and we plan on going every Tuesday. Not only did I put incentives in place to keep them focused on the goal, the library has prizes for every 2 hours they read. It even had a play room for children up to 4 years old, Quinn is already begging to go back. The county library has events from magic shows to movies planned throughout the summer as well.

Our school library is also open for the summer. I plan on taking the kids next week to check out some more books.

So, check out your local libraries. I bet they have lots of fun activities planned throughout the summer. Because, well…Libraries Rock!

Spontaneous Road Trips!

 A few weekends ago we decided to be spontaneous. We loaded up and headed to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Once we got there we did a google search for family activities. We ended up at Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was so beautiful!

They even had activities to engage the kids. The children received bingo cards to look for certain attractions throughout the trails. It had everything from pink flowers to fairies on the card. The kids had a blast trying to get Bingo first! I would highly recommend if you’re ever in the area, stop by and take a walk. I could have spent the whole day there.  

A Farmer’s Life for Us!

Owen’s been begging to start a garden. While browsing through Tractor Supply yesterday I spotted the Miracle-Gro Root Viewer Rainbow Carrot kit.

While we are still planning on planting an outside garden with him, I thought this would be a neat experience.

We had so much fun putting this together this morning!! I mean who doesn’t love dirt?!?! They got the biggest kick out of adding the water to the dirt and watching it grow.

 

Both kiddos had awesome questions about how much water, how long they would take to sprout, & where the perfect spot with enough sunlight would be. I love watching them learn through exploring.
I can’t wait to see if we end up with purple carrots! 💜💜💜💜

Cherished Childhood Memories.


One of my favorite childhood memories is whenever a large rainstorm would hit, my brothers and I would race down to the pond to catch the tiny fish caught in the overflow. My mom’s favorite story to tell is how we snuck one of those tiny bass into my dad’s tropical fish tank. Well the poor little guy ate every one of the guppies for breakfast. To say my dad wasn’t amused would be an understatement.
Well, the last two weeks in Texas have been experiencing the little bitty stingin rain. Big ol fat rain. Rain that flew sideways and even rain that seemed to come from underneath. We were under numerous flash flood warnings.
Well today, the sun finally made an appearance. Hallelujah!!


With the kids dying to go outside, I decided to let them explore. On our walk about, it didn’t take long for them to notice the water overflowing out of the pond. Within minutes they were scooping the fish up and running to put them back in the pond.

I’m typically not an overly sentimental or emotional person, but I just had the best time watching my children make the same memories that I cherish.

Children’s Books For Valentine’s Day!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, here are some books to have handy.

 

I Love to Cuddle by Carl Norac (PreK)

When Mommy and Daddy are gone, even for only a little while, Lola feels lonely.  There is nobody around to give her a hug!  Her baby-sitter is no fun, and the cartoons on TV can’t snuggle.  But then Lola comes up with a clever idea: she brings every cuddly thing she has into the living room and makes her very own Cuddle Island!  Now Mommy and Daddy are in for a big surprise!

Mr. Goat’s Valentine by Eve Bunting (Prek-1st)

After reading in the newspaper that it’s Valentine’s Day, Mr. Goat sets out in search of very special gifts for his first love. But just what would a goat choose as the perfect gifts to show how he feels?

Ollie’s Valentine by Olivier Dunrea (Prek-1st)

Ollie is looking. Looking for a valentine. Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo all have valentines, but Ollie wonders who will be his. His search leads him to a special valentine of his very own—a surprise for Ollie and readers!

The Yuckiest, Stinkiest, Best Valentine Ever by Brenda A. Ferber (Prek-2nd)

Leon has a crush. A let-her-cut-in-line-at-the-water-fountain kind of crush. And he’s got the perfect valentine. But this valentine has no intention of getting caught up in any romantic conspiracy. “Love is yucky, kid! Valentine’s Day is all about CANDY!”

Love by Matt de la Pena (Prek-3rd)

In this heartfelt celebration of love, Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña and bestselling illustrator Loren Long depict the many ways we experience this universal bond, which carries us from the day we are born throughout the years of our childhood and beyond.

Love Monster by Rachel Bright( Prek-3rd)

Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it’s hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you’re a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.

The Sweetest Valentines by Jane E. Gerier (k-2nd)

A classroom project teaches a little bear named Fred the true meaning and importance of Valentine’s Day.

This Is Not a Valentine by Carter Higgins (k-3rd)

This book is not a valentine. It doesn’t have lacey edges or sugary hearts. But it is full of lucky rocks, secret hiding spots, and gumball machine treasures. This is a book about waiting in line and wishing for cinnamon buns. About recognizing that if you care so much about someone not thinking you care, maybe you really do. But wait—isn’t that exactly what love is about?

The Trouble with Valentine’s by Elaine Moore (2nd-5th)

In an effort to play matchmaker, best friends Lexi and Ann Marie try to find a valentine sweetheart for their teacher, Miss Delaney, but set off a series of funny disasters instead.

