The Book Whisperer

What a fantastic week! I had the opportunity to attend two workshops given by the wonderful and hilarious Donalyn Miller!! The workshops were so wonderful. We talked about books, research, books, and ways to instill a love of reading into our students' lives.

There were many things Mrs. Miller discussed that made sense and made me think about what I have been doing in my class. She helped me really look at the readers in my life and how to look at my students as readers. Here are just a few thoughts:

• I haven't let my kids take books home because I am worried about them walking away. She said that the reason we have the books in our rooms in the first place is so kids will read them! She even said exactly what I was thinking... I bought the books and I don't want them to get lost! I know this might sound silly, that it took a workshop for me to think of it differently, but sometimes we aren't ready to hear things. 
• Let the students choose their own books. I already do this so I was happy to get some reassurance.
• Book Choice Frenzy - I haven't been able to find a great time to let my students choose their books. I've tried the first day, second, fourth... nothing seems right. Then, as I read Mrs. Miller's book, she did it the way I have been dreading to do it for years... let the kids have at it!! How fantastic!! I think I am going to try it this year.

Have you had any experience with Mrs. Miller, The Book Whisperer, a book frenzy or any wonderful PD?

Google Docs

Do you use Google Docs? Does your school/district?

I use it, and my district is using it more and more.  I think I have a love/hate relationship with it, to tell you the truth.  I mean, I think it's a wonderful tool!  I can save something at school and pull it up at home, at my in-laws' house, or at my sister's house.  Fantastic!

However, I am not yet in the habit of actually saving things to it at school! It sounds ridiculous, I know, but I really enjoy making my documents and I get so into it that I just save them on my computer. Then I get busy and forget to upload them. I've been thinking about setting aside time once or twice a week specifically to upload items, but I am not sure if that is ample time for everything, or if it's too much time.

What does everyone else do?

A Year Ago...

Almost a year ago I was writing blog posts, creating things to add to my classroom, and getting ready for school to start.

I am now here, after a crazy busy year full of field trips, performances and getting to know my amazing students, writing another post. I haven't been on here since last summer and I am sad about that. I love reading other teacher posts, learning from you and getting inspired by you!! That is why I started writing here.

I am going to try my best to post something new every week! {I completely wanted to say I'd post something every day, but I thought that was being too optimistic!}

So my new thing this week is that my school year ended yesterday and I am sad. My students were amazing!! They were happy, independent, hilarious, and full of wonder. We learned so much and everyone was sad to go yesterday. I am already planning for next year and getting things on my To-Do List for the summer.

I am so excited!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful year!!