Book Genre: Fiction, Folklore, Fairy Tale
Publishing Info: Puffin Books (32 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is a hilarious spin off of The Frog Prince. Where it ends, this story begins. Surprisingly the Princess and the Frog Prince do NOT live happily ever after. He whines because the Princess won't go outside and down to the pond any longer. She complains because he sticks his tongue out, jumps on the furniture, croaks in his sleep, and has lily pads in his pockets. Sad and wishing for a real happily ever after, the Frog Prince runs off into the forest in search of a witch to turn him back into a frog. He happens upon several witches: Malificent (Sleeping Beauty), Grimhilda (Snow White), and Gretchen (Hansel and Gretel). Each time he runs off in fear because they do not want to help, just harm him. He eventually happens upon Fairy Godmother (Cinderella). She agrees to help him, but ends up turning him into a carriage. He spends the rest of the evening scared and longing to be back in his castle with his Princess. He realizes that he was happily ever after and didn't know it. As fate would have it, and just as in Cinderella, at the stroke of midnight the Frog Prince turns back into himself. Once he is himself, the Frog Prince runs back through the forest to his castle. When he arrives the Princess bombards him with questions about where he has been because she has been worried. The Frog Prince is so happy to be home he quickly gives her a kiss. And wouldn't you know, they both turn into frogs and live happily ever after! Or do they?
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I love it! It was so comical and had cute ties into other fairy tales. I also liked the illustrations. Each illustration really made the story come to life. For example, when she is complaining about sticking his tongue out, you can see him trying to catch a dragonfly on the wallpaper with his tongue. Plus, Grimhilda is inside a room labeled "Fairest" reading Hague (a witch magazine) getting her hair done. Funny!
Reading Level: K-3 (3.6 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: I would use this book in many ways.
Art: You could help the children make a frog from paper plates, construction paper, and google eyes. You could also have them make puppets out of construction paper and paper bags. Make masks out of paper plates and string/crafts sticks.
Writing/Arts: This would be a GREAT book to do a readers theatre with. As as class you could transfer the book to a play. Giving students parts - Frog Prince, Princess, each witch (3), Fairy Godmother, Narrator, and of course costume designers. I wouldn't to too much with costumes. Maybe just paper plate masks held up by craft sticks. Each student would have a task in order to bring it all together in the end. Finally I would invite administration or other classes in for a final performance.
Science: At this time I would lead the children into a discussion about the life cycle of a frog. We could do Flow Maps of the cycle and then write about it. Another idea would be to bring in some tadpoles and watch them grow into frogs. Have the children chart the tadpole/frog progress and keep journals about the progressions.
Potential Problems: The only problem, well not problem, but side note is that the humor is very satirical and a little over younger children's understanding. To fully "get" the humor students would need to be 3rd grade and up.
Showing posts with label Lisa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lisa. Show all posts
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real by: Margery Williams
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Courage Books (40 pages)
Awards or Honors: IRA/CBC Children's Choice Award
Summary: The story begins at Christmas and a young boy receives a velveteen rabbit in his stocking. He loves Rabbit and plays with it for a couple of hours, until his relatives come for dinner and bring other presents. The rabbit is forgotten and ends up living in the toy cupboard with all the other toys. Rabbit is shy and doesn't make many friends among the toys. His only friend is Skin Horse, an old thread bare worn horse toy that belonged to the Boy's Uncle. Skin Horse is kind and friendly to Rabbit. He teaches Rabbit what it is to be Real and how the nursery room magic can make him become Real. One day Nana, the person who rules the nursery, is putting the Boy to bed and he wants a toy to sleep with. In haste, she grabs the first toy she finds, Rabbit. At first Rabbit doesn't like sleeping with the Boy because he gets mashed, poked, squashed, and rolled on. However, he comes to love being close with the Boy. The Boy and Rabbit become inseparable. They play, eat, and sleep together. Rabbit is slowly becoming very worn from all the love that the Boy gives him. He thinks that he is becoming Real just like Skin Horse had said. However, Rabbit meets some real rabbits outside one day and finds out that he is not Real, he is still a toy. Then one day the Boy becomes very sick with Scarlet Fever. Rabbit stays faithfully by his side and he eventually gets better. The doctor comes by for a final check-up visit and instructs Nana to burn all the toys and linens that the Boy has been in contact with. She does as she is told and places the linens, old picture books, and Rabbit in a sack to be burned. That night as Rabbit is lying in the night air, lonely and shivering, he becomes very sad. As he thinks of his time with the Boy a tear slowly slides off his nose and onto the ground. Suddenly a flower begins to grow from the tear and the Nursery Magic Fairy appears. She takes Rabbit into the woods and makes him really Real. He lives in the woods with all the other rabbits in Rabbitland for the rest of his life.
Personal Rating & Reason: **** Great! This is an awesome, touching story! I was in tears when Rabbit was tossed out to be burned. And again when he actually got to become real. I would recommend this story to any classroom, Kindergarten through college. It has such a warm loving story of wanting to be loved and accepted. There are many life lessons to be learned during this excellent read.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.6 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: There are several uses for this book across the curriculum.
Art: You could have the children make a sock toy with socks, sawdust/news paper/ cotton stuffing and markers. Plus, you could have the children use construction paper and brats to create some paper movable rabbits.
Science: This book could be used as an introduction into what makes something alive. Then you could teach about the heart, brain, muscles, etc. Here you could do a group project telling why Rabbit was not alive "Real".
Another activity would be to use demonstrations. I would bring in my pet rabbit Chocolate for the class to see. Possibly have a stuffed rabbit and Chocolate together in Circle Time. Have the children list alike vs. different or have them chart teal vs. toy.
Writing: You could have the children draw and write about their favorite stuffed toy. Or you could have the children create their own story of a time when their favorite toy became Real. You could have the children write an extended ending. For example, at the end of the story Rabbit and Boy see each other again and the Boy thinks he looks a lot like his old stuffed toy. Here you could have the children extend the story and possibly have them play together, talk with one another, or the Boy catches Rabbit and takes him home as a real pet. The endings are infinite!
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Courage Books (40 pages)
Awards or Honors: IRA/CBC Children's Choice Award
Summary: The story begins at Christmas and a young boy receives a velveteen rabbit in his stocking. He loves Rabbit and plays with it for a couple of hours, until his relatives come for dinner and bring other presents. The rabbit is forgotten and ends up living in the toy cupboard with all the other toys. Rabbit is shy and doesn't make many friends among the toys. His only friend is Skin Horse, an old thread bare worn horse toy that belonged to the Boy's Uncle. Skin Horse is kind and friendly to Rabbit. He teaches Rabbit what it is to be Real and how the nursery room magic can make him become Real. One day Nana, the person who rules the nursery, is putting the Boy to bed and he wants a toy to sleep with. In haste, she grabs the first toy she finds, Rabbit. At first Rabbit doesn't like sleeping with the Boy because he gets mashed, poked, squashed, and rolled on. However, he comes to love being close with the Boy. The Boy and Rabbit become inseparable. They play, eat, and sleep together. Rabbit is slowly becoming very worn from all the love that the Boy gives him. He thinks that he is becoming Real just like Skin Horse had said. However, Rabbit meets some real rabbits outside one day and finds out that he is not Real, he is still a toy. Then one day the Boy becomes very sick with Scarlet Fever. Rabbit stays faithfully by his side and he eventually gets better. The doctor comes by for a final check-up visit and instructs Nana to burn all the toys and linens that the Boy has been in contact with. She does as she is told and places the linens, old picture books, and Rabbit in a sack to be burned. That night as Rabbit is lying in the night air, lonely and shivering, he becomes very sad. As he thinks of his time with the Boy a tear slowly slides off his nose and onto the ground. Suddenly a flower begins to grow from the tear and the Nursery Magic Fairy appears. She takes Rabbit into the woods and makes him really Real. He lives in the woods with all the other rabbits in Rabbitland for the rest of his life.
