Readers Become Leaders

Hope everyone is having a good week so far. I know it's only Tuesday. Hopefully, my post will make your day or week better.
This week, I would like to share two books. One of these books holds a special place in my heart. My first year teaching, I taught in Tucson, Arizona. I taught in a school with mostly Hispanic kids. I came from a completely different world than all of my students. As the year progressed, I learned about many wonderful Hispanic traditions, foods, and songs.  One of my very good friends told me about a wonderful chapter book that would have our students begging me to read it during  our read aloud time. Soap Box Moment- having students listen or read books that they can relate to will have more of an impact than if they can not relate. When we read it together as a class there were times when my eyes would well up in tears. Without further ado:

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising is one of the those books that changes you. It allows you to dive into another culture and learn about the hardships different people have to deal with. I recommend reading it with 4th and 5th graders. It will open their eyes and allow for a vocal classroom discussion. Sometimes life isn't fair- how would you deal with losing something close to you? Sometimes fair isn't always equal. 

3rd Grade Thoughts has a wonderful Response to Text Menu

that would allow for such rich conversation Before+During+After reading Esperanza Rising. If you go to her blog, she has this Response to Text Menu for free. In her TPT store, she has a menu for each calendar month. So cool! Want to see, click here.

I want to know who invented LICE? Ugh! #Sogross, just being honest. If you aren't a teacher, you might not have the same sentiments as we do about this bug. The feeling when you go check your mailbox and you see a stack of 32 white papers from the nurse's office, you just get sick (start itching your hair) . Yep! Ever since I found out about the lice party that happends in most elementary schools, my hair has decided to be in a pony for most of the year. I did hear that lice do not like colored hair so maybe im safe! For my second recommendation, I would like to introduce David Shannon's newest gem...

Bugs In My Hair
I feel that the title and picture explain it ALL.  I think this would be a great read aloud to read during the beginning of school. I am also thinking during story time before bed. Enjoy the itchy read! :) The pictures are quite the experience. If you get easily grossed out, save this read for someone else. I wonder is there National Lice Day?- wouldn't this be a great classroom present.