Book Boxes....Round 3

 When I first started Daily Five and using book boxes, I used these that I got from Walmart.

They worked okay, but they really weren't that sturdy.


So, last year, I ordered these to use as my book boxes.

I bought them from Classroom Direct.  I really liked them and thought that they would be durable.  Little did I know that I would have a class that was quite rough on our supplies.  Let's just say I had several students who did not realize their own strength.

I knew that I was going to have to do something different this year.  Earlier this summer, I saw this from Really Good Stuff:

I was/am in LOVE.  It is $169 and it's not just the frame....the plastic bins come with it!  With their EZ pay option, I could convince myself that I wasn't spending as much money (stupid, I know).

After being back ordered for little over a month, it FINALLY arrived.  It took me less than a half an hour to put it together!

It also came with labels and plastic covers:

The boxes come in a variety of color choices.  Click HERE if you would like to go to check it out for yourself!

Happy Monday!

Book Boxes

I started Daily Five in January, and LOVED it.  However, I did not love the book boxes that I bought for my kiddos.  They took up a lot of space and they tended to tip over.  They served their purpose for last year, but I knew that I was going to want something different.  Here is an example of my old book boxes:

I REALLY wanted plastic magazine boxes this year but they are SO expensive.  After some searching, I discovered these:

I got these heavy duty, colorful cardboard magazine boxes from Classroom Direct.  They come six to a pack and did I mention they are colorful?  These boxes are much more in line with what I wanted because not only will they be able to keep their books in them, but also their writer's notebooks!

Do you use book boxes in your classroom?  What type of container do you use?

Happy Wednesday!

Bead-Azzling Readers

I am sorry that I haven't been able to post for the last few days.  My oldest had a stomach bug on Wednesday, my two-year-old had it yesterday, and my husband has it now. I am the last one standing....YIKES!  As I have been Cloroxing the house (and myself) I keep repeating, "I will not get sick.  I will NOT get sick."  So far, it seems to be working.

I was only in school for three days this week because of snow on Tuesday and then the beginning of the sickness on Wednesday.  We surprisingly have gotten a lot accomplished.

In my Daily Five journey, we are up to four minutes of Read to Self, and I have been amazed at the outcome!  They are so into it!  In fact, I had several kiddos who were really upset with me when we finished Read to Self!

Hopefully, it will continue to go smoothly.

While on the topic of reading, as some of you may know, our school uses the Accelerated Reader program.  In December we used a reading incentive of adding links to a paper chain on our holiday tree for every 100% earned.

In January, we are having Bead-Azzling Readers.  On a bulletin board, I have pinned a small gift bag for each child (so there is no comparison about how many beads a child has, etc.).  Every time they get a 100% on an AR test, they get to pick a bead from the 100% box.  To encourage my kiddos to read more chapter books and non-fiction, they will get an additional bead for every 100.

At the end of the month, they will make necklaces with the beads they have earned.  I was a little nervous at first about what the boys would say, but they have been just as excited as the girls.

Here are some pictures of the Bead-Azzling Readers board and the bead boxes:

The 100% beads are just regular beads that you get about 1000 in a container.  The non-fiction beads are star shaped.  The chapter book beads look like the 100% beads, just much larger.  I got all of the beads at my new favorite place - Hobby Lobby.

I am curious, do your schools participate in the AR program?

Happy Friday!

Daily Five

With all of the smelly excitement yesterday, I completely forgot to share that I started Daily Five.  I have read about Daily Five from SOO many of you, that I ordered The Sisters' books to read during break.  I have to tell you, I am LOVING these ideas.

Yesterday I did the Good Fit Book lesson.  My students thought it was funny when I clomped around in my husband's shoes and HYSTERICAL when I tried to put my six-year-old's shoe on.

I brought in some books that I find interesting, plus a dirt bike magazine (which I don't find interesting) and a Thomas the Train book, that after two boys, I would be happy if I never had to look at it again!

Then I turned them loose.  This was very hard for me.  I have discovered that I do NOT like to give up control, but I did it - in a controlled way four kids at a time.   Okay, I obviously have to work on that! 

It was really interesting to watch and listen to what they were saying.  Some of them actually opened to the first page read a few words!  They either shook their heads and put the book back or took it with them to their seats!

Then there was little John (name change).  He REALLY wanted a chapter book.  I mean REALLY  wanted a chapter book.  Even though it was not a good fit for him, I told him to go ahead and try it.  Every few seconds he would come to me and ask help for a word.  This happened about ten times on just the first page.  Finally he came up and said that it wasn't the right fit, and could he try again!!  I helped steer him along to a better choice.

Today I was supposed to do the lesson on ways to read and begin Read to Self.  However we didn't have school today because of snow and the fact that it is almost 1:00 and the temperature is 5 degrees with the windchill!

For those of you who follow Daily Five, or your version of Daily Five, how do you work book boxes?  I've got the boxes, they have been filled, but where do you keep them?  How do you let your kids get new ones?  How often?  HELP!

One last thing.  Since there was no school today because of snow and cold, I have added a Snowy Days of January Word Wall sheet to my TPT store.  It is included in the sale that ends soon.  If you would like to take a peek, CLICK HERE!

Happy Tuesday!