Geronimo’s Valentines by Geronimo Stilton (2nd-5th)

Enter the world of Geronimo Stilton, where another funny adventure is always right around the corner. Each book is a fast-paced adventure with lively art and a unique format kids 7-10 will love.

BabyMouse Heartbreaker by Matthew Holm (2nd-5th)

Babymouse loves Valentines Day! A day for pink hearts! Flowers! Candy! School dances and romance . . . sweet romance! WAIT! Romance? Ew! And what’s this about a school dance? Does that mean Babymouse needs a date? Uh-oh! Looks like this Valentine’s Day may turn into a Valentine’s dud! Will Babymouse go to the school dance? Will she get any Valentines? Will she find true love?

Junie B. Jones and The Mushy Gushy Valentine by Barbara Park (2nd-5th)

Hurray! February 14—Valentime’s Day, as June B. calls it—is just around the corner. Junie B. can’t wait to see all the valentimes she’ll get. But she never expected a big, mushy card from a secret admirer! Who is this secret mystery guy, anyway? Junie B. is determined to find out!

213 Valentines by Barbara Cohen (3rd-5th)

Wade has trouble adjusting when he is transferred to a special fourth grade class for the gifted and talented, so he plans to send himself 213 valentines signed by celebrities.

Roses Are Dread, Violets Are Boo: A Vampire Valentine Story by Michelle Poploff (3rd-5th)

Fearing that she won’t receive many cards on Valentine’s Day, Wanda Doomsday decides to invite her Uncle Vex to class to teach her classmates how to make special holiday cookies, but when he is suddenly unable to attend, Wanda has to scramble to make the event a success on her own

A Week of Bedtime Stories!

Bedtime stories are my favorite part of the day. I love the connections and memories I make with my sweet little. But, lately she wants to spend more time choosing a book then actually reading. Starting today, we are picking out the books for the week. Hopefully this will save some time during the weeknights and we can make it to bed on time! I love her choices.

 

Sunday: Esme the Emerald Fairy by Sarah Creese and Lara Ede. I ordered this one for my new niece, Esme, but Quinn decided to make sure it’s acceptable for her.

 

Monday: Press Here by Herre´ Tullet. Interactive and fun!

 

Tuesday: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs retold by Mo Willems. This one introduces some awesome vocabulary words.

 

Wednesday: Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton. It goes well with her starting prek this year.

 

Thursday: The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson. The illustrations are beautiful and its a wonderful read aloud.

 

Friday: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? By Jane Yolen. It really is a perfect bedtime story!

 

Saturday: The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton. Princess Pinecone and her pony are the best!

I can’t wait to see what she chooses next week.

Furbaby Blues!

I love our dogs. They’re treasured members of our family. But, they can be huge jerks sometimes. I don’t know why I was shocked to come home last week to the third dog bed shredded in two months. After a long day at school I just wanted to come home, finish lesson plans, grade a few papers, and hang out in my pajamas. The last thing I had on my mind was picking up fluff out of every crevice of the house.

While I was tired of cleaning, I didn’t want them to have to sleep on the hard floor either. After research and word of mouth, we decided to try Coolaroo Elevated Bed.  So far we’ve been so impressed! We purchased the large bed so they could share. It was super easy to assemble. It only took about 5 minutes to put together, and is much sturdier than I expected.  Our red heeler, Rosie, jumped right on without a second thought. Cash, our 9 year old bugg, was a bit more apprehensive at first. He had to think about about it and consider all his options. However, after he finally decided to give it a try. He didn’t have any trouble getting up, it’s now his new favorite spot.

I plan on buying another one for the back porch during the summer months when they spend more time outside.

 

But, the best part is it’s still in one piece!  


Books for Teaching Persuasive Writing

One of my favorite units to teach is persuasive text/writing. There are so many wonderful books that display persuasive writing. One of my all time favorite series is the Pigeon books by Mo Willems. My son and I have read Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the bus every night for over three years. Some other wonderful books to include in this unit is:

 

I like to have these books displayed around the classroom during the two week unit. I also have a tiny obsession with Oreos, so I use the Oreo to introduce persuasive writing. Here is my anchor chart. Please let me know if there are any awesome books I need to add to my list.

Corn Dip Favorite

I really did not want to get back in the kitchen the day after Christmas, so I decided leftovers and corn dip would be perfect to snack on. It is so versatile and can be used with chips, veggies, crackers, or whatever you have lying in the pantry. My family request it for just about every gathering, which I love because it is so quick and easy. 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 cans (11 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained well
  • 6 green onions chopped ( more or less to taste)
  • 2 cans (4 ounces) chopped mild green chilies
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped *optional or substitute one of the mild green chilies for hot.
  • Tortilla or corn chips

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate overnight. Garnish with a sprinkle of green onions on top.