It's Unanimous!

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All four of my first grade classes voted to read Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride! We will read one more Mercy Watson book together and they finished the series by reading the last two books by themselves on the computer through Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks is now a subscription service. Some schools subscribe and if you talk to your school librarian or your child's reading teacher they may have an access code. You can also try searching Mercy Watson books on Youtube.

Ring! Yo?

Visit your local library or purchase from your local indie bookshop.

For Letter R we read Ring! Yo? by Chris Raschka. The book features one side of a phone conversation between two boys. The words are large on each page and the illustrations of the boy on the phone are delightful. Students are captivated as we read through the book. Ms. Pinet's Class notice sight words and squeal with delight. I have several "old" phones and students are able to role play with them after they finish drawing a picture of someone they talk to on the phone.

Q is for Quiet!

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I ask my students, "How many different kinds of "quiet" can you think of?" "I am quiet when my baby sleeps," "when I play with my favorite toys I am quiet," and "you have to be quiet in the library"  are a few of the examples my kindergarten students immediately make with The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood. I "whisper read" and say let's find out about more types of quiet.

Every page offers us ways to think about the concept of quiet but one of my students favorites is roller coaster quiet as I have them act out riding on a roller coaster. This book is worth many reads. 

Calling all writers, artists, and poets... We need your best work!!

What: The Lion's Den is Orchard Gardens' literary and visual arts magazine that showcases some of the best writing, poetry, and art by our students and staff.

Who: All students K-8 AND staff.

How: Submit your material in the library or email Ms. M 

When: Deadline is April 24th, 2017.

Why: Get published! Be part of the legacy of Orchard Gardens. Have your work become part of the permanent collection in the library for years to come.

Material Guidelines: Stories 250 words or less, longer pieces may need to be edited. All types of poetry will be considered. Artwork must be able to be photographed.

Orchard Gardens Musical Revue!

This year the School Musical Revue, BROADWAY’S REBELS, will be during the day for students in 1st-6th grade to watch. We will begin promptly at the start times listed below. Come check out pieces from Frozen, Hamilton, Grease, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar and more!

Showtimes-

3/29 Wednesday 10:20 AM
3/30 Thursday 9:25 AM
3/31 Friday 11:15 AM

We LOVE Mercy Watson Books!

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My first graders are enjoying reading about Mercy and just finished their 3rd book, Mercy Watson Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo. My first graders can "describe characters, settings and major events in a story using key details." By using books in a series we master these skills, make connections and build an appreciation for literature. Learn more about the incredible characters from Deckawoo Drive here.

aaa-CHOO!

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What makes you sneeze? "Dust," "cats," "when you are sick," and "the weather"  were just some of the wonderful answers my kindergarten students gave me when we read Pigs Make Me Sneeze! by Mo Willems. Poor Gerald thinks he is allergic to Piggie. His elephant sized sneezes send poor Piggie flying over the pages and my students laugh and remind each other that you have to "catch your sneeze like you catch your cough." They also love to read along as Gerald's sneezes. Learn more about the fantastic books by Mo Willems and enjoy them with your child by clicking here!