Scholastic's Update to Match Common Core Recommendations

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!  How are you doing with tackling the Common Core State Standards?  On the spectrum of a novice to an expert, where are you?  Me, I am still understanding the expectations and this year will we be our pilot year for us as we implement the Standards!
To my surprise, the Common Core's Lexile Level and Guided Reading Level recommendations has effected what my Multi-agers will be expected to reach before the end of the year!  Up until now, it has been level M for 2nd Grade.   Level N is now recommended from Common Core's.  Kindergarten (which I do not teach and haven't) is now level C!  What are your thoughts and opinions about the new expectations?  Do most of your students currently reach the new recommendations by Common Core? Are you revisiting the resources you use for literacy?  Have you bought any new texts, books, etc to meet the Common Core State Standards?  Let me know your thoughts!  Here is Scholastic's new chart:  Click Here
Smiles!                      

Common Core and Steve Jenkins- A+ Nonfiction Author!

Steve Jenkins has written and illustrated an impressive collection of picture books for young readers; he is a phenomenal children's author and my 2nd Graders fell in love with his books (so did I).  In fact, some of them even ordered his books when they saw them in Scholastic or asked their parents to go on to Amazon to buy his books!  What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? Jenkins' books are captivating, inventive, gorgeous, playful, engaging, and most of all informative.  Jenkins' books definitely can be used to meet the Reading Standards for Informational Text for Grade 2. 

Here are a few of our TOP PICKS:

 Do you have favorite nonfiction and informative texts that you will be using to meet the Information Text Reading Standards?  If so, please share them.  Or, let me know if you purchase a book of his and how you felt about it!