In the fall, my classroom participated in the Global Read Aloud.  It was our first time, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  For next year, I am all in to make some solid connections with other classrooms reading the same book.  I can't wait to see what is chosen.  This year, I read The Wild Robot by Peter Brown.  To say that my kids liked this book is a vast understatement.  I'd finish a refreshingly short chapter, and shut the book to the following statements:
"No!"
"Come on!"
"Seriously?"
"You can't stop there!"
"Nooooooo!" (actual number of o's)

This is not a reaction you get from every read aloud.  My second graders were captivated.  We finished the book hoping for the best for Roz, Brightbill, and their friends.  This week I surprised my class with the sequel, The Wild Robot Escapes.  For dramatic effect, I sneakily put the copy into one of our bookshelves before the kids walked in for the day.  I wanted to see how long it took them to realize it was there.  It took less than a minute for one of my students to bring it to me, ask if he could read it, and then promptly shout "LOOK WHAT'S FINALLY HERE!" to his classmates.  My little I-waited-for-the-release-of-every-Harry-Potter-book-at-the-stroke-of-midnight heart was overjoyed.  I am thrilled that my students have that same anticipation for a brand new book.  With the exception of one student who matter-of-factly stated, "that was not my favorite."  Which, I was also thrilled with, but that's a post for another time.  We began the book together on Monday and I can't wait to hear more "nooooooooo!"

Me: Let's go, we need to get to the cafeteria!
​Student: Get to the chopper!

This post has little to do with literacy, with the exception that I'll probably be listening to an audio book during the process.  Who else loves a good audio book while exercising?  I'm a big music fan, but when I workout I get more into the music and less into what I'm doing and my exercise turns into a running/dancing/lip-syncing hybrid.  It's not a good look.

ANYWAY, I am a constantly busy person, and fitness most often gets put to the side.  It's nearing the end of March, but I'm setting a new resolution for the year.  January can't have all the hopes and dreams.  Challenge: Run a 5k once a month.  I know I can run that distance and the money always goes to a good cause.  Knowing that I have a 5k to work towards might just get me off the couch. Yes, I know I should want to stay in shape for my own health, but my own health also likes to eat a lot of ice cream.  The heart wants what the heart wants.  Which, in this case, is the desire to be healthier with a strong dose of Mackinac Island Fudge.  I'm hoping this challenge will give me another thing I need: a kick in the pants.

I'm going to squeak one in during the last weekend of March.  Here we go!