Mock Caldecott Update and Book Giveaway

The Mock Caldecott that I organized with my fellow second grade colleagues and their classes is up and running.  We are scheduled to finish the book ratings at the end of this week, so that I can tally the points and announce a winner on the morning of January 28th, right before the announcement of the official Caldecott.  Here's some problems that I have encountered;

• Some teachers got behind with their reading.  This was inevitable because I organized the books into boxes of 3-4, and only gave each class 3 days to read and rate.  Next time I will make sure they have a week to rate each box of books.  That means I have to start earlier!
• Rating the books has been a challenge because the whole class needs to come to some consensus about the rating.  This is impossible!  I've tried using a estimated average on the spot, but now am using majority rules after discussing the problem with another teacher.
• I really was hoping that I could get at least one of my colleagues to post on my class blog as a guest with a set of videos from their class.  So far, no one has taken me up on that offer - and I don't want to be too pushy.  Me, pushy?  Never.

In honor of our Mock Caldecott Medal I am giving away a copy of Each Kindness written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis.