Today is the fourth day of my five-day series on using
innovations in your classroom during writing workshop. For today’s post,
I’m highlighting The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups
by David Wisniewski.
In case you aren’t familiar with this book, it’s written from a kid’s point of view and has interesting graphics that make the book actually look like torn pages out of a filing cabinet. It’s full of “grown up rules” like eating your vegetables or combing your hair. The fun part comes in when the Wisniewski writes fake reasons for following the rules. For example, the official reason you should eat your vegetables is because they’re good for you, but the REAL top-secret reason is that if kids don’t eat enough vegetables, the vegetables will outnumber the kids and take over the earth.
I love reading this book aloud each year and listening as my students debate over how true the “top secret” reasons may actually be. There are many versions out there, but this one is the one I made. I have my students pick a theme for their rules (school rules, food rules, family rules) and then write three rules. They follow the pattern of the book by listing a rule, stating the official reason, and then creating their own funny/top-secret reason. It’s so fun to see where their imaginations go!
Be sure to check back for Day 5 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 this book for your classroom,
I’d love it if you used my link.
I love this book! It's hysterical. I read it last year to my second graders. If memory serves, I think there is more than one in the series. Thanks for the great idea!
Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
Teaching With Love and Laughter
There is! It must be out of print though because I had a hard time finding one to link up with for a reasonable price.
Very fun Christie! I'm excited to read about days 1-3 this weekend!
Katie
http://iwanttobeasuperteacher.blogspot.com/
Hooray for the weekend, right?! =)
Christie,
I love this! I even have the book! Thanks for sharing!
Teresa
Confessions of a Teaching Junkie
Find me on Facebook!
Another great book idea to pin 🙂
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
I think I was it! I got an orange n reddish ribbon saying I was the 250th follower. I'm new at this n didn't know what to do. Accidentally I clicked something on my phone and it went away! I'm really sad because I missed my chance. I just didn't know what to do, but I still want to say thank you for all the tools you provide here! Congratulations for having 250 followers. Count me in!