Book Fair is Done!!

Don't get me wrong, I love Book Fair. Sometimes I think that I get more excited than the kids. But, it's been a long week and I'm glad it is all packed up ready to go back. The Media Center is back to normal and now it is my time to recover.

I'm getting excited that my 5th Graders are close to finishing their research, so that we can start working on our final projects. If I can, I'll post some when we get done or I'll post my examples.

Stacey

Book Fair, Book Fair, Book Fair

I just finished setting up my fall book fair this evening. I just love book fair because I get so excited over all the new books. I found a new favorite this year, The Candymakers by Wendy Mass. I haven't read any of her books before and I'm really glad I picked this one up. Here is a link to her website with a summary of the book, http://www.wendymass.com/mass-candy.htm. I've also posted a video clip of Wenday Mass talking about the book The Candymakers. I'm interested to read her newest one, 13 Gifts. I have a feeling it will end up in my pile to purchase at the end of the book fair.

Stacey

Another Winner from Rick Riordan--The Son of Neptune

I have been a fan of Rick Riordan's books for about five years. My then fifth graders and I were watching the DVD for the upcoming book fair. The third book in the Percy Jackson series, The titan's Curse was advertised. I had never heard of it before, and I told the kids that. One fifth grader named Jack, told me it was a great series and I should read it. Well, I took all three books in the series home and read all of them over the weekend! And I even pre-ordered the fourth book!

Rick Riordan continues to write such interesting and engaging books for students and adults. His newest one, The Son of Neptune, is amazing!! I couldn't put the book down. Once again I got to the end of the book and screamed in frustration because Riordan left me with a cliffhanger! He is such a masterful storyteller who always leave you wanting the next book. Now I only have to wait until the fall of 2012 until the next book in the Heroes of Olympus is published.

It's going to be a long wait!!!

Stacey

P.S.: I've posted the book trailer for The Son of Neptune. I was thrilled to figure out how to do this.

Research Rocks!

I'm getting ready to start a research project with my 5th Graders and my 3rd Graders. With my state adopting the Common Core Standards, research is front and center. I told my 5th Graders that they will have three choices for their final product and one of those choices in not PowerPoint. I have never seen a group of kids panic so fast! I told them that I was going outside my comfort zone, so they were going to go outside their comfort zone. I'm planning on giving them the following three choices: 1. Blabberize their information (www.blabberize.com) 2. Create an avatar (www.voki.com) or 3. Use the ipod touch to video their presentation. For 3rd Grade I think that I'm going to give them choice 1 or 3 to present their research.

I'm excited, but nervous. Hopefully the research will go well and so will the presentations.

Stacey