Colby Sharp Profile Banner
Colby Sharp Profile
Colby Sharp

@colbysharp

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⭐️driven by gratitude⭐️Husband 👫 Dad 👦👧👧👦👦 Teacher 👔 Reader 📚 Runner 🏃 Writer ✏️ Nerd 🤓 VOTE! #NerdyBookClub | views expressed are mine

The Village, MI
Joined January 2011
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
2 months
Spending most of my social media time on Threads these days. Hope to see you there. ✌️
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Reading aloud to kids never gets old. I wonder how many millions of people fell in love with reading listening to their teacher/parent/grandparent/librarian/friend/sibling/guardian read to them.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
2 years
Losing the free school meal for all students program is catastrophic. 3 days in and my kids are extremely stressed about not being able to get school breakfast. So many of them used this free meal to get them through the morning. and many saved items for an afternoon snack.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
I bet Jennifer Serravallo, Penny Kittle, Lucy Calkins, and Donalyn Miller could each make at least 100K a year on Teachers Pay Teachers. I'm hoping that during the 2018-2019 school year teachers spend more time reading books by the names above, and less time on TPT.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
Let's say a school district gives each teacher $300 a year for classroom libraries. If a teacher buys $8 books, it would take over 50 years to build a 2000 book classroom library. Teachers should not have to fund classroom essentials. BOOK ACCESS SHOULD NOT BE OPTIONAL!
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
Let them read. Give them time. Surround them with books. Provide the option to read with their ears. Make sure they have lots of seating options. Support them. Push them. Love them.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
I try to stay positive on Twitter, but this Accelerated Reader crap needs to stop.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
This is why kids in my classroom ask to go to the principal’s office every day. Check out @susankhaney ’s office library! 💯📚💯📚
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
Finished reading aloud one of my all-time favorite books this afternoon. My class laughed. They cheered. They cried. It was magical. After we finished one of my students said, “I didn’t know a book could be that good.” #ReadAloudYouMust
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
9 months
Our Christmas gift each year from our principal is a book of our choice. The only rule: it cannot be a book about teaching. It has to be a book that we want to read for pleasure. My principal, Sue Haney, invests in the reading lives of our entire staff. EVERY. SINGLE. EMPLOYEE.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
7 years
Best way for schools to get kids excited about books and reading, is to hire a bunch of teachers that are excited about books and reading.
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Colby Sharp
2 years
1 of my favorite Parma traditions. The last day before break, our principal Sue Haney, purchases each staff member a book of their choice to enjoy during break. She also caters breakfast, AND take all the kids for a 40 minute assembly so the staff can enjoy some time together.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
Spent a couple of hours in my classroom today. Probably 85% of the time I spend getting my classroom ready for the year, is spent working on my classroom library.
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Colby Sharp
5 years
Sometimes you wonder if the world is falling apart, and then a fifth grade boy comes up to you and says, "I'm working on an essay about why girls should make just as much money as boys."
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
5 years
Got this note from a seventh grader. It sort of confirms my thesis on being a reading teacher.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
I think Dav Pilkey would have signed capes/books/underwear/notebooks all night if kids kept coming up to him. I have never seen anything like it. We kept trying to get him a break, and he kept ignoring us. #nerdcampmi
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A4: I have a nice classroom library. It doesn't matter how many books I have, it could never replace a school library run by a certified librarian. Kid need both. Kids deserve both. #g2great
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Colby Sharp
6 years
One read aloud at a time. One conference at a time. One book talk at a time. One mini-lesson at a time. One small group at a time. Every minute we have with them is precious. They all count.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Remembering to take attendance is so hard.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Love the book lists that people share online, but please do not think a single list will ever meet the needs of your students. We need to do the work. The best way to decide what books to order for your school/library is to read tons of books, and get to know your kids.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
My job isn’t to prepare kids for middle school. It is to prepare them for life. To teach them to read, to write, to think. To dream big, and chase those dreams. To make the world a better place. What is your job?
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
“If you’re spending 9 weeks on a novel, it isn’t a novel anymore. It’s a 9 week worksheet.” - @KellyGToGo #ila18
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A1: I got an $1800 grant. My students are currently interviewing every student (420+) in our building to see what books we should purchase for our school library. It has turned out to be an amazing project. So proud of my students. #bookaccessforall
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Colby Sharp
6 years
“It doesn’t matter if you teach every standard, if kids aren’t reading and writing a lot.” - @KellyGToGo #mra19
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Colby Sharp
6 years
“My students don’t care what level the sharks books is. They just want to read about sharks.” - @donalynbooks #RNNwestmi
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Schools always make a big deal out of businesses donating money. Always bringing out those giant checks and taking pictures. It bothers me. Why don’t they give each teachers the same treatment? We collectively spend more on our classrooms than the people wearing fancy suits.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
It’s not WHAT they read, it is THAT they read! Let’s put an end to book snobbery! - @Stephharvey49 #mra19
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
Great week of read alouds!
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Colby Sharp
5 years
A little concerned with all these boxes publishers are creating to help teachers with “workshop”. I feel like the workshop model is in danger of becoming too commercial, and less about what the kids need. Spending my summer rereading everything I can find written by Graves.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
We’re getting there. Excited for kids on Wednesday.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A football coach would never be asked to choose between helmets and shoulder pads. Teachers shouldn't have to choose between Hatchet and Because of Winn-Dixie. We must find a way to fully fund all school and classroom libraries. #BookAccess should not be optional.
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Colby Sharp
5 years
Excited to share this with kids. Can’t wait to read it! @kwamealexander just flat out gets kids.
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Colby Sharp
11 months
Did 3 parent/teacher conferences today after school as a green crayon. 🤷‍♂️
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A1: If we don't give kids time to read in class, we show them that it isn't important. If they have time to do a worksheet, they sure as hell have time to read a book. #bookaccessforall
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A3: My fifth graders spend more time reading than anything else during their school day. We never skip it. EVER. It doesn't take long for them to see what is valued in our classroom. #G2Great
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Colby Sharp
6 years
In the school that I teach in, many of the athletes take a weight lifting class each semester for four years. That is 16% of their day. Imagine what would happen if all kids read 16% of their day. We might not win as many football games, but we'd be very Nerdy. #g2great
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Colby Sharp
9 years
Mock Caldecott unit is a wrap. Took 5 rounds of voting. Things got intense. @MrSchuReads @SophieBlackall
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Colby Sharp
7 years
I got an email from my third grade teacher today. She let me know how proud of me she is. Crazy how good that made me feel.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
I would really love to see our national reading organizations take a stand, and no longer give companies that sell products that destroy readers, like Accelerated Reader, a spot in their exhibit halls. @ncte @ILAToday
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Colby Sharp
6 years
I am struggling to understand school dress codes. Doesn’t make any sense why we have so many rules about what girls can’t wear, but we are cool with the girls that play volleyball wearing their volleyball shorts to matches. We sure do make things hard for girls. Makes me sad.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Nothing exposes a #bookhoarder like locker clean out.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
. @donalynbooks and I didn't want Game Changer! to be a $30 or $40 professional book. I LOVE that you can buy it directly from @Scholastic for $16.46. If you are going to write a book about book access, you better make your book affordable.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Seven years ago at @ncte , @donalynbooks and I decided I start the @nerdybookclub after a conversation about @lindaurbanbooks ’s HOUND DOG TRUE. Seven years, at #NCTE18 , @donalynbooks and I celebrated the launch of our book. Love that Linda is in this picture. #BookAccessForAll
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Colby Sharp
5 years
We have 7 days left in the school year. I wonder if I can get 20 kids to read this before next Friday.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
Our PTA bought every Parma 5th grader a copy of #TheCreativityProject . My heart of full.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
I feel like I need about a $5000 budget each year for my classroom. Not sure who I can get to write that check each year.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
Started book talking a book to a student and another student interrupted, “Mr. Sharp, I know a book he’ll like more than the one you are booktalking.” 🎤 ⬇️
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Picking the last read aloud of the school year as a fifth grade teacher is torture. I know these kids so well. LOVE THEM! I know that for some of them, this will be the last novel a teacher ever reads aloud to them.
