Reading Goals

At the end of the school year a librarian from Chicago Public Library came to tell us all about the summer reading program, Book Beats. Have you been keeping a record of the books you're reading? Have you gotten any cool prizes from the library?

Dehne set a goal to read 30 books this summer and she just finished her goal, WAY TO GO! Some of her favorites were Fancy Nancy, Frog and Toad, and Dr. Seuss. As a reward for meeting her goal, her mom took her to Target where she was able to choose a prize. Good choice Dehne!

I've read a few books this summer; Animal Dreams, The Help, The Hunger Games, Accomplished Teaching: The Key to National Board Certification, and I just started Catching Fire. I'll be reading Mockingjay (the 3rd and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy) and The World According to Garp before the start of the school year. I love to read, so I probably won't reward myself with any special treats. However, I don't love to clean my condo or do laundry so when I complete these tasks maybe I'll treat myself to a new nail polish.

Are you looking for a few suggestions of books to read? Here are a few of my favorite stories to keep you ready for 1st grade:

Henry and Mudge Series by Cynthia Rylant

Young Cam Jansen by David A. Adler

Amelia Bedeila by Peggy Parish

Francis Series by Russell Hoban

Virtual Field Trip

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is one of my favorite TV memories from when I was a kid. At the beginning of each episode Mister Rogers would change his sweater and shoes while singing me a song that requested my friendship. I would excitedly think, "YES, I'll be your neighbor Mr. Rogers!" On my recent vacation to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania I learned that Fred Rogers lived there and was an active part of their community. The city has a huge bronze statue of him on the river. When I was visiting, someone had placed a large red cardigan sweater on the statue.

I'd love to share the same experiences I had as a kid; Mister Rogers songs, the trolley to the Neighborhood of Make Believe, and the fun field trips we'd take. Here is a link to videos that will take you on a variety of virtual field trips. Let me warn you, they are not in 3D or even high definition but the information is fun and I think you will enjoy them (especially the story read aloud with author Eric Carle).

http://pbskids.org/rogers/videos/index.html

Thank you PBS for keeping the spirit of Mister Rogers alive for young children everywhere! Click on the picture below to go to his website.

What is your favorite PBS show?

Harry Potter

One of my favorite book series of all time is Harry Potter. I love the consistent themes of love, friendship and good over evil. Thank you J.K. Rowling for writing and creating such an imaginative fantasy world for me to explore. I don't want to give anything away for you, but seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was the most enjoyable movie experience of my year.

Isn't this the sweetest picture of the young actors that I found on Pinterest?!

Have you seen the movies or heard the stories? Who is your favorite character?

Edible Arrangements

I've enjoyed fruit from Edible Arrangements on a couple of occasions and thought to myself, "What a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? It's so pretty!" Here is an example of making one for your next block party, BBQ, or after dinner dessert.

http://www.thechocolatemuffintree.com/2011/07/our-own-edible-arrangement.html

What kind of fruit would you use? Grapes? Watermelon? Strawberries? Pineapple?

Six Flags Great America

Have you used your "Read to Succeed" free pass to Great America yet?

What did you do while at Six Flags? Play games, ride roller coasters, splash around at Hurricane Harbor?

Here's my FAVORITE ride, The Raging Bull!

And a really close second favorite...

Life is just a bowl of cherries...

Until you "accidentally" drop the pits down the garbage disposal and clog it up.

With a little text support from iChad, the handiest friend I have, you take it all apart to try and get them out. Suddenly, SOMEHOW the pipe detaches from the disposal. Whoops! I'm no plumber, but this can't be good.



At this point you might be thinking, "I hope she stops what she's doing and calls a professional." Sorry friends, I am stubborn and refuse to give up.



See, it was like a puzzle. Put the pieces back together and you'll be good to go. Below is the evidence that I pulled out with my bare hands, ewww. I still don't know how those cherry pits went down into the disposal (hehe).



Now it's all water under the bridge and we're back in business. Do you think that would stop me from eating cherries? No way, I love 'em!



What did we all learn here kids?

