The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

Two dads raise four adopted boys from different ethnic backgrounds.  Each boy struggles with life at school, friends, and neighbors.  The characters are unique, funny, and easy to relate to. 




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Quote of the Week--October 16, 2016

The book you don't read won't help.

Jim Rohn

Have a good week,

Three Not So Scary Books for October Classrooms

 Here are three books to share this time of year.  

Creepy Carrots isn't specifically Halloween related, but the colors and tone fit the mood. I have included a lesson idea about changing your mind while you read.

 Over My Dead Body is a friendly ghost story told by a series of letters, news articles, and other forms of writing.

At the Old Haunted House is best suited for primary students.  (I have a vocabulary list from the book at this post here.)

Happy Reading!

Quote of the Week--October 9, 2016

If any man seeks for greatness, let him forget greatness and ask for truth, and he will find both.

Horace Mann

Have a good week,

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

When my students complain that I don't have enough scary stories in my classroom--as they often do--this year I am ready with a new recommendation.  I read The Screaming Staircase over the summer and these ghosts are vicious.

If they like this one there are more in the series.

I don't really like scary stories, but I know the students do.  Here are some other books I have reviewed on this site that are well-written as well as scary.



Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham
The Seer of Shadows by Avi

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Quote of the Week--October 2, 2016

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." John Quincy Adams

Artistry of Education @Teacher's Notebook 20% off October 3-5


Have a good week,

Vocabulary Page for Bell Work

I have been creating a series of vocabulary pages for morning work to use in my fifth grade challenge classroom. The form you see above is the first one.  I list two words each morning during the week.  Students use tools--electronic and hard copy-- to look up the definition, a synonym and antonym for each word.  We discuss our findings after I have taken attendance and lunch count.  I have them turn in the entire sheet on Friday.

Right now I am using a SAT vocabulary list to choose my words.  Any word list will work for this activity.

To download the Synonym/Antonym page from my Google Drive, please click here.

I have recently updated my Poetry with Synonyms and Antonyms in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Poetry with Synonyms and Antonyms is also available in my Teacher's Notebook store.