Hello Friends! Today is MONDAY! Which means I start summer school today. PLUS! It is Monday Made It with 4th Grade Frolics. Like I said last week, this summer my blog is going to go a little off track because I want to join in all the fun linkys. BUT! I promised I will always have a book recommendation plugged in somewhere!


Made-It #1 
I am thrilled to be teaching summer school because I get to teach my own class! Eeekk!  This class is pretty much a class made just for ME! It's all about children's literature, writing, and publishing children's books. I had the best time planning this class with my friend Sara. I picked the theme: SWEET TREATS. Once I picked the theme, my creating wheels started to turn. On Friday, I was able to get into my "rent-a-room" classroom to set up. Luckily, I am at my school where I am an instructional math and reading assistant. Thank you Mr. G for leaving your room so neat and ready for us!

I love creating an ALL ABOUT ME poster for the first week of school. So! I made one for summer school as well. Since my class is about reading and writing, I shared my favorite books, quotes, and writing utensil. Thank you Aris from Sailing into Second for helping me decide how to use this AMAZING paper from Paper Source. (side note- Have you been to Paper Source?- it is AMAZING!)
 I love this one! Students can guess the questions to my answers. Fun little brain exercise. This will be one of the morning word work choices.


I found the ice cream cone at Target. I just had to buy it! It is our class mascot :) I will let the kids name her. 

 Made-It #2
When the sweeties come in Monday morning, they will find lots of sweets on their desk. Let me give you a little tour of what I have made!
 First thing when the students walk in, I will give each student a card with part of a candy name. They must go to the match on a desk. For example, Gummy must find Bears! This will be their seat for the day or 19 days (haven't decided). On each journal, I created a label for the students to write their name. Sticking with my sweet treat theme- "My Sweet Thoughts Journal". This is where the students will be brainstorming and writing their drafts for their candy picture book. Next, I made a survey for students to fill out so I can get to know them. It's only 19 days, but I like to get to know the kids. I titled it "Ice Cream" to Meet You instead of Nice to Meet you!. The students will also play, "Sweet! I made a New Friend". It is like Find Someone Who, but more interviewy, plus they have to write what the person says. Then we will share as a class. Lastly, the Popsicle stick- students will write their name on side A and on side b, they will write a fun fact about themselves.
 You can find these in my TpT store... COMING SOON! :)


Here is my "rent a classroom" for 19 days :) 

Do you have this book? It is a MUST! I can't wait to read it during SWEET TREATS week. The illustrations are so creamy! I will use this book to explain the importance of illustrations in a picture book. 

Made-It #3
I made this cute button for my blogger meet up in Vegas!! Are you going to Vegas? Come meet Courtney(me) from Ramona Recommends and Kristen from Easy Teaching Tools on Friday night for drinks at Venetian Bellini Bar!
Interested? Sign-up HERE for more deets!

Made-It #4
As you know, I LOVE books. As end of the year presents for the last couple years, I have given books. Last year, I was a long term sub in 4th and gave each teacher a California Chocolate and What was the Gold Rush?
This year! I work with 5th grade teachers! My friend, Megan, who owns Bettie's Bake Shop is AMAZING. If you are on instagram, FOLLOW HER! She is amazing! Her skills are INCREDIBLE. I am NOT joking! She created these PENCILS with the teacher's name airbrushed on. I made the tags to go with. I am pretty impressed with my card slogan "Pencil It In- Have a Bookful Summer!" Inside the colored tissue was the wonderful 5th grade book King George- What was his Problem?



Made-It #5 
I am always looking for ways to give back. I love putting smiles on people's faces.  Last month, I started Ramona Recommends Gives A Book #ramonarecommendsgivesabook. I send one book to a teacher around the United States who has inspired me as an educator or a person. This month, I picked FARLEY from Oh' Boy 4th Grade. Do you know Farley? If not, I highly recommend you go check out her blog. She is an amazing educator and person. I hope to be as wonderful as she is one day. Don't forget July's CURRENTLY is coming TOMORROW! :) The lucky recipient of #RamonaRecommendsGivesABook receives a book, a hand written note, and my favorite quote- "A Book is a Gift you Open Again and Again."- Garrison Keiller I had such a fun time creating the mailing label, writing the handwritten note, and attaching my favorite quote inside the book. My hope in this new project is to inspire people to OPEN THE MAGIC!
Go, GO America is about the FARLEY family traveling across America learning fun facts about each state.

Have a BOOKFUL Monday and go do something for someone else. #itfeelsgreat!

