Looking for a story that will grab you and not let you go? J. E. Thompson's The Girl From Felony Bay is exactly that type of story. John gets middle grade readers. He really does. From the very beginning of this mystery/adventure, I was hooked on both story and the main character Abbey. I can't wait to read the next book, Disappearance at Hangman's Bluff. 

In January, two of my 3rd/4th grade classes at John Lyman School were lucky enough to spend some time with Mr. Thompson via Skype. John was an amazing author with whom to Skype. He has a calm demeanor (is that what happens when you live in South Carolina?) and the students loved hearing about how he got his start writing for middle grades (his daughter was 12 at the time). No one can book talk a book like the author and Mr. Thompson had my students desperate to read The Girl from Felony Bay (I sent off our copy with their teacher for their next read aloud). 

Even better was the description of the next book John is working on (I won't give any details away) - but again, my students are dying to read it when it comes out. John took the time to answer lots of questions too! Thank you, thank you Mr. Thompson for taking some time to inspire young readers and writers!

For more information about J.E. Thompson, his books, and contact information, please check out his really cool website jethompsonbooks.com and follow him on Twitter at @JEThompson49. 

Students at John Lyman Elementary are embarking on an adventure! During library, the 3/4 students started reading the 1st chapter of The Great CT Caper. Other classes may be reading along in their classroom. 

The CT Humanities Council has an amazing adventure for us! Starting in January and being released every 2 weeks is a new chapter in the mystery. There will be 12 chapters in all, each written and illustrated by an author and illustrator from Connecticut. 

If you would like to read at home, click here and select the chapters link at the top.


For ideas and contests, click here.

For fun and games, click here.

I am participating in the #walkmyworld project 2015! It's all about connecting and sharing, which I love to do! For more information, click here. 

Learning Event 1 - Where are you? What do you consider to be your "world"? 

I've included my digital doorway - if it ever stops snowing, I'll include my physical doorways!

One Friday a month, our MakeyMakey ECHO (Enhanced Curricular HOT Opportunities) meet for about 45 min. I have a group of 18 1st - 4th graders and we spent our first few sessions exploring MakeyMakey. 

Yesterday I brought a few new things for the kids to try out: 2 Spheros and some littleBits. They were so excited! I was too! This was my first time using them with a group of students. Special thanks again to the Coginchaug Valley Education Fund for supporting us!

To get them in the inventing mood, I shared a Kid President video shared on Twitter by @Carmen_Restrepo. This brought lots of laughing, especially about the corn dogs.

We broke up into groups - 2 groups of 3 students each using the Spheros. Several of the kids had heard of or used a Sphero before so they went into the littleBits group. 

We have a Student set of littleBits, with 4 power packs, which was enough for 2 groups of 3 and 2 groups of 4. After telling them that they pretty much couldn't break the littleBits, I set them to try some things out. Other supplies, such as some project ideas, cardboard, paper, newspaper, scissors, and tape were available. Once they got the hang of it, some groups began trying out some projects or creating some of their own. 

The Sphero groups were charged with being able to move their Spheros around. Some set up obstacle courses or went bowling with the plastic cups we had. 

We wrapped up our session by sharing some creations. Next time, we will switch groups so everyone has a chance to try them all out.

I realized too, that their parents might be wondering about some of the amazing items we are using, so I created a note sharing information with them. You can find that note here. 

Take a look at some of the pictures and videos below to see what learning was happening Friday!