Remember When We. . . Hosted a Book Tasting?

At the start of the previous school year, we decided to promote many different genres using a technique we'd seen over and over again online--a book tasting!

Although there was much behind-the-scenes preparation for this multi-cycle lesson, we and the students had a great time talking about our favorite books and learning about new ones. We began with gathering piles of books to "taste" and creating a sheet where students could keep track of books or genres they'd like to keep track of and possibly look at more closely.

The book tasting featured a Google presentation, which you can see on the original post when you CLIC HERE, along with many more pictures related to our event. Maybe by visiting the post again you'll remember that you were interested in trying a different genre or reading a particular book!

Remember When We. . . Did Some Research?

In January of this year, 4th and 5th grade students completed a research project using books in the You Wouldn't Want to Be. . . series.

The work was completed in multiple steps--the first was a ticket out that became a display you can see below.

If you want to see more of the work students completed, along with pictures of their work, you can CLICK HERE to see the original post.

Remember When We. . . Celebrated Picture Book Month?

November is Picture Book Month, and for the first time last year, we at Dallas Center Elementary celebrated!

Several staff and teachers in the building participated in a fun photo opportunity, and even our friends in the library got involved!

Want to see more pictures? Want to watch a video about Picture Book Month? You can CLICK HERE to see the original post.

Remember When We. . . Read Not a Stick?

Two years ago, Antoinette Portis's book Not a Stick was an Iowa Goldfinch Book nominee. The book features our creative hero telling us repeatedly that what he's got is *not* a stick--and he's very imaginative in showing us what he has instead!

After we read the book aloud with our students, they had the opportunity to imagine what their "non-sticks" might be instead.

Want to see the original post and more of our students' work? You can CLICK HERE to do so!

Remember When We. . . Made Discovery Bottles?

In a strange twist, today's "Remember When We…" post originally took place almost 2 years to the day!

After looking at several examples of discovery bottles online--and searching Pinterest for inspiration and directions!--we dove into the project with our K-5 librarian friend Ms. Taylor from Shuler Elementary in Waukee, IA. 

How did the bottles turn out? Take a look:

All 3 of us were able to take 6 bottles to our libraries to use as a center. Some of the bottles were school colors-related, some were beach-themed, and others were ABC-related. We even had magnetic discovery bottles! While the project took a lot of planning and a full morning of construction, the bottles remain one of our students' favorite centers!

Want to see the original post? CLICK HERE to see more pictures and descriptions.

Remember When We…Had Authors Visit DC Elementary and South Prairie?

In November 2012 Dallas Center Elementary hosted author David Sargent and his writing inspirations--his dogs!

You can read all about his visit and see more pictures HERE.

Students at South Prairie Elementary hosted Coach Sloth in May 2012, when they had the opportunity to meet Coach Sloth and hear about his experiences with the Iowa Barnstormers and his work as a children's author. You can read more HERE.

Remember When We…Made Our Own Interrupting Chickens?

Many of our lessons focus on the Iowa Goldfinch Book Award nominees, and a year ago, Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein was one of the nominees. 

Our K - 2 students had activities that went along with the read aloud, including describing how they would try to be UNinterruping chickens. :) You can check out the full blog post, as well as the all of the pictures, when you CLICK HERE.

Remember When We. . . Emailed Tucked the Cat

In the 2012 - 2013 school year, Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj was one of the Iowa Goldfinch Books nominees.

During our read aloud and lesson, students drafted emails to Tucker, and he--along with the author's assistance--replied to the students' questions and comments! We even got a picture of Tucker playing hide and seek with us!

Want to know more about our students' emails and Tucker's responses? You can read about them HERE on the original blog post.

Summertime Wednesday Posts--"Remember When We…" Series

With summer break just beginning, it's time to think about what our summer posts will include. Why not a look back at some of our favorite lessons or activities?! Look for a new series of summer posts titled "Remember When We…" Wednesdays!

Our first look back features a 3rd grade lesson relating to book care from August 2012. You can read the original post here, but here's a screenshot to remind you of it:

A fun side note: These students will be 5th graders this fall, and so will their 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Nims, who has transferred to a 5th grade position. Maybe some of them will be working and learning with her again!