Wow! I cannot believe that it is Labor Day weekend. Summer went by in a blink of an eye. Seriously.
I thought I'd get more blogging done this summer- but I was too busy having fun with my family.
My summer highlight was my trip Up North to Three Lakes, Wisconsin. My grandpa bought this cabin in the 70s, so I have literally been up there every summer since I was an infant.
I am LOVING bringing my boys up there now. It's so fun to see them loving one of my favorite places on earth.
So while I was on vacation, I did have one inspiration for school. I remembered one of my favorite picture books: Up North At the Cabin by Marsha Wilson Chall. This book really nails the whole "up north" experience on the head. There are also a TON of fun lesson ideas that this book can facilitate.
1. If you use the Responsive Classroom approach- you know that early in the year you introduce the concept of "taking a break." Take a break is not a punitive measure- rather, if set up properly, it empowers students to exercise self regulation before they lose control and cause disruptions. Some teachers set up a break spot in the room. In my break spot, I always had kids make paintings of their own special, calm place. That way, while they were on a break, they could recall that calm place and how they felt there. Then, when they regained control, they could rejoin the group. Up North at the Cabin has such beautiful illustrations- you could definitely use the pictures to model paintings kids might want to produce.
2. The story also has rich, descriptive language perfect for teaching the reading comprehension strategy of visualization.
3. Finally, this story is FULL of similes and metaphors. It would be a great book to check out while teaching those concepts.
I created a unit on my TpT store that may help you with these lessons. Check them out!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Up-North-at-the-Cabin-1422207
Good luck with the start of school!
