BLOGS > JULY 24, 2019
BY CARLY ACCOMANDO
As I sit here with few school days left with my fifth graders, I am a ball of mixed emotions. I have had this class for two years, and I have been so incredibly blessed with this group! While I am ready for summer and some downtime, I feel a deep sense of sadness knowing we will soon have to say our goodbyes. Despite the sadness, when I think back on this year (and last) I feel an enormous sense of pride for my students. As I look back at the memories we have made, I cannot help but smile.
As I have blogged about all year, I used the #classroombookaday to replace my school’s outdated literacy curriculum. I taught my fifth graders through the use of picture books only, across all subjects, all year long. Using these picture books made this year even more enjoyable. Seeing my students grow throughout the year by using these books has just been incredible. Not only have I seen my students grow academically, but socially as well through these books. The connections they are able to make among each other has been great to see! The conversations we have had regarding picture books have been even greater to see.
Most recently, we read the story Some Birthday! by Patricia Polacco. In this book, we meet Patricia. Patricia is feeling sad because it appears that her family forgot all about her birthday. By the end of the story, we realize that her birthday hasn’t been forgotten at all. As an extension activity, I had my students write the sequel to the story and they had it take place the following year on Patricia’s birthday. Below is one of the sequels two of my students wrote. As you will see, they connected all of the other Patricia Polacco books into their sequel. I cannot even begin to describe how happy this made my heart! The fact that they remembered the details from these previous stories was so wonderful to see.
Overall, this has been an incredible experience, and I look forward to completing the #classroombookaday challenge next year with a whole new group of students. I encourage you to give it a shot, too!
Carly Accomando is a fifth grade teacher at Duker School in McHenry, IL. It's her fourth year teaching, and this is her second year at Duker School. Previously, she taught first and second grade at a charter school. Says Carly, "Teaching is my greatest passion in life! I feel very fortunate to say that I truly love what I do. Each day is a new adventure." In her free time, Carly enjoys reading, baking and shopping. She also loves spending time with her family, boyfriend and their three dogs.
See #ClassroomBookADay blogs to see all of the articles written by our contributing classroom teachers.
Follow Follett Learning's Pinterest board for great resources on the titles featured.
You've Been Virtually Book'd! Choice Boards from Shannon McClintock Miller
August 20, 2024
We love the Choice Boards Teacher Librarian Shannon McClintock Miller creates! If you missed any, explore Shannon’s curated collections below and discover new favorites for your students on a variety of topics.Libraries and LibrariansReading and BooksChildren’s Book WeekEclipseEarth DaySchool Library...
Read more
What We're Reading – #BritReads Edition
August 12, 2024
Each year, I document my #BritReads reading journey on my social media channels and now I’m taking it to blog format! Below you’ll find a list of the books I’m currently enjoying – watch this space for other Follett Content...
Read more
Enjoy free access to fall 2024 digital galleys.
August 8, 2024
Follett Content has partnered with Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley* to provide digital access to forthcoming titles through November 30. Get early access to books from readers’ favorite genres and then preorder them in Titlewave®! Preorder NowThe Bletchley RiddleBy Ruta...
Read more
Classroom Libraries Part 3: Next Steps, Updates, and Classroom Collaboration
August 6, 2024
In the previous posts, we discussed best practices for your classroom library and how to organize and manage your library so students are able to access it and take ownership of the collection. In this post, we'll discuss how to...
Read more
5 Benefits of Hosting an Online Book Fair
August 5, 2024
A Follett Book eFair is a fun and easy way to get the book fair experience without the hassle of setting up and running a physical event. Available to all PreK-8 schools in the US, our Book eFairs offer the...
Read more
July 31, 2024
Before I started work this morning……Holden, my 15-month-old, brought me four books to read to him. * …I listened to the last 45 minutes of the latest David Baldacci book during my run. **…And I transitioned a stack of completed books...
Read more