Read-Aloud Sadness...And I Mean It!

Today I learned some really sad news.

 

 Barbara Park passed away on Friday from a long battle with ovarian cancer.

{Click on the picture if you'd like to read the article}

 

 

SNIFF! SNIFF!
 

I have been reading the Junie B. Jones series to my firsties for as long as I can remember.

 

We just LOVE her books and can't wait for read-aloud time everyday to see what Junie B. is up too.

This has got to be one of the greatest first grade series!

 

It just warms my heart when they check out the book you are currently reading from the library and read along with you?

Our read-aloud time is now known as Junie B. Jones time!

 

I have the entire series...all but one, that is.

 

 

 

I've always let my students borrow them.

 

One year I didn't get one of the books back.

I didn't realize this till the following year when I went to get it.

 

I don't know who borrowed it so I can't go hunt them down!

 

I use to let my students borrow them on the honor system.

 

Not anymore!

 

Now I use a very complex system of checking out the books.


Exhibit A...

 

Exhibit B...

 

All I do is write down the students name and the title of the book.

 

Now, if I don't get a book back I keep bugging them until they return it.

 

After I told my students the sad news about Barbara Park, one of my little firsties said... "That's OK cause she was old" in a very serious, almost adult-ish, tone.

 

After I explained to them that she really wasn't that old, but she was sick many of them said that we should continue writing  the series and read it to the class.

 

I feel a Junie B. Jones is in Second Grade series coming on...First Grade Style!

 

I am ahead of the game this year reading the series and will probably be done before spring arrives. I am looking for that next great read-aloud.

 

What books do you read to your students that have them super engaged?