After an author visit with Christopher Healy: Part the first: the reflection

The fourth graders used Padlet to share their reflections on the author visit from Christopher Healy.

It's an easy way to see what resonated with them. I am not surprised that the Tiered Writing Strategy was so frequently mentioned by students. This interactive part of his presentation was fabulous. Stay tuned for more on this!

Below are a few of the comments about Christopher Healy's visit from the students:

Wherein Matt Tavares Visits and Makes a Great Impression

The wonderful author and illustrator Matt Tavares visited our school to meet with kindergarten and first graders.

It was another fabulous visit by Matt. Both the kindergarten and first grade students were engaged and excited to learn from Matt.

Following Matt's visit, the first graders had their regularly scheduled library classes. It was a perfect time to reflect on the visit, hear what the students remembered, and understand what they learned. 

The time Matt spent sketching made a big impact on the students. He was clear and encouraging as he sketched and talked through the process, imparting strategies like: start with light lines; think about shapes; start with loose lines; add details at the end; make your picture have dimension by adding smaller things in the background.

Students really got into creating sketches and enlisted friends to strike a pose.

Along with sharing in our circle conversations, students also shared what they learned on papers at the tables.

Thank you for a making a great impression, Matt!

Wherein Ryan Higgins visits our school, reads his book, and draws some pretty interesting characters.

Ryan Higgins, the author/illustrator of Mother Bruce visited our school last week. 

We had a fabulous visit. Have a look and a listen:

The students are in the midst of writing a thank you note:

"The visit with Mike Curato was..."

I love these first graders'

 Little Elliot Big City fan art.

I expect to see many elephants and cupcakes in future first- and second-grade students' work. Our visit with Mike Curato was incredibly successful.  I heard such positive comments from parents, teachers, and students today. It feels great to get stopped in the hallways to be told by parents how much their child enjoyed an author and/or illustrator visit.

I visited each of the second grade classrooms today and asked each student to give me one adjective to describe the visit. Here's what they said:

If you are unfamiliar with Wordle, the more times a word is mentioned the bigger it gets.  I did not lead the students. I went quietly from table to table and collected words. There are many powerful adjectives here, such as: informative, constructive, inspiring and creative. Thanks again, Mike!

Making connections - big and small - with Little Elliot

We are very excited! 

Mike Curato, the author of Little Elliot Big City is coming to visit with our first and second graders.

Prior to Mike's visit the first graders drew pictures of the challenges they faced because of their size:

getting cereal from the cupboard

getting dresses from the closet

buying ice cream at the store

turning on the light in the closet

turning on the water at the sink

getting the candy from the counter

They also drew pictures of ways they helped someone else as did Elliot with his friend Mouse.

getting cereal for a younger brother

helping grandma carry groceries

picking apples for a grandmother

Want to know more about Little Elliot Big City? Here's the book trailer: