Today is the third day of my five-day series on using
innovations in your classroom during writing workshop. For today’s post,
I’m highlighting Never Take a Shark to the Dentist: (and Other Things Not to Do)
by Judi Barrett, The Book of Bad Ideas by Laura Huliska Beith, and Greatest Homework Excuse Book Ever
written by fourth grade students and published by Scholastic.
Today’s innovations had to come in a set of three because I couldn’t possibly choose just one. These are all great books to use for innovations because students LOVE to come up with silly ideas for naughty things not to do at school. It’s fun for them to think of things like rollerblading down the hallways while singing show tunes (true story). For some of my most obedient students who have trouble coming up with bad ideas, I also allow students to choose to do books of good ideas too.
Just like the other innovations, we read the books together at our rocking chair meeting area. Some of the ideas in Never Take a Shark to the Dentist are actually quite clever and take some discussion. It’s always fun for me to hear the echos of “Ahs!” as students slowly “get it” in a chain reaction. For example, one of the ideas is “Never go to the bank with a raccoon” and the illustration shows all the animals holding up their hands like they are in a stick-up as the raccoon enters the bank.
For today’s publishing project, we make another foldable. I use four pieces of computer paper to give students lots of room to write. Instead of using the stapler, I teach students to make this no-staple bound book. It comes in handy for their other publishing projects during the year too. I promise it’s easy to make, but hard to explain in words, so here’s a quick video. No matter how you decide to publish these, you really should give this set of innovations a try… they are so much fun!
Be sure to check back for Day 4 of my Innovation Series. Don’t forget we’re working our way toward a $25 Amazon
gift card giveaway for one randomly chosen follower if my blog reaches
250 followers by the end of this series on Sunday!
In the meantime if you decide to purchase these books for your classroom,
I’d love it if you used my link.

Thanks for visiting my blog! I'm your newest follower. I love your blog design.
~Jada
Daisy Days for Learning
Aww, thank you!
Pinned! Thanks again!
Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
Teaching With Love and Laughter
You're welcome!
Hi Christi!
Thanks for following my blog. I'm following you right back. Be sure to stop by often for more poetry posters this month.
Barb
itsabouttimeteachers.blogspot.com
I bet you get the funniest responses from them! I love how you have to offer the option to write the good ideas for school too…I know I would have some little ones who would sweetly think of the least "bad" things possible:) Such a fun twist…thanks for sharing!
Ellen
Great {First Grade} Expectations.
You're welcome, they really are so fun!
Love your blog! I have some likely lads in my class who I am sure will be able to come up with some 'interesting' bad ideas!
Carolyn
(newest follower)
Sowing Seeds of Learning
You'll have to share them with us!!
Great ideas! Thanks for following me-I jumped right over and am following you now too!
Jen http://wherelearningisfun.blogspot.com/
I love our little blogging world. 🙂
Christie,
Love these ideas! I just ordered the books (through your links.) Thanks for sharing.
Teresa
Confessions of a Teaching Junkie
Find me on Facebook!
I hope your students love them as much as mine do. Thanks!!
These are the greatest posts! What a fabulous idea! I'm "hootsuiting" each day's post tomorrow!~hope you don't mind! Cute, clever, and USEFUL!!!!
Lol…bet you haven't ever used HootSuite as a verb??!! 🙂 Be well!
Ann Marie Smith @ Innovative Connections
Wow, thanks so much. You just made my day. =)
Fun ideas for writing and I am sure the students can really come up with some funny one! Love it!
Lori
Conversations in Literacy
Just pinned these books so that I can make sure I add them to my collection. I bet the stories by the kids are terrific!
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
Sorry but I can't find the link to the video.
I refreshed it, so it should show up embedded again. Here's the link, just in case. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwkMp08UNVU&feature=g-upl 🙂