Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: HarperCollins; 40 pages
Awards or honors: Caldecott Medal
Summary: During the summer a mother duck's eggs hatch. When the eggs hatched the mother duck had 6 beautiful yellow ducklings. One large egg hatched and was very big, gray, and ugly! The barnyard animals made fun of the gray duck. He could not take all the teasing and ran away. He came to a swamp and met two geese. They said he was ugly but they liked him and he could stay with them. Winter came and the duckling was left alone as the geese flew south. For the rest of the winter he stayed by the swamp. When spring arrived he was able to fly, his feather were a beautiful white color! He flew by a pond and noticed two beautiful swans. He wanted to join them but he knew he was too ugly. When he looked in the water he noticed he looked like them! The beautiful swans greeted him and welcomed him to join them!
Personal Rating: *****Great! Excellent story for all ages!
Reading level: 3.4
Interest level: K- adulthood
Possible uses of the text:
Art/Reading: Student divide paper into two sections. Have them draw the duckling at the beginning of the story and at the end of the story.
Science: Discuss/illustrate the cycle of a swan.
Math: Using different colors/sizes eggs students sort and graph them.
Possible Problems: none
Showing posts with label Leslie Kale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leslie Kale. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Book Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publishing Info: Puffin; 20 pages
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Summary: A boy living in the city awakes to new fallen snow. He is excited to go out and explore in the snow. He gets dressed and makes footprints in the snow, watches a snowball fight, makes an angel in the snow, makes tracks with a stick. He hits the a tree with a stick and snow falls on his head. He puts the snow in his pocket and heads home. He takes a warm bath and goes to get the snow out of his pocket only to find that it had melted!
Personal rating: ****Great! Awesome story for winter reading!
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-3
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Give students blue construction paper and a piece of chalk. Students can make a snowy scene! Add black strips of construction paper so that it resembles a window.
Science: Discuss the seasons. Divide a paper into 4 sections and students illustrate each season.
Reading/Writing: Give students pictures from the story and have them put them in order according to the story and write a caption about each one.
Possible Problems: None
Publishing Info: Puffin; 20 pages
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Summary: A boy living in the city awakes to new fallen snow. He is excited to go out and explore in the snow. He gets dressed and makes footprints in the snow, watches a snowball fight, makes an angel in the snow, makes tracks with a stick. He hits the a tree with a stick and snow falls on his head. He puts the snow in his pocket and heads home. He takes a warm bath and goes to get the snow out of his pocket only to find that it had melted!
Personal rating: ****Great! Awesome story for winter reading!
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-3
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Give students blue construction paper and a piece of chalk. Students can make a snowy scene! Add black strips of construction paper so that it resembles a window.
Science: Discuss the seasons. Divide a paper into 4 sections and students illustrate each season.
Reading/Writing: Give students pictures from the story and have them put them in order according to the story and write a caption about each one.
Possible Problems: None
Its Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler
Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Random House Books for Young Readers; 48 pages
Awards or honors: none
Summary: P.J. Funnybunny is sad because he did not like being a bunny. Bunnies have to eat carrots everyday and he has long ears. He sets off to become a bear and decides he does not like being a bear. He decided to become a bird, a beaver, a pig, a possum, and a skunk. He did not like being any of those animals. He decides that being a bunny is best for him!
Personal rating: ****Great! Terrific story/pictures for young student. Helps students understand to like who they are!
Reading level: 1.7
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Art/Writing: Have students cut out bunny ears one pink and a smaller one white. Attach the ears to construction paper. Attach a smaller paper with writing lines. Students will write and illustrate why it is not easy being a kid!
Science: Discuss rabbit behaviors/habitats
Potential Problems: none
Publishing Info: Random House Books for Young Readers; 48 pages
Awards or honors: none
Summary: P.J. Funnybunny is sad because he did not like being a bunny. Bunnies have to eat carrots everyday and he has long ears. He sets off to become a bear and decides he does not like being a bear. He decided to become a bird, a beaver, a pig, a possum, and a skunk. He did not like being any of those animals. He decides that being a bunny is best for him!
Personal rating: ****Great! Terrific story/pictures for young student. Helps students understand to like who they are!
Reading level: 1.7
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Art/Writing: Have students cut out bunny ears one pink and a smaller one white. Attach the ears to construction paper. Attach a smaller paper with writing lines. Students will write and illustrate why it is not easy being a kid!
