Attention all parents!
In the fall of 2008, I will be introducing an author study unit. We will be discovering the life, mind, and imagination of author and illustrator Eric Carle, writer of famous works such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and Do You Want to be My Friend? I have researched Carle in much depth, and have found out many interesting and imaginative things about this magnificent author. Take a look at what I have gathered as well as the lesson plans, I plan to use during this unit project. Your children will be experts on Eric Carle when we are through! So, clear those fridges and those fireplace mantles, because your child will be swarming with arts and crafts projects all based on the life of Eric Carle!
To do your own research on Eric Carle try visiting Eric Carle's official website at:
http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
BREAKING NEWS! READING IS FUN! CLICK HERE TO SEE THIS SUMMER'S ISSUE!
ATTENTION! ATTENTION! READ ALL ABOUT IT! READING IS NOW FUN FOR ALL AGES!
This one is for all you parents out there! Here is the latest issue of Ms. Wickman's classroom newsletter! This month's issue is all about how to read with and to your child, completed with ten of my favorite summer reads for children of all ages!
- Ms. Wickman
This one is for all you parents out there! Here is the latest issue of Ms. Wickman's classroom newsletter! This month's issue is all about how to read with and to your child, completed with ten of my favorite summer reads for children of all ages!
- Ms. Wickman
How to Make Cool Bookmarks For Summer!
CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS!...CALLING ALL STUDENTS!
Happy Summer!!! I hope you are all enjoying your summer to the fullest and are having great adventures in the books you are reading too! As you already know, I handed out a great recommended book list for you to enjoy over the vacation, and now have a fun activity to go along! BOOKMARKS! I have created for you some sample bookmarks (that you can see if you click on the name of this post). You may create a new bookmark, specific to the story you are reading, every time you open a new book! Here are some directions on how to create such a fun craft, perfect for that great book you are reading on that hot summer day!
Directions:
1. Get some colored paper, construction paper, or even felt/ material. Trace a long rectangle on the piece of paper, or material, as long or short as you want it. Make sure it fits the length of your book!
2. Ask your parent for a pair of safety scissors, and cut along the traced line of your bookmark.
3. Gather some fun materials, such as stickers, puffy paint, stencils, yarn, string, and anything else that could be in the book that you are reading (for example, in making a bookmark for the story Chika Chika Boom Boom, I would use some coconut stickers and some green string for the leaves for a palm tree), and use those materials to decorate your bookmark anyway that you would like!
4. Make sure that your book mark is dry, if you have used any paints, or glues, before you stick it in between the pages in your book!
5. Read your book with a fun new bookmark to mark where you left off, or to help you follow along!
Such a fun project can really turn up the excitement in reading a great book. :) Have fun!
Happy Summer!!! I hope you are all enjoying your summer to the fullest and are having great adventures in the books you are reading too! As you already know, I handed out a great recommended book list for you to enjoy over the vacation, and now have a fun activity to go along! BOOKMARKS! I have created for you some sample bookmarks (that you can see if you click on the name of this post). You may create a new bookmark, specific to the story you are reading, every time you open a new book! Here are some directions on how to create such a fun craft, perfect for that great book you are reading on that hot summer day!
Directions:
1. Get some colored paper, construction paper, or even felt/ material. Trace a long rectangle on the piece of paper, or material, as long or short as you want it. Make sure it fits the length of your book!
2. Ask your parent for a pair of safety scissors, and cut along the traced line of your bookmark.
3. Gather some fun materials, such as stickers, puffy paint, stencils, yarn, string, and anything else that could be in the book that you are reading (for example, in making a bookmark for the story Chika Chika Boom Boom, I would use some coconut stickers and some green string for the leaves for a palm tree), and use those materials to decorate your bookmark anyway that you would like!
4. Make sure that your book mark is dry, if you have used any paints, or glues, before you stick it in between the pages in your book!
5. Read your book with a fun new bookmark to mark where you left off, or to help you follow along!
Such a fun project can really turn up the excitement in reading a great book. :) Have fun!
What is YOUR Favorite Traditional Story?
