Teaching Theme

        We have been reading almost all nonfiction since our return from Christmas break but this week we will return to fiction.  I need to teach my students how to identify the theme of the texts they read.  I am planning on introducing theme as THE MEssage and showing my students a PowerPoint that I found online.  I also will be using some of Peter H. Reynolds's books like ish and The Dot.  Plus I have a couple of books on hold over at Barnes and Noble ready for pick up-Enemy Pie and The One.  In the years past I have used Kevin Henkes's mice books and Amazing Grace.  I am curious do you have any books that you like to use to teach theme?  Please let me know if you have a great "must use" books!!!

How'd you meet your hunny?

        

        Abby at the Third Grade Bookworm blogged about Chrissy B.'s linky party regarding how you met your hunny.  I do not usually join linky parties (because I don't actually know how to link up-still very much a "nube" when it comes to all of the bloggy stuff).  But I did want to share how I met my best friend and husband of almost eight years Bill.  So here's our story . . . 

        I was in my last year of college and had just begun my student teaching when the singles group at my church signed up to build a house with the wonderful group Habitat for Humanity.  I have no building skills whatsoever but decided to go anyway.  So early on Saturday, January 18, 2003 my roommate and I got up and got dressed in nineteen degree weather to go help build a house for Habitat for Humanity.  So there I was bundled up like the Michelin man looking not that cute and I met this really sweet and funny guy.  Over the next eight weeks we met up every Saturday morning and helped build a house for a really nice family.  The sweet and funny guy turned out to be a whole lot more!  My original goal was to help a family build a home - little did I know that family helped me build my own home with the love of my life and bestie Bill.