Fairy Tale and Fable Series Giveaway!

There is no denying the fact that I love Hameray Publishing's book series.  And, their new Story World Real World books are amazing!
They have taken familiar fairy tales and fables to the next level.  This series will help lead your readers to real-world knowledge with Story World Real World paired texts. Each theme set pairs one traditional tale with three nonfiction books that are filled with informational text features giving your students practice making connections and navigating informational content.   What more can you ask for in engaging text?!?!

These 10 fairy tales and fables are the perfect addition to any classroom library.  Even better, they can be yours!!!!

Hameray Publishing is raffling off the Story World portion of the series, that is ten traditional tales at guided reading levels I–M, filled with bright, modern illustrations.  All you have to do is click on the image above or this link to enter. 

*Raffle ends Friday, September 30, 2016, at 9:00pm PST.*

Teacher Style with ULTIMATE Comfort

I am a bit of a clothing nut!  I love clothes and believe that what you wear not only reflects your mood, but can change your outlook on the day.  For a long time, I would wear clothes that I thought were "cute" but they were not always comfortable.  Well that changed the moment I was introduced to LuLaRoe.  LuLaRoe takes comfort and style and crashes them together like a Midwest Thunder Storm!  

About LuLaRoe: ALL LuLaRoe styles are limited. It's unlikely that you're going to see someone with the exact same item that you have. Our designers create hundreds of prints each day. Those prints are then divided among all of the styles LuLaRoe produces. Only about 2,500 pieces are created in a print. Then, those styles are distributed all over the USA. Talk about one-of-a-kind!  LuLaRoe fashions change rapidly so there's always something new to love!

The styles are fabulous and comfortable.  The signature piece is the leggings.  They are without a doubt amazing!  The prints are so fun and they take any dress or tunic to the next level.  If you are looking to try out LuLaRoe click the link to find Myranda Sue's (a fellow teacher) LuLaRoe Boutique.

For those of you that love LuLaRoe and are looking to add to your closet you need to jump on this amazing deal!  Myranda has a Leggings of the Month club that features a VIP discount, free shipping, and well LEGGINGS!

To join just follow these step:

1. Join Myranda's LuLaRoe Facebook Group.

2. Fill out the link on the pinned post.

3. For How did you hear about Leggings of the Month Club? enter Marcy Godesa.

What are your favorite LuLaRoe styles?  I love the Amelia and Sarah, and the leggings of course.

Establishing Buddy Reading Expectations

Setting clear expectations beginning on the first day of school is vital.  The amount of time we practice routines in my classroom may seem crazy to some people, but it is the only way to ensure a successful school year.  One area that I spend a lot of time practicing with my students around is buddy reading.  I have learned never to expect that my students know how to do something; they need to be taught.  This doesn't just apply to primary age students, but all students.  As teachers, we sometimes expect kids to just know or remember from the pervious year and that is not always work on our favor.  Therefore, day by day, we practice one expectation and add another as mastery of the previous is shown.
Here are the buddy expectations that we have been working on.  We practiced one a day, adding to our expectations over the first few weeks of school.

I have learned over the last 12 years that it is important for buddy readers to not only be able to meet the expectations set, but to be able to communicate on the same level.  I have searched high and low for great books that buddies can build their background knowledge with, and then discuss further through a buddy read.  My search for great books is finally over!  The Fables and Real Word Series, from Hameray Publishing fits all of my buddy reading needs.

This series allows my kiddos to read and build their background knowledge with the nonfiction books.  They can read them independently during Read-to-Self or with their buddy.

Students then have common vocabulary and topic background knowledge to make connections, retell, find their favorite parts, and just book talk.  The nonfiction books are just the beginning.  Each nonfiction set has a fable that relates to the topic.  Buddies are able to read the fables together, building off their nonfiction reading.

 I love sitting and listening in on buddy reads.  It is such a wonderful opportunity to hear students talking about books.  I have noticed that by reading books sets and series together they are able to make connections through the conversations they have.  Buddies are also so excited to share interesting excerpts with each other.
Buddy Reading has become a successful time in my classroom.  I firmly believe that setting and reviewing exceptions is key, but having meaningful text is the icing on the cake.

What is a Buddy Reading MUST in your classroom?

Making Reading Relevant

Moving schools has been no joke!  I am loving my new group of kiddos and super grateful for my new colleagues answering all my questions; it is not easy being the new kid for the first time in 7 years.  What is even more difficult is moving into another teacher's space.  We like things our way, there is no denying that.  So when you inherit a classroom library the first thing you need to do is go through it.  Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful to have books in my classroom, but it is so important to have books that students can connect to and that are RELEVANT to their lives.
Have you even seen the look on a kiddo's face when you hand them a book that has no connections to their life?  Well that look is devastating!  In order to make sure I see nothing but excitement on my students' faces this year I made sure to give my classroom library a facelift.
I quickly jumped on Hameray Publishing's website and began making a list of books from the Kaleidoscope Collection to rebuild my library.  I love the Kaleidoscope Collection's nonfiction book selection.  There are so many books that my students are interested in.  One title that they cannot get enough of right now is Summer Olympics.

So why is it important to provide students access to relevant text?  Well, making connections is why.  Readers that make connections to their reading are readers that will continue to pick up new books and continue to make connections.  We don't want to loose readers by having irrelevant text in our classrooms.
What are some of your must have genres and titles for your readers?