Science: Discuss rabbit behaviors/habitats
Potential Problems: none
Bubble Bubble by Mercer Mayer
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: School Specialty Publishing; 35 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: A boy went walking one day and came across a man selling magic bubbles. The boy bought a bottle and began to blow bubbles. He started blowing bubbles and the bubble turned into a vicious snake that was about to eat him. He blew another bubble and it became a cat that chased away the snake. The cat began to chase the boy so he blew another bubble to take care of the cat and the story continues on this path. In the end the boy popped all the bubbles and poured them out.
Personal rating: ****Great! Funny story small children will love!
Reading level: 1.4
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Give students an outline of a bubble and have them create an animal they think would appear if they had magic bubbles.
Writing: Have students write a short story about their magical animal.
Math: Using some, some went away stories (subtraction) to go with the bubbles in the story.
Potential Problems: none
Publishing Info: School Specialty Publishing; 35 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: A boy went walking one day and came across a man selling magic bubbles. The boy bought a bottle and began to blow bubbles. He started blowing bubbles and the bubble turned into a vicious snake that was about to eat him. He blew another bubble and it became a cat that chased away the snake. The cat began to chase the boy so he blew another bubble to take care of the cat and the story continues on this path. In the end the boy popped all the bubbles and poured them out.
Personal rating: ****Great! Funny story small children will love!
Reading level: 1.4
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Give students an outline of a bubble and have them create an animal they think would appear if they had magic bubbles.
Writing: Have students write a short story about their magical animal.
Math: Using some, some went away stories (subtraction) to go with the bubbles in the story.
Potential Problems: none
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Penguin Putnam; 27 pages
Awards received: National Education Association Educators' Top One Hundred Children's Books 2007, National Teachers Association Top Ten Titles for Elementary Students 1999, American Library Association, Booklist Magazine Best Children's Books of the 1980's, New Yorker Magazine Best Children's Books 1989
Summary: A boy named Nicki was visiting his grandmother and she was going to knit him some mittens. Nicki wanted white mittens. His grandmother, Baba did not want to knit white mittens because if he dropped them in the snow he would never find them. Baba finally gave in and made white mittens. After the mittens where finished Nicki went out exploring in the snow. His grandmother told him when he came back home safe and sound she would check to see if he still had the mittens. As Nicki was exploring it wasn't long before he lost a mitten in the snow. A mole came along and tucked himself inside. Later a rabbit came along and tuck himself in the mitten with the mole. The story continues with different animals getting into the mitten. The mitten was stretched out when all of a sudden when a mouse came along and sat on the bears nose the bear let out a big sneeze. The mitten shot up in the sky and the animals went everywhere. Nicki saw the mitten high in the sky and he ran to catch it. He went home safe and sound with both mittens however, one was stretched out!
Personal rating: ****Great! Children will love this story!
Reading level: 3.9
Interest level: K-4
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Discuss the similarities/differences of the animals in the story.
Art/Reading: Give students copies of the animals in the story, string, outline of a mitten (2) with holes around it. Have the students color the animals and weave the string around the mitten. When completed have students retell the story while using the mitten.
Math: Use some, some more stories (addition) using the story line and characters.
Potential Problems: none
Publishing Info: Penguin Putnam; 27 pages
Awards received: National Education Association Educators' Top One Hundred Children's Books 2007, National Teachers Association Top Ten Titles for Elementary Students 1999, American Library Association, Booklist Magazine Best Children's Books of the 1980's, New Yorker Magazine Best Children's Books 1989
Summary: A boy named Nicki was visiting his grandmother and she was going to knit him some mittens. Nicki wanted white mittens. His grandmother, Baba did not want to knit white mittens because if he dropped them in the snow he would never find them. Baba finally gave in and made white mittens. After the mittens where finished Nicki went out exploring in the snow. His grandmother told him when he came back home safe and sound she would check to see if he still had the mittens. As Nicki was exploring it wasn't long before he lost a mitten in the snow. A mole came along and tucked himself inside. Later a rabbit came along and tuck himself in the mitten with the mole. The story continues with different animals getting into the mitten. The mitten was stretched out when all of a sudden when a mouse came along and sat on the bears nose the bear let out a big sneeze. The mitten shot up in the sky and the animals went everywhere. Nicki saw the mitten high in the sky and he ran to catch it. He went home safe and sound with both mittens however, one was stretched out!
Personal rating: ****Great! Children will love this story!
Reading level: 3.9
Interest level: K-4
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Discuss the similarities/differences of the animals in the story.
Art/Reading: Give students copies of the animals in the story, string, outline of a mitten (2) with holes around it. Have the students color the animals and weave the string around the mitten. When completed have students retell the story while using the mitten.
