Theme/Topic Inventions Why We Chose This Theme/Topic:Inventions are the driving force behind progress and innovation in our world. They spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and solve real-world problems. Introducing this unit helps students understand the impact of inventions on everyday life and encourages them to think like inventors. This exploration fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving […]
Predicting
Book Review: The Great Caper Caper, by Josh Funk
A Josh Funk masterpiece is always a delight to preview and review! It’s a Las Veggies heist – basically Ocean’s 11 in the fridge, packed with stunning vocabulary and a touching lesson in compassion.
Book Review: The Perfect Plan, by Leah Gilbert
Maya needs a little help from her friends to carry out her perfect plan for the perfect fort. Perfect for teaching adjectives and superlatives, this relatable story has a great social studies connection as well!
Book Review: Swashby and the Sea, by Beth Perry
Why I Picked It Up: I loved the illustrations by Juana Martinez-Neal! This book came across as a “what to read next” suggestion, and I was immediately captivated by the drawings. Why I Finished It: Even though the storyline is a bit predictable, the characters were intriguing. I love the interaction and developing relationship between […]
Book Review: Look Both Ways, by Jason Reynolds
Why I Picked It Up: This book had been discussed on so many of the blogs I follow, so I already had it in my mind that it would be a summer read. However, as I started planning a thematic book club for a class of eighth-graders, I quickly put it on my “sooner-than-later” list […]
Book Review: BE KIND, by Pat Zietlow Miller
We are at a place in this world where we NEED to teach kids to be kind!