Week 15 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week 15 #PictYourBooks Challenge

Today is Monday but students (at least in my school district) won't be seeing this video today. Students have a day off. All the teachers will be in meetings today, working with one another and doing some professional learning, but the students get the day off.

Which means it's probably Tuesday now for all of the students reading this message. I hope you enjoyed your day off.

That brings us to this week's challenge:

Challenge #15: Share a book with a day off.

Remember, creative answers are welcome and encouraged. Maybe it's a vacation or a weekend away. Maybe someone just needs a break from something difficult. However you can find a day off in your book, I can't wait to hear it.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 14 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week 14 #PictYourBooks Challenge

There are some cool signs that are hanging in my school. Here's the first one:

The sign made me think, "If you don't have superpowers, how can you be a superhero?" But then I noticed these other two signs:

If there are superhero rules or directions on how to be a superhero, I expected things like flying, super-speed, super-strength, or invisibility, stuff like that. But those powers aren't listed. Instead there are actions like "do your best" and "never give up" and "stand up for what's right" and "be kind."

I guess there's a difference between superpowers (like flying) and the power to do something super (like stand up for what's right). Which leads us to this week's challenge.

Challenge #14: Share a book where a character has superpowers OR the power to do something super.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 13 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week 13 #PictYourBooks Challenge

It's been a long time since we've had a new challenge. Week 12 started the week before winter break so there was a week of school, a week of vacation, a week of some vacation and two days of school, and finally, here we are with a new challenge. It's been three weeks, and that's a pretty long time!

But what is a "long" time. I think we would all agree that 100 years, for example, is a long time. But there's other ways to think about a "long" time. Waiting in line can feel like a really long time when it's actually only a few minutes. What are some other things that feel like a long time?

The challenge for week 13 of the #PictYourBooks challenge is all about a long time. Make sure you think creatively to answer this one. Some books might happen over a character's lifetime, while other books might be about a short time that feels really long, like waiting for a birthday party to start. Be creative! Any way a book answers the challenge is fine with me!

Challenge #13: Share a book where something takes a long time.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 12 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week 12 #PictYourBooks Update

School starts back up again today (Thursday) after winter break for everyone in our school district, but that means it's only a two-day week. Also, there are teachers and students who participate in the #PictYourBooks challenge from schools in other districts who might not start until next Monday. So week #12 will continue through this week, and week #13 will start next Monday. That means there are still a few days left to submit a book for the week #12 challenge:

Challenge #12: Share a book where a holiday is celebrated. 

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 12 #PictYourBooks Challenge

It's the last week of school before the holiday break which means time to read, play in the snow, visit with friends and family, and celebrate the holidays. So whether you celebrate a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Kwanzaa, have a great holiday break from school, and we'll see you in the New Year.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still have this week's #PictYourBook challenge! Since the holidays are so important to this time of year, let's do a holiday challenge: 

Challenge #12: Share a book where a holiday is celebrated.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 11 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week 11 #PictYourBooks Challenge

I remembered!

The last #PictYourBooks post explained how I forgot to share an update with everyone about how Week #10 was actually going to last for two weeks. I was going to post that on Monday, but forgot. Then it was going to be on Tuesday, but I forgot. So it finally appeared on Wednesday.

In that post I said that maybe forgetfulness would be part of the next challenge. Well, the next challenge is here, and I remembered!

Challenge #11: Share a book where something is forgotten or remembered (or both). 

Maybe a thief carelessly left behind a clue, forgetting to cover his tracks. Maybe a detective remembered something important which helped solve a crime. Maybe characters who are up to mischief forgot when Mom was coming home and got caught. Be creative in how you see forgetting or remembering in your books. I can't wait to see what you share.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 10 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week #10 was a strange one since there was a short week for Thanksgiving followed by another short week (at least in our district) because students had Monday off so the teachers could have a professional development day. Regardless of the reason, there were only two books shared for week 10 so there's no video for this week.

Good luck on week #11, everyone!

#PictYourBooks Challenge Update

As you have probably guessed, there is no #PictYourBooks challenge for this week. Week 11 will take place next week, starting on Monday as usual.

It was my plan all along to let week 10 go for two weeks since Thanksgiving week is a short week (especially in our district where students had Wednesday off in addition to Thursday and Friday). So please continue sending your responses for:

Challenge #10: Share a book where a character is thankful.

My apologies for forgetting to post the update this past Monday. Hmmm... Forgetfulness. Maybe week 11's challenge should be something about being forgetful. I think I'll do that next week.

If I remember.

Week 10 #PictYourBooks Challenge

Some weeks take longer than others to decide what the weekly challenge will be. I do have a list of ideas, but the decision sometimes, some weeks, takes a while. I'm not really sure why.

