Student Storyboard Book- Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea

Hello,

I have the pleasure of sharing another one of my student’s storyboard books.

Bodhi is a third grader and he, chose to read, Henry and Mudge and the Forever Sea, by Cynthia Rylant.

I think Bodhi could have done the cover on the book, too!

Bodhi used only four main colors in his storyboard book but the colors he chose make the pictures really stand out!

Notice that even though Bodhi is using stick figures in each of his drawings, he chose major parts of the story in each frame.

This tells me that he remembered the main ideas of the story.

This looks like a fun story! After a day of swimming, they all stop for ice cream cones, even Mudge.

I also want to note how Bodhi numbered each of the frames in his storyboard book, just like a real book. Nice touch.

The day at the sea, and the story, is coming to an end.

But what a great time was had by all!

I feel like I read the actual book!

 

 

I’m very proud of Bodhi’s storyboard book. I was able to assess his reading comprehension skills and he was able to work on an engaging, fun, artistic project. He has made wonderful progress in his reading skills and it shows! Great work, Bodhi.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Young Author and Illustrator Shares His Book

Hello,

One of my first grade students, Ben, is a very motivated reader but he was struggling with the elements necessary to be a fluent reader. One of my strategies is to use a student’s own writing to facilitate the reading process.

Ben had the great idea to take characters from one book he enjoyed and write a new story, with illustrations!

Ben’s book is titled, The Cow Good and the Cat.

I should probably mention that Ben is a zealous action figure fan. Luckily for me I am also versed in some of the action figures and their corresponding comics.

 

 

Here, Ben begins by introducing his characters.

 

 

 

 

 

The action begins!

 

 

 

I love Ben’s word choice on this page: meanwhile. Obviously he has heard this word used by adults. Another testament for why it is important to talk with your child and students. The more authentic language they hear, the greater their own use of language will be verbally and in their writing.

 

 

Ben uses great action words and visuals!

 

 

 

 

 

The story is winding down.

 

 

 

 

 

The end.

 

 

 

 

As a teacher, I am also taking note of Ben’s use of words with the long and short vowel sounds that we have been working on. And of course, I asked Ben to read his book to me. Reading his own work boosted his confidence in his reading skills because he was able to read more fluently.

Great work, Ben! I’m hoping there is a sequel to The Cow Good and the Cat!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Writing to Help Reading Fluency and Confidence

 

Hello,

Sometimes we forget that reading what we write also makes us readers. This was especially true this summer for my student, Annika.

Annika had a new kitty named Harry who she was very excited about. This was a great teaching moment that I couldn’t pass up. I suggested Annika write a story about Harry. She loved the idea.

First, she created a web with all her ideas she wanted to include in her story.

Then, she began to put those ideas into sentences. This is her finished story!

 

Annika did a fabulous job of organizing her thoughts and including details. I was especially proud of her choice of words, like greenish. Great description!

 

 

After writing her story, Annika read her story over and over each time with increased fluency and expression! It was a great confidence boost for her that will carry-over to the books she chooses to read. Great work, Annika!

Oh, I had the pleasure of meeting Harry and yes, his eyes are greenish colored!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Another Great Student Book Recommendation

Hello,

I would like to share another student book recommendation. I am especially excited about this one because my student, Olivia, decided to write this one all on her own!

The book Olivia chose was, Dodsworth in London by Tim Egan. Olivia had already read Dodsworth in Paris and Dodsworth in New York. Now she has read all the Dodsworth books!

 

 

Olivia wrote a very nice summary of the story without giving away any of the mystery about what happens at the end. Great job, Olivia!

 

The Dodsworth books are also a personal favorite of mine. They are a wonderfully fun way to visit other cities without having to leave the comfort of your favorite reading chair. And, as Sleepy Bear would say, you can have your hot cocoa with goo-gobs of whippy cream, too!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Poetry For a Reluctant Reader

Hello,

Today, one of my students made a wonderful breakthrough with his reading!

This is a third grade boy who is not shy about telling me how much he does not like to read. I told him that’s fine, but I love to read so I asked if he would mind if I read to him. He said no, he wouldn’t. So, I read a picture book and part of a chapter book he had been trying to read and then I read some poems. Last week I introduced to him Shel Silverstein’s, Where the Sidewalk Ends. I read a few of my favorites to my student and he really enjoyed them. I suggested he take the book home and share them with his family.

Today, I asked him if he had any favorites. Right away he turned to a page with two and he read them both to me! And, he read them quite well. I was nearly teary-eyed with joy for him and I told him so. Of course he thought I was silly but at the same time, he was beaming with pride. We spent some time reading more poems together and he borrowed the book for another week.

