Good Morning, Groundhog!

 Groundhog Day is coming up. Have you ever read Good Morning, Groundhog?

 It is a Ready Freddy book I have used in guided reading groups.

This book study packet includes many skills:

* comprehension questions

* predictions

* story structure focus

* opinion writing

*graphic organizer to compare/contrast the two stories

I added this as a TpT Digital Activity for those who are distance learning.

You can grab my 2 book packet in my TpT store.

Gilbert and the Lost Tooth

Did you know that February is Dental Health month?  Gilbert and the Lost Tooth is a great choice to use with guided reading groups or book clubs. I have a great packet to go along with this book.

I love Diane de Groat books, don't you? 

Are you distance learning and your student's don't have the book? I updated the packet to include a link to a YouTube reading. I put it through SafeShare.tv to remove the ads and distracting content for your students. I also added a QR code if you would find that easier to assign. If you already own this packet you can download these additions for FREE in your 'My Purchases" page. That is also where you can see all of your past purchases that have been to TpT Digital Activities.

I added this to TpT Digital Activities and got you started by making the text boxes for you. I am curious  what the feedback on the user side has been for TpT Digital Activities? Anyone have thoughts?

Grab your copy in my TpT store HERE.

Save the Earth! Book Club Packet

Ready Freddy Save the Earth! is a great book to read around Earth Day.  I called my reading groups book clubs and I've made many packets to go with novels at all different levels. You could also read the book as a read aloud and still do some of the activities like the Earth Day Challenge I mention below.

22 comprehension and vocabulary questions

A thinking map using adjectives to describe a character.

In the story, the students are given this challenge sheet so I made one for our students, too!

When the characters complete the challenge they get pins so I made these sticker labels for my students.

Only $3 in my TpT store if you want to check it out.

Easter ABC Order Freebie

Can you use a free Easter ABC Order cut and paste? It works great as a center activity.

Click HERE to get it.

Also, my June B. First Grader Dumb Bunny Book Club Packet got a new look.
This is always a favorite with my reading groups. Click HERE.

NYC Envy and Book Clubs

We have this week off school. My two high school boys went on a school performing arts trip to New York City leaving my husband and I at home. We decided we'd take advantage of the extra date nights and try some new restaurants. I am pretty jealous though. My kids are seeing amazing shows and having workshops with cast members. So far they have seen Once on This Island, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Amateurs, Anastasia, Come From Away, Puffs, and Wicked. Not to mention going to museums, NBC, ice skating. I am turning green. Right this minute they are at a dance workshop with a Hamilton cast member!

California kids experiencing weather!

To distract myself from my envy, I have been finishing up some old projects. Here are some book club packets that I have been meaning to post.  I'm glad so many of you find them useful! I'd love to give them away so leave me a comment with your email and I'll pick two winners to send to. Click HERE to see more detail.

Do you get a week off in February? I hear some places call it ski week but not around here.

Halloween goodies

I miss having fun with holidays. Now that I teach middle school, it is almost like holidays don't even exist.  But when I start getting blue about not teaching the little ones anymore, I remember the potty accidents and feeling like I am herding cats and then I feel a little better.

Anyway, I was going through some of my files and found a book club packet that I had never posted. Since it is very timely, I went ahead and put it in my store.

Need a FREE Halloween ABC order cut and glue?

Or lots of other great stuff for this month! Ok, I'm getting sad again...

Our staff is thinking of all dressing as Where's Waldo characters. Does your staff dress in a theme or just do your own thing?

New National Geographic Kids Book Clubs

I made book club packets for two more National Geographic Kids texts.

They include comprehension questions, identifying and using nonfiction text features, and vocabulary. This 2 pack is only $3.50 in my store.

Was your staff room buzzing about the Oscars today? I love the more extravagant dresses.

Would you like to win a copy of my new packet? Leave me a comment about which Academy Awards dress was your favorite and I'll pick a winner!

A New Book Club Packet and a FREEBIE for March 2nd.

I have a new book club 2 pack for The Flying Horse: The Story of Pegasus and Abe Lincoln's Hat.  I included comprehension questions, character analysis, and vocabulary. This is in my store for only $2.50.

I am getting things ready for Read Across America Day on Monday. 

I made a listening activity for The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss. You can download it HERE for FREE.

 

My students will scan the QR code which will take them to video. (It was on Youtube but I put it through SafeShare.) If you don't have access to technology, you can still read the story and have your students fill out the worksheet.

Does you school have a big celebration on March 2nd? If you have any great ideas will you leave them in a comment for me? I am in charge of this day at our school and want to make it memorable!

A New Book Club Packet and Anchor Charts

I have a new book club packet. I'm working on story elements with my first graders so that is the focus of this one. 

It includes a related writing prompt

 and a parts of speech cut and glue.

You can pick this one for only $1.50 in my store!

These two have been keeping me VERY busy!

I haven't had much energy left to recreate the wheel like I usually am guilty of. For example, why think of a clever anchor chart design when you already have a cute one pinned?

inspiration HERE

Maybe a peek at the anchor charts in my room is a good way to see what I am up to. The rest are all mine, hence not very fancy. LOL!

I find personal narratives challenging to teach, especially to first graders, but I have been pleased with the results. The students are working on their final drafts now. Then they get to digitally publish their story using the app Book Creator on our iPads. They are super excited about this!

I thought the ant examples might help them remember the word antonym. The squares are the different examples the kids illustrated.

I had the there, their, they're posters already printed out. I don't remember where I found them so let me know if you made them so I can give you credit!

So that is a quick peek. Hopefully I can get back to real blogging one of these days!

The Reading Race

Oh my goodness, I am loving my students this year! So sweet and well-behaved. Our family schedule on the other hand is kicking my butt. The boys have opposite football schedules so my husband and I each take a kid, squeeze in homework and dinner where we can and basically see each other at bedtime. YUCK! My new obsession is Audible.com. Since I spend so much time in traffic, having a book to listen to has completely saved my sanity!!!

I have a new book club packet for Ready, Freddy! The Reading Race by Abby Klein. You can grab it for $3.50 in my TpT store.

It includes chapter reading comprehension questions, vocabulary, character analysis, answers requiring  text evidence, a related writing prompt, and a template for a bookmark craft !

My students really enjoy reading trade books during guided reading groups! I try to alternate between fiction and informational texts and work in different genres. I love when I notice a student gravitating towards a series or author because of something we read in group.

I'm late for bed so I'd better get going. I hope you all are having a great start to your year!!!

NEW Informational Book Club Packets

Do your students love the National Geographic Kids readers as much as mine do?

I made another informational book club packet. This time for Cheetahs and George Washington. I got my sets from Scholastic using my bonus points. 

I included comprehension questions, vocabulary matching, and the use of text features.

The skill of comparing and contrasting is also required in question form and using a thinking map.

I also included an option to scan a QR code that links to related National Geographic videos.

This 2-book pack is only $3 in my TpT store! Enter via Rafflecopter below if you'd like to enter to win a copy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway