Yesterday, in an effort to get everyone home safely before the snow began, we had an early dismissal. Usually this means a four-hour day, but with a blizzard bearing down, the powers that be decided school would end at 11:30, leaving us with a three hours.
What can be accomplished in three hours? With the right book, plenty!
My schedule this week includes introducing the “Contrast & Contradiction” signpost (from Beers & Probst’s excellent Notice & Note: Strategies for Close Reading) to our fourth grade students. Our shortened day gave me just the right amount of time to read Eve Bunting’s One Green Apple, the text we’ll be using in our lessons, to both classes. Despite the excitement generated by the impending storm, the kids were mesmerized as I read this lovely story of a girl who has just arrived in America. Farah doesn’t speak English and is worried about other cultural differences between her and her new classmates. But over the course of the story, she begins to see that there might be a place for her in this strange country. I told the kids ahead of time that I was simply reading the story, that we’d ask questions and share thoughts later. It was such a peaceful way to start the day.
Then I met with a third grade student who is working hard but making s-l-o-w progress. I worry about her every day. Finding books she can read independently that aren’t too babyish is a challenge. I’ve heard much praise for Shannon and Dean Hale’s The Princess in Black lately and knew I had to get this book for this student. So when I saw it on the shelf at Target on Sunday, I snatched it up. Words can’t describe the look on her face when I handed this book to her. As I gave it to her, I said something like, “…if you love it.” Her response? “I love it already.”
There was just enough time to meet with both of my first grade students, and they each read a Rigby leveled reader that was “just right” for them. I watched with pride and respect as they worked through unfamiliar words, using multiple strategies to decode these words. Are they where they “should be” at this point in first grade? No. Will they “meet grade level expectations” in June? Probably not. But they are on their way, and I was happy to give them a chance to practice and polish their skills with an engaging book that pushed them but didn’t frustrate them.
And what did I do when I got home? Read a book, of course!
Thank you to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Beth for this space for teachers and others to share their stories each Tuesday. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
Ah…the power of books in so many places. Love this snapshot of your day and hope you are bundled up and safe today with a book!
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I love One Green Apple–such a special book! Hope that you are home knitting or enjoying a great book again! I’ve already read one!
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Books – always the perfect way to fill in any time we have. Glad to hear you goe accomplished as much as you did. It was a very productive three hours.
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Loved tracing the path of books in your day, Catherine – I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. The pictures from Connecticut looked pretty bad.
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You packed so much teaching and learning into a very short day!
By the way, my Maddie LOVES the Princess in Black too.
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Hope you’re enjoying your snow day, Catherine! There were signs on the highways HERE about the blizzard and travel restrictions in CT. Wowzers!
I loved One Green Apple. That’s one of my favorite Bunting books!
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What a nice day for a literacy specialist! Spreading the love of reading through experiences with real live books. Stay warm. And do some writing, too.
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Catherine,
It is always about how we “choose to spend our time” and I love the glimpses into learning with a storm brewing outside. What great pictures you painted!
Thanks for sharing!
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I am amazed that you had such deep plans and carried them on during the excitement of an early dismissal. They all sound marvelous & fun.
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One Green Apple was a new discovery for me last year. So glad you’re teaching the signposts. I designed a bookmark for book clubs that utilizes the signposts (part of a book club unit I’m writing for my old school). And now my burning question – what book are YOU reading?
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And Andrew Cuomo thinks teachers aren’t professional enough. Ha! I wish you could send him this post!
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You sound very passionate and dedicated to teaching 🙂 And how do you find so much time to read?! I’ve recently finished ‘Silkworm’, ‘The Expats’ and ‘Born to Run’ which were all great and purely for enjoyment 🙂
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