For any "Wonder" Fans

Did you know that R.J. Palaccio wrote another part to "Wonder" called  "The Julian Chapter"?  It is only available as a download.  

I read "Wonder" as a read aloud,  to my fourth graders last year and they were so upset that Julian's side was not in the book.  I was very excited when I discovered that the author wrote and released the new part in May. (I discovered this after school was out)  

I taught summer school and their summer reading book was "Wonder."  When I was searching for materials I found the new story.  I bought the download and read it to two summer school classes.  Wow…no disappointment.   I don't want to give away any of the book away…I loved it!!!!!

Wonder, Point of View(Freebie), Magnets

I am currently reading "Wonder" as our read aloud to my class.  They are LOVING it!!!  It has prompted some great questions, thoughts and discussions.  I started a "Wonder Wall",  where each day I pick 4-5 children to write down their thoughts.  We are also working on points of view and this book uses character's perspectives.

We have been learning about the differences of writing in first and third person.  We charted out clue words that help us to identify. We then continued that author's can also write from different points of view.  We read two versions of "Little Red Riding Hood".  One is told in first person and the other is told in third person.  It also demonstrates Red's version and the Wolf's version.  I wanted to do a mini-lesson in writing from different points of view.  I had the kids brainstorm things that they love and hate about spring.  They wrote two paragraphs practicing the author's craft of "Show Don't Tell".   My camera was acting weird and I was in a hurry Friday…I will add more examples.

Spring Hate It and Love It

Magnet Madness (Check out an older post)

I set up several stations on Friday that included:

magnetic fields

magnetite
different types of magnets
magnetic needles
compass
repel and attract
objects sort

Edward Tulane is Narcissistic!!!!

My favorite read aloud of the year is the book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.   I look forward to reading it every year and I still cry at the sad parts.  I am currently reading it with my fourth graders but this year has been different.  After completing our unit on Greek myths,  my students have been comparing Edward to Narcissus…go Common Core!!!  We have been collecting evidence to show that he is narcissistic or vain.  (I still break out into Carly Simon every time I hear that word.)  I am reading this book with new eyes and so are my students.