Lesson Idea Wishlist for the SALE

on Mon/Tues.

Click above for the link from Michelle at Teach 123. Seems like it could be fun and easily adapted/differentiated for different topics and students. I liked to start with something instead of from scratch. Leaves more time to read. ;)

Debating this is from Addie Williams. DO YOUR BEST. Makes me sad when kids are "OK" with a half-hearted effort. Our school started out the year with a baseball-themed effort scale but … it didn't take off. Would pizza work better? ;)

Silly to add this because I already have a K-2 set of blank interactive notebook templates. And a set of 3-5. And while I've used both I haven't used them A LOT (if the teacher does notebooks in the classroom the kids "get it" and it's an effective activity in the library … but for classes that have never done that sort of thing before? Less effective). But these look good, too.. especially for research lessons. By Shelly Gray.

I got one set during … the B2S sale, I think. Haven't been able to use them yet but they sure look fun and a Teacher Librarian can always hope, right? That some teacher will let me try them with the kiddos? This is by the Smart Chick.

And then of course there's the clip art. Kari Bolt, Krista Wallden, Educasong, Melonheadz, Pink Cat Studio … you name something they've done and I pretty much want it. Which is kind of silly.

What about you? Anything you are looking at? Or that you've used successfully? I want the next couple weeks to be good for kiddos in the library … and my own sanity in learning the new commute and organizing stuff from boxes and storage units into the new space. While still being able to read, get some holiday shopping in, and getting back in shape. And the builder finishing up some things.

What are the chances? :P

I've always been super realistic.

(Almost) Finally Friday Nov. 29

Happy Thanksgiving!



I'm realizing that my collection of t-shirts might have got me nominated for WNTW. If they still had that show. But … Levar! And RR!



Yoda. Wise, he was.




AMEN!



Kind of fun. There was another Etsy artist that used to have one for posting books read and library due dates. Haven't been able to find it the last year or two.



Ooh! I like the one in the suitcase with the cards hanging on it.




So that whole 50 School Library Blogs thing. I don't quite know what to think of that. Some say "DON'T LINK BACK" to online college sites like that cause they prey on unsuspecting students. But still. How'd they even find me? Received three offers this week alone of people wanting me to pay them to help with search engine optimization and adding the right keywords to my posts. I know I'm not great at that cause it takes a fair amount of Google work to find me under anything other than "Ms. O Reads Books." Thank you to all of you who found me! Anyway. Tomorrow I'll post some of my TPT sale wish listed items. I can't get all of them … impending home occupation means I have to be more realistic. And wish me luck tomorrow. I HATE BLACK FRIDAY SALES and if it was anything other than a couch and chair I wouldn't bother. $5-$10 off? Not worth it. A couple hundred? Sigh. Guess I have to fight that fight. Can put that money toward the delivery and some charitable causes.
Been too long since I moved. I'm sort of freaking out about it. Also because we didn't pass the inspection yesterday so the builder only has Friday/Saturday/Monday to fix things cause we have to close by Wednesday or we have to get a different loan that's a full percentage and a half higher. :/
Tough problem to have, right? A pretty new house?

#IMWAYR Nov. 25 & Felt Board App

ONE MONTH, people. One month.

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
GREAT IDEA! Check out all of the What Are You Reading? participants for title ideas.





This Week

I sense a pattern. Picture books and zombies. I didn't really care for Dead City. At least until the very very end. Hard cause its on our state reading list for next year.

Pete. I liked the ones with Eric Litwin better. I wonder … is this illustrator being pressured to crank out art as fast as possible (and therefore accounting for the fall in quality? Although Magic Sunglasses wasn't TERRIBLE) or is he doing it of his own accord? Or am I the only one who feels like the market's getting a little over saturated?

On a side note we used the Felt Board App after reading Pete. The last line says "What are you thankful for?" so that's what we showed. It was the first time using the app so there was a bit of a learning curve … but the kids were quick! They enjoyed it a lot. As they get more practice we'll be able to dig deeper … make more refined pics that tell a specific story (you can export the jpgs very easily … then make maybe an iBook with the kids recording the story?). Hope we can do something awesome later. BE AMAZED. I remembered to take pics.

Currently Reading (I will finish Allegiant today. What to focus on next what with the packing and cleaning and moving ...)

I DID, however, find my phone cord so I can move some of HP#1 over. Though I also moved over Christmas music so this time of year I'm not sure which will win.

Happy Thanksgiving! I don't always act like I'm thankful, whining about no walls or commutes or what have you. I am, though. For a wonderful family. Beliefs that keep me going and help me understand my purpose, even when I falter a little bit. A job that (most of the time :/) I love. A safe and warm place to live and food to eat. Great books to read and internet friends who teach me all the time and think every once in a while I have something worthwhile to share.