Hello parents!
I am so thrilled to be your child's teaching this school year, and have many fun activities planned for us to do, one of which is our "reading voyage" which we will set sail upon every day around 10am! Our reading voyage will consist of a new book every week, which will serve a purpose and lesson to go along side. I have chosen my favorite 8 books that we will be covering and reading, and have provided a summary, feedback of my own, and how I plan to implement an entire lesson on each piece of literature! HOW MUCH MORE FUN CAN WE GET!!! I guarantee your child will be talking about these stories and activities all year long, so...get ready!
Here are my first favorite three traditional pieces of literature that we will be reading. Enjoy :)
1. Goldilocks and the Three Bears by: Caralyn and Mark Buehner
This classic tale is provides a colorfully illustrated retelling of this classic story about a curious girl's uninvited visit to the cozy home of a surprised family of gentle bears.
I like this story from when I was young, and always found myself in suspense every time when I read it!
I will use this book as a great moral message book, even though the moral of the story can differ as well; a general theme is that the privacy of others should be respected.
I will plan to use this story in a character lesson plan, implementing an activity with students where students will earn “respect points” throughout the unit by respecting others. By the end of the unit, if they reach 100 points the entire class will be rewarded with a special field trip, part, or prize.
2. Cinder Edna by: Ellen Jackson
This book is about a girl named Cinder Edna, whom coincidentally lives on the same black as Cinderella, and has a similar family situation of having a wicked step family.
I have always been a huge fan of Cinderella, anything Cinderella I love. When I discovered the book Cinder Edna, I found it so cute and refreshing to see another twist on such a classic story. I feel it is important to present more than one version of stories to children, so that they may see the variety of writing styles, and different views, so that they will grow into the habit of seeing all sides of a story before judging in anyway. Personally, I feel that having only one side of a story can sometimes ultimately result in unfairness, and close-mindedness.
The theme of this book is mainly dream in what you believe in, it may come true. I will portray when reading the story, that if you really want something, make sure to work really hard at it, and you will succeed. This will be a great time to introduce self-perseverance, and using school as an example, I will tell students, the harder you work in school, it will reflect in the outcome of their work, and their grades will be very good, and hopefully straight A’s at that! I will ask students the open-ended question “Is it better to give something your all, or just half of what you’ve got? Will your end result be fantastic or just okay? Which one would YOU want to do?”
3. Thumbelina by: Hans Christian Anderson/Retold by: Brian Pinkney
The classic story of Thumbelina is about a small girl who is the size of a thumb, and is very sad that she is so small. Through believing in herself though, changes are made and her self- esteem grows and grows!
Growing up I used to watch the older movie of Hans Christian Anderson all the time! In the movie, Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid were talked about, and remember him doing a song and skit about Thumbelina to a little boy who thought he was very small and an outcast. In the story, Thumbelina grows and grows into a strong and happy girl, and helps the boy with his self-image. I always loved watching it because as a little girl, I learned from the lesson too, reflecting upon any doubts I had about myself.
I will use this story in a character “self-esteem” lesson, which will teach students that even though you may physically be different, what you have inside matters the most and will get you the furthest in life. I will begin a “student of the week” bulletin board in the front of the classroom, for all to see, where the chosen student will be line leader, official class counter, class pet feeder, and will get to wear a special button all week that shows that they are the student of the week. Students will earn this privilege at random, and will get to share something new about themselves with the class everyday of their week, so student may get to know them better throughout the year, and see how everyone is individually special in their own ways.
I am so thrilled to be your child's teaching this school year, and have many fun activities planned for us to do, one of which is our "reading voyage" which we will set sail upon every day around 10am! Our reading voyage will consist of a new book every week, which will serve a purpose and lesson to go along side. I have chosen my favorite 8 books that we will be covering and reading, and have provided a summary, feedback of my own, and how I plan to implement an entire lesson on each piece of literature! HOW MUCH MORE FUN CAN WE GET!!! I guarantee your child will be talking about these stories and activities all year long, so...get ready!
