Global Read Aloud

When reading, The Book Whisperer, Miller mentioned the Global Read Aloud program. I talked with a couple other teachers and decided to jump in with both feet! Just one problem... I need the books for my classes! Since I've had such success with Donors Choose in the past, I figured I would throw this project up there and get a class set of "One for the Murphy's" by Lyndy Mullaly Hunt.

Now the only problem is time... Global Read Aloud starts on October 6th and continues through November 14th. There are specific chapters we are to read throughout the weeks to communicate and connect with students around the world who have selected the same book. So, I need my project to fund and ship as soon as possible! 

Here is where you can help. For the first week (through 9/26) of this project, all donations are doubled with the code "INSPIRE". That means I only need $100 to be donated (since it will double to $200). That is only five donations of $20, ten donations of $10, twenty donations of $5, and so on. If you could, please donate! This will ensure my kids can participate in something so much bigger than just inside my classroom in Fairfield! 

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/global-read-aloud-day/1355356/?rf=link-siteshare-2014-09-teacher_account-teacher_1775968&challengeid=303159 

Thanks for considering to support my class and donating to my project! I appreciate it!  

Fight On!

This week was full of USC goodness in Room 17! We celebrated a huge win against Fresno State on Saturday (52-13). Then I shared photos from this game with my students. (I received these photos from a friend who attended the game.) My students were so excited to see these photos and experience a small part of an USC football game!

Tommy Trojan at a USC Football Game

On Tuesday afternoon, we had a guest visitor, Sasha Spala, current USC student and daughter of Pat Shamansky, FSUSD Board member. My students loved every minute of our time with Sasha and learned so much about USC and college in general. Some of the most popular questions were, "What food is available at USC?" and "What happens when you are late to class?" Sasha graciously answered all of their questions and explained the amazing experience college is and how to make the most of that experience!

This week I had the fortunate opportunity to meet with the amazing Cheryl Carter, who explained all about Google Classroom, Canvas and blogging. I'm making every attempt to get my students to start a blog, hopefully linked here, where they can communicate with USC students and learn more from the world around us! Fight On!

Reading, Reading and More Reading

This year, I am inspired by Donalyn Miller's books The Book Whisperer and Reading in the Wild. Both of these books focus on reading more and inspiring our students to read more books, independent from the class, based on their interests. I've began to employ a number of Miller's techniques. We are beginning each class period with 10-15 minutes of independent reading, we are still using Renaissance Place, which Miller does not support, to take quizzes on books completed, and I am conferencing with students to find books that interest them and stocking my library with books that they have selected and some I think they will enjoy!

 

In my classes we are participating in a healthy competition with Mr. D's class for highest word count. He has a couple of strong readers who are working hard to achieve reading milestones, but I am the only teacher in the school who has a student who achieved her Bachelor's Degree (500,000 words read) in just the first three weeks of school! I am so proud of Aleeya and her achievement!

Aleeya with her Bachelor's Degree in front of our USC board!
Fight on!!!

Lastly, I get to work with this amazing group of educators on a daily basis! I am so proud to call them my co-workers, mentors and friends!