My Favorite Picture Books!

I'm linking up with The Teacher Wife and her fun linky party about picture books. Even though I'm in 5th grade, I still utilize picture books. They can be very powerful mentor texts for writing and reading. My kids even enjoy gathering around on the carpet for a fun read aloud. The shortest books can lead to the best discussions!

Chester, Chester's Masterpiece, and Chester's Back!

The Chester books are absolutely hilarious. The cat, Chester, is having an open conversation with the author Melanie about who actually wrote the story. There are three books about Chester and I recommend buying each one. They will crack up your kids and YOU while reading!

Fish is Fish 

I was introduced to Leo Lionni's book in college during my science course. My professor read it aloud and led us into a discussion about how each of us have a different schema and perception of ideas. I used this story with my scientists this year when we talked about what a scientist is. It is a fun one to read!

The Lemonade Club (or any Patricia Polacco book)

The Lemonade Club is an absolutely beautiful story. Like most of the Polacco's books, there is a personal connection to this heartbreaking but triumphant story. I have goosebumps thinking about it. 

Actual Size 

Actual Size by Steve Jenkins is an awesome nonfiction book. Each page is filled with images of ..well.. you can imagine the actual size of animals. My second AND fifth graders absolutely loved it. They were always picking Jenkins' books off the shelf to read in their free time. 

Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky

Faith Ringgold is another one of my favorite authors. Her books are very powerful and lead to great discussions. This particular book is about a dream a little girl has about her Aunt Harriet Tubman. It's a great introduction to talking about what the Underground Railroad was and how important it is in our history.

What are YOUR favorite picture books to read with your students? 

Is it Football Season Yet?

It's safe to say that I'm kind of obsessed with the University of Missouri. I have posted several times about my unwavering love for the city of Columbia and my beloved Missouri Tigers. I realized yesterday that it has been TWO MONTHS since I've been back. I'm ready for football season, so I can spend every weekend there tailgating and watching the Tigers take on the SEC. 

Before I tell you about my little craft I made.. let's take a trip down memory lane. I'm getting a little nostalgic over here. I think I might cry. I'm emotional - I can't help it. 

Fellows Graduation 2011

I loved MU so much that I graduated twice from there. 

I consider emails from Brady Deaton and Gary Pinkel very personal. After all, they are addressed specifically to me.

We may never play kU again, but that doesn't mean I'll ever like them. It's in my blood to hate kansas. Sorry folks. 

Last summer, I decorated my guest room with a little black and gold bunting to showcase my love. 

As a wee little freshman, I met the great Truman the Tiger! I never met him again. He's a sneaky Tiger...hard to catch.

How awesome is this? I missed the MU/Nebraska game where the goal post was taken down and marched to Harpos, but I was there LIVE to see Missouri beat Oklahoma. It was absolutely incredible. I'm literally getting goosebumps typing this right now. 

MU fans rallied and showed up BIG on Gameday at the columns. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Picture Perfect

Speaking of the columns, they are my FAVORITE part about the campus. Running through the columns as a freshman and as a senior was a tradition I'm forever grateful I participated in.

I met so many of my best friends at MU. Now, we're still close and drive across the state to meet each other for weekends of fun, weddings, and just to catch up.

I bought this cute little pillow on Etsy. Just in case I forgot what my state looks like. Now, Missouri isn't the coolest state.. I know.. I know.. but I've got to embrace it!

My sweet friends bought me this awesome cookie cutter. Who wants cookies!?

My MU Alumni calendar helps me keep the date straight in the summer time. It actually comes in handy, because I have no idea what day it is. 

Whew! Thanks for that. I highly enjoyed that little trip. 

Now, tonight I decided to quit napping and being lazy and do a little crafting. Last year, I bought fun black and yellow fabric for my MU bunting. I used the remainder of it on a pillow! I followed this tutorial on Momtastic. I'm a dork and cut way too many pillow faces and was SUPER CONFUSED when I couldn't get things flipped out. Then, I watched a video. It's obvious I'm a visual and audio learner. :)

MIZZOU-RAH!

Perhaps one of these days, I'll tackle something a little more difficult.... but not anytime soon. I am finally figuring out how that stinkin' bobbin works. 

Zucchini Pizza - St. Louis Style!

I'm a huge sucker for Italian food. I could eat pizza and pasta everyday. If I did this, I would eventually have to move into a zoo because I will have transformed into an elephant. So, I resist temptation and only eat pizza and pasta on occasion. I'm sure many of you have seen zucchini pizza pinned over the Pinterest world, and I've had my eye on it for awhile. Last night, we gave it a whirl!

Zucchini Pizza 

2 zucchinis (depending on how many will be dining with you!)

Cheese (we picked provel!)

Pizza Sauce

Turkey Pepperoni (surprisingly delicious)

Here's our step by step take on creating our healthy dinner. Someday, I'll become a fancy food photographer. :)

1. Chop your zucchinis in half and scoop out the insides.

Scoopin' 

2. Spoon in the pizza sauce of your choice.

Spoonin' 

3. Load up your toppings. We went for pepperoni, but go crazy!

Toppin'

4. Top with cheese! Our pizzas were St. Louis style with provel cheese. The provel made it gooey and extra delicious.

Cheesin'

5. Pop in the oven at 375 for 30-35 minutes (depending on your oven of course). The end result will surprise you. The pizzas are very juicy and full of flavor. Next time, I plan to add my spices on the zucchini before adding the pizza sauce.