A). Cherry pits belong in the GARBAGE CAN only
B). Ms. Bachman is persistent and has too much time on her hands
C). Garbage disposals are tricky but not impossible to fix
D). All of the above

Kids Can Cook

It should come as no surprise that I enjoy reading blogs almost as much as I like writing this one for you. I love sharing good ideas from other people as well as making recommendations for cool places to try yourself. It's summer after all, time to explore new interests. While poking around on the internet, I've come across some really great ideas.

I was instantly drawn to Full Bellies because of the post about "Magic Cookie Bars." They were always a special treat my mom would always make for potlucks. Mmmmmm! http://fullbellies.blogspot.com/

This girl inspires me to work hard toward both my personal and professional goals. Eliana is 10 years old and leads cooking classes, has a published cookbook, and is a promising food critique (see her posts from Hawaii)! Did I mention that she's 10?! http://www.elianacooks.com/

I like this one too because it includes a list of archived recipes and cute craft projects. The recycled robots and abstract magnets are ideas that I might just have to use in my teaching! http://www.cookingwithmykid.com/

If you're looking for someone else to do the preparation and teaching, then you should check out The Kids Table. It's located in Bucktown and makes me wish I was still a kid. They offer many different types of classes and can even host small parties. http://www.kids-table.com/

While your kiddo is learning to become a master chef, I wouldn't feel right if I didn't suggest you check out Bake http://www.getbakedchicago.com/ for one of Chicago's best cupcakes.

Birchwood Kitchen http://www.birchwoodkitchen.com/ is also a stones throw away and another one of my favorite places in the city. They have the friendliest staff and will make sure you have an enjoyable afternoon relaxing in their back patio.

Does life get any better than that? Your kid learns to cook dinner or make their own lunches and you get time to relax.



Do you have a favorite meal you and your kiddos make together? What are some of your favorite summertime snacks?

Word Scramble

It's a beautiful and sunny day, there's no place else I'd rather be. Unscramble the letters to figure out my destination:

L O P O

Someday I'll have a backyard that looks like this...

Where is your favorite place to go swimming? Do you take swim lessons?

Summer Vacation Memory Lane

I have to tell you, I'm having an awesome summer vacation! Today I went to lunch with my teacher friends at Harmony Grill in Lakeview and then shopping on Southport. The restaurant is really close to the first place I lived in Chicago and holds a very special place in my heart. After having lived there for 3+ years I made the move to Wicker Park and hope to create the same fond memories. Back to lunch, my teacher friends and I made and list of "must do" activities to do before we head back to school. We decided to ride our bikes and have a picnic at the lake, rent kayaks at Montrose Harbor, and hang out at the pool.

It amazes me how a picture can bring back such great memories. As I searched through old digital folders on my computer, I remembered how much fun we had that day at the beach. Looking through old images on my computer makes me want to have pictures printed more often, there is nothing like flipping through an old photo album. Storing pictures digitally just doesn't have the same effect. Yes, I'm aware that this makes me sound old. Guess what...I am old!

Here's my story to match the picture above;

It all started with going to an exercise class at our gym and then getting lunch at NYC Bagel Deli. After that we rode our bikes up to Montrose Harbor and ate a picnic at the beach. Eating was the hardest part of the day for me because I am deathly afraid of Sea Gulls and Pigeons. I know it is a VERY strange fear, but as a kid a Pigeon pooped on my head and I've been scared ever since. While at the beach we rented kayaks and took them out on Lake Michigan. The bottoms were clear and it was so cool to look down to see fish swimming right under our boats. The best part of the day was kayaking because all the jets were practicing for the Air and Water Show that weekend, the planes were literally flying right over us. Thanks ladies for sharing these memories with me!

Maybe kayaking is something you'd like to try with your parents? Here's a link for more information: http://www.kayakchicago.com/

Do you ever look at old pictures and remember details of that day? Any memories or stories you want to share? If you email me a picture I would be SO happy to put it up here with your story.

Making Words

How many words can you make using following letters?

F I R E W O R K S

A FUN Reading Website

Good Morning Friends! Are you ready for the 4th of July? Does your family have fun plans for the holiday weekend? I'm really excited to spend time with my family and friends, and to see all the fireworks on Monday. I love the way they light up the sky with colors and sparkles.

Today I want to pass along a great reading website that was posted by a Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Blakely. Her latest post included links to online books that are just right for you!

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3