Personal Narratives According to the kids

What is personal narrative from the perspective of third grade kids –

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=fd50c87db8fbcea5513b

Donald Graves discussing voice on video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb8aPhXztvU

I am trying to link a wonderful u tube link of Donald Graves discussing voice. I do not know how to insert it into the blog fancy.

By the way, I am linking You Tube videos here because I keep losing my links. Now I will have them here and I can easily access them. YEAH YOU TUBE – Yeah me!

Beanie Baby Comprehension Strategies

Decoding of Fix-It Strategies Beanies
Stretchy Snake
Chunky Monkey
Helpful Kangaroo
Lips the Fish
Tryin’ Lion
Skippy the Frog
Eagle Eye

Comprehension Beanies
Spinner the Spider
Questioning Owl
Rocky Raccoon
Digger the Dog
Iggy the Inferring Iguana
Jabber the Reteller (Parrot)
Fix Up Bear

http://realclassroomideas.com/194.html

lesson using beanie babies

Atre y Pico AWARD

I received an Arte y Pico Award for all the posting and work I do here at debrennersmith: writing and reading by a blog entitled “Two Writing Teachers” Thank you, Stacey and Ruth, for that honor! Your kind words are so nice. I really appreciated waking up to this award this morning!

Essentially this award is like a Meme. There are rules for paying it forward after your blog gets recognized.

They are as follows:

1) Select 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award, based on creativity, design, interesting material, and contribution to the blogger community. The blogs can be in any language.
2) Post a link to each blog so that others can visit.
3) Each award-winner has to show the award and link to the blogger that awarded it.

4) The award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show a link to http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

I am following Stacey’s lead and picking reading and literacy blogs.

1. http://greetings-from-nowhere.blogspot.com/ I found Barbara O’ Connor’s Tuesday Writing Tips. She is a children’s book author. She writes about her own process on her blog. As a teacher, I anticipate using her Tuesday writings as a starting point for a few of my writing lessons with upper elementary students. Just as I thought it was awesome to meet ‘real’ authors, I think my students will think it is neat for the children to get to know the voice of one of their favorite authors by visiting her blog.

2. http://literatelives.blogspot.com/ Looking for a great book? Looking for a teaching idea with a great book? Come to literate lives and find an idea! Bill and Karen write about books and how they incorporate these books into their students’ lives. I have bought numerous books after reading their blog. I appreciate their recommendations.

3. Since many teachers are looking for picture books and six traits ideas, http://6traits.wordpress.com/ hits the spot. Anastasia Suen, a children’s book author, and the author of the blog, Picture Book of the Day, hits the spot. She has written over 100 picture books. She links a picture book and a 6 traits lesson together daily. I read her blog every day and think about how I can apply this idea to a lesson I am teaching.

4. This school has a collection of blogs. They don’t post a lot, but everything they post is AWESOME! This school in Florida has hidden gems on their postings so I decided to ‘bless’ their school.

http://curiouskindergartners.blogspot.com/

http://nashmountain.blogspot.com/

http://hkidshighlights.blogspot.com/

http://cceart.blogspot.com/

http://harbourhighlights.blogspot.com/

http://pixiepointers.blogspot.com/

http://imaginationstation1.blogspot.com/

5. I do not know that this is the right place to bless my newest blog……….. but guess what I am going to anyway!!!! I am excited about my Writer’s Craft blog. I name a teaching point. I suggest a picture book or a YA book quote and writing language as a vehicle for teaching the craft lesson. It is fun and exciting to have this teaching in one place. Stacey and Ruth on Two Writing Teachers blog mentioned the idea and I r…..a……n with it! http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/

Jeff Anderson has a blog for grammar with a similar concept for grammar sentences.. http://greatsentences.blogspot.com/

http://debwritingcraftlessons.blogspot.com/

So this is my way of blessing some of my favorite blogs. Enjoy.

Classroom Rules

Teachers read the book, Kevin Knows the Rules by Molly Dowd, to her students. Then they decide on expectations for the students and classroom.

