Chronicles of Narnia podcast

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I recently came across the Chronicles of Narnia podcast. Listening to audiobooks is a win-win for anyone involved: It can help pass the time on road trips, struggling readers can listen to the words as they follow along with the printed text, younger children can hear the book even before they can read it independently. At one school where I taught, students were able to check out iPods (with parent permission) in order to listen to audiobooks like this one. While not all schools are able to offer iPods, I think that offering this kind of a service (even just at school) is valuable. Finding the mp3 files for free is a bonus, too!

How have you/could you use audio books in your classroom?

Where little heads lie down

Growing up, I always begged my mom to let me have my own room. In fact, several years in a row I wrote "My own room" on my Christmas list as something that I wanted. My mom worked out a great rotation to let each of her three daughters have their own room for a short while. While I thought that the solution, at the time, was mediocre, I know now how I should be quite thankful. A friend shared this link with me from the NY Times featuring photos of where children around the world sleep.

How could you use this to inspire discussions in your classroom? How could having students draw a picture of their bedrooms reveal something about their lives?

300 free labels from Staples

Staples has a great coupon for 300 free printed labels this week from their print center. Last week, I used their coupon for 100 free B&W business cards for my name cards and they turned out beautifully. I'm thinking that these labels could be used to label your classroom belongings. Or, use them as return address labels.

How would you use them?

New products online!

With a new change in my schedule, I'm thrilled to announce that I will have the time and flexibility to review and post more of my materials online. Not only will documents be posted here, but you can also find free and low-cost materials at my Teachers Pay Teachers online store at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Holly-Smucker-2. Check it out!