Math: Use some, some more stories (addition) using the story line and characters.
Potential Problems: none
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
Genre: Fiction
Publishing info: Putnam Juvenile; 32 pages
Awards: Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year 1999
Summary: This is a twist to the original story, The Gingerbread Man. A boy in the story, Matti made a gingerbread man out of cookie dough. Instead of waiting a full 8 minutes like he was told he opened the oven door earlier. A gingerbread baby came out of the oven! When Matti chased him around the kitchen the gingerbread baby would say a chant. Throughout the story an animal or person would chase they baby. Finally, Matti had an idea to catch him. Matti built a gingerbread house and put it in the woods. When the gingerbread baby went to the woods, he went into the house and Matti locked it!
Personal rating: ***Good! Cute story with beautiful illustrations. The original story is still my favorite.
Reading level: 3.5
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Another twist would be to give an outline of a gingerbread man to the students. Have them create a 'modern' day gingerbread baby/man! Use various items such as sequence, beads, or camouflage materials.
Math: Have students measure the 'Modern' Gingerbread Man/Baby they created using inches.
Potential Problems: None
Publishing info: Putnam Juvenile; 32 pages
Awards: Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year 1999
Summary: This is a twist to the original story, The Gingerbread Man. A boy in the story, Matti made a gingerbread man out of cookie dough. Instead of waiting a full 8 minutes like he was told he opened the oven door earlier. A gingerbread baby came out of the oven! When Matti chased him around the kitchen the gingerbread baby would say a chant. Throughout the story an animal or person would chase they baby. Finally, Matti had an idea to catch him. Matti built a gingerbread house and put it in the woods. When the gingerbread baby went to the woods, he went into the house and Matti locked it!
Personal rating: ***Good! Cute story with beautiful illustrations. The original story is still my favorite.
Reading level: 3.5
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Another twist would be to give an outline of a gingerbread man to the students. Have them create a 'modern' day gingerbread baby/man! Use various items such as sequence, beads, or camouflage materials.
Math: Have students measure the 'Modern' Gingerbread Man/Baby they created using inches.
Potential Problems: None
Johnny Appleseed by Tamor Mays
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic; 32 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: The story begins with squirrels and birds discussing who planted an apple tree they were sitting on. They animals tell the story of Johnny Appleseed and the ways people enjoy animals. The story describes how Johnny Appleseed traveled around the US to plant apple trees.
Personal Rating: ****Great! Storyline is appropriate for the very young to understand!
Reading level: 0.5
Interest level: K-1
Possible uses of the text :
Science/Art: Describe and draw the cycle of an apple seed
Math/Art: On a sheet of paper have an outline of 5 trees. On the trunk of the tree add a number. Have the students draw apples according to the number on the tree.
Potential Problems: None
Publishing Info: Scholastic; 32 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: The story begins with squirrels and birds discussing who planted an apple tree they were sitting on. They animals tell the story of Johnny Appleseed and the ways people enjoy animals. The story describes how Johnny Appleseed traveled around the US to plant apple trees.
Personal Rating: ****Great! Storyline is appropriate for the very young to understand!
Reading level: 0.5
Interest level: K-1
Possible uses of the text :
Science/Art: Describe and draw the cycle of an apple seed
Math/Art: On a sheet of paper have an outline of 5 trees. On the trunk of the tree add a number. Have the students draw apples according to the number on the tree.
Potential Problems: None
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publishing Info: Grosset & Dunlap; 24 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: This cute story discusses activities we do during Thanksgiving and the foods we eat. During Thanksgiving we spend time with family and friends. It also discusses things people maybe thankful for such as pets and lollipops.
Personal rating: ****Great! Excellent story to get students thinking about the things they are thankful for. Pictures are great too!
Reading level: 2.0
Reading interest: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Social Studies/Writing: Compare/contrast the way students celebrate Thanksgiving compared to the book using a Venn Diagram.
Art/Home Connection: Give students an outline of a turkey. Students will take them home and turn the turkey into something else such as: the turkey can be turned into a NFL football player!
Publishing Info: Grosset & Dunlap; 24 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: This cute story discusses activities we do during Thanksgiving and the foods we eat. During Thanksgiving we spend time with family and friends. It also discusses things people maybe thankful for such as pets and lollipops.
Personal rating: ****Great! Excellent story to get students thinking about the things they are thankful for. Pictures are great too!
