Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #10

"The Oldest Student ~ How Mary Walker Learned to Read" 

Read Aloud, "I Am" Biography Activity, and 

What Would You Love to Learn Journal

Hello, readers!

I'm so excited about this tenth "Ways to Learn at Home" because it's the TRUE story of a hero born enslaved, named Mary Walker.  At 15 she, along with her family were freed.  At 20, she married and had her first of three children.  At 68, she continued to work in order to raise money for her church.  At 114, she was the only one left living out of her whole, entire family.  Lastly, are you ready for this one?  At 116, she LEARNED TO READ!  

Please enjoy Mary's story written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and illustrated by Oge Mora by clicking HERE.  Get ready to learn the lesson that you are NEVER too old to learn.

Complete This "I Am" Biography Activity

As you know, this book is a biography--a true story of someone's life.  Find a biography or use the biography I just read to you.  As you read your biography, or re-watch the video, fill out the spots in this template.  You can print it out by clicking HERE or just copy over the boxes and titles on a piece of paper you have at home.  Have fun learning about the life of someone.  When we study biographies, remember to ask yourself, "What lesson can I learn from studying this person's life."  

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #10

After reading and listening to the book by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, journal about what you would like to learn how to do.  Mary Walker said "You're never too old to learn," so this may be something that will take you a very, very, long time to learn. That's OK.  After all, Mary was 116 when she learned to read her Bible.  Mr. Giso always says,  reading does not come easy for everyone at the same time.  This is something that's true with so many tricky things.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  Thank you, Ms. Cipoletti!

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #9

"Good Dogs, Great Listeners" 

Read Aloud, Genre Bingo, and What Made You Love Reading Journal

Hello, readers!

This "Ways to Learn at Home" celebrates how we are a community of readers.  Miss Cipoletti is back with a read aloud of the book by Renata Bowers called Good Dogs, Great Listeners.  This book is about a main character named Charlotte.  Charlotte isn't really being a good listener--ever!  She floods the house, gets in to her mom's makeup and has a romping good time that ends up with a leg injury!  What she doesn't do, however, is read.  Charlotte has not yet found her "groove" in her reading community.  Find out about her mischief and reading life by clicking HERE.

Play 3 Levels of Genre Bingo! 

With Your Family

After listening to this book, you learn how Charlotte turned her injury into a positive by reading to her "pets."  One of the things I have taught you about being a good reader is that readers keep track of their reading lives and set goals for reading.  After reading this book, you can start to play my version of Genre Bingo.  To play, just print out the Bingo Boards or list the categories on some scrap paper--you don't need to have a printer, you can just make your own Bingo Boards like the ones I made by clicking HERE.  Remember that a book's genre is the kind of book it is.  There are two categories of genre--fiction and nonfiction.

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #9

After reading and listening to the book by Renata Bowers, Miss Cipoletti gave you a topic to write about.  In your journal, write about what made you love reading and how you got interested in books.  If you don't consider reading to be one of your favorite things to do...yet... that is OK too.  Write about that too.  Reading is does not come easy for everyone at the same time.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  Thank you, Ms. Cipoletti!

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #8

"Math Curse" 

Read Aloud, Draw It, Place It & Read It! Game, and Numbers All Around Us Journal

Hello, hello mathematicians!

This "Ways to Learn at Home" is about mathematics.  To get us thinking about how mathematics is all around us ALL the time, I have picked an animated version of the fun book Math Curse written by Jon Scieszka (below) and illustrated by Lane Smith.  This adventure begins with Ms. Fibonacci announcing in class that "You can think of almost anything as a math problem."  Click HERE

to listen and watch the story.  As you listen, be thinking about your home and the world around you.  Where do you see mathematics?  Think numbers, shapes, patterns, measurements and fractions, OH MY!

                                                

                                        

Play Draw It, Place It & Read It! 

With Your Family

After listening to Math Curse, I bet you are ready to play around with some numbers.  I have a really fun game.  To get ready to play this game you need about 3 sets of cards with the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 written on them (only one digit on a card).  Mix the cards up and place them in a bag, bowl or even a pillow case.  Before you cut the cards, they could look something line this.

Once you have the cards, you can either make a chart for each player to record your numbers like the chart below, or print out a chart for each player by clicking HERE.

