Deadweather and Sunrise by Geoff Rodkey

Deadweather and Sunrise is the first book in Geoff Rodkey's new series The Chronicles of Egg.  I have only had a chance to read this first book, but I liked it well enough to find the others in the series.  I know upper elementary students will like this adventure series.

Egg's family disappears dramatically in a mysterious trip to Sunrise.  He is offered a home at the wealthy Pembroke mansion, forming a relationship with the daughter, until someone tries to kill him.  Thus begins Egg's adventures in pirate-infested waters. Egg must solve a family mystery while avoiding his enemies. 

I just linked this review to Dilly Dabbles: Book Share Wednesday.  Stop by her blog and see what others are recommending.


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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

I usually do book reviews on Wednesdays, but I read Quiet by Susan Cain this summer and learned so much personally and professionally.  I decided to devote a couple of Monday posts to introverts.  (For the record, I am an introvert.  I can be social when I need to be, but I need alone time to recharge.)

Last Monday I shared her TED Talk.  Today I want to share how I plan to implement what I learned in my classroom.

1. Susan Cain recommends a balance of activities that appeal to introverts and extroverts.  I have times where I expect small group work and other times where I expect students to work independently.

2. I want to intentionally encourage the different passions of my students.  Last year when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, some of us were over-the-top excited, but not everyone.  Introverts have deep interests in activities that may not be shared by others.

3. When I have students work collaboratively, I help my introverts by choosing pairs and triads.  If the group gets too large, they may not share.

4. Cain also recommends that I teach everyone to work independently.  This may not be my extroverts' strength, but they can learn from the introverts the value of quiet deliberate practice.

Quote of the Week -- September 7, 2014

 

Don't use a big word where a diminutive one will suffice.
-- Unknown
Have a good week,

Is It Likely? Addition

Last week I shared a freebie called Likely, Unlikely, and Impossible.  If you missed it, click here.

This week I want to start applying those words to mathematical situations.  Here's today's freebie:

To download Is It Likely? Addition from my Google Drive, click here. Students fill in the addition chart and then list numbers that are likely to occur when rolling two dice and finding the sum.  They also list numbers that are unlikely and some that are impossible.  You can extend this activity by having them roll two dice and keep track of their answers.

I have a problem solving website called Math Spies.  To find a related problem on that site, click here.

Hope to see you next Friday for another probability freebie.

Update November 2015

 Math Spies and the Case of the Corrupt Carnival: Lessons in Probability

In this packet are seven “carnival games” students will evaluate based on likely and unlikely outcomes. I have included a tri-fold page with the words “likely, unlikely, and impossible” so all students can respond at the same time in class discussion.







Something to Hold by Katherine Schlick Noe

I loved this book.  It may be because I know this area of Oregon and started traveling through there a little bit after the years this story is set.  It may be that I just adored the main character, Kitty.

Kitty lives on the Warm Springs Reservation as a white child on tribal lands.  She experiences the cultural tensions and prejudices going on at this time.

Katherine Schlick Noe writes based on her experiences living in this area in the early 60s.  I highly recommend this book for intermediate grades.

Here is a graphic organizer for students to brainstorm a daily event and how they might be different in the past, present, and future.


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Currently September 2014

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The Tennis Channel is on.  My husband is watching the U.S. Open.

I'm enjoying Labor Day -- one more day off before school begins this week.

Our district has a teacher work day tomorrow where we finish setting up our rooms and preparing for the new class.  The last hour of the day we will have a back to school event where I will meet some of my new students.

Some of them are siblings of previous students.  Others were with me in drama club last year.  It's nice to have already developed some relationships.

I want to have my first week all planned out.

I need to get dinner ready: taco salad.

The three trips I mentioned are where different parts of my family live that I haven't seen in awhile.  I'm not a big traveler, but I love my family.

 

Happy September,

Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts

I know I had seen this video before, but this summer someone recommended that I read Susan Cain's book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. 
I find Cain's words inspiring both personally and professionally.