Reading level: 2.0
Reading interest: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Social Studies/Writing: Compare/contrast the way students celebrate Thanksgiving compared to the book using a Venn Diagram.
Art/Home Connection: Give students an outline of a turkey. Students will take them home and turn the turkey into something else such as: the turkey can be turned into a NFL football player!
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 64 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: A boy plays with a tree. The tree loves the boy. In the beginning the boy swings on the branches.and plays hide in seek with the tree. The boy begins to grow up and leaves the tree alone because he is becoming interested in girls. One day the boy comes back to the tree and is sad because he needs money. The tree offers his apples to sell. This made the tree happy that the boy was back and needed him. The boy stayed gone for along time once again. When the boy finally returns he is sad wanting more and the tree gives all he has. The story continues as the boy is wanting more and the tree gives to him. Finally all that is left of the tree is a stump and he offers the tree stump to the now an old man as a seat for him to rest on.
Personal rating: ****Great! A wonderful story of how a tree gives to a boy. Students will love this story!
Reading level: 2.6
Interest level: K-to adulthood!
Possible uses of the text:
Science: A great book to reading during Earth Day. Discuss how the tree gives to the boy and how trees give to people on earth.
Art/Reading: Give student a large outline of a tree. Have student draw the things the tree gave the boy. Color
Math: Have a tree with removable leaves. Use tree as a manipulative during subtraction stories.
Potential Problems: none
Publishing Info: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 64 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: A boy plays with a tree. The tree loves the boy. In the beginning the boy swings on the branches.and plays hide in seek with the tree. The boy begins to grow up and leaves the tree alone because he is becoming interested in girls. One day the boy comes back to the tree and is sad because he needs money. The tree offers his apples to sell. This made the tree happy that the boy was back and needed him. The boy stayed gone for along time once again. When the boy finally returns he is sad wanting more and the tree gives all he has. The story continues as the boy is wanting more and the tree gives to him. Finally all that is left of the tree is a stump and he offers the tree stump to the now an old man as a seat for him to rest on.
Personal rating: ****Great! A wonderful story of how a tree gives to a boy. Students will love this story!
Reading level: 2.6
Interest level: K-to adulthood!
Possible uses of the text:
Science: A great book to reading during Earth Day. Discuss how the tree gives to the boy and how trees give to people on earth.
Art/Reading: Give student a large outline of a tree. Have student draw the things the tree gave the boy. Color
Math: Have a tree with removable leaves. Use tree as a manipulative during subtraction stories.
Potential Problems: none
Monday, June 8, 2009
Frogs by Nic Bishop
Genre: Nonfiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Nonfiction; 48 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: This nonfiction books teaches children about the difference between a frog and a toad, all sorts of frog facts , and has interesting detail pictures. The book also discuses different types of frogs such as poisonous dart frogs to bullfrogs.
Personal rating: ****Great! Students love frogs and this book really enlightens younger students about these amphibians!
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text:
Science/Art/Writing-Give students an outline on card paper of a frog. Have student decorate the frog and list 3 facts they learned from the story on the frog. Outline the writing in black ink and put up in room to display.
Potential Problems: None
Publishing Info: Scholastic Nonfiction; 48 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: This nonfiction books teaches children about the difference between a frog and a toad, all sorts of frog facts , and has interesting detail pictures. The book also discuses different types of frogs such as poisonous dart frogs to bullfrogs.
Personal rating: ****Great! Students love frogs and this book really enlightens younger students about these amphibians!
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text:
Science/Art/Writing-Give students an outline on card paper of a frog. Have student decorate the frog and list 3 facts they learned from the story on the frog. Outline the writing in black ink and put up in room to display.
Potential Problems: None
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Tanglewood Press; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: New York Times number one best seller and won the Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Journalism
Summary: A raccoon named Chester does not want to go to school. He would rather stay home with his mom and friends. He has never been to school before and is scared. His mother assures him he will have fun. To help with his transition she kisses his hand and lets him know that the kiss rushes from his hand to his heart. If he starts to miss her at school she told him to put his hand to his cheek and it will remind him of her. At the end, Chester loves school and his mother missed him. He then done the same thing to her with his kiss on her hand!
Personal rating: ****Great! Excellent first day story for students!
Reading level: 2.7
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Match animal parents to animal babies
Art: Put students hand in red paint and put it on white paper. Attach a heart to the middle of the palm.
Math: Have student estimate the number of acorn in a clear container.
Potential Problems: none
Publishing Info: Tanglewood Press; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: New York Times number one best seller and won the Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Journalism
Summary: A raccoon named Chester does not want to go to school. He would rather stay home with his mom and friends. He has never been to school before and is scared. His mother assures him he will have fun. To help with his transition she kisses his hand and lets him know that the kiss rushes from his hand to his heart. If he starts to miss her at school she told him to put his hand to his cheek and it will remind him of her. At the end, Chester loves school and his mother missed him. He then done the same thing to her with his kiss on her hand!
Personal rating: ****Great! Excellent first day story for students!
Reading level: 2.7
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Match animal parents to animal babies
Art: Put students hand in red paint and put it on white paper. Attach a heart to the middle of the palm.
Math: Have student estimate the number of acorn in a clear container.
Potential Problems: none
The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Orchard Books; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: Three children in their cute Halloween costumes walk up a hill from their house. They find an enormous pumpkin. The brother wants to take it home by chopping it from the vine. The sister warns him not to. But to the sisters dismay he does anyway. The enormous pumpkin rolls down the hill through the garden, barn, past the father on the tractor. The animals and children chase the pumpkin. It finally stops and mashes. That night the family enjoy lots of pumpkin treats such as their grandmothers delicious pumpkin pie!
Personal rating: ****Great! I love this story. It has a rhyming chorus throughout the story the students will love!
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-2
Possible use of the text:
Science/Writing: Discuss the process of pumpkin from a seed. Draw a diagram with pictures for K.
Art: Make a pumpkin out of tissue paper to resemble a Mosaic.
Math: Have number cards and little pumpkins. Students will match the number card to the correct number of pumpkins.
Potential Problems: none
Publishing Info: Orchard Books; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: Three children in their cute Halloween costumes walk up a hill from their house. They find an enormous pumpkin. The brother wants to take it home by chopping it from the vine. The sister warns him not to. But to the sisters dismay he does anyway. The enormous pumpkin rolls down the hill through the garden, barn, past the father on the tractor. The animals and children chase the pumpkin. It finally stops and mashes. That night the family enjoy lots of pumpkin treats such as their grandmothers delicious pumpkin pie!
Personal rating: ****Great! I love this story. It has a rhyming chorus throughout the story the students will love!
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-2
Possible use of the text:
Science/Writing: Discuss the process of pumpkin from a seed. Draw a diagram with pictures for K.
Art: Make a pumpkin out of tissue paper to resemble a Mosaic.
Math: Have number cards and little pumpkins. Students will match the number card to the correct number of pumpkins.
Potential Problems: none
If You Give A Moose A Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: HarperCollins; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: The story is about a boy who has a moose. He makes the moose a muffin and the moose eats them all. The moose wants some more so the boy goes to the store. The moose goes with him. When they get to the story it is cold so the moose wants to borrow the boys sweater. When the moose puts on the sweater the buttons become loose then the moose wants a needle and thread. When he begins to sew it reminds hims of the puppets his grandmother used to make. Then we wants socks. The story continues on this path. The moose wants something from the boy and it leads into something else. In the end the moose wants some jam and of course a muffin to go with it!
Personal rating: ***Good. This was not my favorite story, however the students would like it. The boy and the moose would attract the students attention! The storyline is funny and could lead to analogies in higher grades.
Reading level: 2.4
Reading interest K-3
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Discuss a moose. Its habitat, food it eats, etc.
Art/Writing: Have various objects in a paper bag. Students could choose one object from the bag; they would write and draw a picture about what they would want to go along with it similar to the story.
Math: Have student work out addition problems with moose counters-they are available in most education magazines.
Publishing Info: HarperCollins; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: The story is about a boy who has a moose. He makes the moose a muffin and the moose eats them all. The moose wants some more so the boy goes to the store. The moose goes with him. When they get to the story it is cold so the moose wants to borrow the boys sweater. When the moose puts on the sweater the buttons become loose then the moose wants a needle and thread. When he begins to sew it reminds hims of the puppets his grandmother used to make. Then we wants socks. The story continues on this path. The moose wants something from the boy and it leads into something else. In the end the moose wants some jam and of course a muffin to go with it!
Personal rating: ***Good. This was not my favorite story, however the students would like it. The boy and the moose would attract the students attention! The storyline is funny and could lead to analogies in higher grades.
Reading level: 2.4
Reading interest K-3
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Discuss a moose. Its habitat, food it eats, etc.
Art/Writing: Have various objects in a paper bag. Students could choose one object from the bag; they would write and draw a picture about what they would want to go along with it similar to the story.
Math: Have student work out addition problems with moose counters-they are available in most education magazines.
One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Random House Books for Young Readers; 72 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: This book has several short sections of stories. The stories are truly make-believe. The animals in the stories are make-believe as well for example a Yop and a Ying! Rhyming is evident through out the stories.
Personal rating: ****Great! Excellent rhyming book for the young. Children adore the silly stories!
Reading level: 1.7
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Writing/Reading: making up rhyming words and writing them down
Art: Give students different types of materials such as paper of different colors/texture, glue, wiggle eyes, etc. Have students create their own 'creature'' They must name their 'creature' and give three describing words for it.
Math: Give student different color fish. They must sort the fish by color and them graph them on a graph. Have a discussion about the graph; the most, least, etc.
Potential Problems: You may not want to read the entire book. Break it into sections.
Publishing Info: Random House Books for Young Readers; 72 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: This book has several short sections of stories. The stories are truly make-believe. The animals in the stories are make-believe as well for example a Yop and a Ying! Rhyming is evident through out the stories.
Personal rating: ****Great! Excellent rhyming book for the young. Children adore the silly stories!
Reading level: 1.7
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Writing/Reading: making up rhyming words and writing them down
Art: Give students different types of materials such as paper of different colors/texture, glue, wiggle eyes, etc. Have students create their own 'creature'' They must name their 'creature' and give three describing words for it.
Math: Give student different color fish. They must sort the fish by color and them graph them on a graph. Have a discussion about the graph; the most, least, etc.
Potential Problems: You may not want to read the entire book. Break it into sections.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Little Simon; 40 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: Letters of the alphabet are on a coconut tree. The letters tell each other to meet them at the top of the tree. As all the letters are making their way up the tree starts to sway. Once the letter z goes to the top the tree all the letters fall down. All the alphabet family members come running to help the letters that had fallen. The book describes how the letters look after they had fallen out of the tree. Night time arrives and the letter a asks the letter b to meet at the top of the tree again!
Personal rating: ****Great! This story has lot of rhythm! It has several 'catchy lines in the text. Young students such as K will love this story and it helps to recognize the alphabet in a really fun way!
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Students cover their arm in brown paint and lay it on paper for the truck of the the tree. Put green paint on their fingers for the tree leaves. Have them write their name going up the tree. It will look like the coconut tree in the story!
Math: Have students sort the upper/lower case letters of the alphabet.
Potential problems: none'
Publishing Info: Little Simon; 40 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: Letters of the alphabet are on a coconut tree. The letters tell each other to meet them at the top of the tree. As all the letters are making their way up the tree starts to sway. Once the letter z goes to the top the tree all the letters fall down. All the alphabet family members come running to help the letters that had fallen. The book describes how the letters look after they had fallen out of the tree. Night time arrives and the letter a asks the letter b to meet at the top of the tree again!
Personal rating: ****Great! This story has lot of rhythm! It has several 'catchy lines in the text. Young students such as K will love this story and it helps to recognize the alphabet in a really fun way!
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K
Possible uses of the text:
Art: Students cover their arm in brown paint and lay it on paper for the truck of the the tree. Put green paint on their fingers for the tree leaves. Have them write their name going up the tree. It will look like the coconut tree in the story!
Math: Have students sort the upper/lower case letters of the alphabet.
Potential problems: none'
My Five Senses by Aliki
Book Genre: Nonfiction
Publishing Info: HarperFestival; 32 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: The book describes each of the five senses. For each of the senses it describes how you use it. For example you use your sense of taste to eat an ice cream cone. At the end of the book it discusses how you might use more than one sense at the same time.
Personal rating: ****Great! The is a wonderful story line with excellent pictures for the K-2 level. With the use of the pictures it really helps younger readers understand the five senses!
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science/Art: Make a booklet for each student. The cover should be: My Five Senses. On page one -Christmas smells like Christmas trees. Put a Christmas tree on the page for the students to decorate and put a piece of real tree or spray the page with the scent. On the next page put-Christmas tastes like candy canes and attach a candy cane. Do each of the senses to finish the book. When the students can read it independently they can take it home to share with their family. This could also be used during anytime of the year such as springtime!
Potential Problems: allow several day to complete the science/art project
Publishing Info: HarperFestival; 32 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: The book describes each of the five senses. For each of the senses it describes how you use it. For example you use your sense of taste to eat an ice cream cone. At the end of the book it discusses how you might use more than one sense at the same time.
Personal rating: ****Great! The is a wonderful story line with excellent pictures for the K-2 level. With the use of the pictures it really helps younger readers understand the five senses!
