Summer's Here

Well, the year is over. I was not ready for it to end this year. In all of my years I have looked forward to the summer, but this year I am truly missing my class. They are just such a neat group of kids.

I hope that they are having fun.

:)

Thank you Ms. Thompson!

Thank you Sarah Thompson for giving my students a pizza party incentive to learn sight words this year!

They did amazing and they loved your constant positive motivation!

Rockin' with Mr. Andy and Mr. Jesse

Mr. Andy and Mr. Jesse came to play for the school one last time for the year. They got to read and play for 15 classes. (I think that their hands were falling off, and voices were cracking!)

My kids had a blast and wanted to know if they would come back again...

So, guys, comin' back?

Reading Buddies from Orange Grove

We were so lucky to be picked to have a middle school group of students come and read to our kids. They were from Orange Grove Middle Magnet, and coming to visit us was the culmination of a semester long reading project.

The students had to apply (from what I head the application was pretty intense!), practice, model reading, read infront of classmates, maintain grades and be ready to roll.



They read with my students for about 45 minutes. First they read books that they practiced, then my kids got to pick books, then my kids read to them. It was a very powerful experience for many of my kids. Some of my students come from homes where books are not a priority - it was so amazing to see these "cool kids" that were smart and wanted to share time with my babes. :)

At one point, a student of mine who hasn't spoken for most of the year started reading to his reading buddy. I shed a happy tear when I saw that.

The power of books. Amen.

Thank you Junior League of Tampa!

We have been blessed by having the Junior League of Tampa in our classroom all year. Mrs. Hobby has come to school twice a month to read stories, teach songs and promote literacy. The visits always end with the children receiving a book to keep!

Today she came with her son and helped have a "Book Fair" for my class. Each student got to pick out 5 books to ready and keep! What a great way to have the children reading over the summer.

The kids were just thrilled with their new books!

Thank you Junior League!