About me

My name is Deeanna Gunderson. I’m a 4/5th grade teacher who teaches in Brooklyn, NY. I have been an educator for ten years. I have taught in Japan, New York and Oakland, CA. In addition to being a teaching nerd I also enjoy crafting, riding my bike and studying languages (Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish).

I was inspired by my sweetheart who has a drawing-a-day blog (http://doodlebird.wordpress.com). He started a blog to improve his drawing. I’m hoping that my blog will help me improve my knowledge of childrens literature so I can choose engaging books to read aloud and recommend to my students.

I hope you find it helpful!

deeannagunderson@gmail.com

22 Comments Add your own

1. Jessica Ramsey | August 29, 2009 at 10:33 am

Deanna – Thanks so much for sharing your list of favorite read books. Someone showed me your site and I was so excited to see that you have tagged them. I was even more excited when I saw that you were a TRIBES teacher. If you would like more books to add to your list to teach the agreements let me know. I have also put together a list.
Thanks so much!
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- 2. Deeanna--365readalouds.wordpress.com | August 29, 2009 at 12:10 pm
  
  I would love to see your Tribes list. At the beginning of each school year I feel like I’m always scrambling to find good read alouds for teaching the Tribes agreements. There are a ton of books on mutual respect and appreciations/no put-downs but, I’m having trouble finding books that could be used to teach attentive listening. I started this blog after leading a workshop on interactive read aloud at my school. Toward the end of the workshop we started sharing out Tribes read aloud titles. I thought, “How am I going to keep track of all this?” I got the idea of tagging each title from boyfriend who does this great daily drawing blog where he categorizes each of his drawings (doodlebird.wordpress.com).
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3. Stacey | August 30, 2009 at 4:48 pm

What a great mission for a blog!
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- 4. Deeanna--365readalouds.wordpress.com | August 30, 2009 at 9:05 pm
  
  Thank you! I’m learning so much.
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5. Rebekah Adamek | September 1, 2009 at 12:49 pm

Books rule! Thanks for this blog, Deeanna. It’s nice to see a lot of hard work being put to good use! Keep on reading! Your friend, Rebekah
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6. Lisa | September 14, 2009 at 9:52 pm

So, you must work with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (Lucy Calkins)…I see so many things in your blog that is part of their program. Our school is working with them as well, we are an affiliate district. Love this philosphy of teaching!! Thanks for all of your ideas and posts. I teach 4th grade, and your lists of books, etc. are awesome!!!!
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- 7. Deeanna | September 14, 2009 at 10:09 pm
  
  Thank you so much. My school is a TC school. We are so fortunate to work with two TC staff developers (one for lower grades and one for upper grades). The calendar days and institutes are fantastic. I’ve been to the Summer Reading Institute twice. Both institutes helped not only my teaching life, but my own reading life as well.
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8. Joann | October 11, 2009 at 11:05 am

I love coming back to this list you have compiled – I am starting my own read aloud list tied in to the Habits of Mind since that is one of our school focus’ this year. I would be more than glad to share it with you once it is complete if you are interested.
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- 9. Deeanna | October 11, 2009 at 12:28 pm
  
  Thanks! I would love to take a look at the list you’re compiling. Thanks for sharing. My school is in the beginning stages in our quest to incorporate the Habits of Mind. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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10. Shana | November 6, 2009 at 8:29 pm

Hey there, Miss Deeanna!
Colleen talked up your blog recently, so I had to check it out. This is so cool! Keep up the amazing work.
-Shana
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- 11. Deeanna | November 6, 2009 at 11:31 pm
  
  Thanks for your support!
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12. tina zheng | January 9, 2010 at 9:18 pm

hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!your blog is great!:)
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13. tina zheng | January 9, 2010 at 9:26 pm

Those books sound intresting! -Tina Zheng (From your class this year your is so cool!)
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14. Janice Manning | April 13, 2010 at 7:47 pm

hey Deanna,

I love your blog. I am so impressed with the details and links to content topics, Tribes agreements, Habits of Mind connections, and just overall great books!

I will be sure to use it more often for finding books.

Janice!!!
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15. JoAnne | November 16, 2010 at 7:38 am

I am here by accident but next time won’t be-very helpful to a very new teacher like me!
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16. deborah Moriarty | May 31, 2011 at 9:50 pm

Love what you do!!! How can I sign up to receive your blog in my email?
thx,
deb
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- 17. Deeanna | June 2, 2011 at 8:41 pm
  
  Thanks! I haven’t updated the blog in awhile. I had to take a break from it due to my National Board work. I hope to start posting again during the summer.
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18. Lucy | September 26, 2011 at 7:15 pm

Hello,Sooooo helpful! How can I sign up to rec regular updates? Lucy
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- 19. Deeanna | September 26, 2011 at 7:35 pm
  
  Try clicking the “Entries RSS feed”. When prompted click on subscribe. Enjoy!
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20. jennifer b | June 19, 2012 at 3:12 pm

Dear Deeanna, Congrats on working toward National Board. I became certified several years ago while working towards a master’s degree (something else not to do at the same time). I am now working toward introducing Habits of Mind to my campus and district. Thanks for all of the book suggestions…All the best. jennifer
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21. bliss | November 2, 2012 at 3:45 pm

Hi Deeanna!
I am putting a conferencing toolkit together for the personal essay unit. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for mentor texts for personal essays for 5th grade?
Thank you!
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- 22. Deeanna | November 3, 2012 at 1:26 am
  
  Student writing can make great mentor texts. Have you checked out the student writing resources on the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project You may also want to try using samples from the NPR’s “This I Believe“
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