Reading level: 2.0
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science/Art: Make a booklet for each student. The cover should be: My Five Senses. On page one -Christmas smells like Christmas trees. Put a Christmas tree on the page for the students to decorate and put a piece of real tree or spray the page with the scent. On the next page put-Christmas tastes like candy canes and attach a candy cane. Do each of the senses to finish the book. When the students can read it independently they can take it home to share with their family. This could also be used during anytime of the year such as springtime!
Potential Problems: allow several day to complete the science/art project
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster 32 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: The story begins with a group of seeds blowing in the fall wind. There is one tiny seed among the group of seeds. The seeds are blown in several different climates. Some of the seeds are killed before they are able to take root. For example one was killed because it froze to death. At the end of the story the tiny seeds survives out of all the other seeds in the group. It becomes a huge flower that people come to visit. In the fall it loses its seeds and they blow in the wind.
Personal rating: ***Good. This is a good story for students to learn about the process a seed goes through in order to produce a flower.
Reading level: 2.4
Interest level: k-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Make parts of a plant using a straw for the stem, cupcake paper for the flower, oatmeal for the seeds, brown pipe cleaners for the roots. Have students label each part!
Potential problems: none
Math: Measuring units using inches have different size flowers and the students can measure them with a ruler.
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster 32 pages
Awards received: none
Summary: The story begins with a group of seeds blowing in the fall wind. There is one tiny seed among the group of seeds. The seeds are blown in several different climates. Some of the seeds are killed before they are able to take root. For example one was killed because it froze to death. At the end of the story the tiny seeds survives out of all the other seeds in the group. It becomes a huge flower that people come to visit. In the fall it loses its seeds and they blow in the wind.
Personal rating: ***Good. This is a good story for students to learn about the process a seed goes through in order to produce a flower.
Reading level: 2.4
Interest level: k-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science: Make parts of a plant using a straw for the stem, cupcake paper for the flower, oatmeal for the seeds, brown pipe cleaners for the roots. Have students label each part!
Potential problems: none
Math: Measuring units using inches have different size flowers and the students can measure them with a ruler.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Philomel; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: A citation from The New York Times as one of the Ten Best Picture Books of the Year in 1969 and an American Institute of Graphics Arts Award in 1970.
Summary: An egg lays on a leaf and hatches. A caterpillar comes out. The caterpillar is very hungry and each day of the week he eats something new. Everyday he eats more and more. On the last day he becomes so full his skin splits and he makes a cocoon. Finally the cocoon opens and and the caterpillar has turned into a beautiful butterfly!
Personal rating and reason for rating: *****Great! An entertaining story about the life cycle of a butterfly!
Reading level: 2.2
Reading interest: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science/Art/Writing: Take 4 different types of noodles that resembles each of the four stages of the butterfly life cycle. Have students label and draw an illustration using the noodle to make cycle of the butterfly life cycle.
Reading: Using flannel board pieces put story in order and summarize.
Social Studies: Discuss the days of the week and recite.
Math: Use food manipulates from the book and have students count the fruit and put the correct number card with it.
Potential problems: none
Publishing Info: Philomel; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: A citation from The New York Times as one of the Ten Best Picture Books of the Year in 1969 and an American Institute of Graphics Arts Award in 1970.
Summary: An egg lays on a leaf and hatches. A caterpillar comes out. The caterpillar is very hungry and each day of the week he eats something new. Everyday he eats more and more. On the last day he becomes so full his skin splits and he makes a cocoon. Finally the cocoon opens and and the caterpillar has turned into a beautiful butterfly!
Personal rating and reason for rating: *****Great! An entertaining story about the life cycle of a butterfly!
Reading level: 2.2
Reading interest: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Science/Art/Writing: Take 4 different types of noodles that resembles each of the four stages of the butterfly life cycle. Have students label and draw an illustration using the noodle to make cycle of the butterfly life cycle.
Reading: Using flannel board pieces put story in order and summarize.
Social Studies: Discuss the days of the week and recite.
Math: Use food manipulates from the book and have students count the fruit and put the correct number card with it.
Potential problems: none
Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Philomel Books; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: Mister Seahorse is a book with a lot of science facts. It focuses on the dad taking care of the babies. Mister Seahorse carries his babies in his pouch until they hatch. He floats around the ocean talking to other dads who are also taking care of the eggs or babies. You meet different dad fish and how they carry or take carry of their offspring. Mister Seahorse meets a nursery fish, catfish, pipefish,tilpia, and a stickleback. At the end of the story Mister Seahorse sends his offspring away with a loving message.
