Our Favorite Books

One of the thing many things I love about second graders is their excitement about reading.  They spent so much of first grade learning to read that now they can really begin to enjoy reading in second grade.  My desires, among many others, is for them to love reading.  So, I have fun introducing them to all kinds of books, authors and stories.  

Right now we have been reading....

I love Skippyjon Jones and his imagination!  I even picked up some new books and a stuffed character this summer while in Minnesota.  

I guess my love for this book has spread to my students as we now have a growing collection of student made "Skippyjon Jones" books in our classroom library.  They are complete with words and full color illustrations.  The titles include "Skippyjon Jones Halloween,"  "Skippyjon Jones St. Patrick's Day,"  and "Skippyjon Jones Christmas."  

My classes new favorite "free time" activity is writing more Skippyjon Jones books.  It makes my teacher heart so happy!  

A new Skippyjon Jones book in progress

One of these books is called "Skippyjon Jones and the Angels"

Our other favorite book right now is.....

After reading the first chapter, every time I pulled out this book to read my class started chanting "Boxcar Children, Boxcar Children."   The next time they went to the library someone found Boxcar Children books there and nearly every student checked one out.  They were all so excited that they too were reading Boxcar Children books.  

I have found that both of these books have been a great for my non-native English speakers.  It allows them to hear stories, and words they may not have exposure to otherwise.  It also gives me insight into their vocabulary.  The other day we were reading about how the kids in the story were making a broom.  One of my kids injected, "What's a broom?"  I paused to explain it and continued reading.