Here are my first favorite three traditional pieces of literature that we will be reading. Enjoy :)
1. Goldilocks and the Three Bears by: Caralyn and Mark Buehner
This classic tale is provides a colorfully illustrated retelling of this classic story about a curious girl's uninvited visit to the cozy home of a surprised family of gentle bears.
I like this story from when I was young, and always found myself in suspense every time when I read it!
I will use this book as a great moral message book, even though the moral of the story can differ as well; a general theme is that the privacy of others should be respected.
I will plan to use this story in a character lesson plan, implementing an activity with students where students will earn “respect points” throughout the unit by respecting others. By the end of the unit, if they reach 100 points the entire class will be rewarded with a special field trip, part, or prize.
2. Cinder Edna by: Ellen Jackson
This book is about a girl named Cinder Edna, whom coincidentally lives on the same black as Cinderella, and has a similar family situation of having a wicked step family.
I have always been a huge fan of Cinderella, anything Cinderella I love. When I discovered the book Cinder Edna, I found it so cute and refreshing to see another twist on such a classic story. I feel it is important to present more than one version of stories to children, so that they may see the variety of writing styles, and different views, so that they will grow into the habit of seeing all sides of a story before judging in anyway. Personally, I feel that having only one side of a story can sometimes ultimately result in unfairness, and close-mindedness.
The theme of this book is mainly dream in what you believe in, it may come true. I will portray when reading the story, that if you really want something, make sure to work really hard at it, and you will succeed. This will be a great time to introduce self-perseverance, and using school as an example, I will tell students, the harder you work in school, it will reflect in the outcome of their work, and their grades will be very good, and hopefully straight A’s at that! I will ask students the open-ended question “Is it better to give something your all, or just half of what you’ve got? Will your end result be fantastic or just okay? Which one would YOU want to do?”
3. Thumbelina by: Hans Christian Anderson/Retold by: Brian Pinkney
The classic story of Thumbelina is about a small girl who is the size of a thumb, and is very sad that she is so small. Through believing in herself though, changes are made and her self- esteem grows and grows!
Growing up I used to watch the older movie of Hans Christian Anderson all the time! In the movie, Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid were talked about, and remember him doing a song and skit about Thumbelina to a little boy who thought he was very small and an outcast. In the story, Thumbelina grows and grows into a strong and happy girl, and helps the boy with his self-image. I always loved watching it because as a little girl, I learned from the lesson too, reflecting upon any doubts I had about myself.
I will use this story in a character “self-esteem” lesson, which will teach students that even though you may physically be different, what you have inside matters the most and will get you the furthest in life. I will begin a “student of the week” bulletin board in the front of the classroom, for all to see, where the chosen student will be line leader, official class counter, class pet feeder, and will get to wear a special button all week that shows that they are the student of the week. Students will earn this privilege at random, and will get to share something new about themselves with the class everyday of their week, so student may get to know them better throughout the year, and see how everyone is individually special in their own ways.
Modern Fantasy Adventures That Will Make Your Head Spin!
The following couple of books I have chosen out of my love for mystery, fantasy, and adventure. I feel it is is always important to expose young minds and imaginations to such a wonderful world of creative desire. I hope you will read these following books, not only with, and to, your child at home, but will also enjoy them for yourself!
1. The Abominable Snow Teacher by: Lisa Passen
The students of Mrs. Irma Birmbaum are in for a big surprise! The snow has caused the school to close for the day. While the students are playing and having fun, they see Mrs. Birmbaum coming and she is yelling out test questions. But something is wrong. Mrs. Birmbaum has turned into a hairy Abominable Snow Teacher! This book is a lot of fun. The illustrations are entertaining and enjoyable.
This book is a fun and entertaining book for young readers. I especially like this book because it gives a student’s point of view on their teacher outside school, maybe confronting beliefs, and point of views, of students reading the book. It is just a fun story of a fun snow day, having students encounter their teacher out of the regular setting they always see her in, and somehow, an abominable snow teacher!
