Each week the ladies at Two Writing Teachers invite writers to link a “Slice of Life” post on their blog. It is a super supportive community, so….maybe you should join us:)
When I asked Jen Vincent what in the world I was suppose to do for this Mr. Tiger Goes Wild blog tour she told me:
Please share a story of a time in your life when you did something different, out of the ordinary or new and how others responded to you or how you felt. You might reflect on how you experience was similar or different to Mr. Tiger’s in the book.
I thought about writing about deciding to take a new job and teach a different grade, but I’ve been writing about that a lot lately. Today is the first day of school, and on the first day of school I do my darndest to get my kids exciting about reading. A few years ago my wife showed me this video:
I don’t think that anyone after watching that video can question Mr. Ballmer’s love for his company. When my students leave after the first day of school I don’t want any of them to question my love for reading. That is why I do this on the first day:
What are the odds that this blog tour would just so happen to be my first day of school? Crazy. Today is the day that I take my “I love reading” pep talk to a new school and a new grade.
My little talk is not scripted, but I do go into with around 5 books that I plan on “discussing”. The rest of the time I am just flying by the seat of my pants.
A few of the books in today’s talk will be:
Babymouse
Clementine
The One and Only Ivan
Captain Underpants
Amulet
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To celebrate the release of Peter Brown‘s Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, we have a blog tour scavenger hunt for you! Visit all the blogs listed below to collect 7 letters/characters. Unscramble the letters/characters to unlock the secret phrase. Each blog is giving away three copies of Mr. Tiger Goes Wild courtesy of Little, Brown Books and Jen Vincent at Teach Mentor Texts has a Mr. Tiger Goes Wild prize pack to give away.
Jen at Teach Mentor Texts
Aly at Kid Lit Frenzy
Franki at A Year of Reading
Jen at Reederama
Katherine at Read, Write, Reflect
Laura at LibLaura5
Colby at SharpRead
sharpread 
What a great bunch of books to get kids excited about reading, and what a wonderful prize!
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Good luck on your first day! I love the books you’re going to highlight!
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I love your rant…I should have done that with my teachers the other … may there still is time. xo
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Best wishes for your first day, Colby. I wonder what the new kids will do with your book “TALK”? Love it for sure!
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Good luck on your first day – great giveaway!
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Happy first day of school, Colby! I’m sure you’re going to LOVE third grade.
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I can hear those kids now. “You won’t believe what my teacher did today! He’s crazy for reading. This is going to be a great year!” Keep inspiring readers, big and small!
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Fabulous!
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Your students are so lucky! Love it. Strong work Mr. Sharp.
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those kid in you class have no idea how lucky they are! I would give up a year’s salary to spend the year in your classroom!
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How do other teachers respond to your back-to-school love-of-reading speech to students? I think it’s probably hard for people to not catch your contagious love of reading but I can see how some people might wonder what you are up to in there! Hope you had a great day!
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I did NOT know what to expect, but was TOTALLY psyched to read a book! And the thing is—I ALREADY love books! 😀 There is no way these kids are not going to love reading—and YOU! 😀 Great stuff! You reminded me of Robin Williams in “Dead Poet’s Society”! What a great year you and those kids are going to have!
Btw, Peter Brown? Amazing illustrator! And it’s so funny, the other day I sold an “Ivan” book to a B&N customer. They often confuse me for someone who works there, but I don’t tell them ’til AFTER I’ve helped them choose books! lol So much fun 😀
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Happy first day in your new school Mr. Colby Sharp! You will love 3rd grade. The age group is so wonderful and still excited about all the wonderful things hidden away in books waiting to be discovered. I am so excited for you beginning this new adventure. Be sure to get a copy of a 3rd grade favorite book: “Please Write in this Book” by Mary Amato. Here is a book trailer for it. http://youtu.be/ezOIlzPRIv8
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