Personal Rating & Reason: **** Great! This is an awesome, touching story! I was in tears when Rabbit was tossed out to be burned. And again when he actually got to become real. I would recommend this story to any classroom, Kindergarten through college. It has such a warm loving story of wanting to be loved and accepted. There are many life lessons to be learned during this excellent read.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.6 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: There are several uses for this book across the curriculum.
Art: You could have the children make a sock toy with socks, sawdust/news paper/ cotton stuffing and markers. Plus, you could have the children use construction paper and brats to create some paper movable rabbits.
Science: This book could be used as an introduction into what makes something alive. Then you could teach about the heart, brain, muscles, etc. Here you could do a group project telling why Rabbit was not alive "Real".
Another activity would be to use demonstrations. I would bring in my pet rabbit Chocolate for the class to see. Possibly have a stuffed rabbit and Chocolate together in Circle Time. Have the children list alike vs. different or have them chart teal vs. toy.
Writing: You could have the children draw and write about their favorite stuffed toy. Or you could have the children create their own story of a time when their favorite toy became Real. You could have the children write an extended ending. For example, at the end of the story Rabbit and Boy see each other again and the Boy thinks he looks a lot like his old stuffed toy. Here you could have the children extend the story and possibly have them play together, talk with one another, or the Boy catches Rabbit and takes him home as a real pet. The endings are infinite!
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Grandfather's Journey by: Allen Say
Book Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin Company (32 pages)
Awards or Honors: Caldecott Medal Book
Summary: This is a touching story written through a grandson's eyes about his grandfather. It begins with the grandfather (a young man) leaving Japan for America. The grandfather travels across the Pacific Ocean for 3 weeks and explores North America by train, riverboat, and walking. Eventually he makes it to California and decides that that is his favorite place of all. However, he soon becomes homesick for Japan and decides to return for a visit. Once back in Japan he marries his childhood sweetheart and they return to America. They make a home in San Francisco Bay and have a daughter. But once again, he becomes homesick for Japan. So, they return with the daughter. The daughter falls in love, marries, and has Allen Say. As Mr. Say grows up he frequently visits his grandfather and hears wonderful tales of America. The grandfather misses America so much that he plans once more to go. However, the war (WWII)begins and he cannot make the journey. Finally, as Allen Say becomes a young man he decides to make that journey for himself and see America. Just as his grandfather did, Mr. Say is in one land only to long to be in the other. At last, he truly understands his grandfather. Along with the wonderful story, there are beautiful watercolors through out the story of all the places that the grandfather visits.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I really like this book. It brings a new light to what our children are so used to seeing everyday, the norm. The story lets them view things, scenes, and lives through another person's perspective. There is also the additive of being introduced/revisiting a different culture and time from their own. In addition, there are a lot of beautiful watercolors through out the story. They really help give a very vivid visualization.
Reading Level: K-3 (4.2 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used in across the curriculum in many ways.
Social Studies: You could use this book as an introduction to the study of World War II.
SS Additional: Plus, you could use this book to create a timeline for Allen Say's grandfather. The events could be taken and placed on a Flow Map. Then you could have the students create time lines of their own lives.
Technology: As an extended computer lesson you could have the children research their heritage and create family trees.
History/Writing: Once the students have researched their families origin, have them research the country. How is it similar to America? Are there any major differences? Would you like to visit, why? You could also have them make a journal of what they think their ancestors went through (good times, visits, hardships, etc.). And why do they think they chose to come to America.
Art: On the title page of the book there is an origami boat. You could introduce the students to the art of origami and then have them create their own items with origami.
Art Additional: The entire book is illustrated with awesome watercolors. You could branch off using this idea and let the children experiment with the medium of watercolors. Introduce techniques used by artists to create depth and light....
Science: This could also lead to a science lesson....many artists make their own paints, canvases and papers. You could show how fruits could be used to get colors for painting (blueberries make an awesome dark blue/purple hue). Plus, there could be a lesson in paper making (toilet tissue, water, and a window screen) works best in a time constraint situation.
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin Company (32 pages)
Awards or Honors: Caldecott Medal Book
Summary: This is a touching story written through a grandson's eyes about his grandfather. It begins with the grandfather (a young man) leaving Japan for America. The grandfather travels across the Pacific Ocean for 3 weeks and explores North America by train, riverboat, and walking. Eventually he makes it to California and decides that that is his favorite place of all. However, he soon becomes homesick for Japan and decides to return for a visit. Once back in Japan he marries his childhood sweetheart and they return to America. They make a home in San Francisco Bay and have a daughter. But once again, he becomes homesick for Japan. So, they return with the daughter. The daughter falls in love, marries, and has Allen Say. As Mr. Say grows up he frequently visits his grandfather and hears wonderful tales of America. The grandfather misses America so much that he plans once more to go. However, the war (WWII)begins and he cannot make the journey. Finally, as Allen Say becomes a young man he decides to make that journey for himself and see America. Just as his grandfather did, Mr. Say is in one land only to long to be in the other. At last, he truly understands his grandfather. Along with the wonderful story, there are beautiful watercolors through out the story of all the places that the grandfather visits.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I really like this book. It brings a new light to what our children are so used to seeing everyday, the norm. The story lets them view things, scenes, and lives through another person's perspective. There is also the additive of being introduced/revisiting a different culture and time from their own. In addition, there are a lot of beautiful watercolors through out the story. They really help give a very vivid visualization.
Reading Level: K-3 (4.2 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used in across the curriculum in many ways.
Social Studies: You could use this book as an introduction to the study of World War II.
SS Additional: Plus, you could use this book to create a timeline for Allen Say's grandfather. The events could be taken and placed on a Flow Map. Then you could have the students create time lines of their own lives.
Technology: As an extended computer lesson you could have the children research their heritage and create family trees.
History/Writing: Once the students have researched their families origin, have them research the country. How is it similar to America? Are there any major differences? Would you like to visit, why? You could also have them make a journal of what they think their ancestors went through (good times, visits, hardships, etc.). And why do they think they chose to come to America.
Art: On the title page of the book there is an origami boat. You could introduce the students to the art of origami and then have them create their own items with origami.
Art Additional: The entire book is illustrated with awesome watercolors. You could branch off using this idea and let the children experiment with the medium of watercolors. Introduce techniques used by artists to create depth and light....
Science: This could also lead to a science lesson....many artists make their own paints, canvases and papers. You could show how fruits could be used to get colors for painting (blueberries make an awesome dark blue/purple hue). Plus, there could be a lesson in paper making (toilet tissue, water, and a window screen) works best in a time constraint situation.
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Reading Logs
Reading logs are journals in which students write their reactions and opinions about books they are reading or listening to the teacher read aloud. The students could list words, illustrate, diagrams/thinking maps, and story elements (character, setting, background, etc.) in these journals.
Sometimes students could choose what they write about or they could respond to questions or prompts that the teacher has prepared. For example, the teacher would instruct students to draw and write about your favorite character in the story that was just read aloud. Students would follow three steps: 1. Prepare reading logs (teacher supplied and binded), 2. Write/draw entries, and 3. Share entries with other students. Obviously Kindergartners could not write in single or multiple sentences at the beginning of the year, therefore they would illustrate their thoughts through pictures.