* sit quietly on the carpet (so I can listen and learn)

* clean up after myself (because I care about my classroom)

* walk quietly in the hall (so I don’t disturb other classes)

* raise my hand (when I want to ask the teacher a question or tell her something)

* use an inside voice (when I am inside)

* keep hands and feet to myself (so I don’t hurt anyone)

The key aspects of behavior that I teach are: Look, Listen, and Learn.

Debbie Miller NEW BOOK: Teaching With Intention

Teaching with Intention: Defining Beliefs, Aligning Practice, Taking Action, K-5 available in August
“Throughout this book we have Debbie’s teaching mind on loan. She teaches us by engaging us in the details of teaching life from inside the mind, showing the thinking behind her teaching and the consequences of her actions — how to notice and what to notice — the view that makes her language choices possible.” (Peter Johnston)

If Reading With Meaning is any indication, then Teaching With Intention is sure to be a BIG HIT! www.stenhouse.com is allowing us to preview a chapter and one page of a color spread!

Question of the Day

Taking a Position – Teacher writes a question on a white magnetic board, then the students place a magnetic name tag under yes or no to answer the question. The students write the answer to their question in a response journal daily.
The children’s names are on tongue depressers with magnets on the back. They are stored in the cup next to the magnet board. The teacher poses a question above the board. The children answer the question answer each morning.

The teacher places a question on a sentence strip (Do you like cookies?). The kinders place a label with their name on it under the answer (yes or no).

More questions of the day posted here:

http://www.kinderpond.com/graphingideas.html

More Question of the Day Questions

Do you have a pet?
Do you have a hat?
Are you afraid of spiders?
Do you like chocolate or vanilla ice cream?
Do you have a backpack on wheels?
Do you like to eat playdough?
Can you spell ________ BOO?
Will the groundhog see his shadow?
Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows in my cup! Yum! Yum! Drink it Up! Do you like marshmallows in your hot chocolate? Yes! No!
What color are your eyes?
Would you live in a pumpkin shell?
Are you left or right handed?
What is your favorite Dr. Suess book?
What is your favorite milk?
Who can jump?
Who likes to jump rope?
Who has a hat?
Who do you get to school? (car, walk, bus)
How many girls and boys in our class?
Are there more letters in your first or last name?
Will there be more boys today or more girls today in our class?
Do you like to go shopping? (yes / no)
What is your favorite color? (yellow, blue, green, red)
What is your favorite animal? (4 choices)
Do you like to color? (yes / no)
Do you like to take a bath? (yes / no)
Do you like to sing?
Do you like art or gym?
Do you like gym or music?
Do you like music or art?
Do you like music or computers?
Do you like night or day better?
Do you like winter or spring better?
Do you like fall or summer better?
Do you like winter or fall?
Do you like Fall or Spring?
Do you like fall, spring, winter or summer better?
What food do you like best? (4 choices)
Do you like cartoons?
Do you like brushing your teeth?
Do you like brushing your hair?
Do you like taking a nap?
Which do you prefer… pizza or hamburgers?
Which do you prefer…cake or ice cream?
Which do you prefer… dogs or cats?
Which do you prefer…cake or pie?
Which do you prefer…pants or shorts?
Which do you prefer… long sleeve shirt or a sweatshirt?
Which do you prefer playing with…trucks or dolls?
Which do you prefer playing with…puzzles or blocks?
Which do you prefer playing with…blocks or books?
Which do you prefer, writing or drawing?
How do you feel today? Excited or Disappointed?
How do you feel today? Mad Sad Bad Glad
What is your favorite fruit? (apple, banana, strawberry)
What is your favorite vegetable? (green beans, corn, broccoli, carrots)
Do you like to paint?
Do you like to count?
Do you like to share your writing?
Do you like to share your reading?
How old are you?
What kind of pet do you have at home? (dog, cat, fish, hamster, no pet)
Do you like to talk on the phone?
Do you have your own bedroom?
Can you hold your breath under water?
Do you have a sister(s)?
Do you have a brother(s)?
Do you have a pet(s)?
Do you own a watch?
Do you have a cowboy hat?
Does your jacket have a hood?
Does your first name have more letters or your last name have more letters?
Do you have a middle name?
Do you like to eat strawberry ice cream?
Do your shoes have black on them?
Do you have pierced ears?
Do you have a teddy bear?
Do you have a TV in your bedroom?
Did you brush your teeth this morning?
Do you like sweet potatoes?
Did you bring your lunch to school today?
Did you bring a sandwich to school today?
Do you know how to swim?
Does your grandpa have gray hair?
Did you comb or brush your hair today?
Do you take gymnastics or karate?
Does your mom work outside the house?
Does your grandma or grandpa live in the same town as you?
Do you like oatmeal?
Do you walk to school?
Do you ride a bus to school?
Did someone drive you to school in a van/car?
Can you ride a two wheeler?
Can you do a summersault?
Can you jump off the diving board?
Is your hair straight or curly?
Is all the snow gone at your house?
Are you wearing socks?
Do you like applesauce?
What song do you like?
Do you like scrambled eggs?
What time do you go to bed? After 9:00 Before 9:00
How many boys and girls??
My place in the family (only, youngest, middle, oldest)
How many people in my family? 1,2,3,4,5, etc…
Who has been in a play?
Who is a girl?
Who goes to church?
Who likes to read at home?
Who likes to read outside?
Who has had the chicken pox?
Who is a boy?
How old are we today?
Which Clifford book do you like best?
What is your favorite farm animal?
What is your favorite zoo animal?
How many letters in your name?
How many beats in your name?
Which is more fun? Camping or Swimming
Do you like reading?
Do you like ice cream?
Do you like blowing your nose?
Do you like going to the dentist?
Do you like going to the doctor?
Do you like math?
Do you like hot weather?
Do you like cold weather?
Do you like cheese?
Do you like inside recess?
Do you like playing outside?
Do you like going to McDonalds?
Do you like going to Taco Bell?
Do you like going to restaurants that you pay after you eat?
Do you like to wear pants or shorts?
Which is better day or night?
What is your favorite apple? (green, red, yellow)
What is your favorite holiday? (Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween)
Which food do you like best? (hotdog, chicken nuggets, hamburger, pizza)
Which drink do you like best? (milk, water, pop, juice)
Do you like getting your picture taken?
Have you ever gone fishing?
Have you ever gone to a movie theatre?
Have you ever played at McDonalds play land?
Do you like the zoo?
Have you ever been to the beach?
What is your favorite meal? (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Which milk do you like? (chocolate, white)
Do you like watermelon?
Number of brothers
Number of sisters
Number of siblings
Did you sleep well last night?
Do you have your own bathroom?
Do you like baths or showers?
Favorite day of week (give 3 choices or all days)
What color hair do you have?
What color eyes do you have?
Do you like going to Wal-mart?
Do you like going to Meijers?
Do you like going to the grocery store?
Do you like to ride a bike?
Do you like to watch a TV?
Do you like to drink water?
Do you have a computer at home?
Do you wake up easily in the morning?
Do you fall asleep easily at night?
Do you have laces in your shoes today?
Do you have buckles in your shoes today?
Do you like pepperoni on your pizza today?
Do you like to eat watermelon?
Do you wear glasses?
Did you wear a coat today?
Did you wear boots today?
Do you like bare feet or shoes better?
Do you like putting puzzles together?
Do you have any siblings at this school?
Did you wash your hair last night?
Did you eat breakfast this morning?
Did you drink milk at breakfast this morning?
Do you have a public library card?
Do you like to eat macaroni and cheese at school?
Have you ever…had to wear a cast?
Have you ever…ridden in a plane?
Have you ever…seen Lake Michigan?
Have you ever…ridden a horse?
Have you ever…been to the ocean?
Have you ever…had to get stitches?
Have you ever…ridden in a buggy pulled by a horse?
Have you ever…had chicken pox?
Have you ever…gone to another school?
Have you ever…been to a farm?
Have you ever…been to the Children’s Museum?
Have you ever…baked cookies at home?
Have you ever…seen a rainbow in the sky?
Have you ever…been to the zoo?
Have you ever…been to the circus?
Have you ever…mailed a letter?
Is your hair the color red?
Is your hair the color of brown?
Can you skip rope?
Do you like to slide or swing?