Cookin' & Eatin'

Umm, What's a Zig Zag Pattern?

Let me first begin by reinforcing the statement that I am not a seamstress. Trust me! I have many sewing classes and obstacles to cross before I ever earn that title. My grandmothers are seamstresses. I am a beginner. Actually, what do you call someone who continues to begin over and over again?

I know I have a long way to go in my sewing because I can never remember how to thread that darn bobbin! The agony!! I had to watch clips from this video... waaaay too many times. I actually started speaking in a British accent afterwards to make myself feel better. Later, I had to turn on the video again to learn how to install a new needle after mine tragically broke. Let's just say, I learned a lot yesterday. I practically have the video memorized.

The other night, I was laying on the floor next to my bed chatting on the phone. As I was using the floor as a couch I noticed a tan tote bag under my bed. This tote that was hiding under my bed came from an Accelerated Reader conference I attended back in October. I snagged the bag and decided to give more poor like AR bag a facelift considering I wasn't going to use it in its current state. 

On U-Create, I found a ton of tote bag tutorials here. I scrolled through and found the one I wanted to try and I got started. It was time to give this AR bag a little life!

I cut two strips of a canvas print and two strips of burlap. Then, I followed the directions given here! That's when I encountered my first problem where I asked... "Umm.. what is a zig zag pattern?" Oddly enough, my sewing guru had just called and she briefed me, "It's where your needle jumps around and makes a zig zag stitch." Ahh, Alissa knows how to speak to me in terms I understand. 

Get Ready For a Makeover, Bag!

I began sewing my strips along the edges and attempting the "ruffling" of the strips. Things were going along just swimmingly until I asked my next question, "Umm.. what's a jean needle?"

Obviously, I didn't have one of those. My poor regular needle (is that what we call them?) sacrificed his life for this tote. Don't worry, only one needle was injured during this project.

While I was sewing away, my friend Ashley was cricuting away and we were simultaneously watching Craft Wars on TLC. It was a crafting overload.  In my head I began to think, "I should have Ashley take me picture!" I stood up to go grab my camera and I stepped on a pile of fabric and completely wiped out. We laughed nonstop for about three minutes. I'm glad someone else was there to witness my epic fall. After I dried my laughter-tears, I loaded up my sewing machine and Ashley caught a few pics. I feel so bloggylicious.

Action!

 After the zig zag pattern, the broken needle, and my wipe out I finally finished my bag. For the average person, this craft will probably take you one hour TOPS. For me, I like to take things nice and slow.

Now, I plan on carrying this bag everywhere with me in hopes that someone will ask, "Oh! Where did you get your bag?" Then I can reply smugly and say, "I made it." :)

The Job Market is Officially Open!

2015 Update! Access the Job Application HERE via Google Docs. 

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My first year of teaching, I utilized classroom jobs and I loved them! My problem was, on Monday morning I would often forget to switch the jobs around and I didn't have a systematic approach to recording who had what job. It was a hot mess. Last year, I stuck to one job and one job only: a Captain. This job was great but at the end of the day I was a broken record constantly reminding students to do this and that. 

This year, I'm changing things around! I've been piddling around with a classroom job application for a month or so but thanks to Mrs. Poland at Think, Wonder, Teach and her post about classroom jobs.. I got a jump of motivation! 

Before school ended, I got a little crafty and made an "iHelp" job board/phone. At the time, I was wondering what jobs would fit into that phone. Now I've got all the pieces to make this job system work!

 Classroom Job Descriptions

2012-2013 

Captain: Each student will serve as the class captain for one week at a time. The captain’s duties are as follows:
·      Lead the class line down the hallway.
·      Send messages, lunch count, and notes to the office every morning.
·      Close the day with our afternoon meetings

 Student Ambassador (two): Ambassadors will be in charge of introducing new students to the Upper Elementary.         *This job lasts the entire school year.


Accountant: The accountant will tally up pod points at the end of the week and announce the “cushion winner!”

Librarian: The Librarian checks the room for stray books, straightens the fiction and nonfiction shelves, and checks to make sure all books are in ABC order.

Computer Technician: The computer tech is responsible for turning on the computers and logging them into the eMINTS network. At the conclusion of the day, the tech turns off the computers and hangs the mouse over the monitor.

Assignment Sorter: Puts all collected assignments in student number order, paper clips together, and places them on Ms. Furnell’s desk. The assignment sorter marks off who brought their homework from a list and places no name papers on the “No Name” board.


Postal Clerk: Delivers graded work and other items to student mailboxes daily.

Custodian: The Custodian is responsible for checking the floors and tabletops (desks and shared work areas) at the conclusion of the day for trash. The Custodian takes the recycling to the recycling bin when necessary.


Board Cleaner: The Board Cleaner is in charge of wiping down the white board at the end of the day. Remember to check with Ms. Furnell on what to erase and what to keep!