Sometimes students could choose what they write about or they could respond to questions or prompts that the teacher has prepared. For example, the teacher would instruct students to draw and write about your favorite character in the story that was just read aloud. Students would follow three steps: 1. Prepare reading logs (teacher supplied and binded), 2. Write/draw entries, and 3. Share entries with other students. Obviously Kindergartners could not write in single or multiple sentences at the beginning of the year, therefore they would illustrate their thoughts through pictures.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano
Book Genre: Fiction, Rhyming
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (24 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is an entertaining story of how one different pumpkin, Spookley, saves the day. Spookley is a very different type of pumpkin. He is not round like the others in the pumpkin patch, he is in the shape of a square. He doesn't like being different and wishes he could be round to roll around like the rest of the pumpkins. Then one day a horrible storm passes over the pumpkin patch. The wind rolls the round pumpkins all over the patch. The storm even breaks the fence and some poor pumpkins roll down the hill to the sea. Suddenly Spookley slides over to the broken fence and blocks the hole. The other pumpkins begin piling up on him as the wind continues to blow. Poor Spookley is sure that he has gotten a crack in his shell, but he holds the others in and doesn't give up. Later after the storm has finished the pumpkin farmer comes out to check his crop. He moves the other pumpkins and finds Spookley, still in the hole, brave as could be. When the next planting season arrives, the farmer decides to plant a patch full of different shaped pumpkins. Some of them are square, rectangular, oval, and even triangular. But to top it off, they are also different colors as well! The children in the town love the new types of pumpkins and Spookley doesn't feel so different anymore.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I think the story has a catchy rhyming rhythm and beautiful illustrations. Children will enjoy the tale of a "Super Pumpkin" who saves the day. It also has a valuable lesson about diversity and accepting others as they are.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.4 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used in a multitude of ways.
Math: The book could be used to reinforce shapes with the children. You could have them name the different shapes and colors of the pumpkins. This could be especially handy when it came to lessons on 3-D shapes (cones, spheres, rectangular prisms, triangular prisms, cubes, cylinders, etc).
Art: You could have the children illustrate what they think would be the coolest looking pumpkin (any shape or color - their imagination). You could also create odd shaped pumpkins from play dough and let them dry for the children to keep.
Science: Possibly bring in a real pumpkin and list the how it is alike or different from Spookley. Maybe even have a class carving when you are done. Roast the pumpkin seeds for a tasty treat for the children. Make pumpkin pies or pumpkin rolls from the flesh you take from inside.
Another activity would be to take the seeds and conduct an experiment with them. Place one in a plastic bag with a moist towel for each child. Put or tape them to the window. Have the children chart the progress of the seeds......roots? sprouting? leaves? longest? etc. Create a Flow Map of the growth of the seeds and then write in their journals.
Writing: Write stories about the possible outcomes from the sprouting seeds. You could even have the children write an alternate ending to the story. Have them draw and write what would have happened if the storm didn't come, or if Spookley was a different color and not oddly shaped, etc.
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (24 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is an entertaining story of how one different pumpkin, Spookley, saves the day. Spookley is a very different type of pumpkin. He is not round like the others in the pumpkin patch, he is in the shape of a square. He doesn't like being different and wishes he could be round to roll around like the rest of the pumpkins. Then one day a horrible storm passes over the pumpkin patch. The wind rolls the round pumpkins all over the patch. The storm even breaks the fence and some poor pumpkins roll down the hill to the sea. Suddenly Spookley slides over to the broken fence and blocks the hole. The other pumpkins begin piling up on him as the wind continues to blow. Poor Spookley is sure that he has gotten a crack in his shell, but he holds the others in and doesn't give up. Later after the storm has finished the pumpkin farmer comes out to check his crop. He moves the other pumpkins and finds Spookley, still in the hole, brave as could be. When the next planting season arrives, the farmer decides to plant a patch full of different shaped pumpkins. Some of them are square, rectangular, oval, and even triangular. But to top it off, they are also different colors as well! The children in the town love the new types of pumpkins and Spookley doesn't feel so different anymore.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I think the story has a catchy rhyming rhythm and beautiful illustrations. Children will enjoy the tale of a "Super Pumpkin" who saves the day. It also has a valuable lesson about diversity and accepting others as they are.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.4 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used in a multitude of ways.
Math: The book could be used to reinforce shapes with the children. You could have them name the different shapes and colors of the pumpkins. This could be especially handy when it came to lessons on 3-D shapes (cones, spheres, rectangular prisms, triangular prisms, cubes, cylinders, etc).
Art: You could have the children illustrate what they think would be the coolest looking pumpkin (any shape or color - their imagination). You could also create odd shaped pumpkins from play dough and let them dry for the children to keep.
Science: Possibly bring in a real pumpkin and list the how it is alike or different from Spookley. Maybe even have a class carving when you are done. Roast the pumpkin seeds for a tasty treat for the children. Make pumpkin pies or pumpkin rolls from the flesh you take from inside.
Another activity would be to take the seeds and conduct an experiment with them. Place one in a plastic bag with a moist towel for each child. Put or tape them to the window. Have the children chart the progress of the seeds......roots? sprouting? leaves? longest? etc. Create a Flow Map of the growth of the seeds and then write in their journals.
Writing: Write stories about the possible outcomes from the sprouting seeds. You could even have the children write an alternate ending to the story. Have them draw and write what would have happened if the storm didn't come, or if Spookley was a different color and not oddly shaped, etc.
Potential Problems: None at this time.
One Lonely Sea Horse by Saxton Freymann & Joost Elffers
Book Genre: Fiction, Counting, Rhyming
Publishing Info: Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic Press (28 pages)
Awards or Honors: IRA Children’s Choice 2001, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Medal
Summary: The story is a fabulous combination of a variety of vegetables and fruits disguised as sea animals. The tale begins with Bea. She is a sad lonely seahorse who is in search of friends. She finds many friends in the ocean. She meets 2 crabs, 3 puffer fish, 4 lobsters, 5 turtles, 6 dolphins, 7 eels, 8 octopus, 9 mackerel, and 10 angelfish. Bea eventually realizes that she is not alone because she is surrounded by many of her sea friends.
Personal Rating & Reasons: ****Great! This is book is just too cute! I love how the vegetables and fruits are manipulated into the sea creatures. My favorite are the banana dolphins and the pineapple turtles. Even the background corals are made of mushrooms, roots, kale, etc. As an adult I find it a fun book to just look at and try to name all the foods. For a child the book teaches counting in a colorful fun way. It also has a lesson that we are not all alone. We have friends where we least expect them.
Reading Level: K-2 (1.8 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used across the curriculum in math, writing, art, and science.
Math: In math you could use the book to reinforce counting to 10. It has one to one ratios for each animal. You could also have the children play along with a some, some more game as you read the story. You could use teddy bear counters, m&m's, Skittles, linking cubes, carrot sticks, etc. Another math activity would be to create the children's own counting books. Have them illustrate the animals on each page from 1 to 10.
Writing: You could read the story and then talk to the children about the different types of animals Bea ran into. You and the children could create a Circle Map of the animals or you could create a Flow Map of the story. Later the children could draw and write from the thinking maps their own sentences.
Art: The children could create their own animals from fruit or vegetables. You could work in small groups and have the children create the animals with the foods and toothpicks. The children could draw an animal that the teacher has created from fruits or vegetables. You could even do some potato or lettuce art with paints.