Question of the Day

How did you get to school? Walk, Car, Bus (with pictures you can draw by the words).
Did you go to preschool?
Are you 5 or 6?
How many letters are in your name?
What is your favorite fruit?
The Kissing Hand – Did you like this story? smile, straight face, sad face(They just sign their name under the picture).
Are you 5? yes no
Do you like school? y n
Do you LOVE school? y n (put a heart by love)
Do you like to cut? y n
Did you go to prek? y n
Do you think the letter will go up the tree again? y n
Fire safety: Do you have a fire alarm?
Columbus: Have you ever been on a boat?
Have you ever been to the ocean?
Spiders: Do you like spiders?
Nutrition:
Do you like white, choc, or strawberry milk?
What do you like best, apples or bananas?
Do you think it will snow tomorrow?
Have you seen a rainbow?
Have you been on ice skates?
Do you have an older brother?
Do you have a younger sister?
Do you have a pet?
Have you been on an airplane?
Can you ride a bike?
Do you have your own room?
What is your favorite color?
Do you like popcorn?
What is your favorite movie?
Have you lost a tooth yet?
Do you like to sing?
Can you tie your own shoes?
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Did you have fun on the fieldtrip?
Do you believe in leprachauns?
Will it rain today?
Is today’s date an odd number?
Is today’s date an even number?
Are you excited about being at school today?
Is 2+2 a double fact?
Is 6+3 a ten’s fact?
Does the attached clock say 4:00?
Do the coins here add up to 22 cents?
1. Is all the snow gone at your house?
2. Do you have a cat?
3. Do you have a dog?
4. Do you have any brothers?
5. Do you have any sisters?
6. Have you lived in any other state?
7. Were you born in the state you are living in now?
8. Do you like the cafeteria food?
9. Have you even made cookies with your mom?
10. Have you ever seen a rainbow?
11. Can you ride a two wheel bike?
12. Can you do a flip?
13. Do you take gymnastics or karate?
14. Does your mom work outside the house?
15. Does your grandma or grandpa live in the same town as you?
16. Do you think you will graduate from Bremen School?
17. Did your parents go to school in Bremen?
18. Do you like the color black?
19. Is your glue bottle full?
20. Is 3+4+5= 13 correct?
21. Did you ever see a leprechaun?
22. Are you going away during spring vacation?
23. Can you jump off the diving board at school?
24. Do you like oatmeal?
25. Do you walk to school?
26. Did you go to the library this week?
27. Do you have a computer at home?
28. Have you seen A Bug’s Life?
29. Do you ride a bus to school?
30. Do you like to bring your lunch to school?
Would you kiss a frog? (Frog and Toad theme) tell why or why not
Did you sleep well last night?
Do You Brush and Floss? (Brush Only, Brush and Floss)
Do you have a cat, a dog, or other animal?
Do you have a four-legged or two-legged pet?
Do you have a pet or no pet?
Do you have your own bedroom?
Do you like baths or showers?
Do you like to play inside or outside on a rainy day? (Inside,outside)
Do you like Watermelon?
Do you read every day?
Do you think _______ will sink or float? (Science)
Have you ever been on a plane?
Are you wearing ______ today? (substitute any colour)
Did you brush your teeth this morning?
Did you eat a healthy breakfast?
Do you enjoy . ..
Do you have . ..
Do you have a pet?
Do you have a sister or brother?
Do you like . ..
Have you been to . ..
Have You Ever been to the Beach?
Does your jacket have a hood?
Have You Ever Gone Fishing?
Will we have 6 more weeks of winter?
Will a paperclip float or sink in water?
Float Sink
Is February a winter month?