I will use this book more so in the beginning of the year, to introduce myself as their new teacher for the year, and to simply show the students that teachers too are regular people, such as myself, and have lives to live out of school as well, and are not scary mean people! I will share different facts about myself over a three day period, and let the students get to know me better, to relax them for the school year to come. I want them to feel as comfortable as possible around me, so I provide a safe environment for them to ask questions, and take risks in!
2. The Book of Dragons by: Edith Nesbitt
This delightful book contains stories about dragons of all types ranging from one that flies out of an enchanted book to devour entire soccer teams to one being hunted by a pack of trained hippopotamus. The black and white illustrations lend themselves to the delightful fantasies. Personally, the book is as charming and as enjoyable now as it was when it was originally published.
I like this story because it gives the reader a great imagination booster that deals with fantasy tales that they can decided if they are real or not. It is a great leeway into the teen years, capturing fantasy for imaginative middle school students. The characters in the stories also vary in culture and ethnicity, so is a good example of a multicultural read, along side the fantasy.
I will use this book in a fantasy unit, either studying dragons, or will use it for the type of literature the book holds. I also feel that it is a great chapter book to introduce to open-minded, and adventurous pre-teens. We will read this book both as a class, and also for the students to read individually. After reading the book, I will implement a final assessment where students will be broken up into teams, and will create their own dragon using whatever materials they may find, and will share their final dragon with the class, and what their dragon can do. Students will also relate their group dragon to the dragon in the story, are they related, if so how?, etc.
1. The Abominable Snow Teacher by: Lisa Passen
The students of Mrs. Irma Birmbaum are in for a big surprise! The snow has caused the school to close for the day. While the students are playing and having fun, they see Mrs. Birmbaum coming and she is yelling out test questions. But something is wrong. Mrs. Birmbaum has turned into a hairy Abominable Snow Teacher! This book is a lot of fun. The illustrations are entertaining and enjoyable.
This book is a fun and entertaining book for young readers. I especially like this book because it gives a student’s point of view on their teacher outside school, maybe confronting beliefs, and point of views, of students reading the book. It is just a fun story of a fun snow day, having students encounter their teacher out of the regular setting they always see her in, and somehow, an abominable snow teacher!
I will use this book more so in the beginning of the year, to introduce myself as their new teacher for the year, and to simply show the students that teachers too are regular people, such as myself, and have lives to live out of school as well, and are not scary mean people! I will share different facts about myself over a three day period, and let the students get to know me better, to relax them for the school year to come. I want them to feel as comfortable as possible around me, so I provide a safe environment for them to ask questions, and take risks in!
2. The Book of Dragons by: Edith Nesbitt
This delightful book contains stories about dragons of all types ranging from one that flies out of an enchanted book to devour entire soccer teams to one being hunted by a pack of trained hippopotamus. The black and white illustrations lend themselves to the delightful fantasies. Personally, the book is as charming and as enjoyable now as it was when it was originally published.
I like this story because it gives the reader a great imagination booster that deals with fantasy tales that they can decided if they are real or not. It is a great leeway into the teen years, capturing fantasy for imaginative middle school students. The characters in the stories also vary in culture and ethnicity, so is a good example of a multicultural read, along side the fantasy.
I will use this book in a fantasy unit, either studying dragons, or will use it for the type of literature the book holds. I also feel that it is a great chapter book to introduce to open-minded, and adventurous pre-teens. We will read this book both as a class, and also for the students to read individually. After reading the book, I will implement a final assessment where students will be broken up into teams, and will create their own dragon using whatever materials they may find, and will share their final dragon with the class, and what their dragon can do. Students will also relate their group dragon to the dragon in the story, are they related, if so how?, etc.
Books the kidies will love!
The following three books, I just cannot get enough of. They are amazing young children's books for your child and you to read at home together! Feel free to take my lessons, and shape them to your own with your child at home! Enjoy :)
1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
This fun book is about the creative ways of reciting the familiar words of the alphabet chant, that young children can practice their letter with.