Science: This book would be a great way to introduce sea creatures in science and how they interact with other animals and their environment. You could also use this book to introduce different types of fruits or vegetables to the children. Possilby holding a tasting party of the different food items (making sure no allergies of course).
Potential Problems & Difficulties: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic Press (28 pages)
Awards or Honors: IRA Children’s Choice 2001, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Medal
Summary: The story is a fabulous combination of a variety of vegetables and fruits disguised as sea animals. The tale begins with Bea. She is a sad lonely seahorse who is in search of friends. She finds many friends in the ocean. She meets 2 crabs, 3 puffer fish, 4 lobsters, 5 turtles, 6 dolphins, 7 eels, 8 octopus, 9 mackerel, and 10 angelfish. Bea eventually realizes that she is not alone because she is surrounded by many of her sea friends.
Personal Rating & Reasons: ****Great! This is book is just too cute! I love how the vegetables and fruits are manipulated into the sea creatures. My favorite are the banana dolphins and the pineapple turtles. Even the background corals are made of mushrooms, roots, kale, etc. As an adult I find it a fun book to just look at and try to name all the foods. For a child the book teaches counting in a colorful fun way. It also has a lesson that we are not all alone. We have friends where we least expect them.
Reading Level: K-2 (1.8 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used across the curriculum in math, writing, art, and science.
Math: In math you could use the book to reinforce counting to 10. It has one to one ratios for each animal. You could also have the children play along with a some, some more game as you read the story. You could use teddy bear counters, m&m's, Skittles, linking cubes, carrot sticks, etc. Another math activity would be to create the children's own counting books. Have them illustrate the animals on each page from 1 to 10.
Writing: You could read the story and then talk to the children about the different types of animals Bea ran into. You and the children could create a Circle Map of the animals or you could create a Flow Map of the story. Later the children could draw and write from the thinking maps their own sentences.
Art: The children could create their own animals from fruit or vegetables. You could work in small groups and have the children create the animals with the foods and toothpicks. The children could draw an animal that the teacher has created from fruits or vegetables. You could even do some potato or lettuce art with paints.
Science: This book would be a great way to introduce sea creatures in science and how they interact with other animals and their environment. You could also use this book to introduce different types of fruits or vegetables to the children. Possilby holding a tasting party of the different food items (making sure no allergies of course).
Potential Problems & Difficulties: None at this time.
What Will I Be? by Wendy Lewison, Photographs by James Levin
Book Genre: Fiction, Rhyming, Career
Publishing Info: Cartwheel Books, Scholastic Inc.
Awards or Honors:
Summary: What Will I Be? is a cute book full of job descriptions and beautiful pictures. It takes many jobs such as: a baker, a director, a teacher, a police officer, a computer scientist, .......... ending with the president and introduces them to children with fun rhyming descriptions.
Personal Rating & Why: ****Great! This is an awesome book to introduce students to different types of careers they can have in the future. I love the photographs and the rhythm of the rhymes. It is a fun book to read and the children will love it too.
Reading Level: K-2 (1.8 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used to introduce Career Day or Community Helpers.
Writing: You could read the book to the children and then have them draw and write about which career they would want to be when they grow up.
Art: The children could have a dress up day. Maybe read it closer to Halloweeen and let them dress up as what they want to be when they grow up. That way you still get to dress up for Halloween and you bypass all the gory costumes.
Community: You could invite adults from the community or parents and let them give short descriptions of what their jobs require. Kind of like Show and Tell, but with people, not items.
Additional Activity: You could pick a career a day and have each child draw and write about that career. Have them make hats, badges, etc. to play the part. Let them really get a chance to get into the role of the career they have chosen.
After you have made the costumes, you could let the children do a small parade to the other classrooms to show off their hard work.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Cartwheel Books, Scholastic Inc.
Awards or Honors:
Summary: What Will I Be? is a cute book full of job descriptions and beautiful pictures. It takes many jobs such as: a baker, a director, a teacher, a police officer, a computer scientist, .......... ending with the president and introduces them to children with fun rhyming descriptions.
Personal Rating & Why: ****Great! This is an awesome book to introduce students to different types of careers they can have in the future. I love the photographs and the rhythm of the rhymes. It is a fun book to read and the children will love it too.
Reading Level: K-2 (1.8 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used to introduce Career Day or Community Helpers.
Writing: You could read the book to the children and then have them draw and write about which career they would want to be when they grow up.
Art: The children could have a dress up day. Maybe read it closer to Halloweeen and let them dress up as what they want to be when they grow up. That way you still get to dress up for Halloween and you bypass all the gory costumes.
Community: You could invite adults from the community or parents and let them give short descriptions of what their jobs require. Kind of like Show and Tell, but with people, not items.
Additional Activity: You could pick a career a day and have each child draw and write about that career. Have them make hats, badges, etc. to play the part. Let them really get a chance to get into the role of the career they have chosen.
After you have made the costumes, you could let the children do a small parade to the other classrooms to show off their hard work.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
A RAINBOW All Around Me by Sandra L. Pinkney
Book Genre: Poetry, Multicultural
Publishing Info: Cartwheel Books, Scholastic Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is a wonderful picture type book about colors. It teaches children how colors (yellow, blue, red, orange, purple, black, green, pink, brown, white, and tan) are all around them. Each color has vivid photographs that show the colors in everyday use. It also uses words to describe how the colors look or make you feel. For example, the color yellow shows various photographs of a young girl in a bright yellow rain coat. You can also find words to describe how the color may feel. Such as: "fun, bright, or sunshine in the rain".
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I love the use of color and photographs in this book. The bright use of color and actual photos really catch the eyes. I also enjoy the authors word use. Her words to describe the colors are strikenly dead on.
Reading Level: Pre-K-1 (1.9 AR)
Interest Level: ages infant-6 years
Possible Uses: You could use this book to help the children learn their colors. It could be tied to writing as well as art.
Writing: You could do a color lesson for each color by having the students bring in photos of things that are the color of the day. Then you could have the students pick an item to write and illustrate. Another activity could be to have the children look around the room for items of a certain color. Or you could have the students make up their own describing words for the colors and make charts to put up around the room.
Art: Of course illustrating their writing would be an activity. You could also have the children make and taste items to help concrete the color in their head with tactile manipulatives. For example: green - make shamrocks and taste green apples or broccli , yellow - make sunflowers and taste lemons, blue - draw ocean scenes and touch ice, red - make hearts/valentines and taste red hots, purple - make grape collages and make jam in class, etc.
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Cartwheel Books, Scholastic Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is a wonderful picture type book about colors. It teaches children how colors (yellow, blue, red, orange, purple, black, green, pink, brown, white, and tan) are all around them. Each color has vivid photographs that show the colors in everyday use. It also uses words to describe how the colors look or make you feel. For example, the color yellow shows various photographs of a young girl in a bright yellow rain coat. You can also find words to describe how the color may feel. Such as: "fun, bright, or sunshine in the rain".
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I love the use of color and photographs in this book. The bright use of color and actual photos really catch the eyes. I also enjoy the authors word use. Her words to describe the colors are strikenly dead on.
Reading Level: Pre-K-1 (1.9 AR)
Interest Level: ages infant-6 years
Possible Uses: You could use this book to help the children learn their colors. It could be tied to writing as well as art.
Writing: You could do a color lesson for each color by having the students bring in photos of things that are the color of the day. Then you could have the students pick an item to write and illustrate. Another activity could be to have the children look around the room for items of a certain color. Or you could have the students make up their own describing words for the colors and make charts to put up around the room.