Lots of people don't have that. Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be back on Finally Friday with Five Pins and then on Saturday with my TPT sale "wish list" of lesson ideas I might rather buy and tweak than have to make up myself. :P Any other blog time before then will be concentrating on planning upcoming stuff. And maybe seeing Thor. Or Catching Fire. And cleaning out my closets. You think you've done it and yet the clutter multiplies ...

Finally Friday Nov. 22 … THANKSGIVING BREAK

Are you almost on break? Are you? I AM!!! Even though I will spend it cleaning and packing. :P Click through if you're in Bloglovin or Feedly.

I tell myself "But it's for the house." It's still a little selfish.



Yummy! I think. Haven't tried it yet. But I want to.



Good quote.




Want to try this app. Got it while it was free a while back.




Love this. Though as mentioned … that's a lot of books to "hold." Wouldn't be quite so pretty with old weeded titles.



Several bags, have I. Too many? I think not.

Makerspace Kickoff Recap … StopMotion Animation for the Win

Well. Live on adrenaline, that's for sure.
Pro: Kids had SO MUCH FUN. The Lego Stopmotion Animation was by far the huge favorite. Huge. Like no one bothered with anything else. Found some budding Spielbergs in unexpected places. The power of digital storytelling. It's a free app!

Con: The volunteers were late and then only stayed 45 minutes when the original proposal was for 2 hours. 30 minutes isn't a long time to really get started with any one group.

So here's a clip. No, it's not perfect (and my editing to blur out their names is not great) … but for the quick like 45 second tutorial and 20 minutes to work they got? SERIOUSLY awesome.

Looking Ahead: Coordinating with teachers for the time both in the library and planning their "stop motion stories" in class. Right now we have animals … once the grant $ comes in we'll have some community helper ones as well. With more time to refine both the "story" and the filming (can we say "frame your shot to get rid of all the extra stuff?") I think they could do amazing things! Just coordinating the time. I also want kids to be able to experience some of the other things a mini-makerspace (or call them library centers if you like) could offer … simple bookmarks, some puzzles, etc. Just figuring out how to make it WORK IN OUR SPACE. Can't leave everything out all the time or it disappears. Can't remember to get everything out all the time because hello, three million things already to remember and no consistent help to delegate.

On a side note … we got a moving date. New place with wall of bookshelves the week after Thanksgiving. FINALLY! On another total side note … dumb blog stats. THANK YOU to readers. I know you're out there. Dumb web spoofers are a pain. I don't get spam comments but I get fake page hits. which is a bummer. Liked it better when I didn't know they were fake! But oh my word. The trouble I had when I got my domain name the less than simple way and had to move it? Ugh. Moving to Wordpress? I full on admit it here. BEYOND ME.

#IMWAYR Nov. 18

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
GREAT IDEA! Check out all of the What Are You Reading? participants for title ideas.





This Week

Prodigy was my favorite, then Brotherhood. Even though Brotherhood was hard to read.

Currently

(So far I like Allegiant a lot more than Dead City. Which is on our state list for next year. :P)
And already checked out but not started? All My Noble Dreams and Firestorm.


Coming Up
It's like a sickness. I am on the waiting list for So. Many. Books. And I'm moving. Like I can sit down and go through the big ol' stack that has come in. I need to go postpone them. I do. But already waiting for me on the hold shelf ...

and already in transit is Counting by 7s, Blackout (Robison Wells), and The Ward (Jordana Frankel).

So we'll see! Some audiobooks now … need to get back to listening to HP #1 (got behind 'cause my phone is full so I can't add it … need to clear out some old files) and then get in another one.

(almost) Finally Friday Nov. 15 & Makerspace Kickoff Plans

Well, friends, how was your week? I got sick again the last couple of days. AGAIN. Even had to miss school this morning. I'd try essential oils but Cedar X didn't help things so I don't know whether it's worth the $ or not. In Survival Mode until January when I can get to a real allergist and don't have to deal with a not-helpful PCP anymore. Never mind the news that posted "early cedar season" today. And that it might not even be allergies. Just a stupid immune system. :P :(

Funny. At least a little bit even through feeling yucky.



Haven't tried this yet but when my stomach doesn't hate me … I WANT TO.



STILL MAD AT GOOGLE FOR THE LOSS OF GOOGLE READER AND IGOOGLE. But … c'est la vie cause I'm an Apple girl, too. THe two will play together.



Love it! May be using it with my intervention group.