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@colbysharp
Colby Sharp
6 years
One of the best books I have ever read. Newbery and National Book Award committees are going to have fun with this one. More importantly, this book is going to make a difference. The world will be a better place when it drops in January. Read this book. Share this book. #bookaday
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Fifth grader: Before this year I use to fake like I was sick every day during writing time. Now we get to write about what we want to write about, so I love it.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Today we finished reading aloud @AlanGratz 's REFUGEE. I'm don't think I've ever experienced so many students crying during a read aloud. It was magical.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Left school yesterday thinking that I might actually be a pretty good teacher. Love days like that!
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Dear conference organizers, Please consider @SaraKAhmed as the keynote for your next event. Everyone needs to hear her speak. Your friend, Colby #ila18
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Colby Sharp
6 years
I’m currently reading 180 Days by Kittle and Gallagher. Two chapters in, and I am so in love with this book. You don’t need to be a high school teacher to benefit from reading this book. It truly is for all teachers. @HeinemannPub #nerdybookclub
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Fifth grader: Can you not read with me today? Me: um...okay? Fifth grader: I’m reading this YA novel. You might get uncomfortable with some of the scenes. Me: ...... Fifth grader: Thanks, Mr. Sharp!
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Colby Sharp
2 years
Today a fifth grader came up to be at the end of the day and said, “Mr. Sharp, you’re the rabbit.” “Huh?” I replied. “From the The Rabbit Listened. That’s you. You’re the rabbit.” Probably the nicest thing a kid has ever said to be during the first weeks of a school year.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
🛑 I feel like everyone is telling teachers what to do. Teachers: I’m sure many of these people mean well, but nobody knows your students like you know them. Listen to what people are saying, but please don’t ever stop listening to your heart. You know what your kids need. 🛑
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Colby Sharp
5 years
Books > AR
@jmrliteracy
Dr. Julia Reynolds
5 years
Teachers in @AllendalePS_MI went shopping at the @Scholastic Warehouse Sale tonight to use the $500 they chose (instead of having AR next year) to get books for students. @BethVoss3 @doug_bol #FalconPride @DrMaryHoward @colbysharp
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Colby Sharp
7 years
I went on a bit of an Accelerated Reader rant a couple of months ago. Some kid found it online and left this comment. My heart hurts for kids that are at schools that use AR.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Every teacher and parent in the world needs to listen to Kate DiCamillo talk about read aloud. “We are made of stories. Stories connect us.”
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Colby Sharp
6 years
2 out of the last 3 years the Newbery Medalist attended #nerdcampmi the summer before they won. :)
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Colby Sharp
7 years
I'm thankful for all the teachers, librarians, book creators and other Nerds that choose to spend their day learning together. #nerdcampmi
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Colby Sharp
7 years
We watched @shantell_martin ’s video created by @CaseyNeistat . It inspired my students to “draw and share”!
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Colby Sharp
8 years
Today is about celebrating books that win shiny stickers. Every other day is about celebrating ALL the great books written for kids. #ALAYMA
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Colby Sharp
5 years
So many distractions this time of the school year. I just want to close the door and grind. My kids are on fire, and I want to squeeze every bit of awesome out of them before they head off to middle school.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
It’s a book! GAME CHANGER! BOOK ACCES FOR ALL KIDS drops 11/20. I had a blast writing this book with my dear friend @donalynbooks . It just went up online if you are interested in pre-ordering a copy.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
I think Kate Messner is one of the most important people in #kidlit . She will forever be a teacher in our eyes, and she writes amazing books. I try to read every book she writes, every tweet she posts, and every article she writes. She makes me a better person. Go buy her books.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
We added 300 tickets to #nerdcampmi this year. Not sure where we are going to put everyone. Crazy that it sold out in less than two hours. Excited to learn with Nerds from all over the world.
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Colby Sharp
2 years
Today’s read aloud. 😆
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A3: Anytime one of our students welcomes a new baby into their family, we purchase that child a book. Every staff member signs in, and we send it home with the older sibling. It is magical. Kids love it. Parents love it. #bookaccessforall
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A1: If you want them to get better at basketball you get them a ball and a hoop. If you want them to dominate in hockey, you buy them skates and a stick. Gymnastics: you send them to the best gym. If you want them to read: flood them with books. #G2Great
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Colby Sharp
6 years
The #ncte18 6:15 AM basketball game was crazy.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
5th Grader: Have you finished Rebound? Me: I am half done. I'll finish it today. 5th Grader: I'm going to tell you how it ends. Me: Huh? 5th Grader: *tells me how Rebound ends* Me: ..... 5th Grader: I'm sorry, Mr. Sharp. I had to tell someone. Me: Thank you. You're awesome.