Art: Of course illustrating their writing would be an activity. You could also have the children make and taste items to help concrete the color in their head with tactile manipulatives. For example: green - make shamrocks and taste green apples or broccli , yellow - make sunflowers and taste lemons, blue - draw ocean scenes and touch ice, red - make hearts/valentines and taste red hots, purple - make grape collages and make jam in class, etc.
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin
Book Genre: Fiction
Publising Info: Joanna Cotler Books, Happer Collins Publishers (32 pages)
Awards or Honors: Book Sense Honor Book, Book Sense Pick, Kirkus Editor’s Choice, Publishers Weekly Best Book. Amazon.com Editors’ Pick
Summary: This is a cute story about 5 months in a spider's life set in diary form. Spider begins his diary with March 1st and ends it with August 1st. He makes several entries in the diary. Here is a brief description of each: he tells about Gandparents Day at school, how he and his friend Fly get along, catching the wind to travel, visiting the park with his sister, Safety Day at school, a sleep over at Worm's house, molting, Show & Tell at school, meeting with Daddy Longlegs, Grampa visiting France, spider life lessons, things that are scared by Spider, and things that Spider is scared of. He ends the diary by letting people know that we shouldn't be afraid of spiders. We could all be friends just him and Fly.
Personal Rating & Reason: ***Good. This is a nicely illustrated book, but at times it could be hard for a young reader to follow along. It gives some very educational information about the differences between spiders and insects. It is humorous at times, especially the entries that concern the park. I know it is labeled for K-3, but I think that grades 4 & 5 would better understand some of the humor.
Reading Level: K-3 (2.5 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This story could be used across the curriculum in several ways.
Math: You could tie the story into morning capet time and calendar activites. Copies of a blank calendar could be made and the students could place entries on it.
Writing: A Flow Map could be create by using the diary entries. The students could also keep a journal diary and make entries periodically. Tied to science you could create a Tree Map about spiders and their characteristics. Then let the student create sentences from the Tree Map.
Art: Students could create spiders from construction paper. The teacher could help the students make webs from paint, small marbles and construction paper. You could also make a short diary of a spider book that the children illustrate with their thumb prints as spiders.
Science: One activity in science would be to go into more detail of the differences between spiders and insects. You could also use the book to compare how the story is realistic or unrealistic. Maybe list facts and fiction.
Potential Problems & Difficulties: The type setting in the book is a little hard for young readers to follow (not all left to right across the page).
Publising Info: Joanna Cotler Books, Happer Collins Publishers (32 pages)
Awards or Honors: Book Sense Honor Book, Book Sense Pick, Kirkus Editor’s Choice, Publishers Weekly Best Book. Amazon.com Editors’ Pick
Summary: This is a cute story about 5 months in a spider's life set in diary form. Spider begins his diary with March 1st and ends it with August 1st. He makes several entries in the diary. Here is a brief description of each: he tells about Gandparents Day at school, how he and his friend Fly get along, catching the wind to travel, visiting the park with his sister, Safety Day at school, a sleep over at Worm's house, molting, Show & Tell at school, meeting with Daddy Longlegs, Grampa visiting France, spider life lessons, things that are scared by Spider, and things that Spider is scared of. He ends the diary by letting people know that we shouldn't be afraid of spiders. We could all be friends just him and Fly.
Personal Rating & Reason: ***Good. This is a nicely illustrated book, but at times it could be hard for a young reader to follow along. It gives some very educational information about the differences between spiders and insects. It is humorous at times, especially the entries that concern the park. I know it is labeled for K-3, but I think that grades 4 & 5 would better understand some of the humor.
Reading Level: K-3 (2.5 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This story could be used across the curriculum in several ways.
Math: You could tie the story into morning capet time and calendar activites. Copies of a blank calendar could be made and the students could place entries on it.
Writing: A Flow Map could be create by using the diary entries. The students could also keep a journal diary and make entries periodically. Tied to science you could create a Tree Map about spiders and their characteristics. Then let the student create sentences from the Tree Map.
Art: Students could create spiders from construction paper. The teacher could help the students make webs from paint, small marbles and construction paper. You could also make a short diary of a spider book that the children illustrate with their thumb prints as spiders.
Science: One activity in science would be to go into more detail of the differences between spiders and insects. You could also use the book to compare how the story is realistic or unrealistic. Maybe list facts and fiction.
Potential Problems & Difficulties: The type setting in the book is a little hard for young readers to follow (not all left to right across the page).
Fat Frogs on a Skinny Log by Sara Riches
Book Genre: Fiction, Counting Book
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (28 pages)
Awards or Honors: WA Authors and Illustrators (2000)
Summary: This story begins with 10 fat frogs sitting on the bank of a pond and they all decide to jump into the water to cool off. Then each frog, one by one, jumps onto a log that is floating in the pond. With each fat frog landing on the log it becomes more and more unsteady until it finally flips. As the last fat frog jumps on it flips over and tosses all the frogs back into the water.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I really like this story for several reasons. First, I LOVE frogs. Next, it is an entertaining and colorful counting book that children would enjoy. The describing words are extremely vivid and really get your imagination going.
Reading Level: K-1 (1.5 AR)
Interest Level: ages 3-6 years
Possible Uses: Teachers could use this book across the curriculum in science, math, writing and art.
Science: This story could be used to introduce frogs and their life cycles. It could be tied to discussing animals and their interaction to other animals and surroundings. You could have them each create a poster of the life cycle of a frog.
Math: I think this would be an awesome use of one to one ratio and counting to ten. The story could be read and the children use teddy bear counters, linking cubes, etc. to act out a some, some more story.
Writing: The teacher could create a Circle or Bubble Map and have the students list items about ponds or frogs. They students could then write sentences using the Circle or Bubble Map. You could also do a lesson on the describing words. Explaining what each word means with other more common identifiable words.
Art: You could have the children make their own Fat Frogs on a Skinny Log books with construction paper. Have the words pre-printed on the pages and have them illustrate the pages themselves.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (28 pages)
Awards or Honors: WA Authors and Illustrators (2000)
Summary: This story begins with 10 fat frogs sitting on the bank of a pond and they all decide to jump into the water to cool off. Then each frog, one by one, jumps onto a log that is floating in the pond. With each fat frog landing on the log it becomes more and more unsteady until it finally flips. As the last fat frog jumps on it flips over and tosses all the frogs back into the water.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I really like this story for several reasons. First, I LOVE frogs. Next, it is an entertaining and colorful counting book that children would enjoy. The describing words are extremely vivid and really get your imagination going.
Reading Level: K-1 (1.5 AR)
Interest Level: ages 3-6 years
Possible Uses: Teachers could use this book across the curriculum in science, math, writing and art.
Science: This story could be used to introduce frogs and their life cycles. It could be tied to discussing animals and their interaction to other animals and surroundings. You could have them each create a poster of the life cycle of a frog.
Math: I think this would be an awesome use of one to one ratio and counting to ten. The story could be read and the children use teddy bear counters, linking cubes, etc. to act out a some, some more story.
Writing: The teacher could create a Circle or Bubble Map and have the students list items about ponds or frogs. They students could then write sentences using the Circle or Bubble Map. You could also do a lesson on the describing words. Explaining what each word means with other more common identifiable words.
