Harry Potter Photo Prints

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two hits theaters and will wrap up the 8-movie series. Millions of fans are buzzing about the final battle, and to help share in the excitement, Uppercase Living is offering three exclusive Photo Prints™ of the movie’s heroes: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Now you can add larger-than-life décor to your library or "Potter Parties", and on the bedroom walls of the littlest fans in the house. These prints will only be available until August 31 at 11:59 p.m., so don’t wait! 

The new adhesive features a patented technology that adheres well once applied, yet peels off easily to minimize the risk of wall-damage sometimes associated with prints of this size. 

http://shannonm.uppercaseliving.net/ShopLanding.m
Click on "Special Offers" to order the three prints.

Harry Potter Item # 700121

Size: 47"x 13.5"

Price: $49.95

Ron Weasley
Item #700122

Size: 47"x 15.5"

Price: $49.95

Hermione Granger Item #700123

Size: 47"x 11"

Price: $49.95

Downloading eBooks from the public library

You will need to see if your public library has the R.E.A.D.S. system. You also need a public library card.

You will have to create a R.E.A.D.S. account. You might have to choose your local library type in your library number on the back of your library card.

You will need to download Adobe Digital Editions on your computer. You can get it here
http://reads.lib.overdrive.com/84D8F863-66E9-4684-94C2-807DA3717A10/10/337/en/Help-QuickStartGuide.htm
Scan down on the page and it's under Step 1.

Once you haev downloaded the program you  can browse the books. The Nook supports
* e-Book - EPUB files
* e-Book - PDF files

When you are on the main R.E.A.D.S homepage you can see those choices in a dark blue box on the left.

I will usually click on one of those so I don't waste my time looking at audio books.

Once you finds a book she wants she can click on "add to cart". I also put a hold on a lot of books to because you have to wait in line for them. They will e-mail you when it becomes available.

To download on your computer...
Click on the "My Cart" tab on the top.
Click "Proceed to Checkout".
At the top choose 7,14, or 21 days from the Lending Period drop down box.
Click "Confirm Checkout'.
Click "Download".
Save the file on your desktop.
Once it's there you can open Adobe Digital Editions and drag the book into it.

To get it on your Nook...
Plug in your Nook to the computer using the USB cord that came with it.
You'll have Adobe Digital Editions open and on the left under the Bookshelf you'll see "Media"...that's the Nook.
Drag the book over to that file and it will download it on your Nook.

There is also a Facebook group called,  "I have a Nook and I'm willing to share books". I've borrowed 4 of my books that way. People post what they have to share under the Discussion board there. If you are the first person to post that you want the book and you send that person a message then you'll typically be the one who gets it.

I've also sent a form and $15 to join the Philadelphia Free Public Library. (Not free to TN residents). They have a boatload of ebooks. It may have been money I didn't need to spend because I have found enough through my local library.

Be on the lookout for "Free Friday". B&N offers a free eBook on Friday's. Titles will vary. They also have a section of eBooks that cost under $5. Some titles change each month.

Grant #2 - "We're Nooked on eBooks"

The students are getting 6 Nook Colors from Barnes & Noble! I got mine for Christmas 2010 and I absolutely LOVE mine. I find that it is more convenient than carrying a book with me everywhere I go. The Nook fits nicely in my purse. I also set it up on the treadmill and read while I run. Makes the time go by much faster.

With the grant money I will also be purchasing some science and math related eBooks. Another good think about Nook's is that if you buy 1 book you can share that book across 6 Nooks. So I get to buy the book once and all the Nook's will have access to it.

Other great things about the Nook Color
- You can borrow books from the public library (with your library card).
- It's in COLOR - children's books still show the gorgeous illustrations.
- You can get Apps on it now.
- "LendMe" feature. You can share the eBooks that you purchase with other Nook owners. Actually you can also lend it out to a Kindle owner but I'm afraid they can't return the favor.
- The screen can be turned either horizontal or vertical.
- "Read and Play" Interactive books
- Exclusive "Read to Me" feature which reads the text to your young child or beginning reader.
- Build in Wi-Fi
- Lighted display screen that you can adjust. This is very handy for reading in bed at night.
- Adjustable text size.

