Monday, May 14, 2012

Laughter as Inspiration and Read Alouds

Weekly Writing Inspiration: Laughter

For the weekly writing inspiration this week, I wanted to focus on laughter and happy thoughts.  I have been keeping my own gratitude list and it has been amazing.  I wrote a post about how my mom gifted me with the joy of laughter at my personal blog for Mother's Day.

To continue the theme, Laura Candler had a happy thoughts journal post recently.  Check it out.  I think using gratitude journals in the classroom would be awesome!  Why not make an end of the year list of all the things to be thankful for?

Poem:  "The Teachers Jumped Out of the Windows" by Ken Nesbitt

This is a cute poem that is sure to get your students laughing.  It has about how all of the staff ran out of the school on the last day of school.  This might spark some interesting class discussion.  It might even be fun to write your own funny class poem about how the teachers at your school will act on the last day.

Quote:  "A good laugh is sunshine in the house."

Click on the quote for a printable copy of the quote.

Picture: Laughter at the Beach

Well, I finally am branching out and trying to use Pinterest.  I found this picture on Pinterest and thought it was wildly appropriate for the topic of laughter and summer both.  Have your students consider why is the baby dressed as a shark.  What is making him laugh?  What might the baby be seeing?  How does this picture make the students feel?


All Time Favorite Read Alouds

I am linking up with Miss Nelson to mention my all time favorite read alouds. I never realized how much older students still love being read to until my 3rd year of teaching. 


It makes sense, though; I firmly believe my love of reading was fostered by my dad reading to me and my grandmother mailing me books.  My mom wouldn't touch a book, but she could drop me off at B Dalton at the mall for hours and I was good to go!

My Favorite Read Alouds:

1) Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco
I love this story.  I can't get through it without tearing up, though.


2) No Talking by Andrew Clements
Such a great story.  It is great for when the boys and girls aren't getting along.


3)  Loser by Jerry Spinelli
Zinkoff is one of the best characters I have ever met!


4) Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Check out my post on fun activities to go with this book.


Pictures of the books from Pinterest.

Laughs and blessings,

7 comments:

  1. I just discovered your blog through the linky party. I haven't read those books. I will read them this Summer! Your blog looks great, I'm your newest follower.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for linking up. I haven't read any of those books except for Sideways Stories which I absolutely LOVE! What as sweet grandmother you had. My grandmother always sent me beanie babies. I "LOVE" the book idea.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an amazing grandmother - to send you books. I need to put that on my "to do" list for when I become a grandmother some day. A book is a gift that keeps giving and giving each day that you read it.

    Michelle
    Teach123

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great book picks you have there! Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

    Edana

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Junkyard Wards is so fabulous! I am a new follower of you cute blog!

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks, everyone! I look forward to checking out your blogs. Grandmommy studied library science in college so she always encourages her kids and grandkids to read.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just found your blog and followed you! It makes me happy when I find cool blogs.
    :)

    Tamera
    http://myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com
    Kaizactan2001@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

Pin It button on image hover