Junie B. Jones

I love Junie B. Jones.

Really.

If she were a kid in my class, she would drive me crazy, but I would love her.  I actually have had a few Junie B.’s in my class over the years and they tend to be some of my most favorite students.

Because they’re funny.

And real.

And they make me laugh.

Now.

I get it.

Not everyone is a fan of Junie B.  And I’m not here to persuade you otherwise.  We all get to have different opinions.  That’s what makes life confrontational  grand!

I have been reading Junie B. Jones books for years and years.  I read them in order and I use special voices for the characters.  Once, one of my kids asked how do you copy Junie B.’s voice so perfectly?  Which cracked me up because I made up her voice, but there you go.  😉

I read a chapter a day (or possibly two chapters if I let the kids talk me into it).  I do not read any of the dumbs and stupids.  And I also skip anything controversial (such as the one time Junie B. or someone else in the class — possibly Paulie Allen Puffer — mentions the cops resting (arresting) a drunk neighbor.

I mean.

No.

Just no.

But those incidents are so few and far between that I don’t let them stop me.  No way, I say.  No way.

And Junie B. is perfect for life’s little lessons.  Such as what do you think Junie B. should have done?  Or what would you do in this situation? Or Has that ever happened in our class?

I could go on and on and try to tell you that this brings up great discussions regarding PBIS.  That stands for Positive Behavior Intervention System.  (at least I’m pretty sure that’s what our schoolwide system is called)

Because I don’t actually tie in PBIS with Junie B. Jones.

I don’t.

I’m usually laughing too hard.

And I don’t care that she is naughty.

I don’t!

She’s a character!  She’s not real!

And all I know is that when I read Junie B. out loud to my first grade class, year after year, my kids are engaged.  They can sit and listen to a story WITHOUT PICTURES (there are some here and there, but not a lot) FOR MINUTES ON END.

Which is amazing, if you ask me.

And when Junie B. says guess what?, my entire class says WHAT?!  

And when Crybaby William does eleven pull ups during Field Day and saves the day, my class CHEERS!

CHEERS!

And my kids want to read these books.

They are motivated to read by these books.

Maybe it’s my not-so-subtle love of Junie B. that ignites the fire . . . but whatever.

Whatever works.

Whatever gets us going.

It’s one chapter a day.  We are also addicted to Elephant and Piggie books, Toot and Puddle books, anything by Robert Munsch, anything by Kevin Henkes, the Scaredy Squirrel, Fly Guy, anything If You Give An Animal This, Then That, Tacky the Penguin . . . the list goes on and on.  This is only what I’m thinking of off the top of my head at this moment.

You can read about how I utilize Read Alouds {HERE} and how that also motivates my kids to read.

My passion for reading (and I do have a passion for reading — and for telling people what novels to read) makes me want my kids to have a passion for reading.

So whatever works.

Whether you like Junie B. or not.  It doesn’t matter to me.

I’m just saying we love Junie B. and other books, too.

That’s all I’m saying.

We recently finished all of the Junie B. Kinder books and have moved onto Junie B. First Grader At Last!  AT LAST!

So the other day, one of my sweet kiddos raised his hand and said What are you going to do with all the Junie B Kinder books now?

Um . . . nothing??  I said.

To which he replied, very politely, I was thinking maybe you could put them into a center.

Just the books? I said.

Yes!  he said.  (And so did everyone else).

Just the books?  Nothing else with them? I said.

Just the books!  Everyone replied.

So.

BAM.

That’s an easy center to prep.

🙂

And that’s all!

(which is something Junie B. says a lot, in case you didn’t know)