Spring Update - #MustReadin2018

It's time to update my #MustReadin2018 progress! Thankfully, I have more time time do dig into my TBR stack now that I am on vacation. I am grateful for Carrie Gelson and the #MustRead community for keeping me focused since it's easy to add new books to my stacks.  I've been busy reading books that aren't on this list, so this spring update is a reminder to stay committed to my reading plan.  I also know that summer vacation is my most productive reading time of the year, so I'm sure I will be deeper into the pile in my next update!

Happy Reading!


The War I Finally Won Finished 1/20/18




Just Like Jackie Finished 4/15/18



Fenway and Hattie: Up to New Tricks Finished with Grace 4/15/18




You Go First Currently Reading

Student Centered Coaching  Currently Reading

The Honest Truth - Up Next!




Still in My Must Read Stack

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus



Sticks and Stones


One Amazing Elephant


The List


Grump


Smart Cookie


Granted


The Train of Lost Things


Good Dog




Breakout

The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

Bob

Professional Books in my Must Read Pile

When Writers Drive the Workshop

Readers Front and Center

What Readers Really Do

Celebrating a Love of Nonfiction Through March Madness

Most people think that March Madness is about basketball, but at Williams Elementary School, we know that it's really a celebration of outstanding nonfiction picture books!

One of my favorite March Madness stories occurred during a physical education class. When the teacher asked if anyone knew about March Madness, most of the students enthusiastically raised their hands.  I think he was impressed that so many children knew about college basketball! To his surprise, numerous students responded by explaining that "March Madness is when you read awesome nonfiction books and vote for your favorites!"  The students at Williams Elementary School appreciate being part of a school community that celebrates a love of reading!

After a month of reading and voting, our students selected How The Cookie Crumbled and What Makes a Monster as our 2018 Nonfiction Picture Book finalists.  It's hard to capture the energy and excitement of this epic, annual event in a blog post!  This year's event included a light show, specially selected music, a bubble machine, and a fog machine ... not to mention lots of foot stomping and chanting from students!  Jason Pellerin, the Lawrence High School basketball coach and our master of ceremonies, always knows just how to energize the crowd!

As always, we kicked off our final celebration by announcing the 14 picture books that were part of the original bracket.  Each class selected a student representative who marched in our parade of books in front of the school.  After the parade, we announced each finalist.   

Third grade teacher, Sydney Langis was a fan of How The Cookie Crumbled so she dressed as Ruth Wakefield and entered the gym surrounded by a collection of adorable students dressed as cookies. 

Next, third grade teacher, Bri Brockway celebrated her love for What Makes a Monster by having her students dress as creatures from the book.  You can imagine the energy and excitement when her students danced into the gym to the Monster Mash!

Now it was time for the main event!  Check out this video to watch the big reveal of our 2018 Nonfiction March Madness Champion!

Clearly, our WES students are HUGE fans of Jess Keating since this is the second year in a row that they have selected one of her books as our champion!  Jess is so amazing and thoughtful.  She took the time to craft a special message to the students of Williams Elementary School on her YouTube channel. The kids felt so special to hear from the author!

We were also lucky to receive a special message from Melissa Stewart!

Melissa has been supportive of our project from the beginning. This year she even sent us a few book recommendations for our 2019 March Madness bracket.

I am so grateful to work in a school that centers our traditions and celebrations around a love of reading.  Students have shared that March Madness is awesome because we "read EPIC books and vote in tense battles"! This year we have a new principal who shared with us that she had "never seen students so excited about books in her life.  The buzz about the building during March Madness was amazing."  

We are already starting a list of our contenders for the 2019 March Madness Nonfiction Picture Book tournament!  Feel free to share your favorite nonfiction picture book recommendations in the comments. As an educator, there's nothing better than being part of a community of readers who love to celebrate books!