Favorite Read Aloud # 7 -- No More Dead Dogs

My stepdaughter recommended I read this book.  Her teacher read it to her class and I could see why.  Wallace Wallace gets detention for writing a bad review of his teacher's favorite book.  He has to miss football practice and sit in on practices for the school play.

As a school story, students will relate to events in the book.  It is a good book to discuss character development. Update June 2014: Click here for a link to a free printable character sketch.

This post is in my series about reading aloud novels in the middle grades. 
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Question of the Week -- What do you need in an instructional coach?

I am applying for an instructional coaching job in my district.  I want to be the type of coach that helps teachers -- not just someone who gives them more to do.  I want to help others create their own systems -- not just become a clone of me.

What do you look for in an instructional coach?

Quote of the Week -- May 20, 2012

“A teacher’s purpose is not to create students in his own image, but to develop students who can create their own image.” – Anonymous

Picture Writing Prompt -- UFO

A ship from outer space lands in your back yard.  The creature inside asks you to go with him because you have a skill that can save his planet.
What is your life-saving skill?
Do you decide to go?
What happens if you go with him?
What happens if you don't?

Favorite Read Aloud #6 -- The Series of Unfortunate Events

I enjoy reading aloud from Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events.  The first three books are my favorite in the series, however  I was disappointed with later books.

I teach my student about voice and varying sentence length using passages from these books.  If you analyze some of the opening sentences in each chapter, you will notice that Snicket's sentences are long and complex.

I also use this series to teach supporting an opinion with evidence from the text.  I post the statement, "Count Olaf is an evil man," and students collect examples from the stories.  You can hardly read through any chapter without finding evidence of this.

For a simple graphic organizer to collect evidence that supports an opinion, click here. The sentences may then be written as a paragraph.

This post is part of a continuing series that starts here.

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Question of the Week -- What is your favorite teacher gift?

This last week was Teacher Appreciation Week.  I received coffee cards, lunches, letters and morning coffee.  My favorite gift was from another staff member who wrote me a personal note.  She works in a lot of different classrooms and sees many struggling students.  She wrote how much she appreciates the work I do with difficult students.

What was your favorite teacher gift?

Quote of the Week -- May 13, 2012

 

“Problems only exist for those who don't look for solutions.”

Simon Sinek