Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Every Spring I bring my kite into school and I let the crew fly it with me.  This year I found a great kite making video on Pinterest and decided that we could do this and create our own kites. 

What joy to see the children running with their kites!  We were so glad for the sun and just the right amount of wind.  Enjoy!

Reading for Meaning with Debbie Miller!

I'd like to introduce you to Debbie Miller!
Author, Teacher, Mentor. In the world of elementary teachers, she is somewhat of a goddess!  We revere how she teaches us that little children can be deep thinkers of their reading.

On the left is one of her books that I have studied and worked from as I teach reading.  On the right is wonderful book that she taught from today during her visit to our room.

Today's lesson: Synthesizing!
It goes like this. As you read a book your thinking grows bigger and your thoughts about the story change.
Here Debbie is helping Chase learn to share his synthesizing by saying, "First I was thinking this....But now I am thinking this..."

After Debbie read this book and taught us how to synthesize the children were sent off to practice this in their own books. Some of them used sticky notes to mark their thinking.  Debbie stayed to confer and support our first attempts at this new reading tool.

What a gift Debbie is to the world!
Even more than what she knows about reading, it's her sweet spirit and tender heart that moves us all to tears.  And we are forever changed from her touch.
Thank you Debbie.  You've changed our lives!

Castlewood Canyon Voyage 2015

Every year when we walk up to the rock wall I can feel the children's hearts start beating a bit faster as they look up.
I can only imagine how big it looks to 6 and 7 year olds and certainly different than the climbing they have done inside!

But proudly each child was determined to do their personal best and they came away feeling empowered by the challenge.  We had a wonderful day playing together.