Tomorrow is our Makerspace Kickoff. Starting small but I hope we can keep it up. Always going to be an issue of "where do we keep it?" I have a Sterilite thing on wheels that I might bring to school. Once we get into the new house (AND NO, NOT YET … builder is dragging his heels :X) I might want something prettier for my office anyway. ;) Something on wheels at least we could bring behind the circ desk where it's not so visible after hours.
For our small kickoff we will have three classes coming … a first grade, third grade, and fourth grade. They will be visiting for 30 minutes to explore along with the Kohl's volunteers. Kohl's is giving us a mini-grant to purchase some Little Bits kits in January. For now we're getting some things that have been in the closet for a while or have not been used in this way before.
1st Grade: puzzles. Simple puzzles. I know they're not EXACTLY making but good brain exercise at creating order out of chaos. A couple Discovery bottles. Some wild animal Duplos and the very beginnings of stop motion videography. 3rd Grade: they'v been studying climates so they'll use the animal Duplos as well but hopefully get further into a stop motion clip. They won't have long but they'll get the idea. 4th Grade: this class has never tried the Sock Puppet app. Hope to get at least one or two usable book talk clips out of it. Then if they want to try stop motion they can as well. Or some more advanced puzzles. Debating duct tape bookmarks.


I'm looking back over this and realizing our Makerspace is really just some different centers (looking at three particular ladies). I've never been able to get them going but maybe with a "name" people will participate more. And I'll be better at getting them out. Egads, the number of things I have to get out and put away in a day. Had a cart of special books (pop ups, Where's Waldo poster book, etc) that we used to leave out. Put it away just last week because even with a picture that showed "please put books back spine out like the regular library shelves" (not asking in any order … just NEAT) … we were constantly having to clean up messes with everything every direction and all over the library. So who knows if this will work. Wish us luck?

#IMWAYR Nov. 11

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
GREAT IDEA! Check out all of the What Are You Reading? participants for title ideas.





This Week

Lots of good ones this past week, depending on the age group you're most interested in.

Always love Gallagher Girls. Such fun popcorn lit.
I quite enjoyed Will in Scarlet as well (Robin Hood!). Inhuman required quite a lot of suspension of disbelief but I still liked it.
Because Amelia Smiled was so sweet. Pay it forward and all that. Wondering if it might have been a bit more powerful a little SHORTER but we'll see once I've "tested" it with some kiddos!

Coming Up

Still behind on Brotherhood. But I'm not giving up! Fire & Ash is coming from the Public Library. And I still have some picture books from our latest order to read.

Finally Friday Nov. 8

Early dismissal days do not actually feel shorter. That is all I have to say about that. Click through for pics/links if you are on a mobile device/Feedly or Bloglovin' reader. Not that this week hasn't been full of "pins" anyway. These are just the random ones I saw throughout the week.



Thinking this looks like fun. If I'm really good I'll make up a sort of "menu" for the kids to rate books on.



Because it made me laugh.



I should have remembered this one today and taken a picture of our new picture book delivery.



WHY must I love chocolate so very, very much? The pic doesn't go anywhere which is annoying. But these don't look that hard to figure out. Chocolate covered Oreos and pretzels with some candy corn and decorative icing eyes.



Thought this looked like fun. Want to do more projects.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

This is my brother. He is going to be a missionary for our church. I am so so so proud of him and the his amazing spirit. All the while greatly, greatly wishing he didn't have to go. :(

And that I didn't have a double chin in this pic.

And after 10 years I just noticed the numbers on this sign in our school entry. The joys of old buildings.

In November You Are What You Read

This is a non-techy Tuesday post. Cause sometimes that just happens.

Fun to have out for kids who are finished checking out … or who can't check out because of lost books. That is still such a problem. For months and months and months. Call. Email. Try letting the kiddo "work" it off. Then another book is lost. And it's always the most awesome titles.


Maybe more of a regular classroom activity cause it might take a bit … but we still have one my baby brother (leaving today for two years :( … and he's not so baby anymore as he'll be 22 in a little over a week) made. A beloved family decoration. :P




I always find these kinds of things hard cause we don't get the kids as consistently as the regular classroom teachers. Or maybe I'm just rubbish at teaching these sorts of things … but if you're NOT this would be kind of fun to send them off with.


Love this book. Of course my copy is in storage so do I confiscate the library copy for the month? Dunno if we'll make our own (2-D paper) balloons or not this year. Lots of prep for not that much academic. But FUN. Check YouTube for video clips of modern day parade balloons and olden day ones.
Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet




Here's another related one that's also great.
Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey





TOO silly but how fun would it be after reading Turk and Runt or Twas the Night before Thanksgiving?




So if you head down to the bottom of this post there are some b&w bookmarks you can copy.
And at the bottom of this post there are two color mini-posters for book displays.

#IMWAYR Nov. 4

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now… who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Our Kid Lit to YA version is hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.
GREAT IDEA! Check out all of the What Are You Reading? participants for title ideas.





This Week
I only finished one. It was a good one, though.

Currently Reading
Truly only started the first two. The third one I checked out of the library and read the first page and then (which is NOT to make it sound like I didn't like it because it was good) I got distracted by something and haven't made it back. I didn't used to read more than one book at a time. Concentrated on one until I was done.

