Sunday, May 26, 2013

Must Read Mentor Text Link Up!


For this week's social studies mentor text link up with Collaboration Cuties, I have chosen to share a text called, Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson.  

This is a wonderful text for teaching students about the extraordinary affect we have on others when we do ordinary things for others--an important character ed lesson.  The text starts with Mary picking blueberries and putting them on  Mrs. Bishop's porch, who then bakes them into delicious muffins that she shares with five people she thinks may have secretly given her the berries. And so the story goes... One person does something kind for the next until Mary's ordinary deed has touched the lives of an enormous number of people.  

This text sparked a thoughtful discussion of the things we do for others that make us extraordinary.  

I read this book aloud toward the end of this school year when I discovered it, although I plan to use it early this coming school year.  I also plan on putting together a couple of activities this summer to accompany the text...


This text is also available in iTunes for use on an iPad, iPhone, or iPad touch.  Click here to learn more and view screen shots of the text.



OK, I know I am a week late, but I thought I would piggy back on this post and share the science texts I wanted to share last week but did not have a spare moment to do so...

I won't go into great detail about each text, but just want to say how fabulously these texts incorporate poetry/riddles and non-fiction and important concepts related to animal adaptation, survival, and growth. Since the year has ended for us, I have been thinking a lot about the texts that I have but haven't used with the kids yet. Here are three I will be using next year with links to more information.

by David M. Schwartz & Yael Schy


Fly on over to Collaboration Cuties to view more must read mentor texts!


We would also love for you to benefit from six weeks of awesome freebies over at the Teacher's Clubhouse on Teachers Pay Teachers! It's all in celebration of their 6th birthday! Fly on over to Teaching Maddeness to find out more--TODAY!


Have a fabulous week!

16 comments:

  1. Hi! I found your blog through the SS mentor text linky and am your newest follower! Thanks for sharing this book. It looks super cute and provides a terrific lesson for kids. I will be teaching 2nd grade next year, so I'm pumped to have found your blog. Have a great Memorial Day!

    -Amanda
    http://www.teacheratthewheel.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping over! We are so excited to have you and wish you the best as you embark on your second grade journey. :0) It's great to have you as a follower--our 100th!

      Have a fabulous week--
      Sarah & Courtney

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  2. I was you 100th follower!! That makes me extra excited =)

    -Amanda
    Teacher at the Wheel

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  3. I LOVE all the books you shared! I haven't seen any of them before. Ordinary Mary looks adorable! Thanks for giving me some new ideas for my classroom library!
    Gina
    Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping over! I am heading over your way to check out your link up...

      Have a wonderful week--
      Sarah

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  4. Just added Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed to my wish list-it will be perfect for an activity I do with my class! Thank you for sharing! I'm #101!!!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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    1. Super! Thanks so much for stopping over and becoming our 101th follower!

      Smiles,
      Sarah & Courtney

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  5. Wow! I love these book suggestions! Glad you stopped by my blog- I'll be following you too!
    By the way, I love your blog design!
    Thanks,
    Karli :)
    Creating a Thoughtful Classroom

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  6. Such a sweet book. Kids need to hear things like this often. Thanks for sharing! Congrats on 100, I've been following you for a while now. Great post. ;)
    Brandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners

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    1. Thanks! Love reading your posts--was glad to find the Nerdy Book Club through your blog. I must spend some more time reading your past week's posts, as I have been so busy with rounding out another fab year!

      Take care--
      Sarah

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  7. This book looks awesome. I wanted to use it this year while teaching about character values but I could not find it at the library - looks like I am going to have to order myself a copy!

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    1. I just got it this year form Amazon, yet it is also available at the Clever School Teacher in a grouping of other great texts...

      Have a wonderful week--
      Sarah

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  8. Awwwww how cute is Ordinary Mary! I have to have that book! And I'm super psyched you went ahead and linked up science too because that is exactly what Stacia and I were looking for when we just did our adaptations unit! Yay!

    Thanks for linking up and congrats on 100!
    Amanda
    Collaboration Cuties

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    1. Super! The Where in the Wild? book is one in a grouping, although I do not have the others... I need to pick them up as well.

      Take care--
      Sarah

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  9. What a sweet book. Sounds like one I need to have at home with my own daughter, as well as in my class.
    Thanks.

    School Is a Happy Place

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  10. Thanks for sharing these great books! I am definitely going to use Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed with my kiddos next year. I love getting new ideas for building a caring classroom community!

    The Fashionista Teacher

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