How many days have we been in school?
87 99 100

Which number is greater?
45 47

Which number is less?
32 22

How many pennies make $1.00?
10 100

How many dimes make $1.00?
10 5

How many quarters make $1.00?
4 5 10

How many vowels are in the word VALENTINE?
5 4

What number is missing?0,1,2,__, 4
3 6

What number is missing?0,2,4,__,8
6 9

What number is missing?5,4,__, 2, 1
3 0

Seasonal
Is January is a winter month?
Is July a winter month?
Is May a Spring month?
Is October a Fall month?

At Christmas
Do you believe in Santa?
Do you have a real or artificial tree?
Do you have a wreath on your door?
Do you have Christmas lights out side your house?
Have you hung up a stocking?

At New Years
Did you make a resolution for the New Year?

On Saint Patrick’s Day
Are you wearing green today?

At Thanksgiving
Do you eat dinner at home or away?
Do you have turkey for thanksgiving?
List some pies –children put their name under the Favorite one.

Were you named after someone special?
Do you have a middle name?
Can you speak another language besides English?
How many sisters do you have?
Do you have any brothers or sisters in this school?
How many pencils are in your desk?
Did you wash your hair last night?
How many syllables are in your first name?
Did you have milk at breakfast?
Do you have a public library card?
Have you ever been fishing?
Have you ever taken dance lessons?
Do you like broccoli?
Do you have any brothers or sisters in preschool?
Have you ever been to Walt Disney World?
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
What is your favorite school day?
Do you have a cowboy hat?
Who has hair longer than their shoulders?
Were you awake at 6:30 this morning?
Do you like macaroni and cheese?
Are your eyes brown?
Do you like strawberry ice cream?
Do your shoes have black on them?
Do you walk to school?
How many windows are in your house?
How many grandmothers do you have?
Do you have a 2-wheel bike?
Did you wear a coat today?
Do you have pierced ears?
Do you know how to roller skate?
Did you brush your teeth this morning?
Is winter your favorite season?
Do you have a teddy bear?
How many pairs of shoes do you have?
Have you ever ridden in a train?
Do you think math is easy?
Who has hair shorter than their shoulders?
Do you have a TV in your bedroom?
Can you say all of “Peter Picked A Peck of Pickled Peppers” without a mistake?
Have you ever had to stay overnight in a hospital?
Did you play a sport?
Do you wear glasses?Is your hair red?
Did you carry your lunch today?
How many letters in your last name?
Did you wear blue today?
Do you have any brothers or sisters in high school?
Do you have a computer at home?
Do you know how to swim?
Do you play an instrument?
Do you like country/western music?
Have you ever been to the ocean?
Does your grandfather have gray hair?
How many doors are in your house?
Have you been to another country?
Do you like to read?
Does your first name have more letters than your last name?
How many things did you have for breakfast?
Have you ever ridden on a horse?
Did you comb or brush your hair today?
Can you do a magic trick?Is 13 greater than 10?
Does spots rhyme with dots?
Does snow rhyme with cow?
Is March the fourth month of the year?
Have you ever lived on a farm?
Are there 31 days in March?
Do you like snow?
Do you live in an igloo?
Do you have any sisters?
Will we have 6 more weeks of winter?
Is February a winter month?
Is steam a solid?
Did you do your homework?
Do you have any pets?
Are there 3 vowels in the word CAT?
Will a paperclip float on water?
Does cat rhyme with bat?
Do you know how to spell your name?
Do you have a birthday in December?
Do you have any brothers?
Do you like spiders?
Do spiders have 6 legs?
Is rain a liquid?
Do you like insects?
Do 4 nickels make 20 cents?
How many people in the family?
Favorite TV show?
What kind of milk do you like to drink?
What is your favorite cookie?
How many siblings do you have?
Who is your hero?
What month were you born in?
What is your favorite season?

Jeff Anderson is Awesome!

Jeff Anderson encourages students to study sentences that are correct instead of D.O.L. which is studying error. He is awesome! I have his DVD’s and have read all his books. If you ever get a chance to hear him at a workshop, GO!

http://greatsentences.blogspot.com/ This website supports Jeff’s work.