Poetry Friday: A Cloudy Day

March 20th, 2008  Tagged , , ,

Having second graders write poems about clouds was part of the collaboration unit I just finished integrating science and literacy. These are a few treasures.  Terran’s is significant because he hates to write. I love his repetition.

Cumulonimbus

Cumulonimbus

Rain cloud

Thunderhead

Lightening will make a

Big boom!

It is really dark.

–Makenna, 2nd grade

Cumulus, cumulus

You are big

Cumulus, cumulus

Whit cumulus

Puffy on top

Cumulus, cumulus

You have a flat bottom

–Terran, 2nd grade

Stratus

Stratus are soft

They are like a blanket

They are

Cool, tight, best

They are gray

–Oscar, 2nd grade

Unseeable

Calm

Wispy

Like

A

Wave

A little

Rain drizzle

Seems restless

Like

It’s

Always

There.

–Tailor, 2nd grade

Stratus

Soft like a blanket

So wispy

So gray

Low in the sky

See in the morning

Wiggly line

–Adam, 2nd grade

Counting down until I mail my national board box with my 4 portfolio entries.                                    

Mailing date: March 27, 2008.

More wonderful poetry can be found at Wild Rose Reader.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

Recent Family Library Nights/Meme: Passion Quilt

March 18th, 2008  Tagged , ,

   collage Recent Family Library Nights/Meme: Passion Quilt

You know you are on overload when you fail to notice that you were tagged a week ago for a meme.  This one is called “Passion Quilt”.

  • Think about what you are passionate about teaching your students.
  • Post a picture from a source like FlickrCC or Flickr Creative Commons or make/take your own that captures what YOU are most passionate about for kids to learn about…and give your picture a short title.
  • Title your blog post “Meme: Passion Quilt” and link back to this blog entry.
  • Include links to 5 folks in your professional learning network or whom you follow on Twitter/Pownce.

I am passionate about bringing families into the library on a regular basis. We  recently had two fun events: the first a night of cupstacking.  Our PE teacher, that’s her in the coral zippered sweater introduced this in her classes.  My assistant has gotten involved and we have cups to stack in the library.  It builds great eye-coordination, crosses the midline, and builds confidence in students.

The other night is our annual tribute to Dr. Seuss.  This year the hall were packed as students and families came to hear their favorite teacher read a story.  We had guest readers as well; our local public librarian and a volunteer from the local Humane Society attended. The night ended with cake and little stuffed Cat in the Hats going home with all children.

 I love Family Library Nights because it provides time for families to come to school, choose a book together and read.  Students can check out an extra book during the evening. 

This is just one of the many things I am passionate about in teaching.  What do you love about your job?  Thank you Miss Rumphius for tagging me.  If you would like to join in, please do.

Happy Reading.

MsMac

Non-Fiction Monday: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Baby Animals

March 17th, 2008  Tagged , ,

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In my mailbox was this delightful book, Baby Animals: Little Ones at Play in 20 Works of Art.  Its arrival provided a much needed break from typing on my protfolio entries for the national boards. (Due to be sent next week!)

What a delight! The illustrations are excerpt from larger works of art and depict baby animals from dogs to elephants, crayfish to boars.  Artist include Leonardo da Vinci, John James Audubon, Rosa Bonheur, Mary Cassatt as well as illustrations from quilts and clothing.  Did you know that a baby porcupine is called a porcupette and that baby bats are called pups?

There is an appendix giving the full background of the artwork.  This book can be used on so many levels. What a perfect timing to receive this book just as spring begins this week. 

Have a great week.  Head over to Picture Book of the Day for more fabulous non-fiction.

Happy Reading,

MsMac