Dreaming of Summer

Only 17 days to go!  There is still so much to do, but it is getting harder and harder to stay focused on school.  I can totally understand why my firsties are having such a hard time.  We have turned into a whole class of Chatty Cathys!

My son would hate this picture...he thinks dolls are creepy!

When I said it was hard to stay focused on school, I should have specified "this" school year.  Along with summer trips and hanging out by the pool, I'm already starting to look ahead to next year, and the first thing I'm thinking about is my summer professional reading list.  I recently purchased  2 books so my first "assignment" is to finish them.

The first book is Building Mathematical Comprehension  by Laney Sammons.  Discovering her book Guided Math got me started on my road to math love, so I can't wait to really dig in to this book.  Approaching math instruction by comparing it to literacy instruction is perfect for me since I spent so many years immersed in just literacy!

                                           

The  second book is an e-book by Kathy Cassidy, Connected From the Start: Global Learning in the Primary Grades.  I first heard of Kathy last summer when I was trying to figure out how to use some of the wonderful technology tools I was learning about with my first grade students.  Her work with her young students convinced me it could be done!  I love this book so far, especially since I am reading it on my Kindle Fire and can click on the links within the text to see examples and videos of students' work.  Utilizing technology effectively is my number one goal for next year.  Our wonderful PTA is providing each teacher with an Ipad mini  so I will be exploring all the ways I can use it to enhance my students' learning.  This book seems to be full of wonderful ideas for learning!

Click here to read more.

What are some books you will be reading this summer?  Do you have any recommendations?  Please share!