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Sunday, February 24, 2013

von der Bibliothek: "Aloha, Dolores" and a FREEBIE!

One of our favorite ways to explore the great wide world is through books about travel and destinations. Our favorite place for books? Die Bibliothek! We are at the library at least once a week.

 photo 510871KYTJL_SL500_AA300__zpsf2beaf95.jpg A new library favorite: Scholastic's "Aloha, Dolores," by Barbara Samuels. In this fun and quirky story, young Dolores is convinced she will win a trip to Hawaii when she enters her cat, Duncan, in a contest sponsored by a brand of cat food he doesn't even like. When they don't win, Dolores creatively turns her disappointment into an imaginary voyage.

"Aloha, Dolores" was read 3 times in its first day at our house; I couldn't miss the chance to maximize the fun and turn it into a literacy event!  


So today's FREEBIE, inspired by Dolores, is a scrapbook drawing page of an imaginary vacation.

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This activity targets "text to self connection," which supports Common Core Language Arts goals. It can also easily be extended to cover "text to text connection." Further, KWL (know, want to know, learned) planning can be incorporated pre- and post-activity.

 Mag thoroughly enjoyed imagining, drawing, and sharing her "vacation." She chose to go to China, where she saw the Great Wall, pet a panda bear, and ate noodles.

This was a big hit here. If you'd like to try this out for yourself, head to the library for "Dolores," then fire up your printer and swing by my store at Teachers Pay Teachers. (Want to know more about Teachers Pay Teachers? Read how much I love TpT here.)

EDITED 03/10/13: This file has been MOVED, and can now be downloaded from Google Docs. Click here.

If you give this a try, stop back in and let us know how it went.

Amusez-vous bien!


Glossary:
von der Bibliothek (German) = from the library
Amusez-vous bien! (French) = Have fun!

18 comments:

  1. Encantada, Julie. I'm enjoying your blogposts and just learning Spanish via Rosetta Stone. Blogging, writing, mothering, and teaching don't leave a lot of time for Spanish, but I'm doing my best! Your blog will inspire me to try harder!

    Wonderful job here!
    Darlene
    meatballsinthemiddle

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    1. Yikes! That is one busy schedule, Darlene! But somehow there is always time for "just one more thing," isn't there? I hope the Spanish continues to go well!

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  2. I have not read the book you mentioned. I will definitely have to check it out. I really enjoy the theme of your blog.

    Amy
    Eclectic Educating

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    1. Thanks so much for the kinds words, Amy. I'm headed to check out your blog tonight, too!

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  3. I just discovered your blog - I LOVE your adorable blog header! Thank you so much for sharing this great freebie. I downloaded it and am excited to use it. Thank you again!

    ~Miss Martin
    Miss Martin’s Classroom

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    1. Thanks, Miss Martin. I have to say that the header is like my "happy place," so it's fun to hear that it speaks to others, too.

      So glad you're trying this Aloha Dolores activity. Hope it's tons of fun for your kiddos!

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  4. What an interesting blog! I've never seen anything like this....how refreshing!

    Lori

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    1. Oooh, "refreshing." I like the sound of that! Thanks Lori!

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  5. I will have to send your blog to my sister-in-law. Her kiddos are in French immersion and there are lots of great ideas here.

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    1. Love your blog. How cute is your blog header!! Really seems to fit you after reading about you.

      Kristy and Misty
      Teachingtimes2

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    2. Mrs. D, yes, please do send my link along to them. It's always nice to have new travel companions! Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your vote of confidence!

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    3. Kristy & Misty, I have to admit, I love my blog header, too. It just makes me happy to look at it. It's nice to hear that it has play with others, too! Thanks for the compliment! (Speaking of cute, you really do have to cutest bulletin boards I've seen!)

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  6. This looks like a great book and lesson! Thanks for the freebie!

    Laura ~ First Grade Spies

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    1. I'm so glad you came by, Laura! Always nice when a favorite blogger stops in!

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  7. This is a new book to me, and it sounds like one we'd love. And the freebie is awesome too.
    Thanks for linking up to Keeping Life Creative! Come back soon :).

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    1. Yes, I think you will like the book since you're a book-loving family, too. And thanks for the props on the printable!

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  8. I love the book "Aloha Dolores". I never thought how much fun kids would have making their own scrapbook! I love finding all these creative ideas on teaching blogs! Thanks for sharing a great way for students to share their "dream" vacations.
    Laura

    Oh, How Pintearesting!

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    1. I know, aren't teaching blogs a fun way to lose an evening?! Besides being full of great inspiration, they have got to be just about the cutest blogs out there! Like YOUR mouse ear motif, for example!

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