Snowy Day: Stories and Poems by Bauer, Caroline Feller (Editor), And Tomes, Margot

Here is the frosty world of winter in an anthology to match every snowy mood--33 stories and poems by, among others, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Aileen Fisher, Eve Merriam, and Ogden Nash. Also included are special recipes and activities for cold days. A Reading Rainbow Featured Selection.  http://www.fandango.co/readingrainbow:snowydaystoriesandpoems_v253400/summary
Here are things to do on a "snow day" - http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/kidsactivitiesfamilyfun/a/snowdaytodo.htm

I might just have to try this!  
 Edible Snowflakes 

Fold flour tortillas in fourths and use scissors to cut shapes out pf the folds, just like when you cut a paper snowflake, Brush with melted butter. sprinkle on cinnamon sugar and bake at 350 degrees until crispy.Yum!

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

"From the time he was a small boy, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature. "Of all the forms of water the tiny six-pointed crystals of ice called snow are incomparably the most beautiful and varied." -- Wilson Bentley. SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY won the 1999 Caldecott Medal".

Visit the official Snowflake Bentley website for lots of interesting information about snow - http://snowflakebentley.com/WBsnowflakes.htm

To create your own 3-D snowflake try - http://www.zefrank.com/snowflake/  This would be a great link to keep your creative learners busy on that snowy day.

For the old-fashioned snowflake try these instructions - http://highhopes.com/snowflakes.html

A beautiful snowflake poem by my favorite - Emily Dickinson - http://www.papersnowflakes.com/dickinson.htm

Red Sings From the Treetops by Joyce Sidman

Thought this would be fun on a snowy, icy, wintery day ..............

In Spring,

Red sings

from treetops:

cheer-cheer-cheer,

each note dropping like a cherry

into my ear . . .
Color comes to life in this whimsical, vibrant book.  Pink hides, Green floats, Yellow and Purple hold hands, and Red . . . well, you'll just have to see.  Follow the white pup as he explores the sight, smells, and sounds of color within each season.

 Check out the outhor's website as well - http://www.joycesidman.com/redsings.html


Here are some other ideas as well -
So, what do I do with this book?
1. You can ask students to focus only on the colors when you read this book if that is the objective that you are teaching. You can even assign a certain color to certain children, and ask them to be able to tell you objects from the book that are that color when you are finished reading. The fun thing about this book is that sometimes Joyce Sidman does not just come out and tell you what objects she is talking about. For example, the first page of summer says, “White clinks in drinks.” She is talking about ice, but students would have to use the illustrations and their listening skills to figure that out. You can do a shared writing when you are finished reading. Students can tell you things in the book that are red or blue or so on, and then you can add items from your room to the color lists also.
2. Children who are learning the seasons will also benefit from this book. You can ask students to draw pictures of their favorite season and write a sentence about it. They can base their illustrations on the illustrations by Pamela Zagarenski, which are lovely and full of color!
3. One of the 6 traits of writing is word choice. This book is an excellent study in word choice. Joyce Sidman is a master at language and the text sings to the readers. Ask students to pick out some of their favorite phrases and sentences, and discuss why they like these word choices.

How to Clean Your Room by Jennifer LaRue Huget

Here's a great story for a snow day! Got a messy room? No problem!This simple, laugh-out-loud picture-book guide to cleaning your room is sure to make picking up a snap. Here is the first rule: Always wait until your mother hollers, "GET UP THERE AND CLEAN YOUR ROOM—NOW!" using all three of your names. Once she does, you'd better get moving. From dumping out drawers and dividing stuff into piles to arranging all eight zillion of your stuffed animals, here's the kind of advice on room tidying that everyone can relate to.
With funny, direct text by Jennifer LaRue Huget and amazing illustrations by New Yorker artist Edward Koren, this book is sure to appeal to messy kids everywhere.

Here's a link to another review - http://www.curledupkids.com/howclean.html

Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodee Blanco

Today we had GREAT discussion during our Middle School Advisory session about the difference between "bullying" and "teasing".  We also chatted with the kids about whether or not "bullying" is a one-way street.  They had great insight and thoughts.  This discussion let us to talk about being advocates for yourself and others.   Check out ..............http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/MiddleSchoolJournal/Articles/November2006/Article3/tabid/1093/Default.aspx for some titles of adolescent literature.  Here's one .................

Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story
Author: Jodee Blanco
While other kids were daydreaming about dances, first kisses, and college, Jodee Blanco was just trying to figure out how to get from homeroom to study hall without being taunted or spit upon as she walked through the halls. This powerful, unforgettable memoir chronicles how one child was shunned—and sometimes physically abused—by her classmates from elementary school through high school. It is an unflinching look at what it means to be the outcast, how even the most loving parents can get it all wrong, why schools are often unable to prevent disaster, and how bullying has been misunderstood and mishandled by the mental health community. You will be shocked, moved, and ultimately inspired by this harrowing tale of survival against insurmountable odds. This vivid story will open your eyes to the harsh realities and long-term consequences of bullying—and how all of us can make a difference in the lives of teens today.

Happy New Year!!!!!! 2011

A very Happy New Year - 2011!  Here are some "printables" to keep your tired little ones busy today while you dismantle any holiday decorations or just chill as the season comes to a close with the 12th day of Christmas later in the week. 
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/new-years-day/
Here is some special paper to help write New Year's resolutions as well -
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/new-years-day/printables/new-year-resolution-stationery.html
And ......... some ideas for resolutions for kids http://www.newyearfestival.com/new-years-resolutions-for-kids.html

A book to share ............ some true facts about January 1
Happy New Year!!!!