Art: You could have the children make their own Fat Frogs on a Skinny Log books with construction paper. Have the words pre-printed on the pages and have them illustrate the pages themselves.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
The Little Red Hen by Public Domain, Illustrated by Barry Downard
Book Genre: Folklore
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (29 pages)
Awards or Honors: South Africa - 6 Silver Quill awards for photographic craft, 1 Loerie award for photographic craft, the South African section of the 2001 Hasselblad International Competition, the "John Dodds Challenge" for digital manipulation, awarded 4 pages in prestigious Hirt & Carter calendar competition,
United States- gold and a silver "RX Club Award"
Summary: The Little Red Hen is a delightful story of a hard working hen and her lazy friends duck, cat and pig. The story begins with Little Red hen finding some grains of wheat. She wants to plant the wheat and asks her friends for help. All of her friends refuse to help by saying "Not I". So Little Red Hen plants it herself. After the wheat had grown she asks for help cutting the wheat, but she gets the same "Not I" from her friends. Once again she decides to do it herself. Throughout the rest of the story Little Red Hen takes the wheat for grinding, makes dough, and bakes the dough into bread. Each time cat, pig, and duck respond with the "Not I" when she asks for help. Finally when the bread is smelling delicious and ready to be eaten, she asks once more for help to eat the bread. Of course this time all three agree to help eat the bread. Little Red Hen reminds them of how they didn't help make it and she eats the bread all by herself.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! This is a traditional folklore passed down for generations that teaches children a great moral about selfishness. Barry Downard took the folklore and transformed it into a story that captures the young readers of today. His manipulated photographs really catch your eye and are very entertaining. There is even on that has a pig dressed in glasses as "Hairy Trotter".
Reading Level: K-2 (2.9 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This story could be used across the curriculum in writing, science, and character education.
Writing: A Flow Map could be made in class about Little Red Hen's requests for help. The students could then write their own sentences or story from the Flow Map. They could also illustrate their stories. Another activity could be to make into a play and let the students act out the story.
Science: This story could be used to discuss animals and how they interact with each other and their surroundings. The class could create a recipe for bread and make the bread in class. Another activity would be to have the class work together to make their own butter (heavy cream, salt, yellow food coloring, and lots of shaking by the students) to go on the class-made bread. I put in yellow food coloring because I have found that most children won't eat the butter if it is not yellow like in the package from the store - go figure.
Character Education: An excellent way to introduce responsibility to children in a way that they can understand.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (29 pages)
Awards or Honors: South Africa - 6 Silver Quill awards for photographic craft, 1 Loerie award for photographic craft, the South African section of the 2001 Hasselblad International Competition, the "John Dodds Challenge" for digital manipulation, awarded 4 pages in prestigious Hirt & Carter calendar competition,
United States- gold and a silver "RX Club Award"
Summary: The Little Red Hen is a delightful story of a hard working hen and her lazy friends duck, cat and pig. The story begins with Little Red hen finding some grains of wheat. She wants to plant the wheat and asks her friends for help. All of her friends refuse to help by saying "Not I". So Little Red Hen plants it herself. After the wheat had grown she asks for help cutting the wheat, but she gets the same "Not I" from her friends. Once again she decides to do it herself. Throughout the rest of the story Little Red Hen takes the wheat for grinding, makes dough, and bakes the dough into bread. Each time cat, pig, and duck respond with the "Not I" when she asks for help. Finally when the bread is smelling delicious and ready to be eaten, she asks once more for help to eat the bread. Of course this time all three agree to help eat the bread. Little Red Hen reminds them of how they didn't help make it and she eats the bread all by herself.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! This is a traditional folklore passed down for generations that teaches children a great moral about selfishness. Barry Downard took the folklore and transformed it into a story that captures the young readers of today. His manipulated photographs really catch your eye and are very entertaining. There is even on that has a pig dressed in glasses as "Hairy Trotter".
Reading Level: K-2 (2.9 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This story could be used across the curriculum in writing, science, and character education.
Writing: A Flow Map could be made in class about Little Red Hen's requests for help. The students could then write their own sentences or story from the Flow Map. They could also illustrate their stories. Another activity could be to make into a play and let the students act out the story.
Science: This story could be used to discuss animals and how they interact with each other and their surroundings. The class could create a recipe for bread and make the bread in class. Another activity would be to have the class work together to make their own butter (heavy cream, salt, yellow food coloring, and lots of shaking by the students) to go on the class-made bread. I put in yellow food coloring because I have found that most children won't eat the butter if it is not yellow like in the package from the store - go figure.
Character Education: An excellent way to introduce responsibility to children in a way that they can understand.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic, Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors: Shortlisted for Blue Peter Children's Book Awards: The Best Book to Read Out Aloud 2002.
Summary: Gerald is a tall slim clumsy giraffe who really wants to dance at the Jungle Dance. However, he is very bad at dancing and is afraid to embarrass himself in front of the other animals. The other animals dance and even make fun of Gerald when he shows up. They laugh at him and tell him he that he can't dance. Gerald feels horrible and creeps off the dance floor to be alone. While he is alone and feeling blue he meets a friendly cricket who convinces him to slow down and listen for "his own" music. Gerald does just that and suddenly he begins to move to the music of the jungle (crickets, wind, animal sounds). As Gerald realizes that he is dancing he begins to feel much better about himself. The other animals eventually show up and are amazed at how great Gerald is dancing. They ask him how he learned how to dance so well and he tells them that they simply need to find music that they love.
Personal Rating & Reasons: ****Great! This is rhyming story that really catches your attention. The bright colors of the illustrations and the catchy rhythm of the words reels you in. It has a wonderful lesson behind the story. It teaches children that not everyone is perfect at everything. Sometimes you may not be as good at one thing, but you can find your own way of doing things that may be better.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.8 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used to tie science, arts, writing, and social studies across the curriculum.
Science: The animals of this book could be used to introduce different animals to the students. The class could discuss how animals interact with each other and their environment.
Arts: The children could do their own illustrations of this story. They could also act out the story as it is read. For example: some play the roles of the warthogs, rhinos, elephants, lions, Gerald and the cricket. Some children could create the background music by using wood blocks, paper plates filled with beans, snapping, rubbing sand paper, humming, etc. Another activity would be to have the children create a dance that they think Gerald would perform.
Writing: The teacher could read half the book and have the children write an alternate ending to the story. Then they could share their stories with the class before the actual ending is read.
Social Studies: The teacher could introduce a world map or globe and show the children where Africa is. There could be a lesson as to how that continent is different from ours.
Character Education: This story could be used to help explain courage and perseverance.
Potential Problems: Reading level of the students would determine if this is a read aloud or independent reading.
Publishing Info: Scholastic, Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors: Shortlisted for Blue Peter Children's Book Awards: The Best Book to Read Out Aloud 2002.
Summary: Gerald is a tall slim clumsy giraffe who really wants to dance at the Jungle Dance. However, he is very bad at dancing and is afraid to embarrass himself in front of the other animals. The other animals dance and even make fun of Gerald when he shows up. They laugh at him and tell him he that he can't dance. Gerald feels horrible and creeps off the dance floor to be alone. While he is alone and feeling blue he meets a friendly cricket who convinces him to slow down and listen for "his own" music. Gerald does just that and suddenly he begins to move to the music of the jungle (crickets, wind, animal sounds). As Gerald realizes that he is dancing he begins to feel much better about himself. The other animals eventually show up and are amazed at how great Gerald is dancing. They ask him how he learned how to dance so well and he tells them that they simply need to find music that they love.
