Things That are Most in the World

Well, right now if you asked me, "Hey, Denise - What's most in the world?" I'd probably say, "The time between now and the last day of freakin school already!!!".  I don't want to seem like I hate my job and can't wait to run for the hills on June 7, but something happens in an elementary school during the last two weeks that is enough to drive even the most sane person, well...insane!

It's a deadly storm. The kids know they're almost done, the assessments, recording of assessments, data notebook work, artic cards, forming classes, report cards, textbook counts, class party...ugh...Calgon take me away!!  I know you feel me. Unless you're already out for the summer. In which case I am extremely jealous. EXTREMELY!

So, as the year winds down and I begin to move things around to pack (oh, left that off the list, didn't I...) I've started to realize that I haven't had a chance to share some of my most favorite books with this class. I decided to share one each day and try to squeeze in at least a little activity to go with it.

Today I read the book Things that are Most in the World by Judi Barrett. It's a great book to introduce superlatives. It's also a great mentor text for word choice, fluency and ideas. It's a quick read, but the phrases and the illustrations are a big hit with the kids. Lots of laughs with this one. One of the pages tells the wiggliest thing in the world is a snake on ice skates. Click on the pic below to check out the book if you'd like.

After I shared the book, we brainstormed a list of other -est words - coldest, coolest, weirdest, funniest, etc. Then in their writer's notebooks they wrote a few ideas using an -est word of their choice following the pattern the author used on each page. Finally, we published it and added an illustration. Not a huge, deep lesson - but it was a great way get a little more out of the book than just a read aloud.

If you'd like the form to use with your own class, just click here to download from Google Docs.

I made one too: The happiest thing in the world is drinking coffee from a real cup on the first morning of summer. But I forgot to take a picture of it. ;0)

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14 comments

  1. Thanks for the share! Can SO relate to your description of those last few days. It's madness! Hang in there!

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  2. I'm feeling you girl! It has not been easy. Not much longer now... That book sounds cute!

    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  3. I feel you and you are NOT alone!!! It does make Summer that much sweeter. Love ya!

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  4. I know what you mean about those last few days. I've dedicated these last few weeks (yes, few, we don't get out until June 18th!) to reading all my favorite books. So far I've read Make Way for Ducklings - Robert McCloskey (I'm from the Boston area) and The Wall- Eve Bunting (Great for Memorial Day)I have a whole bunch more to squeeze in for the next 15 days. The Things That are Most in the World sounds like a fun one to add to my list!

    Sally from ElementaryMatters

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  5. Thanks for sharing about this book! I'm putting it on hold at the library, for my daughter. :)

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  6. Ahh Denise, you speak to my heart. If it makes you feel any better, I am teaching until June 28th !!! We are in the middle of a heatwave here in Southern Ontario, the AC is broken in my classroom and the kids are in full summer mode. People like to think and say that teachers get too much time off but I know in my heart that we earn EVERY day of holidays during these final days/weeks of school. Then the kiddies are unleashed to their parents haha ! I love the book suggestion and response activity. I love to do quick and fast and different little jobs like that to change it up at the end. Thanks !! Oh, I am in the middle of book 2 with Ana and Christian......it really pulls you in ! Counting the days until I am on my deck with real tea in mug on holidays....

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  7. You are most definitely NOT alone.... I'm counting down the days! Thanks for the book idea. I've never heard of that one, but I'm definitely going to look into it. I'm a little obsessed with books ;)

    Katie
    Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans

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  8. Hate to tell you but we are done :) unfortunately we go back August 23rd :( Thanks for sharing!

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  9. Hate to tell you but we are done :) unfortunately we go back August 23rd :( Thanks for sharing!

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  10. We finished on Friday, we go back on August 15th-earlier each year. Looks like a great book to share :)

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  11. Just wanted to thank you and let you know that I used this book with my 2nd graders today for an on-the-fly activity. I wrote "superlative" on the board and had them guess how to pronounce it. Then the kids tried to guess what it meant. My favorite was "super late." Then we brainstormed some silly superlatives and they wrote and illustrated them. By the way, the squirmiest things in the world are 2nd graders who have inside PE and inside recess on a rainy day at the end of the year! Love your blog!

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  12. Thanks for linking up! I'm going to have to check that book out!
    Kimberly
    Funky First Grade Fun

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