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Colby Sharp
2 years
I wonder if any of the kids at the fireworks in Jackson, MI last night had any idea that a Newbery medalist was there. #TheOneAndOnlyIvan
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Colby Sharp
6 years
As I read through my students’ writing, I am reminded that so many of them are going through things that kids shouldn’t have to deal with. 😭😭😭😭😭
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Colby Sharp
6 years
In the last week we received a total of $3000 in donations from book creators. They would like to remain anonymous. Their generosity will cover the cost of 300 kids at NERD CAMP JUNIOR. #nerdcampmi #nerdybookclub
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Colby Sharp
5 years
Most popular sentence in our house: Alexa, play Baby Shark.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Nothing flashy. Just a bunch of kids in a room with a bunch of books.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Day 1 is in the books. I hope everyone had a good day. #nerdcampmi
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Colby Sharp
7 years
This sh*t really bothers me. #DisruptingThinking
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Spent the day w/ a group of educators getting Parma High School ready 4 #nerdcampmi . We did it 4 the teachers coming 2 learn and connect. We did it 4 the kids excited 2 learn from amazing creators. We don’t need a pat on the back. We need the people that come 2 change the world.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
Sometimes I wonder if Teachers Pay Teachers has led to more harm to young readers than Accelerated Reader.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
Today was the perfect day to receive this book in the mail.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Spent an hour or so in my classroom today. Had fun prepping the books, I collected over the summer, for my classroom library. #nerdybookclub
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Colby Sharp
6 years
I wonder how many authors are out there thinking their phone might ring Monday morning. I understand that nobody wants to talk about it. So many great books written for kids in 2018. It is okay to hope for a call. You gotta own your awesome!
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Dang. This book is so darn good. I would have loved it as a kid. Kept thinking about being back in fourth grade, and what it would have been like listening to Mrs. Collins read it aloud to us. Your readers need this book. #bookaday
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Colby Sharp
6 years
If my kid has time to do worksheets in ELA, math, social studies, and science...they sure has heck have time for music, art, and PE.
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Colby Sharp
7 years
A2: I don't think any kid, any age, should ever spend a day at school without having something read aloud to them. #titletalk
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Colby Sharp
7 years
Thankful to all the teachers out there doing amazing work. Your work matters. The students in your classroom are lucky to have you. Do your best to block out all the noise, and keep loving the crap out of your students. They need you. Proud to call you a colleague. 👏👏👏👏👏👏
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Colby Sharp
7 years
Sometimes I lay on my classroom carpet during lunch, and think about how lucky I am to be a teacher. I truly have the greatest job on the planet.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
I picked up these awesome books at the @scholastic #ReadingSummit .
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Colby Sharp
6 years
We keep extra notebooks in the Band-Aid drawer. Injuries often have great stories behind them.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Day one setting up my classroom was a huge success. Details in the linked video. #nerdybookclub #miched
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Colby Sharp
7 years
Upon reading the last words of this book two words came out of my mouth: holy sh*t. This book is an absolute masterpiece. One of the best books I have ever read. Wow. The more people that read this book, the better the world will become. #bookaday #TheWarIFinallyWon
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Colby Sharp
6 months
This is me holding my friend John Schu’s beautiful brand new book. You should buy this book because it is brilliant and important. I’d love to see this book on next week’s best seller lists. Schu has helped so many books find so many readers. I hope we will help get his
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Colby Sharp
6 years
A lot of teachers do some pretty amazing things to celebrate end of the year: parties, ice cream trips, etc. I don’t want to do any of that. I just want to hang out with them in my classroom: reading, writing, and talking about reading and writing.
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Colby Sharp
8 years
There is something magical about watching a kindergartener skip down the hallway with their library book.
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Colby Sharp
6 years
Every child needs a "book whisperer"! Check out the latest Game Changer! video. #bookaccessforall @donalynbooks @ScholasticTeach
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