Personal Rating & Reasons: ****Great! This is rhyming story that really catches your attention. The bright colors of the illustrations and the catchy rhythm of the words reels you in. It has a wonderful lesson behind the story. It teaches children that not everyone is perfect at everything. Sometimes you may not be as good at one thing, but you can find your own way of doing things that may be better.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.8 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used to tie science, arts, writing, and social studies across the curriculum.
Science: The animals of this book could be used to introduce different animals to the students. The class could discuss how animals interact with each other and their environment.
Arts: The children could do their own illustrations of this story. They could also act out the story as it is read. For example: some play the roles of the warthogs, rhinos, elephants, lions, Gerald and the cricket. Some children could create the background music by using wood blocks, paper plates filled with beans, snapping, rubbing sand paper, humming, etc. Another activity would be to have the children create a dance that they think Gerald would perform.
Writing: The teacher could read half the book and have the children write an alternate ending to the story. Then they could share their stories with the class before the actual ending is read.
Social Studies: The teacher could introduce a world map or globe and show the children where Africa is. There could be a lesson as to how that continent is different from ours.
Character Education: This story could be used to help explain courage and perseverance.
Potential Problems: Reading level of the students would determine if this is a read aloud or independent reading.
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic, Inc. (40 pages)
Awards or Honors: Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Master List, Book Sense Book of the Year Winner, Capitol Choices List (DC), CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council), Colorado Children's Book Award Master List, IRA/CBC Children's Choices, Kansas State Reading Circle Primary Titles, Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List, NAPPA Honors Award Winner, New York Times Best Illustrated Books, Parenting Magazine's Best Books of the Year,
Parents' Choice Approved Award Winner, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, South Carolina Book Award Nominee, SSLI Book Award Honor Book
Summary: This is a humorous book about a duck who is unhappy with his current chores that he has to do on the farm. He decides to hold elections to find a new person to be in charge. He makes posters and rules for the election. When Election Day comes all the animals on the farm vote and Duck wins. However, he quickly learns that being in charge of a farm is hard work and no fun. He doesn't like to do the work, so he decides to run for governor. He makes posters and gives the farm back to farmer to hit the campaign trail. When this Election Day comes, Duck once again wins. But just as before he doesn't like all the work the governor has to do. Duck decides to run for President. Just as before he makes posters, gives speeches, kisses babies, rides in parades, and appears on television. Election Day once again puts Duck in complete charge. This time he is president. He quickly finds out that running the country is hard work and not fun either. So, he leaves the vice president in charge and returns to the farm after reading an ad in the paper for "Duck Needed".
Personal Rating: ****Great! This is a very enjoyable book that teaches children a small amount about basic government and the election process. I love the humor and illustrations used throughout the story. The story is fun to read and the illustrations are vivid and entertaining. Children can't help pulling for Duck and wanting him to win.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.9 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used many ways especially during November in an election year.
Writing: A Tree Map and a Flow Map could be made by students from the story. They could list the title and the various jobs had by Duck on the Tree Map. The Flow Map could be used to show the sequence of events during the story.
Art: The students could illustrate their favorite part of the book. They could also create election posters for Duck and put them up around the classroom or school.
Math: The teacher could lead the class in an election process in the class. They could vote and then count the ballots. After the ballots are tallied they could create graphs to show who won the classroom elections.
Social Studies: Discussions could be held on the differences of the jobs that Duck held and the places that he visited. This would also give a great chance to talk about citizenship in the classroom, school, and community. Roles of a responsible citizen could be addressed.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Because of the level of vocabulary, this would have to be a read aloud for lower grades (K-1).
Publishing Info: Scholastic, Inc. (40 pages)
Awards or Honors: Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award Master List, Book Sense Book of the Year Winner, Capitol Choices List (DC), CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council), Colorado Children's Book Award Master List, IRA/CBC Children's Choices, Kansas State Reading Circle Primary Titles, Kentucky Bluegrass Award Master List, NAPPA Honors Award Winner, New York Times Best Illustrated Books, Parenting Magazine's Best Books of the Year,
Parents' Choice Approved Award Winner, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, South Carolina Book Award Nominee, SSLI Book Award Honor Book
Summary: This is a humorous book about a duck who is unhappy with his current chores that he has to do on the farm. He decides to hold elections to find a new person to be in charge. He makes posters and rules for the election. When Election Day comes all the animals on the farm vote and Duck wins. However, he quickly learns that being in charge of a farm is hard work and no fun. He doesn't like to do the work, so he decides to run for governor. He makes posters and gives the farm back to farmer to hit the campaign trail. When this Election Day comes, Duck once again wins. But just as before he doesn't like all the work the governor has to do. Duck decides to run for President. Just as before he makes posters, gives speeches, kisses babies, rides in parades, and appears on television. Election Day once again puts Duck in complete charge. This time he is president. He quickly finds out that running the country is hard work and not fun either. So, he leaves the vice president in charge and returns to the farm after reading an ad in the paper for "Duck Needed".
Personal Rating: ****Great! This is a very enjoyable book that teaches children a small amount about basic government and the election process. I love the humor and illustrations used throughout the story. The story is fun to read and the illustrations are vivid and entertaining. Children can't help pulling for Duck and wanting him to win.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.9 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used many ways especially during November in an election year.
Writing: A Tree Map and a Flow Map could be made by students from the story. They could list the title and the various jobs had by Duck on the Tree Map. The Flow Map could be used to show the sequence of events during the story.
Art: The students could illustrate their favorite part of the book. They could also create election posters for Duck and put them up around the classroom or school.
Math: The teacher could lead the class in an election process in the class. They could vote and then count the ballots. After the ballots are tallied they could create graphs to show who won the classroom elections.
Social Studies: Discussions could be held on the differences of the jobs that Duck held and the places that he visited. This would also give a great chance to talk about citizenship in the classroom, school, and community. Roles of a responsible citizen could be addressed.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Because of the level of vocabulary, this would have to be a read aloud for lower grades (K-1).
Little Cloud by Eric Carle
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: Little Cloud is a story of a small cloud that floats along in the sky and enjoys changing into shapes that he has seen before. Some of the shapes that Little Cloud becomes are a sheep, an airplane, a shark, two trees, a rabbit, a hat, and a clown. Little Cloud eventually floats up and joins the other clouds. They all become one big rain cloud and it rains.
Personal Rating & Why: ***Good. This is a good book that introduces clouds to children. It has lots of colorful pages and interesting shapes of the little cloud.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.2 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: Some uses across the curriculum are as follows:
Art: You could use paint and construction paper to have the children create clouds. Another idea is to use cotton balls. Have the children stretch the cotton balls out and then glue them in shapes onto blue construction paper. Or, have the children glue cotton balls together to make shapes.
Writing: Have the children create a circle map about clouds. Let them list things that the cloud could change into. Later use the circle map to draw and write sentences about the clouds.
Science: Use story to introduce a lesson on types of clouds, possibly the atmosphere.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: Little Cloud is a story of a small cloud that floats along in the sky and enjoys changing into shapes that he has seen before. Some of the shapes that Little Cloud becomes are a sheep, an airplane, a shark, two trees, a rabbit, a hat, and a clown. Little Cloud eventually floats up and joins the other clouds. They all become one big rain cloud and it rains.
Personal Rating & Why: ***Good. This is a good book that introduces clouds to children. It has lots of colorful pages and interesting shapes of the little cloud.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.2 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: Some uses across the curriculum are as follows:
Art: You could use paint and construction paper to have the children create clouds. Another idea is to use cotton balls. Have the children stretch the cotton balls out and then glue them in shapes onto blue construction paper. Or, have the children glue cotton balls together to make shapes.
Writing: Have the children create a circle map about clouds. Let them list things that the cloud could change into. Later use the circle map to draw and write sentences about the clouds.
Science: Use story to introduce a lesson on types of clouds, possibly the atmosphere.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None at this time.
The Very Clumsy Click Beetle by: Eric Carle
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (24 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is a beautiful.y illustrated story of a young click beetle who climbs a tree, falls off, and lands on his back. He doesn't know how to get back over onto his feet and calls for help. A "wise old" click beetle passes by and promises to teach him what to do the next morning. The next morning the older click beetle shows the young click beetle how to click, flip through the air and land on its feet. They young click beetle then attempts to do the same. However, his try is unrewarding because he lands on his back again. The young click beetle meets several new animals and insects and makes many attempts to click, flip and land on his feet. Eventually a person happens by and it scares the young click beetle. The old click beetle cheers him on to click and flip. In the end the young click beetle finally learns how to click, flip and land on his feet to escape the terrifying human.
Personal Rating & Reason: ***Good. This is good book and it keeps the children's interest by making a clicking sound towards the end when the beetle finally click, flips and lands on his feet.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.8 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: There are a few uses of this book across the curriculum.
Writing: You could read the story and have the children create a circle map of the story. Then you could have them write some sentences using the circle map.
Art: The children could illustrate their writing. You could also make a click beetle out of soda bottle and paper mache.
Science: This story ties into science because you could go into further detail about insects and how they interact with their surroundings.
Character Education: This is a great story about perseverance.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None found at this time.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. (24 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is a beautiful.y illustrated story of a young click beetle who climbs a tree, falls off, and lands on his back. He doesn't know how to get back over onto his feet and calls for help. A "wise old" click beetle passes by and promises to teach him what to do the next morning. The next morning the older click beetle shows the young click beetle how to click, flip through the air and land on its feet. They young click beetle then attempts to do the same. However, his try is unrewarding because he lands on his back again. The young click beetle meets several new animals and insects and makes many attempts to click, flip and land on his feet. Eventually a person happens by and it scares the young click beetle. The old click beetle cheers him on to click and flip. In the end the young click beetle finally learns how to click, flip and land on his feet to escape the terrifying human.
Personal Rating & Reason: ***Good. This is good book and it keeps the children's interest by making a clicking sound towards the end when the beetle finally click, flips and lands on his feet.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.8 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: There are a few uses of this book across the curriculum.
Writing: You could read the story and have the children create a circle map of the story. Then you could have them write some sentences using the circle map.
Art: The children could illustrate their writing. You could also make a click beetle out of soda bottle and paper mache.
Science: This story ties into science because you could go into further detail about insects and how they interact with their surroundings.
Character Education: This is a great story about perseverance.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None found at this time.
Stone Soup by Ann McGovern
Book Genre: Folktale
Publishing Info: Harcourt Brace & Company, Scholastics Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors Received:
Summary: Stone Soup is an entertaining folktale about an intelligent traveling peddler and an old hermit lady. The story begins with the peddler traveling down a road. He is terribly hungry and tired. Eventually, he happens upon a house and decides to ask the resident for some food. When he asks, the old lady refuses. She tells him that she has no food in her house or garden. The smart peddler then tricks her into making a soup from a stone. He asks for a stone, water and pot. She agrees and gets the items. He then tells her that the soup would taste better with yellow onions. Once again she agrees and gets the onions. As the "stone" soup is cooking and smelling wonderfully the woman begins to get hungry as well. The peddler then asks for carrots. Without hesitation the woman gives into this wish as well. Things continue this way with the peddler asking for additional items and the woman quickly gathering them to put in the soup. The soup finally contains a stone, yellow onions, carrots, beef bones, pepper, salt, butter and barley. Once the peddler is content that the soup is finished, he and the old lady sit down for a "soup fit for a king". Finally, after his belly is full the peddler takes the stone and is on his way once again.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I absolutely love this book. It is written in a way that children can understand and enjoy. There are some great life lessons to be learned as well.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.1 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used across the curriculum. Here are some examples.
Writing: You could help the children create a flow map of the story and the items listed. Later the students could use the flow map to write their own versions of the tale in a short story.
Art: The children could illustrate their short stories. Plus you could create a You Read to Me, I'll Read to You skit and have them act it out.
Math: You and the students could create a recipe of the stone soup. Then have the students count and measure the items as you make the soup. Later, enjoy the tasty treat.
Social Studies: A discussion about how the characters are similar or different could be conducted. Or you could tie the story into how the students and the characters are alike or different. Then you could discuss the way the characters made the soup and how we make or would make it today.
Science: You could have the students use their senses to describe the items used in the soup.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: must be a read aloud story in K-1 the vocabulary is too advanced for the students to read independently, obtaining the items to make the soup.
Publishing Info: Harcourt Brace & Company, Scholastics Inc. (32 pages)
Awards or Honors Received:
Summary: Stone Soup is an entertaining folktale about an intelligent traveling peddler and an old hermit lady. The story begins with the peddler traveling down a road. He is terribly hungry and tired. Eventually, he happens upon a house and decides to ask the resident for some food. When he asks, the old lady refuses. She tells him that she has no food in her house or garden. The smart peddler then tricks her into making a soup from a stone. He asks for a stone, water and pot. She agrees and gets the items. He then tells her that the soup would taste better with yellow onions. Once again she agrees and gets the onions. As the "stone" soup is cooking and smelling wonderfully the woman begins to get hungry as well. The peddler then asks for carrots. Without hesitation the woman gives into this wish as well. Things continue this way with the peddler asking for additional items and the woman quickly gathering them to put in the soup. The soup finally contains a stone, yellow onions, carrots, beef bones, pepper, salt, butter and barley. Once the peddler is content that the soup is finished, he and the old lady sit down for a "soup fit for a king". Finally, after his belly is full the peddler takes the stone and is on his way once again.
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I absolutely love this book. It is written in a way that children can understand and enjoy. There are some great life lessons to be learned as well.
Reading Level: K-2 (2.1 AR)
Interest Level: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: This book could be used across the curriculum. Here are some examples.
Writing: You could help the children create a flow map of the story and the items listed. Later the students could use the flow map to write their own versions of the tale in a short story.
Art: The children could illustrate their short stories. Plus you could create a You Read to Me, I'll Read to You skit and have them act it out.
Math: You and the students could create a recipe of the stone soup. Then have the students count and measure the items as you make the soup. Later, enjoy the tasty treat.
Social Studies: A discussion about how the characters are similar or different could be conducted. Or you could tie the story into how the students and the characters are alike or different. Then you could discuss the way the characters made the soup and how we make or would make it today.
Science: You could have the students use their senses to describe the items used in the soup.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: must be a read aloud story in K-1 the vocabulary is too advanced for the students to read independently, obtaining the items to make the soup.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
First class meeting
After reading the syllabus, I am most looking forward to integrating many types of new literacies in my classroom. I think this is a wonderful new way to get the children involved in enjoying reading by incorporating different literature types.
I am most concerned with being on time and on task with assignments. This is a constant concern....graduate school, scouts, classroom, etc. Another thing I am also concerned with is the use of Blackboard, MyEducationalLab, and CourseSmart. I have never used these online tools before and am wary.
I am most concerned with being on time and on task with assignments. This is a constant concern....graduate school, scouts, classroom, etc. Another thing I am also concerned with is the use of Blackboard, MyEducationalLab, and CourseSmart. I have never used these online tools before and am wary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)