Mercy Watson Fact and Opinion

Our love for Mercy Watson books continues. We've read all six books now and we're waiting for more! 

Here's a peek at our latest writing activity related to these books. Oh, how I wish I could include a video link...My kids love to act and speak like Eugenia—the grumpy, older sister who often gives her opinions about what pigs should and should not do. It is absolutely hilarious to watch a child raise her fist, stick out her mouth (as if toothless) and say, "In my opinion..." 

You'll have to imagine my kids drama, but here is a look at their writing. On the left side of each page, you'll see facts about real pigs. On the right side of each page, you'll see Eugenia's opinions about pigs.

Fact: Pigs can be white and brown and pink.
Opinion: In my opinion, pigs should not wear necklaces.

Fact: They can be pink with black spots.
Opinion: Pigs do not belong in houses.

Here's the chart we made as a class that helped them along with their independent writing.

If your kiddos also enjoy these books, please leave a post!

Young and Lively Kindergarten

One of the best things about having a blog is meeting your teacher sisters from all over the world. This morning I was surprised to see that my friend Kelly, from Young and Lively Kindergarten, posted about my new blog. Do we have a mutual admiration society? Well yes, we do. Because I love all of her calendar products. Here is the link for her store and the April Kindergarten calendar for Promethean boards:

And here is the link for her blog!

Common Core Video from Teaching Channel

Teacher nerd alert...Yes, I'm on spring break. What am I watching with my morning coffee? Teaching Channel. Before you say, "Girl, get a life," check it out. I was excited to see the emphasis on problem solving in the early-childhood math classroom. Watch the video if you have time. Then check out my "Think, Show, SOLVE!" series. I hope it helps you feel more comfortable using problem solving with your kinders. Also, be sure to share your thoughts about the clip.

Very Hungry Caterpillar Day

Happy Caterpillar Day! My class is chewing their way through an Eric Carle unit. As for my young writers...when they came to Kindergarten they were just hungry little caterpillars. Look how their writing has changed. Now they are butterfly writers ready to take flight!

Here are some reasons that they think you should read this book.

"You should read this book because there is a butterfly. It is so colorful. It is so pretty you might not take your eyes off of it!"

"It teaches you how to learn about caterpillars and cocoons and butterflies.  This is a great book." I love how she spelled great like she says it..."Gu-rate!"


"You should read this book because it tells you sciences."

And then there's this kinder who came to school not knowing one letter or sound...She has definately made her way out of the random-letter cocoon. She is starting to sound out her words.This one makes my heart flutter.

It helps you learn your colors.  It helps you learn education." 

If you want your own copy of this writing page, you'll find it in my free pack of prompts that supports the Georgia Common Core teaching units for Kindergarten. Here's the link to the Georgia units...

And here's the link for the free writing prompts.

Mercy Watson in Motion

You've got them. I've got them. Smart teachers always have them...I'm talking about books you bought at workshops that you couldn't wait to read. Books that you know will inspire you and give you new ideas about teaching. Books that went into the stack of other things "I'll look at this summer when I get my life back." Well, I decided to dig out one of my "to do" books. 

I saw In Pictures and in Words by Katie Wood Ray when I heard the author speak at a workshop. Then it was a book study on a series of blogs I follow. Finally, I'm reading it. Here's what the publisher says about the book:

"Katie Wood Ray begins with a strong, classroom-based research foundation for this powerful, intuitive idea. She fills in In Pictures and in Words with sample student work that documents how children's thinking deepens as they explore illustrations. Then she suggests 50 ways you might use illustrations to help students internalize key aspects of craft through their love of picture books." 

So what does this have to do with the popular, beginning chapter-book series from Kate DiCamillo? Well, we have been reading the Mercy Watson books aloud and the other day one my smarties says, "What is that blue glow around Eugenia?" My brain went..ding, ding, ding...here's a chance to use what you've been reading, silly! From that page on, my kids were fascinated with the techniques the illustrator, Chris Van Dusen, used to show motion. Look at the cover above. See the motion lines around Mercy's behind? Look at the pages below. See the yellow lines all around Eugenia's and Baby's heads? My kids said, "Yikes! What if it really looked like that when you get angry or surprised?"

Later, my kinders wrote in their journals about their favorite Mercy Watson story. Check out the motion lines in their illustrations. 

"My favorite in the Mercy Watson books is the hot buttered toast and the characters." (See the motion lines around the pig?)

"I like when she bumps her head. I like Mercy Watson books." (See the motion lines from the falling character and the stars around her head?)

"My favorite part is when Mercy eats the pansies. That was funny. I love Mercy Watson." (See the motion lines behind the pig?)

"My favorite thing was the animal control bumped her head on the table." (See the stars again?)

Now it's your turn to share. Have you read aloud this series to your class? Or have you used the ideas described in Katie Wood Ray's book? I'd love to hear from you!