My student’s success today was a very much needed boost to his reading confidence. Sometimes as educators or parents we forget about the value of poetry reading, especially with the tomes on the bookstores with movie tie-ins are luring kids in. Often times those books are too challenging and frustration ensues. For now, this student and I will be reading more poetry and the smaller the book, the better.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Storyboards – From a First Grader!

Dear Readers,

I am always very excited when any of my students make progress using a new strategy. This is a storyboard book completed by Mac. He is a first grader getting ready to start second grade in the fall.

Mac chose to make a storyboard book after he read Mouse and Mole, Fine Feathered Friends by Wong Herbert Yee.

 

 

Mac did a fine job of summarizing the story in pictures.

 

Mac needed more squares so he divided two squares into halves. Great way to incorporate math into the literacy lesson!

In the story, Mole misspelled the word cardinal. As is common with young readers and writers, the letter b and d are interchanged.

Luckily for Mole, Mouse saw the mistake and helped him out. I like how Mac included this very important detail in his storyboard. Great work, Mac!

As you have probably guessed by now, I am a big fan of using storyboards as a comprehension tool. They engage the kinesthetic learner, they make assessing comprehension fun for the student and the teacher, and the student has a project to add to portfolio to reflect upon for many years to come.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Book Recommendations for Reluctant Readers and Everyone Else, Too!

Hello,

I want to share with my readers a wonderful website, www.KeenReaders.com. Each month the site posts book reviews by their team of readers; and I’m thrilled to be a member of the team! The books we read are chosen for their readability for the reluctant reader, both boys and girls, ages middle grade to young adult.

I hope you visit the site and the book reviews. If your child finds a book on the site that sparks his or her reading interest, you can share your success story here and I’ll pass it on.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Storyboards to Check Comprehension

Hello,

Storyboarding is a great tool to check a student’s comprehension of a story. Kids love to draw and color so it’s win-win for everyone!

As you know, Fiona is one of my students who is reading all the books in the Poison Apple series. She recently finished NOW YOU SEE ME by Jane B. Mason.

Here is Fiona’s first storyboard:

I discovered she is quite the artiste, too! Great job, Fiona.

Fiona is nearing the end of the series with MIDNIGHT HOWL by Clare Hutton.

And, here is her second storyboard:

Great story detail in your pictures, Fiona!

Readers, I hope you have a chance to use storyboards with your students and children at home. Share with me your success stories, too.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Another Student Book Recommendation

Hello,

One of my students wrote another wonderful book recommendation for her peers. The book is MISS FORTUNE by Brandi Dougherty. This is another Poison Apple book.

Fiona started reading the Poison Apple books a couple of months ago and is now reading the second to the last one in the series, until August, that is, when another book is due to be released. I am so pleased with how voraciously Fiona is now devouring books! Keep up the great work, Fiona.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Two New Book Recommendations!

Hello Readers,

I want to share two book recommendations written by one of my students. Fiona has really taken off with her reading! When I first started working with Fiona I learned that she enjoys creepy, scary books with a mystery. So, I introduced her to the Poison Apple series. Fiona has taken off  with her reading! She has read the first two and she is currently reading number three. She has waiting in her “books to be read” pile numbers four through six and in August, number seven!

Here are Fiona’s recommendations:

I’m definitely going to recommend this book to my students!

Vampires are still alive and well in the kids’ world of reading! This one is in my “to read” pile.

I hope you enjoy these books as much as Fiona. Send me a comment about which is your favorite book in the Poison Apple series.

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Book Recommendation

Hello,

I would like to share with you a website for parents and kids that is filled with great resources for both. The website is called Keen Readers and here is the link: http://www.keenreaders.org/

I also want to share my book review on the site.  Here is that link:  http://www.keenreaders.org/youth/book-reviews.

I plan to write more book reviews and recommendations.  I invite you to visit the site regularly for more great books to read!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Student Success Story

Hello,

It’s been a while, I know.  But all for good reasons, one that I want to share with you.

I have a 5th grade student who has been struggling to find her niche in reading.  Part of her wants to read what her friends are reading.  Part of her wants to read books that are “at her reading level” and part of her wants to read magazines, ALL THE TIME!  Well, this is all good reading, but she was not enjoying the process of reading.  So, I took her on a field trip!

Last week we spent nearly two hours at the Seattle Public Library, main branch.  We first took a tour to the tenth floor and enjoyed the view to the first floor!  If you’ve ever been to this library or seen pictures of it, it’s made mostly of glass and concrete. The view can make the weak-kneed a bit quivery.  It was a short stay at the top before we walked the spiral ramp down.  We stopped along the way to visit the rare books collection and old magazines and newspapers before finding ourselves in the children’s section. 

