Monday, 3/2 - Mrs. Lussier was at the MSLA conference in Massachussetts learning a ton and having fun!
Ms. Stewart's 2nd graders shared Interrupting Chicken with Ms. Lindeman's 3rd graders from Babylon, NY. This was a new connection for us, and we had a lot of fun! Reading Interrupting Chicken is hilarious!
Mrs. Canning's kindergarteners came to library for a very special connection: Author Erin Dealey! She connected with us all the way from California! She had to get up pretty early AND the moment we were connecting, her power went out! Unbelievable. But after a couple minutes everything got back on track and we were treated to a very special skype. Ms. Dealey shared her passion for reading with my students and even taught them a little song! I had brought two of her books to Mrs. Canning to share with the kids before the skype so they were familiar with her work and she read Little Bo Peep Can't Get to Sleep to us. There is something so special about an author reading their work aloud. We were even treated to a bonus book, Deck the Walls: A Wacky Christmas Carol. What a pleasure it was to meet this special author!
Another favorite to read aloud together is The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. Ms. Wilbanks and her students from Athens, Georgia enjoyed each and every color. Especially the peach crayon. Go ahead. Giggle. | Mr. Stroh and his 4th graders from Michigan connected with Mrs. Caramanello's 1st graders. Mr. Stroh and I have a ton of fun every time we connect (remember the Crayons from last year?) This year we read Elephant and Piggie, We Are in a Book which was just as terrific! Reading books aloud together is just pure fun! |
Mrs. Reed's students from Newton, MA also connected with Mrs. Lundt's 2nd graders. It was a busy day! We decided to read The Adventures of Beekle. No matter how many times you read this book, there is always something new to notice and talk about. There is a reason it was this year's Caldecott Award winner. What a special book to read together for World Read Aloud Day.
So thrilled to connect again with Ms. Uribe's class! This time we read The Day the Crayons Quit with Mrs. Francis's 3rd & 4th graders. It is such fun to read aloud!
Mrs. MacDonald's 4th graders connected with Mrs. Greco's 3/4s and together we read Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman. This was new to all the kids and the surprised looks on their faces and giggles was wonderful!
Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger with all of its laugh-out-loud humor was a hit with Ms. Lambert's 5th graders and Mrs. Sorensen's 3/4 class!
To end our week, Mrs. Kozlik's 3/4 class shared Interrupting Chicken with Mrs. Nels and her students. Another classic read aloud!
Mrs. Sibiskie's 1/2 class had the great pleasure of connecting with the amazing Deborah Freedman. Deborah Freedman lives right here in Connecticut and is the author/illustrator of Blue Chicken and The Story of Fish and Snail, as well as the soon to be published By Mouse and Frog (ok, since it has taken me forever to write this post it is now published!) We were so excited because Ms. Freedman read us By Mouse and Frog! It was a super special sneak peek of this fun book!
One of my favorite things about Ms. Freedman's work are the pictures. There are so many things happening on the page that are important to notice as they help tell the story. This book really captured the students. Following the story, the kids had a chance to ask lots and lots of questions. I love it when an author or illustrator is up for answering questions, because it is not always easy. Sometimes questions are asked more than once - 1st and 2nd graders are so full of curiosity and wonder. There is a wide variety of questions too - from specific ones about being an author or illustrator to others about their family, pets, and more. Deborah Freedman was so gracious and passionate about her work - we were indeed very fortunate to have the opportunity to talk with her. Thank you again for taking time to read with my students!
If you have not gotten a chance to connect with Julie Falatko yet, just do it. Right now. Get on Twitter and search @JulieFalatko. Julie is enthusiastic, kind, passionate and clearly loves kids and children's literature. I had the great good fortune to meet her in person at nErDcampNNE in Maine this January. We were in a session sharing great book titles and I had a blast learning with her. I asked her if she would be willing to connect with my students and she said, "YES!" Julie will have 3 books coming out in the next few years: Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book), Bunny's New Friends, and Help Wanted: One Rooster. We can't wait!
Mrs. Ciccone's 1st and 2nd graders couldn't wait to meet Mrs. Falatko. We got skype going and off we went! First we did some introductions - pets too! Then, the reading began! She read a new favorite, I Don't Want to Be a Frog! by Dev Petty and illustrated by Mike Boldt. So hilarious! Julie is terrific at reading aloud! A new one for me was Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall. This was a thoughtful book about a blue crayon who is mislabeled red.
We got to ask Julie lots of questions too. We also got to meet her daughter! Bonus book! Goodnight already! by Jory John - such fun! I cannot wait until her books start coming out next year. If you get a chance to have a school visit or skype with Ms. Falatko, you will enjoy every moment! Enormous thanks for spending time with us and celebrating World Read Aloud Day 2015!