P.S.>>>>Don't forget tomorrow is Travel with Ramona Recommends! Come Link Up!
Hello Friends! School is out for SUMMMER! Wahoooo! I am so excited! Did you see my little dance on instagram? If not, @ramonarecommends. Watch it. You will either smile or laugh! :) 

This summer I plan to do A LOT of BLOGGING and CREATING!!! eeek! My blog might go off its course a little during June,July, and August. There will be some random posts about fashion, food, or craftying. But don't you worry your pretty little minds, I will always throw in a book recommendation! As many of you know, I L.O.V.E children's literature! Like it's in my top 2 loves! Stripes, florals, polka dots, and mixing patterns also has my heart. I L.O.V.E clothes! Putting outfits together is almost like blowing out your candles on your birthday. I am linking up with my BBB Jivey for What I'm Wearing Wednesday.

http://ideasbyjivey.blogspot.com/2014/06/what-im-wearing-wednesday-from-workouts.html
Outfit 1: I love logo T-shirts! They are so fun, and the kids think they are so super. I wore this for D.E.A.R day. At my school, the last week of school the 5th grade teachers have a day where kids bring in books and just READ. I love the idea. I overheard two boys talking about their books and wanting to switch during the summer. 

Outfit 2: Just a casual Saturday lunch and crafting outfit. I love to look cute, but comfy on the weekends.

Outfit 3: Last day of school outfit. I am OBSESSED with these pants. They are called soft pants. They should really be called- "AMAZING PANTS". I heart RED, WHITE, and BLUE. True Story- I always wear those three colors on the first day of school. This year, I felt like ending with those colors since 5th grade is all about American History.


Since we are talking about clothes, I thought this would be the perfect book. I have something in common with Principal Bundy, we both love to look sharp! The principal gets a new wardrobe, but something goes wrong! A wonderful story for teaching prediction and honesty. #ramonarecommendsfavorite!

Hello Friends!

2 more days and then I can say HAPPY SUMMER! I'm so excited to share with you a little piece of me. I grew up in Northern California in a town called Danville. I lived there from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. Danville has my heart even though I LOVE southern California. A few summers ago, I went to visit one of my best friends up north. One of the days during the trip we drove to Danville. I was in heaven!
 We visited the town that built part of my life. This picture of me standing in front of the Green Valley Elementary Marquee floods my mind with so many memories. I knew in second grade I was deem to be the stamp, pencil, sticker lovin teacher! Everything looked the same with just a few new buildings. Magical! The other picture is of my favorite bookstore growing up- Rakestraw Books. I remember going there with my mom and purchasing books. #nothinghaschanged

On this particular trip, I picked up WONDER. Many upper grade kids LOVE to read! I hope to read this during read aloud time in the near future. This book is a sparkle of magic. The lesson of kindness learned in this book will hold students captivated. We can never stop teaching our children the power of respect and kindness. Want to kick off RANDOM ACTS of KINDNESSES with a powerful read aloud? Look below!


San Francisco is a dear special place. I remember as a child going to the city during Christmas and seeing all the sparkling lights. My dad would drive quickly down the steep streets and my sisters and I would scream. My childhood memories are like dancing around in whip cream. Do you want to know how many times I have eaten at the Fisherman's Wharf? More times than my age times 2!



My parents were in San Francisco last summer and my mom picked me up Journey Around San Francisco.It is one of my favorite destination books because of the BEAUTIFUL illustrations. I'm guessing my schema might have to do with why I love this book. Just sayin... :) My favorite picture from this book is the FULL HOUSE page.



Lastly! I have just created a new link for all my FREE Book Lists. Check it Out!
http://ramonarecommends.blogspot.com/p/free-book-lists.html

Come link up with Ramona Recommends. Share what books you got this summer or in 1998. :)
 

I am so excited to share with you the Brownbag Teacher's SUMMER BOOK STUDY. Below you will find everything you need to join in the magic! 

We have some AMAZING bloggers and non-bloggers joining us over the next 7 weeks, and I cannot wait! Check out the hosts for each of the chapters/sections and make sure to follow them, so you don't miss anything. :) If your a blogger, awesome! Join us each week by linking up your posts/ideas. If you're not a blogger, that's great, too! You can read/follow and comment. We want to hear your advice, thoughts, and ideas for the classroom, too. The more teachers we have joining, the more amazing out classrooms will be this fall! 

Chapter 1: Wild Readers Dedicate Time to Read (June 19th)
Chapter 1: Creating a Workshop Schedule (June 26th) *This is a SUPER short section (only 4 pages), but a great chance to share/showcase your workshop schedule and sneek a peek at classrooms all over the world!*

Chapter 2: Wild Readers Self-Select Reading Material (July 3rd)

Chapter 2: Curating a Classroom Library (July 10th)

Chapter 3: Wild Readers Share Books and Reading with Others & Conferring: What's the Point? (July 17th)

Chapter 4: Wild Readers Have Reading Plans (July 24th)

Chapter 5: Wild Readers Show Reading Preference (July 31st)

Aren't you excited, friends?!?! It's going to be a great few weeks!
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