The children’s section is like a mini library all on its own.  We spent the majority of our time browsing everything from biographies, plays, graphic novels, comic books, picture books, and chapter books.  Eventually, I looked at the time and gave my student a choice, to go to the teen section then meet her mother in 30 minutes or ask for more time, continue browsing in the children’s section, visit the teen section, have a snack at the café, then meet her mom.  She opted for more time!  A quick call and we had another 45 golden minutes!

With our collection of books in tow we rode the elevator up to the teen section.  My student used the computer to find specific books she had in mind as well as browse the shelves for whatever sparked an interest for her. 

With a stack of books from all the sections, my student checked-out her books with her brand new library card.  Luckily, she brought with her a tote bag to carry all her books!

With 15 minutes to spare, we each enjoyed a beverage, chatted about our ‘new friends’ that were going home with us and reflected on our afternoon.  All too soon, our time was up and our field trip came to an end.

I chatted with my student’s mother the next day and she shared how excited her daughter was about the library and the books she brought home.  My student also shared with me that she had a great time and would like to go back.  But, best of all, my student is reading every day and enjoying the experience!

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Reluctant Reader Success Story!

Hello Readers,

I want to share one of my success stories.  I have a student in the 5th grade who is not excited about reading in general.  Well, not until last week.  We’ve been working together trying different genres and readers’ workshop activities.  Her interest would be short-lived.  Then, I scaled back the reading expectations placed on her.  leisurely pace of enjoying picture books. 

Twice a week we would meet in the morning before school, sipping hot tea and reading picture books to each other.  We revisited old favorites for both of us, like MADELINE and CHRYSANTHEMUM and some new favorites. My student’s reading confidence increased along with her enjoyment of reading.

This lead me to introduce her to comic books.  My husband introduced comics to me when we first met and now I have my favorites.  I shared those with my student.  She chose MODELS, INC. to start.  She devoured the first four issues.  When I saw her two days later she was asking to read SPIDER-GIRL!

I’m very excited for my student and her new found interest in reading.  She is able to talk about the story, the problems the characters must solve, setting, and character traits of these non-conventional characters.

I hope this success story helps facilitate other reluctant readers and their teachers and parents. 

Happy Reading,

Kathleen

Mid-Winter Crochet Club!

Hello,

You may recall reading in my blog a couple of years ago about how I taught my fourth grade students how to crochet and combined that with literacy.  It was so successful, that I continued the lesson the following year with my group of third and fourth graders. 

Now that I have left the classroom to tutor and write fulltime, I can offer crochet classes during the school breaks.  I taught two sessions over the past holiday season and it was quite successful.  Everyone had a great time and learned the basics to make coasters, hats, and scarves!  We sat around the fire, listened to holiday music and read holiday picture books.  Oh, and I mustn’t forget the yummy hot cocoa and snacks, too!

My next crochet session is coming up soon.

Here is the flyer with all the information.

As you can see, even Sleepy Bear and Moosey-Moose benefit from the crochet club!  Sleepy Bear is loving his new hat that I let him borrow.  And Moosey-Moose loves his shoes – but he lost one in the snow!  Maybe a student will crochet him a new pair!

Tell your friends and sign up early.  I look forward to seeing you over the mid-winter break.

Happy Reading and Crocheting,

Kathleen

Children, Theater, Travel, Writing, Oh My!

Hello,

I hope your new year is of go a fabulous beginning!  Mine is zipping along at a good clip, but it’s all good. 

I have been very busy acting as Sleepy Bear’s assistant and chaperone.  As you might already know, he has been acting as a contributing blogger for the Seattle Public Theater and Broadway Bound Children’s Theater.  He thoroughly enjoys visiting the kids during their rehearsals and then watching in the audience their opening night performance.  Sleepy Bear is learning so much about what goes on behind the scenes and he loves sharing his experiences with his readers.  I invite you to visit his blog to read his latest show.

Moosey-Moose returned from his travels in France and is now chompin’ at the bit to get going again.  Except, he doesn’t know where to go!  If you have suggestions, please write to him and let him know.  In the meantime, he’s also busy writing his chapter book for kids.  He has writer’s block right now and is stuck on some plot points.  He has asked me to help him out.  Greeeaat!  I get to do all the hard parts.  Well, luckily for me, Moosey-Moose is tons of fun to work with so I don’t mind.

When I’m not acting as chaperone or ghost writer, I’m busy tutoring kids in elementary and middle school, tap dancing, crocheting, taking my puppy for walks and training sessions, and enjoying free time with my husband.

Happy Reading!

Kathleen