Also got an email from Pottermore and the audio for The Sorcerer's Stone was half off. So I got it and am happy to start that. Been a long time since I reread HP.

Hope to Get to Next Week
Finish these three and continue with the audiobook. Then … maybe this really will be the week I make it to the bookstore. Or maybe a book order will come in? Saw it left the Follett warehouse so who knows how long it will take at our district's processing center (I know … I'm spoiled). I need a picture book marathon to cheer myself up. Brother leaves tomorrow. For a long time. :X

Must remember my awesome bookshelves. ;)

Book Related Holiday Craftiness #1 & Bookish UnBoring List Update #3

WELL. To anyone who thinks it's too early to think about the holidays … my apologies. Skip this post. If I was not in the middle of moving I would be attempting at least a couple of these. Some of these are school projects, some of these are home. As it is … I am super behind on my Bookish Un-Boring List so crossing off a couple of those once we get in the new place has to be my first priority. Anyway. Click through if you're on a mobile version of Feedly or Bloglovin. They don't like embedded things too much.




This pin is not really crafty unless you consider this publisher offers some great crafty type books. But to the thought expressed … Yes! Most definitely.


This is cute. We sometimes have classes make ornaments to highlight a book they've read together and then display them on mini-trees in the library (all the while crossing our fingers the same bigwigs that made us toss all stuffed animals and plants don't come around claiming dust on these trees … they're only out for three weeks a year!) Should I decorate one like this for my new place? If we have time to decorate for the holidays.


So. Maybe with a book related quote to read on the morning announcements? Either holiday-ish or a real HOOK that gets the kids excited about a book they could read over either the Thanksgiving or Christmas breaks. Would need to start planning now to get them all collected.


Isn't this cool? If I sent out holiday cards. Haven't the last couple years. Not since … the last time I went to Europe. #mustplanatripfornextyear We used to do cards to other schools in the district but our internal mail people finally put a stop to that. Can't say I really blame them but a little grinchy.


Of course there is also this option.


Kind of fun. I'm picky and would like them even more if the book pages were from a holiday book. But I'm not going to destroy one just to make these. ;)


Pin description says it all.


Loved this display since the first time I saw it. It could last through January, right? Only it's so NOT TEXAS.


So. If you can do this take a pic and send it to me and I'll be jealous.


FUN old school image.


Not very academic but fun. Can we still do fun?



And just because apparently this is my truth …


And now. Update Number 3 is a big hangs head in shame. NADA. See original list here and update one here and two here.
This is the current state of the wall of bookshelves (the middle one will have some doors on that bottom part.

Aren't they AWESOME? So awesome I can hardly believe they will be mine in a few short weeks.

November Currently

Linking up with Farley.

Listening: lawn mower = boring. a-ha … remember them? My favorite. Dates me, doesn't it. Oh well. Here is Foot of the Mountain.

Loving: TOO CUTE. Had a zombie and a witch and Medusa and Draco and Jessie and Han Solo and Bevo and Winnie the Pooh and a cheerleader and … not sure the other one dressed up. I haven't seen pics. He's barely two months old and Dad had to work and Mom had two older ones so that's understandable!


Thinking: Baby brother (not so … he'll be 22 in 12 days) leaves on Tuesday. :( And will finally move this month. :( and :). Double edged sword there.


Wanting: I like 'em. Had one last week during one of the house showings (maybe the one who made the offer … who knows. There were FIVE of them). With a hash brown. Now I'm hungry.


Needing: It's been months. Months. First it was mental exhaustion (lame) then it was being sick (also lame). Too proud to call my used to be trainer. When school started our schedules didn't mesh so well. Sort of feel like he dropped off the face of the planet … and that was even before I completely lamed out. So I must do it on my own!


Yummy Pin: I have an entire board. But for the upcoming season anything with pumpkin and chocolate. Isn't it strange how that combo just Works. So. Well.


Have several books calling to me. And cleaning. And maybe the gym if I can get myself in gear. And heading out to the new place to see the progress on the WALL OF BOOKSHELVES. Apparently they are up!

Finally Friday Nov. 1

I am thinking of getting these books. Only I've spent all the school $ and really shouldn't fork out any more personal $ (cause hello, I've got professional books on other topics I still need to finish!). But they book look interesting and have decent reviews.




Once I get past the wierdness of the look of this dish ... I think it might be tasty.





And I'm singing along in my head.





Well, this is what I need to do. IF it gets crazy at school THEN do ... I will __________________ instead of grab something to eat. Also IF I'm hungry when I get home THEN I will do _______________ and not eat everything in sight."



Have a great weekend! I will go see my wall of bookcases tomorrow. Apparently they are "IN." !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #movingisstressfulbutwillbecool