Thank You Global Read Aloud 2014

One Book Connects the World!

As we come to an end of Global Read Aloud 2014, we must say it has been an amazing journey!

Please look at a snapshot of all our experiences.

Skype

Miss Sideri's First Graders had the opportunity to skype with Mrs. Ripp's Seventh Graders from Oregon, Wisconsin.  You may recognize Mrs. Ripp's name as the creator of the global read aloud project.

It would take us 17 hours and 25 minutes to drive to their school.  It is 1148 miles from us.

It would take us 357 hours to walk there!

These 7th graders are writing non-fiction picture books and they needed to ask their target audience some questions about their likes and dislikes in picture books.

We look forward to reading these new picture books.

Questions asked:

What makes you open a book?

What is your favorite animal?

Do you have any pets?

Do you like reading?

Do you like lots of pictures?

Would you read a book with lots of words?

What are your favorite colors?

Do you like sparkles in your books? (the girls said yes)

Airplanes Around the World

As part of the Global Read Aloud, First Graders have been listening to the books written by local author and illustrator  Peter Reynolds . The book that was read aloud last week was I'm Here.

"I’m here. 
And you’re there. 
And that’s okay. 
But…
maybe there will be a gentle wind that pulls us together. 
And then I’ll be here and you’ll be here, too. 

Pure, powerful and deceptively simple, bestselling author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds reminds us that children—and the friendships they make—can take flight in unexpected ways."  Amazon

As a grade level, students sent a paper airplane to one another.  

Click on the airplane below to follow the paper airplane from Steward First Grade Class to Steward First Grade Class.

We also submitted our video to Mr. Balcom who collected other videos from across the world and complied them into one video for everyone to view.
Click below to see the path of the airplanes.
Keep an eye out for the Topsfield Planes.

Miss Sideri's First Class wrote their ideas on how to learn about others on their own paper airplanes. Click on the picture below to hear all the ways this class shares how to make friends.

The Fourteenth Goldfish

Students at Proctor School have begun the Global Read Aloud Project and are reading The Fourteenth Goldfish  by Jennifer Holm.  GRA is a project started by teacher Pernille Ripp.  

"The project was created in 2010 with a simple goal in mind; one book to connect the world."

This will be Proctor School's second year participating in this Global Project.  

Who is reading The Fourteenth Goldfish?  Click on the map to find Proctor School.

Students had an All School Assembly to kick off to the project.

Principal O'Leary gave the students a brief background on the Global Read Aloud.

Students shared their ideas as to how one book can connect the world.

Students watched the trailer of The Fourteenth Goldfish with author Jennifer Holm.

Click on the picture below to view the video.

As you walk around Proctor School, you will find many students discussing the book and making predictions about what might happen next.  

Why do you think the title is THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH?

The Fourteenth Goldfish

Science can change the world . . . but can it go too far? Believe in the Possible!

 On August 26, Author Jennifer Holm's newest book, The Fourteenth Goldfish, will be released.  I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy, thanks to netgallery.com.  This book will be one of the books featured this year for the Global Read Aloud which begins in October.
I found The Fourteenth Goldfish to be a very engaging book filled with likeable characters.  I particularly loved the science connections.  Just as the main character, Ellie, has a fascination with all things scientific, you too will want to learn more about all the scientists mentioned in the book.  The story is filled with humor, as well as thought provoking questions about the power of science.
I look forward to the beginning of Global Read Aloud when students will be sharing their thoughts about this charming book. 

 

"Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade. She misses her old best friend. She even misses her dearly departed goldfish. Then one day a strange boy shows up. He’s bossy. He’s cranky. And weirdly enough . . . he looks a lot like Ellie’s grandfather, a scientist who’s always been slightly obsessed with immortality. Could this pimply boy really be Grandpa Melvin? Has he finally found the secret to eternal youth?

With a lighthearted touch and plenty of humor, Jennifer Holm celebrates the wonder of science and explores fascinating questions about life and death, family and friendship, immortality . . . and possibility?"  Amazon Review  

Book Jacket