When I was a young reader, I specifically remember reading this book in my Kindergarten classroom, We always used to fight over this book, and who would read it aloud to the class. This was by far my favorite book growing up
I will use this book in an alphabet unit, helping your emerging readers practice the alphabet letter sounds, and rhyming schemes as well. I will create a Velcro coconut tree to hang on the front board of the classroom, and will make Velcro alphabet letters for students to come up to the board and stick on the tree the order they appear in the story, and how high they actually can get on the tree. We will read the story as a class and students will volunteer to come up to the front and place the letters in their appropriate places on the tree. This will help with reading comprehension, and satisfy the kinesthetic learners to see how the story would actually go if it were right there, tangibly in front of them. I know what you're thinking, I would do anything to have this much fun with a book back in 1st grade!...Yes, me too!
2. The Best Single Mom in the World: How I Was Adopted by: Mary Zisk
1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
This fun book is about the creative ways of reciting the familiar words of the alphabet chant, that young children can practice their letter with.
When I was a young reader, I specifically remember reading this book in my Kindergarten classroom, We always used to fight over this book, and who would read it aloud to the class. This was by far my favorite book growing up
I will use this book in an alphabet unit, helping your emerging readers practice the alphabet letter sounds, and rhyming schemes as well. I will create a Velcro coconut tree to hang on the front board of the classroom, and will make Velcro alphabet letters for students to come up to the board and stick on the tree the order they appear in the story, and how high they actually can get on the tree. We will read the story as a class and students will volunteer to come up to the front and place the letters in their appropriate places on the tree. This will help with reading comprehension, and satisfy the kinesthetic learners to see how the story would actually go if it were right there, tangibly in front of them. I know what you're thinking, I would do anything to have this much fun with a book back in 1st grade!...Yes, me too!
2. The Best Single Mom in the World: How I Was Adopted by: Mary Zisk
In this story, parent and child share in the telling of the mother's work with an agency to find "a child to adopt, to love, and take care of forever".
I really like this book because it gives children a sense of what adoption is, that some fellow peers of their may be adopted, and can give a good moral story about how even though this little girl’s mother in the story is not her biological mother, she still loves her very much and more than ever.
I will use this book during a family unit in the classroom, showing students that maybe not everyone always has two parents, and that some of their friends may be adopted, showing that it is okay, and that they are just like everyone else. I will do this by having a “bring your parent into school” day, where students will be encouraged to bring their parent(s), or parent figure into school for a show and tell. We will have a fun field day after we share some about each family. I will send home a letter with the child explaining the assignment. PS!- This is also a fantastic multicultural story.
3. Do You Want to be My Friend? by: Eric Carle
This story follows a little mouse asking all sorts of animals is they want to be his friend.
I love Eric Carle as a children’s author and love his work, in his word and wordless books. I love the illustrations and find the story and pictures cute for elementary level students to imagine a story that can go along.
I will use this book in either an animal or friendship unit. I can use it to display many animals in the book, and also to show children the importance of making and having friends, and how to ask politely for friendship. In implementing the friendship unit/ lesson, I will first ask students if they have ever tried to become friends with someone new or if anyone has ever tired to become their friend. When? How could they tell? What did they do (smile, say kind words, sit near by, etc?) How did they feel? As a class we will then recite a friendship poem (friends care, friends share, we need friends everywhere!)
Friday, May 9, 2008
All About Me!
Hello fellow friends, family, and collegues!
My name is Allison Wickman, and am FINALLY a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University! I have worked very hard to get to this place and am majoring in Elementary Education! I am so thrilled to have chosen this career and feel that it will be very rewarding, as well as a blast to do :) I am 21 years old and am the only daughter of James and Rita Wickman. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. I am looking forward to this last year of undergrad school, and hope to continue my journey in education into Graduate school either at FGCU, or out of state somewhere!
My name is Allison Wickman, and am FINALLY a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University! I have worked very hard to get to this place and am majoring in Elementary Education! I am so thrilled to have chosen this career and feel that it will be very rewarding, as well as a blast to do :) I am 21 years old and am the only daughter of James and Rita Wickman. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. I am looking forward to this last year of undergrad school, and hope to continue my journey in education into Graduate school either at FGCU, or out of state somewhere!
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