Saying Goodbye

While I did enjoy reading this summer and blogging I have discovered I am just not cut out for blogging on a regular basis. So this will be the last entry for Sara's Classroom Reads. I thank everyone who followed and checked in with me. I will be focusing more on my crochet blog as I begin to focus more on creating toys and dolls. So if that interests you at all visit Bouncing Off Of Yarn Walls. Thanks again for your interest and remeber you can always visist my sis at Carrie's YA Bookshelf and get your book fix.

CONTEST WINNER!!!!!!!

I am so sorry that this post is a few days late--some family happiness, hampered by some family sadness. But I have chosen the winner for my very first contest and am ready to post my second contest.

The winner of three great books: The Talented Clementine, Scaredy Squirrel, and Pumpkin Soup is. . . drum roll please . . . Dawn M.!!! Congratulations Dawn. I have sent you an email for your mailing information. Thank you to everyone who became a follower, left comments, and added me to your side links.

I promise to become a more consistent follower---so beings my next contest. Come back tomorrow for details. Thanks again to everyone!!!

Clementine's Letter

Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker

Clementine can't believe her ears--her beloved teacher, Mr. D'Matz, might be leaving for the rest of the year to go on a research trip to Egypt! No other teacher has ever understood her impulsiveness, her itch to draw constantly, or her need to play Beat the Clock when the day feels to long. And in his place, he's left a substitute with a whole new set of rules, which Clementine just can't figure out.
The only solution, she decides, is to hatch a plan to get Mr. D'Matz back. If it means ruining her teacher's once-in-a-lifetime chance---well, it'll be worth it. Won't it?

In Sara Pennypacker's third Clementine book you get to see a sweet kindness in Clementine that sometimes I think we can forget children posses. She is trying to make everyone feel happy and in turn figures out that this makes her happy. She does try to ruin her teacher's chances for his trip to Egypt but in the end decides to make him happy too. I still love all the vegetable names she comes up with for her brother, never being cruel, just being a kid.

As a teacher I can appreciate Clementine's problem with trying to figure out a new teacher's set of rules. In our building we often talk about how we assume to much and don't directly teach enough when it comes to rules and procedures. I guess we need to figure out the problem first and then find the solution, just like Clementine.

I highly recommend these books, so run my friends don't walk to the nearest library or book store and pick up a copy of Clementine's Letter, you won't be disappointed.

ROAWR!

ROAWR! by Barbara Joosse and illustrated by Jan Jutte is an absolutely delightful book.

A Crack! Snap! ROAWR! awakens Liam in the middle of the night. Oh, dear, Papa is away and Mama is snore asleep. Mama is delicious to forest things. And Liam is just a boy--too small to fight them off!

What can Liam do?!

He'll dig a hole, bring sticks and string, and creep on furry feet to trap --Bear! Would that keep Mama safe? No. Liam may be just a boy, but suddenly he has an even bigger idea. Will it work?

Well, will it? This is a really fun book, it took no effort at to picture Liam plotting and creeping around on those furry feet. The story is a delight and the illustrations are amazing. I love the bear, especially his eye patch. My friends don't walk, run to the nearest library or bookstore and pick up ROAWR!

This would be a great story starter for writing narrative text. How would you solve the problem? Where did the bear come from? Why is the bear wearing an eye patch? Will Liam have more night time adventures?

Faithful followers don't forget my contest which will end on July 15th.

The Talented Clementine

The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

When it comes to tackling third grade, Clementine is at the top of her game---okay, so maybe not all the time. After her teacher announces that the third and fourth graders will be putting on a talent show, Clementine panics. She doesn't sing or dance or play an instrument. She can't even hop with finesse. And as if she didn't feel bad enough, her perfect best friend, Margaret, has so many talents, she has to alphabetize them to keep them straight.

As the night of the big "Talent-palooza" draws closer, Clementine is desperate for an act, any act. But the unexpected talent she demonstrates at the show surprises everyone--most of all herself.

I L-O-V-E, love Clementine. She is such a great, fun kid without being a brat. I love how she seeks out her talents, only to surprise herself in the end. I also love that she continues to call her brother by various vegetable names, not out of meanness, but just as if they were his real name.

I am so happy that this book has been nominated by the Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians for their 2009-2010 KC3 list. I think I will start the year off with this book as our first read aloud and then start a discussion with my class about our talents--the obvious and the not so obvious.

So my friends, once again, Run don't walk to your nearest bookstore or library and pick up this great book that will leave you with a huge smile on your face.

Don't forget about my contest that ends July 15th, you could win a copy of this great book.

Not a book, but still fun

Every fall in my class we get to know each other by sharing information about ourselves. I always bring in my crochet scrapbook and share my hobby with my class. I usually try to make them each one thing each year, didn't happen last two years, but will try this year. Anyway, I decided to make something for my sister to give away in her Zombie deal this September. I thought I'd share the picture with you all, mainly because I'm pretty proud of the little guy.

I want to give credit to Christen Haden author of Creepy Cute Crochet, for the body and head. I also want to give credit to Elishabeth A. Doherty author of Amigurumi: Super Happy Crochet, for the wig idea. Promise a book posting tomorrow. (That's blood coming out of his mouth, not his tongue.)

First Ever Classroom Reads Contest!

My sister says a great way to get people to read my blog, other than updating it, is to host a contest. So here goes, my first classroom reads contest. I will be giving away a paperback copy of the following books to one lucky person:


The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

In her second adventure, Clementine is the only untalented student in her third-grade class, with the talent show fast approaching. She hints that her family may be leaving Boston and moving to Egypt on Friday if her father takes the building manager job at the Great Pyramid, but her teacher just laughs. Her friend Margaret offers her tap-dancing lessons, but her improvised beer-cap tap shoes don't work. Her baby brother (variously called by vegetable names) always laughs when she sings like Elvis, but her parents veto the leash she needs to keep him on stage. It's Mrs. Rice, the principal, who finally shows everyone where the child's talents lie. Clementine is a true original, an empathetic human being with the observant eye of a real artist and a quirky, matter-of-fact way of expressing herself. Whether shopping for new shoes with her mother, saving the talent show, or dining with her parents at the Ritz-no-crackers restaurant, she is laugh-out-loud funny. Frazee's line drawings are plentiful and just right. Libraries will need multiple copies of this one, because early chapter-book readers will jump at the chance to spend another eventful week with Clementine.


Scaredy Squirrel by Melaine Watt

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It's way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he's well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel's emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute. Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day ... his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk. But as Scaredy Squirrel leaps into the unknown, he discovers something really uplifting ...


Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper

There's a good smell of soup, and at night, with luck, you might see a bagpiping Cat in the window, and a Squirrel with a banjo, and a small singing Duck. Everyone has their own jobs to do. Everyone is happy... or so it seems.... until one day Duck, the littlest one, decides it's his turn to stir the soup

There are 4 chances to enter:
+1 Comment and include your email address
+1 Become a follower
+1 Blog about my contest and please include a link
+1 Add me to your blogroll

I'm very excited about this contest and gathering new followers. The winner for the contest will be chosen on July 15th. Good luck!!