The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

When I first saw this series, I had low expectations.  I started reading these books over the summer and was pleasantly surprised.  Each book features a character from Star Wars made out of origami.  One of the characters in the book uses it as a finger puppet to answer the questions posed by other characters.  The problems these students have are typical of ten to thirteen-year-olds.  When they follow the advice these finger puppets dispense, problems are solved somewhat unexpectedly.

What I liked about this book is each chapter is a short story told from the point of view of a different character.  The incidents are funny.  Star Wars' fans will find many references.

Update June 2014: Here is a free worksheet for students to analyze an event in the story from multiple points of view.

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How Class Size Matters

Last week our school had parent teacher conferences, and this year I only have twenty-four students.  I found that I knew each student better than the years I have had 28- 30 students, and I could give parents more detailed information about each subject.  This is because I have the chance to get to each student during the course of a lesson.  Because I know each student better, I can tailor my instruction accordingly. 

Even four or five more students in a class makes a difference.  My school day is divided among that many more needs.  Multiply that times the time it takes to correct papers, make thoughtful comments, and address misconceptions for each child...if you are a teacher reading this, I don't need to continue.  There are only so many minutes in a day.  I feel like I can go deeper with each lesson.

I don't know if this will translate into higher test scores this year.  That's usually how programs are evaluated.  What I do know is I have hardworking students and satisfied parents.

We do not work in a factory.

Quote of the Week -- October 28, 2014

"Treat every person with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you.  Remember that you show compassion to others not because of who they are but because of who you are."
~Andrew T. Somers

Abandoned House

 

Every day after school, you pass an abandoned house.  One day as you are walking home from school, it's getting dark and you see a light inside.  You sneak up to the window and look inside.  What do you see?

Updated September 10, 2014 -- Now with a printable story frame.

 

For more of my favorite writing lessons, check out my Teaching Genre series.

A Cautionary Tale -- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

I often have students recommend books for me to read aloud.  Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld, was a request last year.  I insist that I only read aloud books that I have read myself. 

This summer I had a chance to read it.  I confess I barely made it through the first fifty pages.  I am generally a squeamish person and the idea of mandatory plastic surgery on one's sixteenth birthday to turn one from ugly to pretty made me sick to my stomach.  I know there are those who have read it and will disagree with me.  I choose not to include it in my classroom and I'm glad I stuck to my policy to pre-read books.

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This Week: Parent Conferences

This week my students are dismissed at noon and I have parent teacher conferences. For the most part, I enjoy the meetings. Any time the adults in a child's life can get together and communicate about what will help the student in school is time well-spent.

For the more difficult ones I need to remember all families advocate for their children. They just may not approach us in the way we like at the times we like. All families want their students to be successful. We may define success in different ways. Behavior that looks like noncooperation may really be fear.

Quote of the Week -- October 21, 2012

“Being surrounded by educated people makes democracy stronger, and it benefits our entire society.” 

Seth Godin  from Stop Stealing Dreams Section 8 “Is school a civic enterprise?”