To play the game:

1.  Choose one person to be the caller.  For each round, the caller draws 3 numbers for a digit in the    

         hundreds, or four cards for a digit in the thousands etc.  Decide this ahead of time.  Place an "x" 

         in the spots you will NOT be using.

2.  After each draw, players record the digit that was drawn in any column on the first row of the place value chart below.  Once a digit is recorded, it can’t be changed. Use a marker.  Strategize!

3.  After all the places are filled, the person who makes and reads the highest number earns a point.  Move to the next row on the place value chart for the next round.

4.  Keep playing until the paper is filled.  The person with the most number of points wins.  As a challenge, play again.  This time award points for making the smallest number.

In the comments section of this post, let me know who is the winner.  Of course, learning a strategy for making the largest or smallest number is the point.  Having fun is a lot more important than winning.

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #8

After reading and listening to "Math Curse," search around your home pretending that you have "caught the curse!"  Where do you see mathematics?  Describe what you see and how you know it's connected to mathematics.  What do you realize has a little bit of math in it, after listening to the book?  I can't wait to hear your thoughts.  You can also write me to explain the strategy you discovered in the game.  Be specific and use an example.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn At Home #7

"Miss Rumphius" 

Read Aloud, Write a Post Card and Journal about Leaving Your Mark/ Making the World a More Beautiful Place

Hi, my friends!  

Our fantastic Community Volunteer is featured today.  We are so excited to hear Mrs. Karam read aloud a book for us that shines with unique illustrations and beautiful messages.  It's one of my favorites.  Special thank you to Mrs. Karam for taking the time to put this read aloud together.  Be sure to notice the framed print on the wall to the right of Mrs. Karam; it connects to the story so nicely.  The main character in this story is Miss Rumphius.  The book is both written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney.

Miss Rumphius travels far and wide in search of a way to leave her legacy to the world.  She does find a way to make the world a more beautiful place thanks to a certain type of flower.  Mrs. Karam wants to share her connection to the story, as she too, enjoys working in her garden just like the main character you are about to meet.

Enjoy listening to the travels of Miss Rumphius.  Tell someone in your family what you think the theme of the story is.  What lesson does the author want you to take away?  Here is Mrs. Karam in one of her many travels just like Miss Rumphius.  She is hiking the Pacific Coast Trail in the state of California.  Click HERE to listen to Mrs. Karam read our story.

Pack Your Bags and Write a Postcard!

After listening to this story we know two things.  Miss Rumphius traveled near and far and took the time to appreciate what was around her.  The setting of this story appears to change on every page.  I'd like you to pretend that you are traveling.  Pick a place.  It can be to a place you have traveled to OR a place you would like to visit.  It can be near like the park or a place far away like Antarctica!

Write a postcard to someone about what you see.  What sights do you take in?  What do you hear?  What do you smell?  You can even design your own stamp in the upper right hand corner that resembles your place too.  On the back draw the scenery you see.  You don't need a printer at home to do this; just draw a postcard like the picture below.  If you want to, though, print out my postcard by clicking HERE.  

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #7 

After reading and listening to "Miss Rumphius," write about what you think you can do to make the world a better place.  You may be young, but there are so many simple things you can do around your house these days to make someone smile.  Imagine that you are now 20 or more years older.  What do you see yourself doing to leave your mark like Miss Rumphius? We can't wait to hear what you have to say.  Your thoughts are important.  They matter.  Thank you again, Mrs. Karam!

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Thank you, Mrs. Karam!

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #6

"The Word Collector" 

Read Aloud, Make Your Own Word Collection  and Journal

Hi, my friends!  We have my student guest teacher Ms. Cipoletti back for another guest read aloud.  She has picked one of her favorites-- The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds.  This book celebrates the power of words.  Words that are fun to say.  Words that describe who you are.  Words that spark your imagination.  Words you have around your house.  Words that you come across in your books. Words, words, words in general!  After listening to this book, you can start to put together a word collection of your own.  Ms. Cipoletti will give you some ideas on how to find words after she reads you the book.  Enjoy listening to Jerome (the main character) teach you about the power words have.  Click  HERE to listen to the story.

Build Your Word Collection!

To get started on a word collection of your own, the possibilities are endless!  You can print out the activity I have prepared by clicking HERE.  All you need to do is search for words and put them on the blank slips of paper.  Of course, you can get a piece of paper, cut up slips and make a collection of our own.  You can even use a notebook to start a word collection.

