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Thursday, July 16, 2015

Piggie Fun

Let me start by saying how much I love my husband...Yes I know I am being sappy BUT to have a man who believes in me and will do what it takes to help me.  I am one blessed woman!  To help put a face to my handsome husband, here he is!
What makes him even cuter is when he is holding my sweet baby.  Can I get an AMEN! 


Anyways, I just recently finished my newest products on Teachers Pay Teachers. 
I was taking my (dare I say it) 3 year old son to the library the other day.  I was looking through the books with him and we came across Piggie Pie.  I knew it must be a good book when it was "well loved."  When Luke saw it, he got all excited.  I have to get it then.  Right?  So we get home and that is the first book he wants to read.  By the end of it, I had fallen in love with the book.  All of the ways I could use this in my classroom.  Oh the fun we are going to have with it.  SIDEBAR: I am an author study lover.  I am constantly trying to tie in whole author units at least once a month.  I have never really paid much attention to Margie Palatini before.  She actually has more books than you think she would have that you know.   All this to say, I am excited to be able to add her to my author study.  I added her to my QR Readers collection.  Click here  Ok...off my sidebar.  I don't know if you have read it or not but (SPOILER ALERT) at the end of the story, the wolf and the witch leave together both thinking they are going to cook each other.  I love having the kids write what they think is going to happen next.  All I hear is "authentic writing" in my ears.  I can not wait to hear their stories!  




Did you know that there is a sequel to Piggie Pie?  Me Neither.  Below, you can see one of the ways I am trying to incorporate both books.  



 I personally love to have question and answers.  We need to be able to see what the kids are struggling with when it comes to basic comprehension.  I always try to add opinions and higher order thinking to get a little more rigor.  Oh and who doesn't love am answer key! PS. I only included one page on here but there is actually a front and back question and answer.


BEST PART:

This is where my husband comes in.  Let me say I am spoiled by this man.  I told him how I really wish he would make me a craftivity that I can do with my classroom.  Everywhere I went, I just could not find one I fell in love with.  I told him my ideas and what I was going to use it with.  I let him know that I wanted this to be their "pal" to hold as I read the book.  They have to think as though they are the pig in the story.  What are thoughts that go through the pigs head?  What is he afraid of?  Then, when we are done reading the book, they get to attach paper (I included different templates) to write what their piggie thoughts were.

He got right to work.
Isn't it just darling?!?!?  We decided that we were going to have different levels of the cutie.  Just a color his drawing, put every piece together to make it, use simple shapes to make a piggie, or only follow directions and see what the kids can come up with.  Personally, I like the put every piece together (I made 2 of them and they are currently sitting in my kitchen hiding from the 3 year old).  Here are my finished products:


 Piggie Pal Craftivity
How could you not fall for them!?!


Can't wait to start yours too?  Grab it here!
Only need the Piggie Pal Craftivity?  Grab it here!
Want the QR Readers?  Grab it here!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Piggie Pie Masterpiece

I am SOO excited about my new novel study over Piggie Pie!  It is overflowing with over 27 pages!  It includes graphic organizers, 2 QR Readers, and a Piggie Pal Craftivity!  Here are a few pages as a preview!




Students get to compare both of the books in a venn diagram using QR Readers.



11 Questions and answers 

Grab it HERE!


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Dare to Dream

I love the idea of "Dare to Dream!"  I am constantly writing to do list and trying to check things off.   So coming up with a dream of what I want in the future, I really had to think about it!  As you can see, I have picked making new games for my classroom.  I love seeing my students faces each year when I tell them I made them a game JUST FOR THEM!  They seem to be more engaged and excited about playing it.  I want to continue doing that for them.  I honestly love teaching and I enjoy making things for my classroom.  I hope I do not ever lose that dream!
Next, I put be able to buy a fun new toy for kids when I have a good month.  I have a set number I have put to the side each month to go to a certain bill.  When I make more than that number, I would love to take my little Luke to the store and let him pick something he wants, just because!  I love to spoil him, and don't get me wrong...He is VERY spoiled! More than most!