Personal rating: ***Good! It is a twist to the dad taking care of the babies instead of the mother. It is a good tribute to the dads! The storyline is dry and uninteresting at times.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Writing/Art/Science-Have student write one fact they learned in the story. Give students a teal colored Seahorse that is already cut out. Students will cover the Seahorse with small square sheets of different colored tissue paper so that it will resemble Mister Seahorse. Attach Seahorse to writing and hang in room. It is really cute!
Math-Put seashells in a a clear jar and have students estimate how many. The winner or closest will pick out a shell to take home.
Potential Problems: None
Publishing Info: Philomel Books; 32 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: Mister Seahorse is a book with a lot of science facts. It focuses on the dad taking care of the babies. Mister Seahorse carries his babies in his pouch until they hatch. He floats around the ocean talking to other dads who are also taking care of the eggs or babies. You meet different dad fish and how they carry or take carry of their offspring. Mister Seahorse meets a nursery fish, catfish, pipefish,tilpia, and a stickleback. At the end of the story Mister Seahorse sends his offspring away with a loving message.
Personal rating: ***Good! It is a twist to the dad taking care of the babies instead of the mother. It is a good tribute to the dads! The storyline is dry and uninteresting at times.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text:
Writing/Art/Science-Have student write one fact they learned in the story. Give students a teal colored Seahorse that is already cut out. Students will cover the Seahorse with small square sheets of different colored tissue paper so that it will resemble Mister Seahorse. Attach Seahorse to writing and hang in room. It is really cute!
Math-Put seashells in a a clear jar and have students estimate how many. The winner or closest will pick out a shell to take home.
Potential Problems: None
Swimmy By Leo Lionni
Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 32 pages
Awards or Honors received: Caldecott Award
Summary: Swimmy is a story about a fish who is different from his brothers and sisters. They are all red and Swimmy is black. A tuna fish comes along and eats all his brothers and sisters. Swimmy escapes because he is the fastest swimmer of his siblings. He is lonely and sad at first. Then he explores the big ocean and discovers many interesting ocean animals and plants. He meets a school of red fish just like his brothers and sisters in an anemone. They will not leave their anemone because they are scared to be eaten by larger fish. Swimmy wants them to go out and discover the amazing ocean. He formulates an idea for the fish to go out and discover the ocean without being scared. He teaches them to stay in a formation. The result is a big looking fish and Swimmy is the eye!
Personal rating and reason for rating: ****Great!A fantastic story! Children will fall in love with Swimmy. He loses his family, but never gives up hope of finding happiness! Children will admire his determination.
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses:
Writing: Create a booklet for each student in the shape of a fish with three sheets of paper behind the cover. Students will write the beginning, middle, and ending of the story on the three pages.
Art: Using water paint have students create an ocean moral of the different places Swimmy explored.
Science: Create an ocean vocabulary booklet for each student. Use terms from the story such as black mussel, anemone, etc. Students can write what the term means and draw an illustration.
Math: Have different length fish and students can measure the fish using linking cubes.
Potential Problems: None
Publishing Info: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 32 pages
Awards or Honors received: Caldecott Award
Summary: Swimmy is a story about a fish who is different from his brothers and sisters. They are all red and Swimmy is black. A tuna fish comes along and eats all his brothers and sisters. Swimmy escapes because he is the fastest swimmer of his siblings. He is lonely and sad at first. Then he explores the big ocean and discovers many interesting ocean animals and plants. He meets a school of red fish just like his brothers and sisters in an anemone. They will not leave their anemone because they are scared to be eaten by larger fish. Swimmy wants them to go out and discover the amazing ocean. He formulates an idea for the fish to go out and discover the ocean without being scared. He teaches them to stay in a formation. The result is a big looking fish and Swimmy is the eye!
Personal rating and reason for rating: ****Great!A fantastic story! Children will fall in love with Swimmy. He loses his family, but never gives up hope of finding happiness! Children will admire his determination.
Reading level: 2.9
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses:
Writing: Create a booklet for each student in the shape of a fish with three sheets of paper behind the cover. Students will write the beginning, middle, and ending of the story on the three pages.
Art: Using water paint have students create an ocean moral of the different places Swimmy explored.
Science: Create an ocean vocabulary booklet for each student. Use terms from the story such as black mussel, anemone, etc. Students can write what the term means and draw an illustration.
Math: Have different length fish and students can measure the fish using linking cubes.
Potential Problems: None
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