Awesome August and Sensational Summer News

Hello there!  It's amazing how fast summer flies by, isn't it?  Well, they do say, "Time flies when you're having fun!"  Today I am linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals and Erika from A Little Bit of Everything for their weekly Friday Favorites Link-Up!

Check out what's happening around here!

My son, Derek, is a published author!

He has a short story, The Senior Interview, published in an online magazine called Little Fruits.

Click here or on the above picture to read his story!



Picture Book to Check Out!

Here's a great non-fiction book to inspire personal narrative or just to learn about different customs around the world!


Back in my working days, I read the book:  Throw Your Tooth on the Roof:  Traditions from Around the World by Selby B. Beeler.  On the rug, the kids were so inspired that they started sharing stories about a memorable time when they lost a tooth.  

 

This book is very informative - I know that I learned quite a lot about different tooth traditions.  In some countries, people bury their teeth, use their teeth to make jewelry, and yes, some people actually do throw their teeth on their roof.  Here are some student work samples:

 Click on the picture or this link to get this free writing activity.



Chapter Book to Check Out!

  I started reading a new chapter book - The New Kid by Mavis Jukes - while the kids eat snack.  One of the extra projects the teacher in the book assigns is to make a list of 75 onomatopoeia words and put the words in alphabetical order.  As a reward, the student can earn a homework pass.  Consequently, I offered to do the same because I honestly thought that the assignment would be much too challenging.  Well, I stand corrected - several of my students are compiling a list of these words, and I will very gladly award them a homework pass for their hard work.

If you're looking for more blogs to read, click here or on the picture:

Here's to a wonderful weekend filled with sunny weather!  Thanks for visiting the blog today!

Friday Favorites: Books; NYT Games; Children's Book Recommendation

Hello there!  Happy July and welcome to Friday Favorites with Erika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from

 Momfessionals:

FRIDAY FAVORITES!

Enjoying:  Books I'm Reading!

What's not to enjoy about the summer?   We are on our 2nd heat dome of the year.  I am in awe of people who have weather in the 90's with humidity for more than 3 to 5 consecutive days.  

In addition, I get to go in my above-ground pool and do my water aerobics.  Plus, I get to read a lot!  I just finished this book:

I loved this author's book:  Where'd You Go Bernadette, and was excited to read her new book.  However, I had a hard time getting into this new book about a woman, Adora, who is a stoic philosopher and lives in New York City.  I almost decided not to finish, but I'm glad I stuck with it because the end is the best part.

Right now I'm reading:

YES!  You definitely would love this book.  It's about a young mother, April, who's on the brink of getting a divorce when her house burns down.  On top of that, her father is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.   I'm always excited to open this book to see what happens next.  If you do read this book, I have also read another book by Sarah Damoff:  The Bright Years which is another engaging book.

NYT Daily Games

I continue to renew my games subscription to the New York Times for $50 a year.  Every morning I do the Wordle, Connections and Spelling Bee (until I get to great).  After lunch, I finish the Spelling Bee (I try to get to Amazing every day); the Mini; Pips; Tiles; Strands and Letter Boxed. 

I'm amazingly loving the Tiles Game in which you need to keep matching at least one element of each tile to another.  I do wish that they'd add some more variety to this game.

This is an example.  I hope my eyesight improves from doing these!

Hoping

I am hoping that author Ewa Erdman who visited our school in June, can sell lots of copies of her book:

The author adopted a three legged pitbull who became a therapy dog for amputees and other rehab patients.  In addition, Ewa donates all proceeds to animal shelters!

Here is a picture of Ewa and me when she visited our school:

As always, I appreciate that you visited my blog today!  Please let me know if you have any book recommendations.  

Friday Favorites: Books; Fun Summer Game; and History!

Happy Friday!  Welcome to another week of linking up with Erika from A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea from Momfessionals for:

Books I've Been Reading!

Here are some books I have read and would recommend:

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Etheldreda, aka Lady Tremaine, has two biological daughters; one step-daughter; a crumbling manor and no money.  She was married twice; both husbands died.  Now she's trying to find a way for her daughters to find a better life.  It's off to the ball where the step-daughter ends up dancing with the prince...

I recently read that this book is a different take of Cinderella in which the step-mother ends up being the "good guy."   I've just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Click here on on the book cover to read more at Amazon.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page

This is just a sweet and comforting book.  A husband who is dying of cancer secretly arranges for his wife, Tilly, to receive one book per month during the year after his death.  These books are meant to inspire and help his wife start living again.  In addition, the husband includes a written note to his wife in each book.  Of course, the book store owner, Alfie, helped to choose the books.  Overall, this book is very heart-warming.

Positive Thinking!

I follow Power of Positivity on Instagram, and I really LOVED this message:

 Field Day Fun = Fun Game to Try this Summer!

My all-time favorite activity from Field Day is this sponge relay race.  The goal is to fill up and empty your sponge into the container until the ping pong ball falls out:

Click here to read directions to play this game.

 Woburn Trolley Tour

The Woburn Historical Society is an amazing organization!  They raise money throughout the year in order to provide each third grade the opportunity to go on a guided trolley ride in which we stop at a variety of historical sites including their headquarters.  While there, the kids saw an exhibit about the 1960's!

What games do you remember?

Introducing Sergeant Stubby!

If you go to the Burdett Mansion ~ home of the Woburn Historical Society, you can see this picture. One of my favorite pictures is Sergeant Stubby:

I love this dog!  Click here to see the movie version!

Thank you for visiting the blog today!