#mustreadin2020 - spring update

This is my #mustreadin2020 spring update.  I love participating in this reading challenge hosted by Carrie Gelson of There's a Book for That because it connects me with a community of readers and encourages me to read newly released books to share with my students.  In January, I created my #mustreadin2020 reading goal.  As a reminder, here they are:

I'm still working on reading a few of the newly released titles on my list, plus I have some additional titles to share!  I'll be back in September for another reading update.  Below are my lists of new picture books and chapters books that I've read in 2020 since January:

Picture Books I Read - #mustreadin2020 (January-April)

Chapter Books I Read - #mustreadin2020 (January-April)

Make Customized Placeholders in Keynote

Have you ever seen unique and customized placeholders on other people’s keynote projects?  You know . . .  ones that look like these:

Placeholders show students where to add info how to do it (either photo or video).  I finally discovered how to create customized placeholders in keynote, so here are tips and tricks to create your own.  Happy placeholder making!  

The Basics

Any photo can be converted into a placeholder.  The easiest way to create a customized placeholder is to create an image and take a full page screen shot like this:

That screen shot will be in your photos/camera roll.  Just import the image into your keynote and covert it to a placeholder like this:

Ideas for Placeholders

Here are some fun examples of placeholders.  Since placeholders are completely customizable, the possibilities are endless.  Have fun creating your own unique placeholders!  

#mustreadin2020

I'm pleased to be participating in the must read fun again this year!  Thanks for hosting Carrie Gelson of There's a Book for That.  All the books on my list are new 2020 releases (see publishing dates for each book listed below).  I hope this reading goal motivates me to read more books throughout the year so I can introduce these new titles to my students.  I'll provide updates on my reading in April, September and December.  Below are my lists of new picture books and chapters books to read in 2020:

PICTURE BOOK RELEASE DATES:

1/21/20 - In a Jar by Deborah Marcero 

2/25/20 - Don't Feed the Coos by Jonathan Stutzman

3/3/20 - I Found a Kitty by Troy Cummings

3/31/20 - That's Life! by Ame Dyckman

5/5/20 - Eat Your Rocks, Croc! by Jess Keating 

5/5/20 - Lift by Minh Le & Dan Santat

5/5/20 - Llama Unleashes the Apocalypse by Jonathan Stutzman

5/12/20 - Jules vs The Ocean by Jessie Sima

5/19/20 - What About Worms?! by Ryan T. Higgins & Mo Willems

6/9/20 - You Don't Want a Dragon by Ame Dyckman

6/30/20 - Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds

7/28/20 - After Squidnight by Jonathan Fenske

CHAPTER BOOK RELEASE DATES:

1/7/20 - Diana: Princess of the Amazon by Dean Hale & Shannon Hale 

2/4/20 - Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

3/17/20 - Stand Up, Yuni Chung! by Jessica Kim

4/7/20 - The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

4/7/20 - Nat Enough by Maria Scrivan

4/14/20 - When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed

4/28/20 - How to Disappear Completely by Ali Standish 

5/5/20 - The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate

5/5/20 - Our Friend Hedgehog by Lauren Castillo

5/19/20 - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

8/25/20 - Mr. Lemoncello and the Titanium Ticket by Chris Grabenstein 

9/15/20 - Three Keys by Kelly Yang