But not this week. It's Thanksgiving week, so this week's challenge was an easy one to choose.

Challenge #10: Share a book where a character is thankful. 

One more thing. I'm thankful for all the students and teachers who participate in the #PictYourBooks challenge. I can't wait to see the books that get shared each week. THANK YOU for sharing!

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 9 #PictYourBooks Answers

Books for Week 9, Share a book where music is important:

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuoso

Duke Ellington

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

Wendell the Narwhal

We Can

Giraffes Can't Dance

Strega Nona

Over the River and Through the Woods: A Thanksgiving Poem

Trombone Shorty

Week 8 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week 9 #PictYourBooks Challenge

Two weekends ago my son and I had the opportunity to see the musical Hamilton in Milwaukee, and let me tell you, it was pretty amazing.

Then this past weekend my son got to see another musical with his mom. Two musicals in two weekends with two parents. Is that kid lucky or what?

My family listens to all sorts of music. I'm sure many of you are the same, and you love listening to the radio or your favorite singers or bands. Some of you probably even take music lessons for an instrument or for singing. All of this music was the inspiration for this weeks #PictYourBooks challenge:

Challenge #9: Share a book where music is important.

You know what would have been really funny? Instead of sharing a picture of the book, you had to send me a video of you singing your answers! But don't worry, a picture will do just fine.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 8 #PictYourBooks Answers Delayed

There are technical difficulties with this week's video, but I hope to have it finished on Monday night. I will publish it on the website as soon as it's completed, and it will be ready for school on Tuesday.

Week 8 #PictYourBooks Challenge

Today is Veterans Day. Today was originally known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I in 1918, but it was officially changed in 1954 to Veterans Day. Today is the day we recognize and honor all people who have served in the United States Armed Forces - the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Our veterans have bravely served our country, and sometimes people call veterans heroes. I agree. My dad is a veteran, and I consider him a hero, especially as I learn more and more about everything he did while in the army. I'm sure many of you also know people who are veterans, whether they are family, friends, or neighbors.

So this week our #PictYourBooks challenge is about heroes. Even though my introduction is about Veterans Day and how veterans can be considered heroes, the books you choose for this week can have any kind of hero. (But I'll be impressed if you can share books with veterans!)

Challenge #8: Share a book with a hero.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 7 #PictYourBooks Answers

Week 7 Books with a surprise:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Keeper of the Lost Cities
Babymouse for President
Elvis and the Underdogs
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog
Big Lizard, Little Lizard
The Birthday Kitten
Sammy’s Special Day
Yes Day!
Finders Keepers
Waiting Is Not Easy!
Unicorn Is Maybe Not So Great After All

Week 7 #PictYourBooks Challenge

Something surprised me this weekend, and to make a long story short, I thought surprises might be a great subject for a #PictYourBooks challenge. 

Sometimes events happen that surprise the characters. Sometimes we, as readers, get surprised by what characters say or do. So here's your next challenge: 

Challenge #7: Share a book with a surprise.

You have one week to submit your answer. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 6 #PictYourBooks Answers

Books featured for Week 6, share a book with a first:

I Really Like Slop

Gus

We Don't Eat Our Classmates

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

Clementine

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Miles Morales: Spider-Man

Koala Lou

Week 6 #PictYourBooks Challenge

I just got a notification on my phone and it said, "FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON FOR MOST AREAS MONDAY NIGHT. A strong upper level disturbance will bring the first snow of the season to most areas on Monday night."

We've already had a challenge about crazy weather, so I won't ask about that again. But since this is the FIRST real snowfall of the season, let's ask a question about firsts.

Challenge #6: Share a book with a first. 

How you choose to answer this one is up to you. I'm looking forward to some creative and interesting responses!

You have one week to submit your answer before we move on to week 5. Answers can be submitted three ways. Snap a picture of any book that answers the challenge and:

• text it to (715) 903-6455
• email it to PictYourBooks@gmail.com
• respond to @HelpReaders on Twitter

Please include the week number with your picture. You may also include who the image is from, like a teacher's name, and a description of how the book answers the challenge. Writing information on a sticky note and including it in the picture works great!

To be notified of new challenges and weekly wrap up videos, sign up for email updates. Enter your email address under "Subscribe for email notifications" at the top of the page on the right side.

Week 5 #PictYourBooks Answers

Book Submitted for Week 5:
Stone Fox
Who Wins the Race
Jim Wins
Hot Rods
Hi, Fly Guy!
The Little Red Hen
You Get What You Get
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type
Giggle, Giggle, Quack
The Princess and the Pit Stop
I Want My Hat Back
Ghost, Patina, Sunny, Lou - The Track Series