You can even upload a picture of you with a special word to the official Word Collector Website by clicking HERE.  Share your word with the world!

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #6 

After reading and listening to "The Word Collector," write about words.  What words are unfamiliar to you?  What words are challenging?  What words do you think are fun to say?  What words can you find in your kitchen, book or games?  We can't wait to hear them.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Get ready to hear from our Salem Community Volunteer, Mrs. Karam.  She is getting ready for your next activity.  It's going to be a good one.  Thank you, Ms. Cipoletti.  Thank you, Mrs. Karam!

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn At Home #5

"Grandfather's Journey" 

Read Aloud, Now and Long Ago Interview & Journal

Happy Friday!  

Today, we tried a Zoom conference call.  Boy, was it exciting to see so many smiling children-- and two of my teacher besties-- again.  We even saw some parents, siblings and pets.  One cat fell asleep.  I guess not everyone was entertained?  Our principal even made a guest appearance.   I did a silly read aloud and another teacher lead us through an open-ended math problem.  It felt good to do this.  It felt like school again for the first time in two weeks.  

The book I have to share with you is both written and illustrated by Allen Say.  It's titled "Grandfather's Journey."  It's about Mr. Say's grandfather's story.  Both the author and his grandfather love their homeland Japan as well as their second home, America (California, in particular).  After you listen to me read aloud this story, I have a project where you can have the chance to hear a story of a grandparent or older member of your family by making a phone call.  It's perfect for this time when people older than us are staying home in order to keep safe and healthy.  Click HERE to watch me read aloud "Grandfather's Journey."

Be a Journalist and Interview a Member of Your Family a LOT Older Than You

Call or FaceTime a member of your family.  This person could be a grandparent, older neighbor or friend of the family--anyone older than you are.  ASK the question and RECORD your answers in the Now and Long Ago book I put together.  Just like the author, Allen Say, you can start thinking about your own family's history.  How cool?  You will be doing very important work!  

There are two versions of the book.  One has the "dotted" lines and the other has "regular" lines.  Pick the one that will help you write the neatest.  Click HERE to get the books.  Feel free to send me pictures of your books.  I'd love to hear the history you have recorded.

             

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #5 

After reading and listening to "Grandfather's Journey," write about if you have a home away from home, too.  Maybe you live in two households? Maybe you or your family were born in another country and miss it when you are not there like the grandfather in the story?  You can even write about a country you'd like to visit because your family has roots there.  For example, Mr. Giso would love to get to visit Italy someday because that's where his family is from.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Have a great day.

Mr. Giso's Ways to Learn at Home #4

"Maybe: A Story About the Endless Potential in All of Us" 

Read Aloud and Journal

Happy Wednesday.  Today, we have a special read aloud and journal prompt put together by Ms. Cipoletti.  She's our guest student teacher from Salem State University.  Ms.  Cipoletti picked a book that was new to me.  I loved hearing it.  The illustrations are very different, too.  She does such a good job making sure that we have time to enjoy the illustrations.  Miss Cipoletti is also reading the "Little LuLu" series by Judith Viorst. I love these book so much.  There are now 4 published.  (Many of you read these with me).  They are a great read aloud for children and adults of any age.  Children in second grade and up can even work on reading them independently.

This book really is important because of its message.  Maybe is written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Gabriella Barouch.  It explains how all of us (big adults and small children) have lots of possibilities out there.  We can be anything and do anything.  I learned that no matter how young or how old you are, we never know what new things can come our way.  I have been thinking what possibilities are out there for me?

Click HERE to watch and to listen to Ms. Cipoletti read aloud this book. In the beginning, she will tell you an idea for a writing about reading--perfect for a journal.  I will explain what you can write, below too.

Write in a Daily Journal after Reading

Mr. Giso's Journal Idea #4 (Brought to you by Ms. Cipoletti)

After reading and listening to Maybe, write down what are your dreams.  You are important to us!  What makes you important?  Anyone can email me your journal, and I will make sure to send it to Ms. Cipoletti so she can hear your answers.  We love and miss you.

Print out my "Journal Pages" by clicking HERE if you'd like to have some paper.  There's a spot for an illustration, too.  Have a great day.