I'm excited to bring these features, and Nook Colors, to my students.

Grant #1 - "Go Research Science"

So I said I would talk about the two grants...and then school started. It's the busiest time of year for a teacher.

Grant #1 - "Go Research Science"
A few years ago I learned about PebbleGo, an on-line database for K-3 students, and I fell in love with it! Unfortunately with budgets the way they are I couldn't afford a subscription. I am so happy that I was awarded the grant to purchase a 1-year subscription. It also turns out that you can get a discount if you purchase a subscription to all three databases so my students are in luck! This year we will have access to
* PebbleGo Animals
* PebbleGo Biographies
* PebbleGo Earth/Space
I know I already have one second grade teacher in mind for her animal research project.

What I love about this database:
* It is designed for emergent readers
* Fully narrated text which is perfect for students who can't read
* Citation help. It's never to early to teach students about how to cite their sources!
* Audio and video clips
* Text highlighting

For more details visit http://www.pebblego.com/login.php
You can find a rep and request a temporary password to get access to the databases to look it over.

Grant Winner

I am pleased to announce that I have been awarded the funding for both, yes that's 2, of my City School Foundation Grant applications! I am honored and excited to bring some really cool things to the students at my school.

The grants I won are named "We're Nook'ed on eBooks" and "Go Research Science".

In the next week I will share the basics of my two ideas.

Elephant & Piggie Series

2007 - Today I Will Fly!
           My Friend is Sad!
           There is a Bird on Your Head!
           I Am Invited to a Party!

2008 - I Love My New Toy!
           I Will Surprise My Friend!
           Are You Ready To Play Outside?

2009 - Watch Me Throw the Ball!
           Elephants Can Not Dance!
           Pigs Make Me Sneeze!

2010 - We Are In a Book!
           Can I Play, Too?
           I Am Going!
2011 - I Broke My Trunk!
           Should I Share My Ice Cream?
           Happy Pig Day!

These beginning reader books are great for ages 4-7. The good thing about a series of books is that if your child likes them you know more titles for them to read. They are a safe choice and children like the familiarity of the characters. If you are looking for some popular series for specific age groups check out this section at Barnes and Noble.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/Childrens-Book-Series/379001911/

On the left you will see a breakdown of four different age groups.

The Elephant & Piggie Party Kit – 28 page guide

http://www.pigeonpresents.com/teachersguides/EandP_eventkit11.pdf

There is really enough books and lesson plan ideas in this guide just to focus on Elephant & Piggie for the week.

Elephant & Piggie Dance Game

Goes well with Elephants Cannot Dance!

http://www.pigeonpresents.com/DanceGame/

Please remember that if you are finding the information on this blog useful and would like to make a donation to go towards paying off my student loan you can make a donation via PayPal to murphy1620@yahoo.com Make sure to click on the "Personal" tab so that I won't incur fees. Thank you!

Knuffle Bunny Books

2004 – Knuffle Bunny; A Cautionary Tale

2007 - Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity

2010 - Knuffle Bunny Free: an Unexpected Diversion

If you have a child and they have a favorite stuffed animal than you fear what happens to the little girl, Trixie, in these stories. She looses her Knuffle Bunny (pronounced with a hard k)! Since Trixie can’t talk her attempts to tell her dad go unnoticed but when mom figures out what sh is saying you can see the dread in the characters faces. The other stories in the series find Knuffle Bunny missing in action again.

I love the illustrations in this book. Mo Willems combines pictures that he took of his neighborhood with his ink drawing illustrations over the top. Rumor has it that the first book is based on a true story. As a parent you will enjoy this book as much as the kids do, just from a different perspective.

Classroom Activities

http://pigeonpresents.com/teachersguides/knuffle_teachguide.pdf

* Consider allowing your class to bring their favorite stuffed animal when you read the book.