Scheduler: The scheduler changes the calendar at the end of each day to reflect tomorrow’s events and
date.

Pencil Sharpener:  The Sharpener makes sure there are enough sharpened pencil in the “sharp” bucket. Reminds peers to return any borrowed pencils and replaces dull pencils. 

Now, here is the fun part! Students will have to apply for their job. Instead of me panicking every Monday morning about who had what job, I'm taking a step back. Students will keep their job for an entire quarter. At the conclusion of the quarter, I'll hand out applications and let students apply for new or different jobs. 

If you would like to have a copy of my job application in a word document, email me [jordon.furnell@gmail.com]. I would be more than happy to send it you way so you can edit and modify the jobs to meet your classroom's needs. 

Now, I should probably get out of my pajamas and get ready for book club! 

Sitting Comfortably

Good morning! 

In my classroom, I have my students sit in pods. This year, I wanted to hold each pod accountable for their group behavior. My school utilizes the PBS program and students can individually earn Tribal Tickets (PBS tickets) for positive choices. This year in my room, my students will be working as small groups to earn another type of reward:

Throughout the week, students can earn points for the entire group demonstrating positive behavior. At the end of the week, my class accountant will tally up the points and announce the winner! The group with the most points will get to have a comfy seat cushion for the following week.

Talk about motivation! 

Linking up with 4th Grade Frolics!

A Peak Into My Writer's Notebook

Considering that you're reading my blog, you can safely assume that I enjoy writing. You can ALWAYS find me with a notebook in hand to make lists, jot notes, or to doodle with free time. I have even started carrying a "Life" notebook and a "School" notebook. *cough nerd cough*

As a junior in college, I was required to keep a Writer's Notebook. This was my first introduction to keeping a composition notebook as a writing journal. Throughout my junior year, we participated in different writing activities to keep in our notebook. As a senior and throughout my Masters classes, I continued adding to the same notebook. My notebook was a combo of lessons, ideas, and mock mini lessons for kids. 

One of my items on my to-do list in that handy school notebook was to spruce up my Writer's Notebook. I had a few composition notebooks left over from last year, so I snagged one and started to update my notebook. Here are some mini lessons I plan on doing with my kids at the beginning of the year to jump into our Writer's Notebook. 

P.S. Have you heard of this book? Mentor Texts has GOBS of ideas to use in writing. 

A Must Purchase!

Why not make your notebook personal? I added a photo of my adorable pirate nephew and sweet baby niece. 

Here's a Life Map I made back in college. I wrote down several memories of my childhood and growing up in the wonderful city of Sedalia.  Apparently I thought it was important to include my "marble collection....". I'm still wondering what made me even collect marbles.

Life Maps 

As a graduate student, I updated my life map and zoomed in on the street I lived on in middle and high school. My note says, "encourage writing about the little things!" Aren't the little things usually the best memories and stories to share?

Life Maps

I am known for having a camera with me 24/7, so I adore the idea of writing from a photograph. Looking an image and remembering that single moment and writing all the memories that come flooding back. I love this image of my grandparents from a family vacation to Disney World. I am pretty sure I was in diapers, but you can see the happiness and love beaming from them. It's so easy to write countless memories of my grandparents from this one single image.

Writing From a Picture

I believe a lot of powerful writing comes directly from your heart. Often times, I have poured my heart and soul into a piece of writing and felt a wave of relief after expressing myself in the written form. With a heart map, students can jot down everything that they hold close in their heart and refer back to it when they are in need of a writing topic. 

Heart Mapping

As teachers, we are always encouraging our students to zooooom into a specific moment. Instead of talking about playing at the park with your family, find a specific moment that happened at the park. This inverted triangle, helps students slowly narrow down a broad topic. Here, my memory transforms to a family spring break trip into one hilarious moment in the elevator where a new museum was created. Right, Ab? :)

Narrowing Your Topic

Writers block can happen to anyone. It's helpful to have a list of seed stories! The seeds can soon blossom into a beautiful flower, tree, or orchard of a story.

Seeds

Ralph Fletcher is a great resource for teachers, and I love all of his great ideas for Writer's Notebooks. Today, I stumbled upon this idea of writing from an artifact. Lucky for me, I had held onto a basketball ticket from an awesome MU game that I attended in college. I glued it right into my notebook and jotted down the memory of rushing from the bleachers to the court after the buzzer beater victory.

Writing From an Artifact

In my classroom, I want my readers to be writers and my writers to be readers. They are one in the same in my opinion. Anyone can read and anyone can write! What a great idea to write down a list of books that you've read and enjoyed to possibly write about. It's like having a book club with your notebook.

Writing About Reading

Another list idea would be to make a list of things you as a writer knows a lot about. We all have different journeys and experiences, so each list will look differently.  I love giving my students the independence with their notebooks and letting their lists and ideas transform their notebooks into something personal and unique.

Things I Know a lot About

There's a start in my writer's notebook, what do YOU do with your Writer's Notebooks? I would love more ideas! Here's the philosophy I follow, and I printed a copy of this little reminder for my kid's writer's notebooks: